East Blue, Uncharted Waters.
"When is this 'East Blue Overlord' getting here?" The question came from a boy with horns like a fighting fish, a fin sprouting from his back, and a baseball cap perched on his head. He grinned, flashing a set of sharp teeth. "The overlord of the weakest sea? I still don't get why Doffy wants to work with a guy like that."
"Don't question Doffy's decision, Dellinger." Gladius's gaze was sharp, his spiky hair making him look like he was perpetually on edge. "We follow the plan, that's it. And don't underestimate this so-called overlord."
"He defeated Crocodile, another Shichibukai, and fought Bartholomew Kuma to a standstill. The World Government put a hundred-million-berry bounty on his head for what he did in the East Blue alone. A man like that is never simple."
"Yeah, yeah, I was just complaining." Dellinger backed down immediately. He knew better than to argue with Gladius, who hated anyone who strayed from the plan.
Still, he pouted, lacing his hands behind his head before glancing at the woman on the other side of the deck, a maid with wavy black hair, windproof goggles, and a cigarette dangling from her lips. "Baby 5, what's the word from Viola? She better not screw this up for us."
"We've lost contact," Baby 5 replied, her voice tight with worry. "All the officers who went with her are silent, too. Do you think she's in danger? Should we go help?"
"Forget it. She's probably already infiltrated that corrupt Marine Captain's side, which is why it's inconvenient for her to contact us." Gladius considered it for a moment before his tone turned flat. "We just need to carry out our mission. Viola will get in touch when the time is right."
'Just some corrupt Marine Captain,' he thought. 'With Viola's abilities, seducing him will be easy.'
The idea of her becoming some washed-up captain's plaything? It wasn't a concern. A Marine exiled for chasing after female pirates, a man with no willpower left, there was no chance he could ever turn Viola into a pawn.
As for the low-ranking officers who had gone missing... no one cared. As long as the mission succeeded, their lives were irrelevant.
Gladius swept his gaze over everyone on the ship. Doffy was taking this job very seriously, deploying a significant number of his officers. Besides himself, Baby 5, and Dellinger's combat team, there were also Senor Pink, Lao G, and the three members of the Buffalo Assault Team. Six full officers in total, a formidable lineup.
But Bartholomew Kuma had been chosen as a Shichibukai for a reason. His strength was not to be taken lightly.
Their plan wasn't to defeat him outright. Their primary mission was to locate the production site for Oda's Cosmetics and steal the formula. If that proved impossible, their backup plan was to stir up chaos, draw Kuma's attention, and then, alongside the East Blue Overlord, pin him down. In the confusion, they would secure the formula. Finally, Viola would lure the Marines in to arrest the overlord, teaching the arrogant bastard what league the Donquixote Family truly operated in while erasing any trace of their involvement.
Of course, if the opportunity presented itself, they could always help the East Blue Overlord kill Kuma, pin the entire incident on him, and let the Donquixote Family seize the market Kuma had built. Oda's Cosmetics were already selling across the Four Seas and even in the New World, a clear sign of the insane profits to be made.
If Kuma didn't fall, taking over the entire market would be difficult, and without being the sole supplier, Doffy's larger plans, including his cooperation with the Big Mom Pirates, would be much harder to realize.
Gladius silently reviewed the operation one last time, then looked up with a frown, his voice edged with displeasure. "Is that East Blue Overlord still not here? He's late."
He hated people who deviated from the plan, and he hated people who were late.
"Just what you'd expect from a pirate from the weakest sea, no sense of time at all. Baby 5, contact him again and find out when he plans on arriving."
The words had barely left his mouth.
"Someone needs me! Please wait, I'll contact him right away!"
Delighted to finally be of use, Baby 5 happily reached into her uniform for her Den Den Mushi.
"Wahahaha!"
A voice brimming with raw arrogance and power rang out.
Everyone's head snapped toward the massive, strangely designed pirate ship approaching them. The moment they saw the flag flying from its mast, they knew.
The East Blue Overlord had arrived.
Their eyes were drawn to the figure standing at the bow: a bald, barrel-chested man, shirtless, with his powerful arms folded across his torso. He wore a cloak made from a golden lion's pelt, the lush mane framing his neck and seeming to give off a faint glow in the sun.
And that wasn't all.
Behind him, three banners were raised.
Left: Master of My Own Tides.
Right: Challenge Me And Drown.
Above: Overlord of the East Blue.
The East Blue Overlord's personal insignia.
In an instant, a palpable arrogance rolled off him, forcing everyone to check their scorn. Even Dellinger grew solemn as he stared at the man.
To be that brazen and still be alive...
"'This 'East Blue Overlord' is no joke,' Gladius muttered, his voice serious as he pushed up his glasses.
--**--**
At the same time, elsewhere...
Romance Dawn
"Phew."
Dante let out a long, satisfied sigh. He turned to Kuzan, who was lying beside him with a towel draped over his eyes. "Alright, Admiral Kuzan. You've had your feet soaked, you've had them massaged, and you didn't even have to pay. I think it's about time you got to work."
'This is official business,' he thought, glancing over at Robin, who was nearby. Kuina, whom he had invited to relax, was also present, along with a visibly anxious Viola. As for Nami, she was in Alabasta, helping Vivi sort out their business model.
"By my count, it's about time, Admiral Kuzan," Dante continued. " Don't forget your justice. If Mock gets himself killed because of this delay, it'll be a tragedy. That kid's been thinking about you nonstop, his dear boss, dreaming of the day he could get you here for a foot rub. You live rent-free in his heart. If you ignore him now, what does that say about your commitment to justice?"
"..." 'Since when does Marine justice involve saving pirates?' Kuzan thought, not bothering to remove the towel. He just kept whistling lazily, pretending he hadn't heard a thing.
What a joke. He was here to slack off, not to work overtime. Besides, he was sure that even if he did nothing, Dante wouldn't let anything truly bad happen to Mock. So why should he lift a finger?
But Dante had no intention of letting the opportunity go to waste. Seeing Kuzan continue his act, he narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Admiral Kuzan, you wouldn't want the world to find out that a pirate managed to infiltrate the Marines and even become a Vice Admiral, would you?"
'This bastard,' Kuzan thought, finally pulling the towel from his face to give Dante a deadpan stare. 'A pirate infiltrating the Marines? He's one to talk.'
Kuzan pulled the towel from his face and stared at Dante, utterly speechless. "What a pain," he finally said, his tone resigned. "Can't you let me relax for once?"
He stretched lazily, that familiar, laid-back smile returning to his face as he gave Dante a meaningful look. "Just make sure you don't end up in my hands someday."
If that ever happened... he'd squeeze him for every last berry.
"Don't worry." Faced with the admiral's threat, Dante didn't flinch. He met Kuzan's gaze with a bright, unwavering smile.
"I have no intention of doing that."
===============
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