Chapter 163 Good Friends
The cleanup work that followed was quite easy.
Kaido and King had already left with Doflamingo, and the strongest remaining troublemaker among them—the pale-faced CP0 man—had also disappeared into the sky by stepping on air.
What remained were just two unlucky souls and a group from the Donquixote Family.
And the opponents they now faced were Charlotte Family officers in nearly perfect condition but whose rage had reached its peak.
The outcome was already obvious.
The ordinary-looking CP0 woman kicked the horned man lying on the ground. After confirming this guy had died completely from the high-altitude fall, she turned to glance at her companion.
The tall, burly man who could transform into an ankylosaur nodded calmly with a composed expression.
The two had already made their decision.
Then their cheeks twitched slightly, and their teeth seemed to bite through something in their mouths.
Thud.
Their bodies softly collapsed to the ground, their breathing slowly fading away.
Katakuri, who had already foreseen this scene through his future sight Observation Haki, showed no reaction.
These types who were prepared to commit suicide without any hesitation once their mission failed couldn't be stopped.
There was no way to extract information from them through interrogation.
Besides, there was no need for interrogation. On the sea, there was only one organization that could cultivate such a group.
On the cake platform.
Tesoro grimaced. "Suicide? What a terrifying bunch of people!"
He was truly somewhat shocked—without any hesitation, they directly chose to abandon their own lives.
Should this situation be called firm faith or severe brainwashing?
No matter who it was, being enemies with such a group would inevitably create tremendous pressure.
Brett recalled the CP0 agent from the original work who interfered in Kaido and his junior disciple's battle atop Onigashima.
The same calm acceptance of death.
CP0 was perhaps more terrifying than imagined.
The Celestial Dragons' strongest shield probably commanded a force capable of making anyone's blood run cold.
Stussy nearby remained smiling cheerfully.
This woman's acting was always so impeccable, but Brett could still hear a trace of melancholy from her heart.
Agents were also human. Seeing colleagues or even friends die before your eyes—how could you remain unmoved?
"Capture these guys."
Katakuri pointed his trident at the Donquixote Family officers.
Though he really wanted to kill these guys right now, he still had to wait for Mama to return and make the decision.
What if she had other ideas?
The Charlotte Family officers, fierce as wolves and tigers, surrounded the Donquixote group.
They no longer had any chance of victory—only miserable defeat awaited them.
But—
"Doffy!!"
Trebol was now in tears, laughing loudly. "I'm so glad you're safe and sound!"
No matter what reasons had brought them together initially, at least over these decades, they had truly become a family.
Since Doflamingo was safe, even if all of them were trapped here, it was worth it.
"What a shame."
Tesoro watched this scene with displeasure. "That guy Doflamingo got away again this time."
If that guy Kaido hadn't come to stir things up, today would have been that bastard's death date.
"It doesn't matter."
Brett said casually. "There will be plenty more opportunities in the future."
He smiled meaningfully. "After this time, will the World Government continue to protect Doflamingo?"
"True enough."
Tesoro nodded in understanding.
Ultimately, after having his Celestial Dragon identity exposed, would Doflamingo leak Celestial Dragon secrets to Kaido?
No one could guarantee this wouldn't happen.
So being that case, did the Celestial Dragons and World Government still need to tolerate him?
And it was certain that after experiencing today's assassination attempt, Doflamingo probably wouldn't harbor any trust toward the World Government anymore.
So Brett said there would be plenty of opportunities.
Even the Charlotte Family wouldn't let this matter rest.
"Brett! Brett!"
Brett turned back to see Morgans pointing a Den Den Mushi at him.
The big news maker smiled excitedly. "Would you mind accepting an interview from me? Hehehe, what did it feel like fighting Kaido?"
Brett placed his hand on the bird's face and shoved him aside, casually pulling over a chair to sit down. "I mind very much."
"How cold."
Morgans, who'd landed on his rear, only complained verbally but didn't say much else.
Even if he really planned to embellish things in the newspaper, he couldn't actually show it openly!
He'd get killed.
This man was already a genuine, untouchable monster.
"Everyone, sorry for the wait!"
At this moment, Perospero came over with a beaming smile. "The chaos has finally calmed down temporarily. We don't know when Mama will return, but we can't neglect our guests because of this."
"The wedding is over, so let the banquet begin."
He looked at everyone, focusing particularly on Brett. "Dear guests, please enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
Brett looked around. Due to the earlier commotion, the venue that had originally possessed dreamlike fairy tale charm had become ruins. He smiled and said, "Holding a banquet in such an environment has its own unique flavor."
Thus, the belated banquet began.
Perospero personally kept them company. It had to be said this guy was quite tactful and socially adept—at least no one at the table felt neglected, and Brett especially felt quite at home.
It wasn't exactly fawning, but Brett could clearly sense that Perospero was indeed trying hard to build a closer relationship with him.
Brett naturally welcomed all comers.
When the event was halfway through, Charlotte Linlin returned.
Riding on a cloud's back, her bicorne hat had returned to being a hat on her head, with a small sun circling beside her.
This should have been a dreamlike scene like a fairy tale, but Charlotte Linlin's expression was extremely grim.
The reason was simple—she'd returned alone.
Her groom had indeed been snatched away.
Brett guessed she probably hadn't caught up. Thunder cloud Zeus's movement speed was quite inadequate compared to Kaido and King.
The Charlotte Family officers remained silent. No one dared speak first, afraid of angering Mama who was currently in a furious state.
However, this time Charlotte Linlin didn't vent her anger everywhere. As she slowly descended, she saw Brett who was eating heartily.
"Mamama!"
A smile bloomed on her face again. "Brett, I have to thank you for your help this time too!"
Brett picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth and smiled. "No need for thanks—aren't we friends?"
"Mamama! That's right!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed heartily. "We've always been friends!!"
"Let's continue the banquet!"
As if what had just happened hadn't happened at all.
No one would mention it again—now they just needed a pleasant banquet.
However, during the banquet, Charlotte Linlin never again spoke to Brett about accelerating his actions to seize Fish-Man Island.
They were already good friends, after all.