The moment Stussy realized the investigation's blade was pointing toward her, a chill gripped her spine. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
All because of one reckless act—one moment of irritation when she had shown that bastard Darren the Shichibukai candidate list.
And now, that single misstep had come full circle to strangle her.
Damn him, she cursed inwardly, damn him a thousand times over.
Under the cold, crushing gaze of the Gorosei, it felt as though the very air had turned to stone. Every breath scraped like shards of glass down her throat.
"My lords…"
Her voice quivered despite her best efforts. She forced the words out through clenched teeth. "I believe… the one who leaked the Shichibukai candidate list was most likely… Lone Wolf."
For an instant, the suffocating pressure in the room lifted. The eyes of the Five shifted—away from her. She allowed herself a silent breath.
"Oh?" Saint Peter, the white-bearded Warrior God of Environment, frowned slightly. "You're suggesting Lone Wolf was the traitor within CP0? And what, pray tell, would his motive be?"
There was no turning back now. Stussy could feel herself standing at the cliff's edge, so she leapt.
"My lords," she began, keeping her tone calm but urgent, "while I cannot confirm his exact motives, his actions speak volumes. From the start, he worked to redirect the investigation's suspicion toward the Marines. He deliberately attempted to sow mistrust, to cloud your judgment."
She took a deep breath, lowering her voice. "Even during his final moments, Lone Wolf tried to undermine the connection between Vice Admiral Darren and this council."
"If not for your divine wisdom, my lords—your unmatched insight—I too might have been deceived by his manipulation."
The flattery flowed effortlessly. It was shameless, but her life depended on it.
And, to her grim relief, the logic held up. Even she, the one who'd fabricated it, could almost believe it herself.
"Hmm…" Saint Peter nodded slowly. "That explanation does hold merit." His eyes softened faintly. "Stussy, your analysis is… commendable."
"Thank you, Lord Saint Peter," she said, bowing deeply. "It is my greatest honor to serve the wisdom of the Gorosei and the World Government."
"Enough," Saint Warcury interrupted. His voice was calm, but it silenced the room. He set his teacup down with deliberate care. "We'll set this matter aside for now. Our next concern is the revision of the Shichibukai candidate list."
He produced a folder from beside him and extended it toward her. "The original list contained seventeen names. Only four remain alive. We've decided to replenish the vacancies—bringing the total back to ten."
Supplement the list?
Stussy reached out and accepted the folder with both hands. Unfolding the document, she let her gaze drift down the names—and froze.
Her breath caught in her throat.
These names…
Dracule Mihawk.
Fisher Tiger.
Gekko Moria.
The paper trembled slightly in her grasp. Beneath the mask, her eyes widened with a mix of shock and disbelief.
Every single one of them—every target Darren had once ordered her agents to investigate—had appeared on this new list.
Except for one: the child prodigy from Amazon Lily, Boa Hancock.
It was all unfolding exactly as he had planned.
So that's it.
The realization struck her like a thunderclap.
By eliminating the "unworthy" candidates himself, Darren had been reshaping the field—clearing the board for the ones he favored. And now, the World Government had unknowingly played directly into his hand.
A chill crawled down her back.
With his influence and cunning, those chosen names would inevitably rise to power. Their appointment as Shichibukai was not a matter of if, but when.
She quickly did the math.
There were seven vacant seats left.
Two were already filled: Crocodile and Douglas Bullet—both men with deep ties to Darren.
Now, among the new candidates, Mihawk, Fisher Tiger, and Moria stood as clear frontrunners.
That made five—five of seven Shichibukai aligned with that man.
Damn it…!
Her jaw tightened behind the mask, her lips pale. The balance of power was slipping away, and with it, her wager—the humiliating bet that would force her to call that despicable man Master.
No… not yet. I haven't lost.
Her mind sharpened like a blade.
Two seats remained. If she could prevent Darren's influence from reaching those final positions, the outcome of the bet could still tilt in her favor.
Now that she had seen the revised list, she possessed something Darren did not—knowledge.
I still have the upper hand!
A glint of determination flared in her eyes.
You won't win, Darren. Not this time.
She bowed respectfully. "Lord Saint Warcury, what are my orders?"
Warcury's cold, even voice cut through the tension. "Keep the list strictly confidential. And investigate Lone Wolf's affairs. If he had accomplices within CP, find them—and erase them."
The words "erase them" sent an icy current down her spine. She bowed her head at once. "Understood, Lord Saint Warcury."
"If there are no further orders, I shall take my leave."
Warcury nodded absently, sipping his tea.
Stussy turned to go—but before she reached the door, a familiar rasping voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Wait."
Her body stiffened. Slowly, she turned. "Yes, Lord Saint Saturn?"
The old man's smile was faint, but his eyes gleamed with hidden malice. "You mentioned earlier that Vice Admiral Darren had contact with you in the Pleasure District, didn't you?"
"Yes," Stussy said cautiously. "That's correct."
Saint Saturn's thin lips curved upward. "That Marine is notorious for his depravity… but also for his utility. Maintain good relations with him." His voice grew almost playful. "He's said to be a lecher, isn't he? With your… talents, making him completely infatuated with you shouldn't be difficult."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Behind her mask, Stussy's expression twisted in disbelief. Her temples throbbed.
Forcing her voice into a respectful cadence, she answered, "I will do my utmost, my lords."
And in the depths of her mind, a furious thought hissed like a blade drawn across silk—
You want me to make him obsessed?
Fine.
Then I'll make sure the next thing he's obsessed with… is regret.
To be continued...