As a member of CP0, the World Government's highest intelligence agency, Stussy had carried out many escort and security missions for the World Nobles, allowing her to observe that group of arrogant beings more closely than most.
Paranoid, twisted, sickly, arrogant, dark... Those who called themselves "gods" embodied almost every dark emotion and desire of humanity, trampling any bottom line or rule beneath their feet.
Doflamingo, once a member of the Celestial Dragons, was naturally no exception.
Expecting Stussy to believe that he would "cooperate equally" with a Marine was as absurd as asking him to bow down and acknowledge Daren as his godfather.
Stussy immediately ruled out that possibility.
Thus, after eliminating all the unreasonable explanations, only one remained.
Daren must have discovered Doflamingo's true identity as a Celestial Dragon and was helpless against him, forced to allow him to run rampant in the North Blue.
"So, they are most likely enemies..."
Stussy carefully analyzed the situation and quickly reached this natural conclusion.
"Have you found out if Doflamingo and Rogers Daren ever clashed?"
She suddenly asked.
Her subordinate froze for a moment, then nodded and replied,
"Yes. When Doflamingo first arrived in the North Blue, he and Daren had a fierce conflict on Rubeck Island. They almost destroyed the entire town, but in the end, for some unknown reason, both sides agreed to a truce."
Stussy sneered inwardly, even more convinced.
It was very likely that Daren had discovered Doflamingo's true identity during that clash and had hesitated to go for the kill.
"And after that?"
She pressed further.
Facing someone as cunning and deceitful as Daren, she had to be thorough and double-check everything.
Her subordinate thought for a moment, then as if recalling something, added,
"I remember now!"
"When Rogers Daren was captured alive by Kaidou, his adjutant—now North Blue Admiral Momonga—led five warships to blockade Rubeck Island, the Donquixote Family's base, creating a highly tense standoff."
That's it!
Stussy's eyes immediately lit up.
Back then, during the Marine mission to capture Douglas Bullet, Daren was captured midway by Kaidou, and his fate was unknown. Upon hearing this news, the North Blue had fallen into turmoil and unrest.
Momonga's move was clearly a contingency plan Daren had set up against Doflamingo!
Seeing it all laid out, her deduction was undoubtedly correct.
Those two... were definitely enemies!
"If that's the case... then maybe there's some room for cooperation between me and Doflamingo?"
The sudden idea made Stussy's heart race.
"So... my lady, do we need to take further action against Doflamingo?"
Seeing Stussy fall silent, her black-suited subordinate cautiously asked,
"This brat's actions have severely impacted our business in the Pleasure District. If he continues raiding our caravans, the Pleasure District's reputation might suffer."
Naturally, he didn't know about Doflamingo's true background, as it was a tightly kept secret.
"No, not for now."
Stussy quickly snapped out of her thoughts. Her seductive red lips curled into a radiant smile, blooming like a wickedly beautiful mandrake flower.
"We don't need to rush. That brat has made too many enemies already. Someone else will get impatient and make the first move."
The Queen seemed to be in a much better mood now...
Not long ago, she used to throw tantrums almost every other day...
The black-suited subordinate stared blankly at Stussy's dazzling smile, unable to stop the thought from popping into his head.
"Yes, my lady."
He nodded respectfully and quickly turned to leave.
After her subordinate was gone, Stussy took a slow drag from her slim lady's cigarette, her mind turning again.
She hadn't forgotten that damned bet she made with Daren.
In fact, it was precisely because of that shameful wager that Stussy had been restless these past days, her temper growing more and more irritable.
Yet the current situation was anything but optimistic.
With the second list of candidates revealed, the scales of victory in this bet had completely tilted in favor of that despicable, shameless, lecherous bastard!
Of the final seven seats for the Shichibukai, besides the current "Desert King" Crocodile and "Demon's Heir" Douglas Bullet, there were three more candidates—Dracule Mihawk, Fisher Tiger, and Gecko Moria—all selected by Daren!
Out of seven slots, he controlled five!
Although it hadn't been officially confirmed yet, judging from Daren's confident tone, it was almost guaranteed.
At this rate, if she wanted to win the bet, her only hope lay in manipulating the remaining two spots.
"Maybe... I should recommend Donquixote Doflamingo as one of the Shichibukai?"
The thought flashed through Stussy's mind, and once it appeared, it rooted itself deep within her, impossible to shake off.
According to the intelligence currently at hand:
Doflamingo was a former Celestial Dragon, arrogant to the core, and it was absolutely impossible that he would ever cooperate with Daren.
Given their history in the North Blue, they likely harbored deep hatred toward each other.
Which meant—Doflamingo could not possibly be one of Daren's chosen candidates!
If she could just offer an olive branch to Doflamingo…
No, doing so openly would be too risky and might alert Daren.
She couldn't afford to show any overt goodwill.
This had to be done from the shadows.
There was room to maneuver. Doflamingo's strength alone was more than enough to qualify him for the Shichibukai.
The key issue was his identity...
He had already been completely stripped of his Celestial Dragon status and rights by the Holy Land.
The Five Elders likely harbored resentment toward him, and under normal circumstances, would never approve of him becoming one of the Shichibukai.
She simply needed to wait for the right opportunity...
It could definitely work...
The more Stussy thought about it, the more brilliant her plan seemed!
Daren would never in a million years expect her to place her wager on one of his sworn enemies!
As long as Doflamingo became a Shichibukai... she would have the chance to stomp that shameless bastard underfoot!
"You seem to be in a very good mood today, my Queen..."
A deep voice suddenly broke her train of thought.
Stussy glanced over and saw a Marine Vice Admiral leisurely floating through the window, surprising her for a moment.
Resting her cheek in her palm, the sleek curve of her body emphasized by her black business suit, she smiled sweetly,
"With the King of the North Blue visiting the Pleasure District, how could I not be delighted?"
Just wait, Daren. I'm going to win this!
At the thought, her smile bloomed even brighter, full of allure and charm.
Her gaze toward Daren... was like a predator eyeing a lamb ready for slaughter.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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