"How could that be possible?"
Stussy gave a gentle smile and raised a hand to stop her subordinates, who were about to act.
"Running the business with Madam Sammi was Orin-sama's order. Why would I hold a grudge against Orin-sama? Or could it be, Doflamingo-san... that you subconsciously believe Orin-sama's decision was a mistake?"
A perfect counterattack!
Doflamingo's once-arrogant, wild grin froze slightly. Then the curve of his lips faded, and his signature "fufufu" disappeared.
"How could I? I was just showing some concern, that's all."
What a sharp-tongued woman...
But this was just a minor episode.
No matter how fierce the competition in business, none of them had the guts to start a fight here.
Doflamingo didn't want major trouble either. He led the Donquixote Family executives forward. On the way, he spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.
"Isn't that Lady Tsuru? Fufufufufu... What brings you here? Don't tell me you've come to arrest me."
From another direction of the central street, Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Chief of Naval Staff, stood with her hands behind her back, flanked by numerous Marines and officers.
Hearing his words, she calmly looked at the wicked ex-Celestial Dragon before her, her gaze as deep and unreadable as a still pond.
The World Government had issued a nice-sounding order — to deploy forces to ensure the safety of civilians and stability of the Sabaody Archipelago.
But bluntly speaking, they were here to play the role of glorified security guards.
If given a choice, she wouldn't want the Marines reduced to mere doormen.
But this meeting also involved the World Government's finances, the Navy's budget, and the stability of the seas.
Even if the attendees weren't good people, the Marines still had to maintain order.
"But it doesn't look like it! With such a neat formation, are you here to protect us? Fufufufufu..."
Doflamingo felt emboldened again, taunting his old nemesis face-to-face, as if the days of being chased all over by Vice Admiral Tsuru were long gone.
"I hope you can stay this arrogant once you return to the North Blue, brat."
Tsuru's face remained calm, seemingly unmoved by Doflamingo's provocation.
But the tightly clenched fists behind her back revealed her true feelings weren't as composed as they appeared.
Still, Doflamingo didn't take her threat seriously.
Right now, in both power and influence, he was on the rise. He even had powerful backers.
Though his personal strength still couldn't match that of the Admirals or veteran Marines, as long as he remained useful to Orin, someone would definitely protect him.
Not to mention, he was once a Celestial Dragon and knew quite a few secrets...
If it weren't for the setting, he might have already released a burst of Conqueror's Haki right to her face.
Unfortunately,
After her warning, Vice Admiral Tsuru no longer bothered to deal with him and led her troops in another direction down the street.
Doflamingo wanted to keep playing, but it was clear there were more important things waiting for him.
...
"Looks like it's getting pretty lively."
Sitting by the window, Orin expanded his Observation Haki across hundreds of thousands of meters, taking in the entire Sabaody Archipelago.
A mess of all sorts — friends and foes gathered alike.
What amused him most was that lazy monkey sitting in a chair doing his nails.
Even the Navy had been sent in to maintain order. If this meeting turned into chaos, or a fight broke out on Sabaody...
Would they end it with one of those lines—
"The Navy's here to clean up the mess!!!"
And not only that,
Word was that many underworld leaders had prepared gifts for Orin, clearly eager to please.
Orin appreciated the gesture, even if he didn't feel he lacked anything.
But the respect shown made him feel raising these people wasn't a waste.
Letting them do business under his name across the seas—they could be considered half his people now.
Behind Orin stood Sammi, Mihawk, Crocodile, and others.
They too would be attending the upcoming meeting.
Among those under Orin's command, they held special status—his most trusted of the trusted.
"Well then... let's go, everyone."
Orin downed the expensive wine he had just bought and led his crew toward the venue, which had been prepared well in advance.
It used to be a luxury hotel, now part of Sammi's business empire.
Today, it was closed to the public. Many civilians watched curiously from the roadside as Marines walked alongside pirates and mafiosi.
"What kind of event is this? The Navy's even standing guard."
"Is it Celestial Dragons?"
"No, I recognize one of them—that's a notorious pirate!"
Unlike the renowned sea emperors, most underworld businessmen, whether legitimate or not, tended to keep a low profile.
Only a few, those wanted or with public notoriety, were recognized by civilians.
At the hotel entrance, two burly guards were stationed, checking identities one by one.
"Fufufufufu... As expected of Orin-sama. Even the guards are experts in dual Haki!"
"I heard they were picked by Madam Sammi from among former slaves—naturally gifted talents."
A voice came from beside Doflamingo. He turned to look and greeted with a smile.
"Isn't this the News King, Morgans? Orin-sama's personal mouthpiece."
Morgans adjusted his hat and collar at the half-mocking remark, but remained unbothered.
"We all serve Orin-sama... There's much room for us to collaborate on intel, Heavenly Yaksha."
"Fufufufufu... True enough."
Not just Doflamingo—the six former kings of the underworld, plus monopolists from various industries, all entered the venue one by one.
Among the crowd of all shapes and backgrounds,
A blond man in flip-flops holding a wine bottle trailed along casually.
"Who is that guy? Never heard of someone like him in the underworld."
"Yeah... but he does look familiar."
"Is he just here to freeload food and drinks?"
Many took note of the man and began speculating. Someone guessed he was just a drunken moocher trying to sneak in.
But when the guards bowed and welcomed him respectfully inside, everyone's expressions changed.
"What the hell... Even the top underworld bosses weren't treated with that much respect!"
"Aah!!! I remember now!" someone suddenly slapped their forehead in shock, drawing the attention of those nearby.
"That drunk with the wine bottle is the legendary Vice-Captain of the Pirate King..."
"Dark King Silvers Rayleigh!!!"