"That's right! A pirate crew with such a spineless captain couldn't possibly produce a great pirate with a bounty of over one hundred million berries!"
The drunken voices filled the tavern, their disbelief echoing in the smoky air.
A pirate who let Bellamy insult and beat him without daring to fight back—how could he possibly be a great pirate worth such a high bounty?
Some pirates frowned, muttering.
"Still, great pirates with bounties over a hundred million berries have always done something major. This Straw Hat kid's poster says he defeated Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. That part lines up…"
"Idiot!"
A bald pirate stood abruptly, his wine glass sloshing as he sneered.
"If they didn't fabricate facts, would they ever convince you? Listen to me—I have Marine connections! My great-aunt's third daughter's neighbor's son works as a cook in the Marines. He told me the truth! Crocodile was captured by the Marines themselves. Those liars must have been hiding in Alabasta and just witnessed it. Now they claim the victory for themselves!"
The tavern erupted in agreement.
"Then it's settled! This so-called Plunderer and Straw Hat must both be liars!"
"A bunch of pathetic cowards!"
"Hahaha! Let's drink to their foolishness!"
The pirates roared with laughter, the atmosphere lively once more.
Among them, Krika stared blankly at the wanted poster, muttering.
"Is it really fake? But… why does it feel so real?"
"Thanks to Bellamy's knowledge, we weren't fooled," another reassured him.
The Bellamy Pirates exhaled in relief, drowning their unease with more alcohol.
"Cheers, to Bellamy!"
The tavern filled with raucous laughter—until a voice shattered the noise.
"Bellamy!!!!!!"
The thunderous roar echoed across Mock Town, making every pirate spit out their drink at once.
"That voice… Straw Hat?!"
The cry rang out again, shaking the streets.
"Where are you?!"
The tavern fell silent. Every head turned toward Bellamy.
The "liar" they mocked was calling for him.
"Heh."
Bellamy slammed his glass down and wiped his mouth, smirking.
"Seems this liar has more guts than I thought. Does he really think he can intimidate me tonight?"
Inside the Bellamy Pirates' private hotel, a red-eyed Transponder Snail crackled to life.
"Fufufufu…"
Its mocking tone carried the voice of Doflamingo himself.
"Shirogai, what a profitable deal I'm offering you. Leave that weak crew and join us. I'll send someone to bring you to Dressrosa. In time, the Donquixote Family could even be renamed the Shirogai Family."
"That's a tempting offer…"
Shirogai narrowed his eyes in thought. He wasn't considering abandoning the Straw Hats—he was studying Doflamingo's intent.
The Warlord's tone was sharp and twisted, but oddly sincere. For Doflamingo to say that he'd even serve Shirogai if it meant dragging the Celestial Dragons into hell… that must be his true feeling.
Yet Shirogai had already awakened the [Whisper-Whisper Fruit]. He sensed the subtle shifts in Doflamingo's emotions. A perfect lie always held truth within it, with just a sliver of falsehood to hide the rest.
"Heh, interesting," Shirogai mused inwardly. "What truth are you hiding, Joker?"
Before he could probe further, the roar from Mock Town reached him again.
"Bellamy! Where are you!"
Doflamingo's laughter faltered. Bellamy… wasn't dead?
"Joker, our talk will have to wait," Shirogai said casually. He stood and smirked at the snail in his hand. "Next time, I'll come straight to you. I'll keep this snail—I'll be the one contacting you."
"Fufufufu… good. Our Donquixote Family always welcomes the arrival of the Fifth Emperor."
Shirogai chuckled and hung up. Tossing the snail into the air, he summoned the power of the [Dark-Dark Fruit].
Whoosh!
A swirling void appeared, devouring the snail.
[Dark-Dark Fruit · First Form: Tiny Stable Black Hole]
Unlike a natural black hole, this form stored items safely, though its capacity was limited to a hundred tons. Beyond that, the stability would collapse, annihilating anything inside.
Far away, atop the Royal Palace of Dressrosa, Doflamingo lowered his own Transponder Snail, laughing.
"Fufufufu… this so-called Fifth Emperor has more resolve than I imagined."
Behind him, Pica emerged from the stone walls, holding another Transponder Snail shaped like a horned beast with long mustaches.
The voice that came through was cold and mocking.
"Fifth Emperor? Joker, don't make me laugh. What right does some rookie brat, not even a year at sea, have to be called an Emperor of the Sea?"
_____
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