As if he couldn't believe it, Daren gave the tail another squeeze.
"Mmm..."
A soft moan spilled from Stussy's slightly parted red lips, her voice a little hoarse, carrying a soul-stirring allure that seemed impossible to resist.
So Daren, naturally, didn't stop.
His eyes glinted with mischievous amusement as he continued to knead and twist the black tail into different shapes like a new favorite toy.
"No... don't..."
Stussy shuddered violently, as if jolted by electricity.
Her cheeks were flushed crimson, her breathing grew ragged.
Her body felt increasingly weak and helpless, forcing her to instinctively cling tighter to the Vice Admiral in front of her.
If Daren hadn't been holding her slim waist, she would've already collapsed into a heap.
"So that's how it is..."
Daren chuckled with growing interest.
"In your complete vampire form, that tail isn't just for show—it's a dynamic balancing tool."
"The devil's tail is packed with nerve endings, letting you sense even the tiniest shifts in the air as you move at high speeds... helps maintain balance. Fascinating."
He leaned close to Stussy's ear, his voice low and teasing.
"In other words... your tail is an incredibly sensitive, forbidden zone."
Stussy trembled all over.
Her eyes burned with shame and resentment, her teeth sinking into her lip.
This bastard... he figured it out!
Even worse...
His hands, somehow, seemed to possess a strange magic—making it harder and harder for her to resist the sensation overtaking her body.
"So, shouldn't you fulfill your forfeit now, my Queen?"
"No, I won't—mmm...!"
Stussy suddenly froze.
"You... you bastard...!"
She weakly cursed, overwhelmed.
This shameless bastard had tugged hard on her tail!
"You're not being very obedient..." Daren said with a soft laugh.
"Aren't you actually enjoying it?"
Watching the once-proud Queen reduced to such a state gave him an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
"No... I'm not..."
"You're so dishonest..."
Daren sighed dramatically.
"Looks like I'll have to get serious."
Stussy, gritting her teeth against the chaos surging through her body, stubbornly declared,
"I've awakened my Devil Fruit powers... I won't lose to you!"
"Oh? Acting tough now that you've awakened?"
Daren glanced at the black flames swirling around her, his tone filled with teasing amusement.
"But that just makes it more fun."
He leaned close and whispered something in her ear.
Immediately, Stussy's face went pale, and a flash of fear crossed her eyes.
"No... that's impossible!"
Daren didn't give her a chance to react.
He pressed her down against the banquet table.
"Then let's test it."
As the words left his mouth...
Stussy's mind went completely blank, as if struck by lightning.
Her eyes widened to their limit.
All thought was wiped away in an instant.
"G-Giant..."
...
At the same time...
Outside the banquet hall.
A group of security personnel stood guard in solemn silence, eyes sharp, waiting for their leader's command.
"Sir, should we... go in?"
The man in the black suit frowned slightly and shook his head.
"Her Majesty's orders were clear—no matter what we hear inside, we do not interfere."
"This is all part of her plan."
Just then, faint sounds began to drift from within the hall.
A man's voice, laced with pain, like a low beastly growl.
A woman's voice, heavy with restraint, tinged with subtle pleasure.
The corners of the man's lips curled into a proud smile.
As Stussy's most trusted confidant, he knew better than anyone how much she had sacrificed and prepared for this moment.
Countless days and nights of grueling training and bloodshed—Her Majesty's power had advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching an unprecedented level.
He had personally witnessed her, in that powerful and graceful awakened form, shred a pirate with a bounty exceeding 200 million Belly in under five seconds.
"Do you hear that?"
"Her Majesty has already succeeded. That so-called 'King of North Blue,' 'Legend's Slayer,' 'Future Sky Admiral'... has already fallen before our noble queen!"
"Soon enough, Rogers Daren will be like all the others—completely devoted to Her Majesty!"
Upon hearing their leader's impassioned words, everyone turned fevered eyes toward the banquet hall doors.
"Amazing!"
"The Queen always plans everything to perfection!"
"..."
Cheers rose spontaneously from the group.
As expected of our queen...
Even someone as legendary as Rogers Daren had been effortlessly subdued.
In time, this entire sea would surely belong to their beautiful, noble queen!
...
Meanwhile, inside the banquet hall...
Doflamingo lounged comfortably on a plush leather sofa, wine glass in hand, flipping through the latest newspaper with idle amusement.
Beside him, Senor stood silently, a lit cigarette in his mouth, his posture straight and respectful.
"Fufufufufu..."
Doflamingo suddenly let out a dark chuckle, as if remembering something amusing.
"Senor."
"Yes, young master," Senor replied in a low voice.
"Curious to know who that woman introduced me to?"
Doflamingo turned his head, an amused gleam in his eye.
Senor hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"I admit, I am curious."
Doflamingo grinned wickedly.
"It was my godfather."
Senor stiffened.
Daren-sama!?
Since when had he gotten involved with the Queen of the Pleasure District?
"Should I go pay my respects?" Senor asked cautiously after a moment's thought.
He was well aware of Doflamingo's code—no matter how complex his feelings were toward that man, the young master had always upheld proper manners.
"No, no... he's probably a bit tied up at the moment," Doflamingo said with a smirk, shaking his head.
"But still, I didn't expect this..."
"My godfather really is something else."
"Silently taking down Stussy—the Underworld's dark empress—just like that. That entire empire... fufufufufu."
"Let's give them a little more time. I'm sure they'll finish up soon."
Senor nodded without another word.
They had all the time in the world. A little patience wouldn't hurt.
...
And so,
They waited five hours.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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