"Purple is very charming."
With that, Daren went right back to devouring his food, chewing loudly as if nothing else mattered.
Stussy: "..."
She nearly lost her breath.
That bastard!
Was that supposed to be a compliment? Did I even ask for one?
And that line—how half-hearted could it be?
Stussy took a long drag from her cigarette, her chest rising and falling in frustration. The confidence and atmosphere she had so carefully crafted just moments ago had been shattered by Daren's unfiltered rudeness.
No. She wouldn't let it end like this.
She gritted her teeth, face tight with unwillingness.
She'd come here to savor the taste of victory—how had this turned into a feast for that glutton?
"Are you done eating yet?!"
Her voice turned cold, the frost in her eyes as sharp as her arched brows.
Daren blinked, then quickly tore through a roasted beef shank, tossed the bone aside, and let out a loud burp.
"Well, I guess I'm halfway there."
He wiped his hands with a napkin, lit a cigar, and leaned back with a grin.
"My esteemed Queen, getting a little impatient, are we?"
"But speaking of which..."
He gave her a playful wink.
"You do look stunning tonight."
"Hmph."
Stussy huffed and finally relaxed her raised brows.
She waved off the remaining waitstaff and dancers, signaling them to clear out.
Once the grand, echoing banquet hall was empty save for the two of them, she finally let out a small laugh, the corner of her lips curving in pride.
"Say, Vice Admiral Daren, haven't you forgotten something?"
"Forgotten something?"
Daren blinked innocently.
"You invited me. I didn't think I was supposed to bring anything."
Still playing dumb, huh?
Stussy narrowed her eyes at his flawless act. She twirled a lock of hair around her finger, her smirk turning razor-sharp.
"Giggling like that, Vice Admiral Daren... so forgetful, aren't you? Already forgot about our little..."
She leaned in slightly, her curves pressing against the edge of the table, drawing the eye to every deliberate line of her body. Her lips parted, voice low and honeyed, and she winked.
"...bet."
With her seductive tone and suggestive posture, the air between them thickened, heavy with tension and heat.
She was a master of charm—dangerously so. And with her natural beauty, poised demeanor, and tonight's stunning dress, she radiated allure like no other.
Beneath the shimmering chandeliers, she was mesmerizing.
"The bet..."
Daren paused, then frowned.
"If I remember correctly, the terms were that the final roster of the Shichibukai would be determined by my nominations."
"Stussy, of the six confirmed so far—Douglas Bullet, Gecko Moria, Crocodile, Dracule Mihawk, and Fisher Tiger—every single one was my pick."
"So even by the bet's rules…"
His gaze sharpened.
"I've already won, haven't I?"
"Giggle, giggle... not necessarily."
Stussy laughed sweetly, her eyes glinting with the thrill of a coming victory.
"Wasn't the sixth member just finalized?"
She stared straight at him, savoring the shift in his expression, her tongue flicking across her lips as she purred,
"Honorable Vice Admiral Daren, I'd like to introduce you to a friend."
"What do you say?"
Daren's face darkened, his whole demeanor turning guarded.
"I don't need any more friends."
Stussy's smile widened.
Yes. That flicker of alarm, that shadow of doubt in his eyes.
Perfect.
And this was only the beginning...
You have no idea that I've already allied with your enemy. That I risked everything to push his nomination before the Five Elders, and made sure he was selected as a Shichibukai.
You'd never guess I invited him to this very dinner.
Just so I could win this bet—beautifully, gloriously—and step right over you.
Watching Daren's grim, unsettled expression, Stussy felt a rush of triumph swell in her chest.
Finally… finally, she had the upper hand over this damned man.
She would reclaim every ounce of pride and dignity she'd lost.
A thrill surged through her, setting her cheeks ablaze with a flush of excitement. Her body trembled faintly, her long legs instinctively drawing together.
This feeling…
It was almost euphoric.
"Giggle, giggle, this isn't up to you anymore."
Stussy rose gracefully, her elegant purple fishtail dress blooming like a violet. She looked down from above at the Marine Vice Admiral seated across from her, extending the hand holding her lady's cigarette ever so slightly.
"Now, let me give Vice Admiral Daren a formal introduction to my partner..."
A teasing curve lifted the corner of her eyes as her lips bloomed into a mischievous smile.
As her words fell, the side door of the banquet hall slowly opened, pushed by the man in the black suit.
A defiant figure stepped out, hands in his pockets, walking with an air of insolence. A sinister smirk played on his lips, his presence flickering in and out of the corridor's shadows.
The moment she spoke, Stussy's captivating gaze locked onto the Vice Admiral.
Come on, Daren...
I've been preparing for this reveal for so long.
Let me savor the look on your face when you're utterly defeated!
As the figure came closer, his footsteps grew more distinct.
The smile tugging at Stussy's lips became harder to contain. Her whole body trembled with anticipation.
Almost...
Victory is almost mine...
With a proud lift of her hand and a delighted laugh, she grandly declared:
"The honorable Shichibukai... the 'Flamingo'—Donquixote Doflamingo!"
Clack.
The blond youth finally stepped into the banquet hall.
His pink feather coat radiated wild arrogance, and under the lights, his golden short hair gleamed like a crown.
He looked at Stussy first—then paused noticeably when his gaze fell on Daren.
"Fufufufufu... So that's what this is..."
Doflamingo suddenly gave a chilling smile.
"That's right."
Stussy giggled charmingly.
"Doflamingo, this is the friend I wanted to introduce you to—Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters—"
"I know him."
Doflamingo cut her off with a sinister grin, his tone carrying an odd amusement.
Stussy froze.
Something felt wrong.
Because the tension, gloom, and hostility that had clouded Daren's face all vanished in an instant.
What replaced them was a look of inscrutable mockery.
This was...
An overwhelming sense of confusion and dread slammed into Stussy's heart like a tidal wave.
"Doffy."
Daren spoke slowly, with a smile, and casually raised his right hand.
D-Doffy?
That nickname...
Stussy's expression shifted, and she instinctively stepped back.
Could it be... the relationship between these two wasn't as antagonistic as she had assumed?
But before she could react, the new Shichibukai—the man brazen enough to rob the Heavenly Tribute and snatch spoils from the World Government and the Five Elders—gave a nod.
Then, step by step, he walked up to Daren.
He dropped to one knee, and with the utmost respect...kissed the back of Daren's hand.
"Godfather-sama."
He bowed his head and said.
G-Godfather-sama!?
Stussy was struck as if by lightning.
Her mind went completely blank!