New World.
A storm had just passed over a vast stretch of ocean.
A battered ship drifted across the waves.
"Damn it! If I had known things would turn out like this, I would've kept a navigator onboard!"
Sitting with her long legs stretched out—legs that would make Earthlings envious—Smoothie flicked her wet hair back, wearing an exasperated expression as she gazed at the endless horizon.
Who would've thought that even with a Log Pose, the ship could still veer off course?
...
Sabaody Archipelago.
"Just a little more... Just a little more..."
After working overtime for days, Tesoro kept hypnotizing himself.
Then, a single photograph snapped him out of his daze.
"Blind, an X-shaped scar on his face, a guide cane, a purple kimono, wooden sandals, a civilian involved in a rescue skirmish... Name: Issho."
"We found him!" x2
Tesoro turned to see Stella cheering.
Waving the photo in her hand, Stella smiled at Tesoro. "Tesoro, we've found the person the boss was looking for."
In the reflection of the glossy surface, Tesoro spotted an elderly woman with blonde hair. The name printed beneath the image: Miss Bakkin.
Stella, still unaware of the full situation, looked puzzled. "She just looks like a stylish old lady. Is this really the person the boss wants?"
"Hahaha, Stella, this woman was a member of a legendary pirate crew before even the Pirate King, Roger. And her son—well, the boss says he's a real monster. Check the back of the photo."
Confused, Stella flipped the picture over and read aloud, word by word.
"Miss Bakkin—no known combat record, decent gambling skills."
"Her son appears somewhat dim-witted, suspected to have Giant blood, and has allegedly slain hundreds with a single swing."
As Stella stood there in a daze, Tesoro, overjoyed, jumped up and hugged his lover tightly.
Finally, no more overtime!
...
"Boss, we found them! We've located them!"
Doflamingo, just finishing his workout, raised an eyebrow.
"Looks like you have some good news for me this time, Tesoro."
"Of course, Boss."
Tesoro's voice carried a hint of excitement, the relief of a completed task.
"Issho, Miss Bakkin, and her son—they've all been found."
"Fufufufufu! Tesoro, after this is over, you'll get a long vacation—you can enjoy yourself to the fullest."
With a teasing tone, Doflamingo then asked, "Where are they?"
"Miss Bakkin and her son are in Loguetown, participating in the island's high-stakes gambling tournament. Issho was spotted in the South Blue..."
"Perfect."
Doflamingo cracked his neck. "Tell Enel to find the best intelligence officer in the family and take them along with the Copy-Copy Fruit user to Loguetown. I'll arrive before the tournament ends."
"Understood, Boss. And Issho?"
"No need to worry about him. He'll come to us on his own."
Snap!
Moments later—
"No! No, please, Doflamingo-sama, let me fly on my own!"
"Hahaha! Go faster, Doffy!"
With Buffalo screaming in protest and Yamato cheering excitedly, Doflamingo grabbed both of them and soared through the sky at top speed.
...
"Hah? Why bring an intelligence officer? Isn't having me enough? I'm already strong enough!"
Taking the Copy-Copy Fruit, Enel looked annoyed.
With him and Doflamingo in the New World, they were already unstoppable. What use was some intelligence specialist?
Sniffling, Trebol's eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, gleamed with discontent.
"I say, I say, this is a direct order from Doffy. If you mess it up, you know what will happen to your body."
Waving dismissively, Enel sighed. "Fine, fine, I'll take them. Stop using the boss to pressure me."
Trebol clapped his hands.
A short figure, about 1.3 meters tall, dressed in a snug suit, stepped into the room. Their thick glasses reflected the light, concealing their eyes.
"This is our strongest intelligence officer this quarter. Proficient in Shigan and Soru. Their name is—"
"Yeah, yeah, I don't care what your name is. Let's go."
"Yes, Lord Enel!"
Watching them leave, Trebol adjusted his glasses, a sly smile creeping onto his face.
...
Loguetown.
After four intense days of competition, the island's gambling tournament had reached its climax.
Miss Bakkin was not only dominating the gambling scene but was also raking in fortune after fortune.
With her dual expertise, her lifestyle had become increasingly extravagant.
"Ahhh~ My darling~"
A Tone Dial played Stella's melodic singing in the background.
Though the rainy season was in full swing outside, inside the VIP suite, thanks to Heat Dials and air circulation, the atmosphere remained perfectly warm.
Four well-built, muscular men with firm chests and sculpted backsides, dressed in barely-there attire, carefully massaged Miss Bakkin's limbs.
Meanwhile, Weevil, her son, sat nearby, staring vacantly at something in front of him.
Lying on a special golden bed crafted by Tesoro, Miss Bakkin stared at the gem-encrusted ceiling.
For a woman of her age, long past her prime, she was feeling... alive again.
A bit too alive.
"Miss Bakkin, this is Loguetown's only VIP suite."
"After you leave, we can arrange to have these Tone Dials and Heat Dials installed on your ship—free of charge."
"That's right! With these, even at sea, you'll feel right at home."
"Rumor has it that the VIP suites in Sabaody are even more luxurious. With Weevil-sama's strength and your gambling skills, surely you can claim the title of God of Gambling in the first-ever tournament!"
Miss Bakkin's eyes grew hazy with greed.
Yes, yes, of course. Everything they said was right.
But now, she was starting to wonder... just what extra services did the Sabaody VIP suites offer?
...
Loguetown's Southeastern District.
It was now the Donquixote Family's base of operations.
"Looks like you've recovered well, Enel."
"Of course."
Handing over the Copy-Copy Fruit, Enel crackled with electricity, smirking as he boasted.
"Boss, I've mastered something new. I can use my lightning to stimulate cell regeneration, accelerating my healing. In this state, my reaction time and physical strength increase as well."
What is this, Lightning Release Chakra Mode?
Doflamingo's expression turned strange as he looked at Enel.
Did Bullet beat this potential out of him? Maybe I went too easy on him last time...
Suppressing his stray thoughts, Doflamingo nodded approvingly.
"Not bad. At this rate, you'll surpass Bullet in no time."
"Hahaha! That's a given!" Enel boasted shamelessly.
Looking past Enel at the small man in glasses, Doflamingo's interest was piqued.
"So this is the strongest intelligence officer this time?"
"Yeah, Trebol had me bring him."
"Give me his basic info."
"Huh? Ah..."
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