What... what the hell is going on!?
Stussy staggered back two steps, as if struck by lightning. Her wide eyes stared in disbelief, red lips slightly parted, and the color drained from her face.
Her complexion grew paler by the second.
"N-No way..."
She swallowed hard, blinking rapidly—only to realize, in despair, that this wasn't some illusion or a bad dream... It was really happening.
That Doflamingo, the one who sneered even at the Five Elders—
That Doflamingo, who dared to plunder the Heavenly Tribute and made a complete mockery of the World Government—
That Doflamingo who arrogantly declared he would swallow the entire New World underground...
Was now kneeling submissively before Daren!?
On one knee. Kissing the back of his hand. The highest ceremony of mafia loyalty.
Godfather... Godfather!?
Impossible!!
Donquixote Doflamingo is a Celestial Dragon!
Even if he lost the right to live in Mary Geoise, the blood of the world's nobility still flows through his veins. He's a god among mortals on this sea!
That bloodline is precisely why he dares to challenge the World Government—even the Five Elders!
And yet now...
That noble, mighty "god" was kneeling willingly before a Marine... and calling him "Godfather"!?
Stussy could hardly believe her eyes.
What on earth did that bastard Rogers Daren do to bring someone as arrogant and unyielding as Doflamingo to heel!?
A Celestial Dragon, recognizing a common human as his "godfather"...
That had to be a joke.
No one would believe it even if you told them.
Just then, Daren chuckled and began speaking slowly.
"Right... I forgot to introduce him to you earlier, Stussy."
He glanced at her, a half-smile tugging at his lips.
"I took in a godson back in North Blue. Hmph... he wasn't exactly a standout, so I never mentioned him to anyone."
"But lately, the brat's been working hard. Even managed to become one of the Shichibukai... Makes me proud, as his godfather."
He suddenly patted his forehead, feigning apology.
"Look at me—my memory really isn't what it used to be."
"You probably knew all along, right? I mean, he wouldn't have gotten that title without a little help from you..."
Stussy trembled again. Her face alternated between red and pale, chest heaving.
"You... you... you..."
The Vice Admiral's casually spoken words pierced her heart like an invisible blade.
She bit down on her lower lip—so hard it bled.
"Well then, Doffy... Let me introduce you properly."
Daren shook his head and gently helped Doflamingo to his feet, smiling.
"You've crossed paths before, sure—but only as business partners."
"This lady here is Ms. Stussy, Queen of the Pleasure District. She's a very dear friend of mine."
Doflamingo grinned, excitement flashing in his eyes, and gave a refined bow like a nobleman.
"Fufufufu... It's a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Stussy."
Daren beamed, twisting the knife a little deeper.
"Come to think of it, we owe her quite a bit..."
"If not for her arranging such a lavish banquet, we wouldn't have had the chance to catch up."
The moment those words landed...
Stussy looked as if she'd been struck by a thunderbolt. Her face turned ghostly white.
She stared at everything around her.
The luxurious banquet hall, the meticulously prepared gourmet spread, the performances by kabuki actors...
Doflamingo's appointment as Shichibukai, her personal risk in front of the Five Elders...
The hair, the makeup, the custom-tailored gown she paid a fortune for, all for this night...
...It all felt like a cruel dream.
Stussy's vision blurred, her pupils losing focus.
Everything around her seemed to come alive in that moment—laughing at her in sharp, mocking glee.
"It's impossible..."
"Absolutely impossible..."
She muttered to herself, her eyes lifeless, unable to accept the reality before her.
Especially when she thought back to the smug expression and confident smile she'd worn since the beginning of the banquet... an overwhelming sense of humiliation flooded her chest.
Her ten delicate toes, encased in those crystal-clear peep-toe heels, curled tightly with shame.
"Oh, it's very possible."
Daren let out a sigh, his tone tinged with mock guilt.
"After all, I'm a very compassionate man."
"And everyone knows—I'm great at making friends."
"Whether it's Marines, pirates, government officials, or even Celestial Dragons... everyone seems to enjoy being friends with me."
He tilted his head slightly, giving Stussy a deliberate wink.
"Otherwise, how could we have ended up such close, friendly... partners—ah, no, friends... right?"
Stussy's expression twisted.
Looking at that infuriatingly smug grin on Daren's face, she suddenly clenched her fists and hissed through gritted teeth.
"So this was all your setup!?"
She turned to Doflamingo, eyes blazing with killing intent.
"You played along with me from the start!?"
Doflamingo spread his arms, his smirk cold and twisted.
"Fufufufu... Don't blame me for this."
"You were the one who proposed the partnership, remember?"
Stussy froze.
She opened her mouth, but no rebuttal came out.
Yes...
She had brought this all upon herself.
The schemes and ambitions she'd been so proud of—seen through Daren's eyes, they were nothing more than a clown's petty theatrics.
Wait...
"So... having Doflamingo raid the Heavenly Tribute—that was your idea too?!"
She stared at Daren in disbelief.
He shrugged.
"I had no choice. The Five Elders didn't want Doffy to become a Shichibukai, so I had to take more... drastic steps."
"You know me—I'm a man of peace."
Stussy stood stunned.
So that's how it was...
What an act...
This man had fooled everyone...
Not just her—but the Marines, the World Government, even the Five Elders had been wrapped around his finger.
She finally saw the whole picture.
A dark, indescribable weight pressed down on her—helplessness, despair—cloaking her heart like a storm cloud.
Seeing her frozen in place, Daren smiled inwardly.
Time to claim the spoils of victory.
"Doffy, head out for now."
Daren's eyes gleamed with amusement.
"I have something... important to discuss with Ms. Stussy."
Doflamingo gave Daren a look, then glanced at the clearly shaken Stussy. He grinned, gave a small nod.
"As you wish, Godfather-sama."
He shoved his hands into his pockets again and swaggered out of the banquet hall.
Bang—the doors closed with a heavy thud.
Now, in the golden grandeur of the hall...
Only the two of them remained, facing each other from across the room.
"W-What are you planning...?"
Stussy watched as the Marine Vice Admiral stepped toward her, heartbeat out of control, a flush creeping across her panicked face.
She backed up unsteadily—until her hips bumped into the banquet table, arching her figure into a full, pronounced curve.
In a gasp, a large, rough hand suddenly wrapped around her slender waist.
Her breath hitched. A wave of strong masculine scent overwhelmed her senses.
Before she could say a word, another hand lifted her chin playfully.
"So... looks like I won the bet."
"Tell me... how should I punish you?"
The Vice Admiral's gaze was deep, filled with teasing menace, and his palm roamed without restraint, brushing against the delicate ripples of her purple evening gown.
"...My Queen."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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