Ain and Kuina, who had signed up to participate, moved through the arena. To others, the two relatively petite girls looked like easy targets.
However, as Kuina released her Conqueror's Haki, the gladiators who had initially looked down on the two promptly collapsed.
"Can't even withstand this much? How disappointing."
Kuina looked at the unconscious crowd around her and sighed with a hint of regret.
Ain also spoke directly: "I originally thought this Colosseum might bring us some fun, but it seems these people are truly no match at all."
The other gladiators who barely withstood the Conqueror's Haki also recognized their own limitations and no longer dared to underestimate these two mysterious Marines.
Diamante, the Donquixote Family executive in charge of operating the Colosseum and the user of the Paramecia-type Flutter-Flutter Fruit, hurriedly reported the situation in the arena to Doflamingo.
"Fufufufufu, it seems these Marines are here for Rebecca in the Colosseum. Trying to rescue this country's princess, are they? Well, let's see if they have the strength for it."
"Send Baby-5 and Buffalo over as well. Keep those two Marines there. I want to see just who has come to my country."
Doflamingo sat arrogantly on his throne, his sunglasses hiding the cold glint in his eyes. "These Marines just can't stay put."
Doflamingo then remembered Caesar's disappearance and his own father, who was so determined to renounce the Celestial Dragons.
"Damn Marines! If I had Caesar's help, I could have connected with Kaido long ago. And that foolish father of mine, actually giving up his former life..."
Speaking of his father made Doflamingo angry. He was furious that his father had abandoned his status as a Celestial Dragon to live as a commoner.
This act ultimately led to their family being sentenced to the pyre by the very 'lowly scum' he looked down upon.
He was angry not just because this behavior led to his family's tragedy, but more importantly, because he went from being a naturally noble Celestial Dragon to becoming what he saw as lowly scum.
If Doflamingo knew the World Government would proactively recruit powerful individuals it deemed worthy into the God's Knights, one wonders what he would think.
In the Colosseum, a few strong individuals remained who could withstand Kuina's Conqueror's Haki.
Of course, the fact they could withstand it was also because Kuina herself only intended to teach them a lesson, without any killing intent.
A young woman with long pink hair and a golden helmet, whose eyes visible through the helmet brimmed with a heroic spirit, had initially seen the two girls arrive.
Upon noticing they were wearing Marine uniforms, she had wanted to step forward and help them. Now, however, she was also stunned by Kuina's Conqueror's Haki and plopped down onto the ground.
Ain helped the fallen Rebecca to her feet, simultaneously shocked by the boldness of the armor she wore.
Rebecca's golden metal breastplate barely covered her chest; in Ain's view, it only seemed to have a gathering effect.
It didn't even fully cover her breasts. The golden skirt below was connected only by thin straps on either side, revealing her straight thighs.
The golden combat boots she wore left the area between the straps and the boots completely uncovered by any clothing, accentuating her toned thighs formed from long-term training.
The green cape behind her complemented her skin, making her complexion seem less like that of a gladiator and more like a princess cosplaying as one.
Rebecca shook her head, still slightly dizzy from the shock of Kuina's Conqueror's Haki, thanked Ain for helping her up, and then voiced her curiosity:
"Who are you? Why would Marines come here to participate in gladiatorial combat?"
Kuina didn't answer her question. Instead, she looked Rebecca's attire up and down, her face slightly flushed, and directly asked in return: "Who are you? Why are you wearing this armor?"
Rebecca was puzzled by Kuina's question. "What's wrong with this armor? This is a Colosseum; wearing armor is normal, isn't it?"
Seeing the somewhat airheaded Rebecca, Ain muttered, "So this is why the Captain wanted to see the fights. The Captain must really like this armor."
Just then, Baby-5 and Buffalo, following Doflamingo's orders, also arrived at the Colosseum.
Diamante from the Colosseum stepped into the center of the arena. Spotlights shone on Ain, Kuina, and Rebecca, projecting their figures onto the large screen.
Diamante's giant-like stature gave him a certain imposing presence even standing below the spectator stands.
With his appearance, the atmosphere in the Colosseum reached a fever pitch. Everyone was anticipating what kind of match he would present.
After he cleared his throat twice to adjust, Baby-5 and Buffalo came to his side.
Baby-5, wearing a brown maid outfit with a cigarette in her mouth, looked towards the three figures under the lights:
"Are they the ones the Young Master needs me to bring back?"
On the other side, the middle-aged man Buffalo, dressed in layered orange clothing with a hairstyle like a propeller and the Pirate Crew's emblem carved on his teeth, said:
"That's right. Our targets are those two Marines. As for Rebecca, let her stay here and continue boosting the Colosseum's popularity."
Upon hearing that the two Marines were the ones the Young Master had entrusted her to capture, Baby-5 transformed herself into a gun and aimed at Ain and Kuina.
"Since the Young Master has requested it, I, who am needed, must respond to his expectations. 'Weapon Transformation: Pistol Lady'."
Her partner Buffalo quickly stopped Baby-5: "Hey, Baby-5! Wait until Diamante finishes the introductions and everyone's on the stage before starting!"
Hearing Buffalo's command, Baby-5 reverted from her pistol form. Her face slightly flushed, she said, "I'm needed again? Then I'll wait a bit."
Kuina gripped the wado ichimonji in her hand, and the aura of a master swordsman emanated from her. "It seems Doflamingo wants to test us."
Ain stopped Kuina's hand, her eyes filled with eagerness. Since gaining the power of the spirits, she hadn't had many chances to fight.
"Let me handle this. Your wado ichimonji is too easy to recognize."
Sensing Ain's sword intent, Kuina nodded and reined in her sharp aura.
Diamante continued, "It seems we have two special guests here. Looks like they're Marines trying to rescue Rebecca, hmm?"
A chorus of boos erupted from the spectator stands. After Doflamingo manipulated King Riku, Rebecca's Great-grandfather, into massacring the soldiers and civilians in the palace...
Rebecca, as King Riku's granddaughter, had her reputation tarnished by association. Combined with her performances in the Colosseum, this led the audience to heap abuse upon her.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"