Leo reached into the inner pocket of his coat and took out a magic wand, making it grow in size with a simple flick. He adjusted the length until it suited his stature, then paused to straighten his clothes and fix his tie meticulously. His every action was filled with an air of ceremony, as if he were preparing for an important performance.
Once he was satisfied with his appearance, he walked up to the wax door with the same grave demeanor. He raised the wand and tapped gently on the door, then stepped back several paces with perfect posture and grace, like a gentleman from an old fairy tale.
The door creaked open, revealing a strange man with a curly "3"-shaped hairstyle. Before the man could even process what was happening, Leo flashed him a faint smile, then swiftly swung his wand forward, hitting the man square in the face with immense force.
The impact sent him flying across the room like a ragdoll, smashing into the wall on the far side. He crashed through several oversized, odd-looking plants before finally slumping to the floor unconscious.
Miss Golden Week's eyes widened in shock and terror. She had sensed something was off the moment Leo approached. It felt like a beast, ancient and ferocious, had emerged from the depths of a dark forest and stood outside the quaint little house Mr. 3 had built.
There had been only a single, light knock on the door—yet before she could react, Mr. 3 had already been flung across the room like a broken toy.
Sweat trickled down her forehead. Instinctively, her hand inched toward the paintbrush lying nearby, her most powerful weapon.
But before she could grab it, Leo's calm yet chilling voice echoed in the room.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. I have stress reactions when people try something funny."
His words froze her in place. That voice—calm, amused, but as sharp as a blade—cut through the room like a chill wind. She dared not move another inch.
With a casual stride, Leo walked over and confiscated both the paintbrush and the drawing board. He glanced around the small, cozy interior of the house. There were hand-drawn decorations on the walls, potted plants lining the windowsills, and even a steaming pot of black tea on the table.
"Not bad. You two really know how to live. Sipping tea like you're in some fancy café," he said, inspecting the tea set with mild amusement. The aroma rising from the teacup was rich and fragrant, clearly made from high-quality leaves.
He turned toward Miss Golden Week and gave her a cheeky grin. "Hey, little one, make me a cup. I want to try it."
Removing his top hat and setting it aside, Leo sat down on one of the stools with a relaxed, yet domineering air. The smile on his face made Miss Golden Week's skin crawl. It reminded her of what had just happened to Mr. 3—and she had no doubt she would meet the same fate if she tried to defy him.
Trembling, she climbed down from the bed and carefully began preparing a fresh cup of black tea. Her hands shook as she moved, but she didn't stop.
At this point, resistance was futile.
The moment Mr. 3 had been launched like a cannonball, any hopes of escape had evaporated. For her own survival, she could only comply with Leo's demands.
"Also, bring out the Den Den Mushi you use to contact your boss," Leo ordered casually. "Put it on the table."
His tone was almost playful, but there was no mistaking the seriousness behind it.
Miss Golden Week reluctantly obeyed. She retrieved a Den Den Mushi from a nearby shelf and placed it on the table in front of Leo. Its snail-like eyes blinked slowly as it adjusted to its new surroundings.
Leo glanced at her with a smirk. She might be pretending to be a harmless little girl now, but he knew better. She was mischievous and cunning—Luffy had taken more than a few hits thanks to her psychological trickery.
What intrigued Leo most was her peculiar ability to manipulate emotions. According to the comics, it wasn't the result of a Devil Fruit power. Instead, it was a form of psychological suggestion, rooted in spiritual energy.
And spiritual energy was something Leo knew intimately—it was the foundation of his magical abilities, the key to understanding and deconstructing the world around him. He wondered if, like Nami, this girl had an unusual affinity with a certain elemental force.
His curiosity intensified as he studied her more closely.
That unsettling gaze made Miss Golden Week shrink in her seat. Her heart pounded faster with each second under his scrutiny.
Without her paintbrush, she was utterly powerless. And even if she had it, would she dare attack someone like Leo? His spiritual pressure alone was enough to make her feel as if she were standing at the base of a mountain, unable to breathe.
Suddenly—
Crash!
A plume of hot steam rose from the teacup. Leo took a small sip and exhaled softly.
"Not bad at all. Good stuff," he muttered approvingly.
At the same time, a deafening rumble shook the house. Somewhere deep within the jungle, the sound of a volcanic eruption echoed across the island. In the distance, two massive shadows collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
It was a battle between giants.
Leo looked out the window and marveled at the sight. The figures, towering far above any human, clashed violently against a backdrop of smoke and fire.
"Incredible," he said. "I've seen tall people before, but nothing like this. These aren't just giants—they're titans."
He set his teacup down with care. "This world really is full of surprises."
Lululululu...
Lululululu...
The Den Den Mushi vibrated suddenly, its slow, monotonous sound cutting through the tension in the room. Miss Golden Week flinched.
Leo's eyes sparkled. The call he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
On the other end of the line, a calm but commanding voice spoke:
"Mr. 3, the previous mission has been canceled. The messenger is already en route to your location with the permanent pointer to Alabasta. Take Miss Golden Week and head there immediately. We have some... complications."
It was Crocodile.
Leo chuckled silently to himself. As expected, the situation in Alabasta had escalated. Crocodile was panicking. He had no idea how Princess Vivi had managed to gain such strength or skills—and it was clear now that even Crocodile himself was struggling in a one-on-one fight.
His Sand-Sand Fruit powers had little effect on her. In close combat, he had actually suffered losses. Desperate, Crocodile had shifted priorities and even sent Nico Robin to investigate the mysterious transformation of Vivi.
Alabasta was now critically short-staffed.
Leo tapped the Den Den Mushi with a finger and replied coolly, "Oh, that's unfortunate. They won't be making the trip."
At the same moment, he raised his wand, and a burst of radiant magic shot toward the window, transforming two animals perched there into fluffy white sheep.
He smirked.
"Crocodile, I assume you've received my gift. Was it... surprising?"
There was a long silence. Then Crocodile's voice erupted from the Den Den Mushi, dripping with rage.
"Who are you?! Don't tell me... the changes that Nefeltari Vivi brought about—was that your doing?!"
His words were heavy with realization and fury.
The pieces had fallen into place, and the mastermind behind the chaos was now clear.
"I'll find you," Crocodile snarled. "And when I do, you'll regret ever crossing me. I'll show you what real fear feels like."
Robin, standing nearby, heard Leo's voice and raised an eyebrow. A playful smile danced on her lips.
"I can tell you," Leo said calmly, as if he were introducing himself at a dinner party. "I'm the vice-captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. The magician—Leo."
There was a pause.
Then utter silence.
Crocodile was clearly taken aback. He hadn't expected someone to reveal their identity so boldly. Most would've hidden in the shadows. But Leo?
He laughed and hung up the Den Den Mushi.
"Don't worry, Crocodile. We'll be meeting face to face very soon. And when we do, I'll have another surprise waiting for you."
He leaned back in his chair, sipping the last of his tea with a satisfied sigh. The quiet thrill of mischief and power washed over him.
This kind of chaos... was his favorite kind of fun.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31).