On the Calm Belt, a small steam-powered sailboat only a few meters long crept forward. Several nautical miles behind it, countless Sea Kings prowled, their gazes fixed—especially the leaders at the front, whose colossal bodies were eye-watering to behold.
As the steamship pressed on, more and more Sea Kings gathered.
At the bow, Vergo held a chart and a Log Pose, reporting with a serious face to Doflamingo, who was lounging on a deck chair.
"Young lord, about a hundred nautical miles more and we'll reach Amazon Lily!"
"Oh? That fast? Then we should probably give the small fry tailing us a rinse. Looks like the Haoshoku (Conqueror's) Haki intimidation when we first entered the Calm Belt didn't scare them off. I don't know why they're following at this not-too-far, not-too-close distance, but since we're about to make landfall, letting them keep shadowing us could make the Kuja mistake us for enemies."
Doflamingo's eyes narrowed beneath his shades. He stood in an instant and vanished from the bow in a blur. When he reappeared, he was already at the stern.
"Zzz—zz—zz—"
His Haoshoku (Conqueror's) Haki condensed at once, like a pair of invisible giant hands crushing down on the Sea Kings that were staring at them.
A king's aura isn't just talk. The pressure surged, an overwhelming tide bearing down. Several younger Sea Kings couldn't withstand it—their huge eyes rolled back and they fainted, their massive bodies slumping into the depths.
The adults resisted the pressure, but their huge eyes showed humanlike fear. Their bodies visibly trembled, as if seized by a primal dread.
Just as Doflamingo was about to close in and slaughter at close range, the leading Sea Kings "yiyiyi-ed" to each other like people conversing, then turned and took the whole herd down beneath the waves.
Doflamingo frowned at the sight, puzzled. But since the Sea Kings left on their own, that saved him the trouble. For now, a pack that large wasn't something to poke lightly.
Had he understood Sea Kings' speech, he'd have known why they withdrew—and why his crew had been able to pass through the Calm Belt unmolested.
"This human's aura is familiar… long, long ago a similar Haki drove us."
"I feel it too. A strand woven into that power—very much like the one by our ancient king's side."
"Have the days we've waited for finally come? No wonder we rose from the abyss when we sensed it."
"Weak still—so faint as to be barely perceptible. But it's growing, and quickly. I believe our day to act isn't far off. Come—let's wait for the call."
"That day is not far."
The Sea Kings gone, Doflamingo let the puzzle go. The priority was reaching Amazon Lily.
With time, a hazy silhouette of an island appeared on the horizon.
Watching it draw near, Doflamingo sank into thought.
He'd chosen Rusukaina—the Island of Rare Animals—for special training not because it was where the protagonist trained for two years, but for its unique geography, the beasts and environment on the island, and its proximity to Amazon Lily. All those factors made Rusukaina the right choice.
As for Amazon Lily, by Doflamingo's reckoning, the Roger Pirates would disband in a few years yet; Rayleigh hadn't retired; and the Rocks Pirates had only split up not long ago. To avoid the World Government—and with no future "Empress" yet risen—then the current empress should still be Shakky of the Rocks' era.
If his guess was right and Shakky was the empress, then he had a lot of room to work with. Getting a grip on Shakky would be almost too easy. Even if she wasn't, it wasn't a problem. Since he'd already picked Rusukaina as the training ground, he'd prepared a fallback. Hopefully he wouldn't need it.
Before entering the Calm Belt, Doflamingo had split the group: Vergo and Pica with him; Diamante, Trebol, and Rosinante separate. The large merchant ship remained with Diamante's trio. Doflamingo's team had seized this steam sailer en route.
He was confident in Diamante's and Trebol's underworld plan for the coming months. In his previous-life memories, the Donquixote Family's early growth owed a great deal to those two.
He and Diamante also exchanged Den Den Mushi (Transponder Snail) contacts. Two years of training or not, keeping up with key intel—and issuing the next orders—was necessary.
Amazon Lily's cliffs and central valley were dotted with buildings steeped in a rich, Chinese-style aesthetic.
At the heart of the island—the Kuja City—
On the central throne, a woman reclined languidly, cheek propped on a flawless arm. A half-sheer robe draped carelessly over her, unconcerned if its vistas tempted prying eyes.
Softly curled hair spilled to her shoulders, carrying an effortless charm. Her eyes shone like stars, bright with wisdom and a gentle light. Her features were exquisitely sculpted; her figure was the very picture of curves—especially the fullness that seemed ready to spring free at any moment.
At her side, a girl whose face still held a trace of youth—yet already hinted at a beauty that could eclipse the age—Toritoma (Torch Lily), held a bundle of fresh reports and read earnestly,
"Shakky-nee, the Roger Pirates clashed with Whitebeard in his territory. The intel says Rayleigh-niisan may have been hurt by Marco!"
At that, Torch Lily flashed a mischievous smile.
Sure enough—when Rayleigh was mentioned, the lounging woman—Shakky, the current empress of Amazon Lily—tightened inwardly. But unlike other empresses who'd be struck by lovesickness, she blanked only for a heartbeat before returning to normal.
Seeing no big reaction, Torch Lily lost interest in teasing and continued her report.
"The 'Godfather of Pirates' Wang Zhi and Silver Axe seem to have fallen out over something. A huge battle broke out among the pirates gathering at Hachinosu (Beehive Island). In the end, with help from some unknown forces, Wang Zhi defeated Silver Axe and occupied Hachinosu. Oddly, he doesn't seem eager to expand—he's only holding Hachinosu and a few nearby islands."
"Hmph." Shakky snorted softly, clearly unimpressed with Wang Zhi.
The year she was seized at God Valley, Wang Zhi bore no small share of the blame as a prime mover. If he hadn't betrayed them—colluding with the World Government to capture her—how would she ever have become that vile "prize" of God Valley?
(End of Chapter)
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