After the execution ended, it took about an hour for Aus to successfully return to Sabaody Archipelago.
Unlike when he departed, only Aus returned alone.
Walking into the upper floor of the central hall in the red-light district, he opened the door. Besides Sami, No. 6, and No. 7, Rouge and Rayleigh were also there.
"Lord Aus, you're back!!!"
No. 6 and No. 7 bounced over first, all excited. Aus smiled and ruffled their heads, greeted everyone, then dropped onto the sofa and crossed his legs.
"Aus, I saw the execution broadcast. Roger's body..."
Rayleigh held a bottle, genuinely curious how Aus managed to snatch the body from the World Government so easily—and what he'd done with it afterward.
Aus thought it over. Nothing he couldn't share. Not exactly state secrets, and everyone here was family anyway.
"Just cut a deal with the Five Elders. As for Captain Roger's body... already burned it. Scattered the ashes into the sea."
"I see..." Rayleigh nodded, nostalgia flickering in his eyes. "That's a fitting end for Roger."
As for Aus's deal with the Five Elders, he had zero interest in prying. Same with Sami and the others. Sure, they were curious about affairs between world-class players, but if Aus didn't volunteer details, they wouldn't ask.
They knew when to push and when to back off.
That night, in a prison cell once used for unruly female slaves:
Tap... tap... tap...
Rhythmic, crisp footsteps echoed through the hollow corridor.
That sound made Doflamingo—who'd been reading a newspaper—snap to attention instantly. He bolted upright from his bed.
These footsteps were completely different from the usual food delivery guys. He knew them too fucking well.
These past days, carved into his nightmares countless times—that crushing presence building with each step had jolted him awake gasping more times than he could count!
Cold sweat dripped from his forehead. Teeth clenched tight.
But he didn't even dare let his veins bulge.
"Huh... surprising. They haven't been torturing you privately these past days?"
That mocking tone.
Somehow, Aus was already sitting on his bedside, eyeing the newspaper he'd been reading with interest.
"Reading newspapers is a good habit."
Aus opened the paper—turned out to be the latest edition. Captain Roger's execution, the Great Pirate Era's arrival. At the end was even a badass photo of Aus carrying Roger's body, staring down from the platform.
What photographic genius took this? Why did they always make him look so damn cool? He didn't live off his looks.
Seeing Aus's relaxed figure—legs crossed, casually flipping through the paper like Doflamingo wasn't worth his attention—
Gulp...
The sound of nervous swallowing.
Even though Aus seemed chill, seeing this demon's face again made Doflamingo's whole body lock up. That suffocating feeling still lingered, screwing with his breathing.
The more newspapers he'd read these past days, the more he understood exactly what kind of terrifying monster he'd pissed off.
Casually invaded Marine Headquarters. Hailed as the "Next Generation's King." Acting like he owned the place right under the Marines' and World Government's noses—and they didn't dare touch him. A monster with sky-high threat levels!
Most likely to rule these seas!
"Black Gun" Doctor Aus!!!
Yeah, only a monster practically ruling the world would have that crushing Conqueror's Haki. Just one clash had completely killed his will to resist, leaving only primal biological terror!
In Doflamingo's eyes, Aus had clearly joined the world's strongest tier. Because only losing to someone like that could give his heart consoling excuses.
Losing wasn't the problem. Losing to weaklings was.
"Chill out~ I'm not here to kill you."
Aus flipped through recent papers. Though not looking directly at Doflamingo, casual Observation Haki easily picked up how deep this guy's nerves were fried.
Seriously? Just one crushing defeat and you're this fucked up? You've got Conqueror's Haki, for crying out loud.
Back in the day, Shanks got crushed and put to sleep by him dozens of times without his spirit breaking like this. No wonder that guy became a Yonko later—even his masochism was top-tier.
Hearing Aus's words, Doflamingo relaxed slightly. Right, if he wanted him dead, for a monster like this it'd be effortless. No need to waste words.
Unless Aus was some pervert who got off on toying with people.
He frowned hard, staring gravely at that casual figure.
"Is that so... someone of your caliber still has use for a nobody like me?"
"You're no nobody, Donquixote Doflamingo."
Aus smiled and closed the newspaper. In a blink, hands behind his back, he appeared right in front of Doflamingo with that calm smile.
"Losing to me doesn't mean you're weak. Hell, I think you've got serious potential. And I'm willing to invest in your ambition."
His eyes locked onto Doflamingo's tense expression.
"A Celestial Dragon abandoned by the Holy Land, who saw hell on earth, yet awakened Conqueror's Haki. Once you hit your stride, you'll definitely stir up some interesting shit~ Let me give you a boost. Just make sure to thank me properly later."
Aus's grin kept widening, that look like a cat eyeing a mouse.
What did this monster want...
Even the usually arrogant, rebellious Doflamingo couldn't help panicking inside. He watched Aus slowly pull a Den Den Mushi from his coat.
"Buru buru buru..."
"Click."
A dignified face appeared on the Den Den Mushi, cold eyes staring forward.
"What do you want now, Aus?"
"If you've got business, make it quick. We only cleared time because it's you."
The instant he heard those voices, Doflamingo's pupils shook violently. He stared in disbelief at the still-smiling Aus.
Impossible?!?!
Those voices—he'd never forget them as long as he lived. They'd officially pronounced his "death sentence" as a Celestial Dragon. The world's highest authority—
The Five Elders!!!
And now they were casually chatting with a pirate?
His worldview kept shattering and rebuilding.
Facing these big shots who controlled basically the entire world, he watched Aus chat casually:
"About what we discussed. The condition for trading Captain Roger's body, and a symbol of our peaceful coexistence—I've already found one of your Seven Warlords candidates."
(Author's note: Patching a plot hole here—got backstabbed by my own memory. Turns out the Warp-Warp Fruit can teleport others too. That's what I get for being uneducated.) (T^T)
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