"Heh heh, isn't this Admiral Sengoku himself?" Doflamingo had just stepped out of Rosinante's villa when he ran right into Sengoku, the Navy admiral, flanked by several officials from the World Government. Judging by their posture and purpose, they were clearly here for Rosinante.
However, when Doflamingo's eyes landed on the senior World Government officer standing behind Sengoku, his gaze sharpened involuntarily—before that familiar, mocking chuckle escaped his lips.
"Fuffuffu, the Navy's watchdogs sure get around. Sengoku, what brings you here? Don't tell me you've come to throw in the towel and join your little brother's side?" Sengoku said coldly, his arms crossed.
"Fuffuffuffu, oh, Admiral Sengoku, that's quite hurtful of you to say," Doflamingo replied, grinning wide. "We're family after all, aren't we? Who's to say which one of us is really struggling? But you're right about one thing—I am planning to join my dear little brother's Grey Nation. He's quite the organizer, you know? I haven't even signed up yet, and he's already assigned me a task. Fuffuffu! If you're here about this Evernight City project, then I suspect we'll be seeing each other again soon!"
Still laughing, Doflamingo swaggered away with his distinctive pigeon-toed stride.
Sengoku's brow furrowed deeply at those words, and the World Government officer beside him looked equally unsettled.
Originally, the Government had assumed that although Rosinante's power had grown, his base was still rooted in Skypiea. Even if his divisions were beginning to branch out into the Four Seas, their foundation was still shallow. In places like the Sabaody Archipelago, he'd need local forces to handle an investment as massive as this—an opportunity the Government had hoped to exploit for profit.
After all, this was one trillion Berries—a project so vast that even a small "leak" could line the pockets of many officials.
But now, with Doflamingo's involvement, Sengoku realized that plan was doomed.
Unlike Rosinante, Doflamingo had a massive underground network across the Blue Seas. Even though his power was strongest in the North Blue, he was still the underworld's most influential broker. With money in hand, Doflamingo could acquire anything—men, materials, information—with just a word. In many ways, he was more efficient than the World Government itself.
Sengoku's expression darkened further, but he and the Government officer pressed on into the villa.
Inside, Sengoku immediately noticed how unique the place was—many of its furnishings and devices were unlike anything from the Blue Sea.
Artifacts from Skypiea's civilization? he wondered, quietly observing. Many of the items seemed remarkably practical, designed with clever engineering.
"Please, this way. His Majesty is waiting for you inside," Shaxia said gracefully, leading them down the corridor.
Sengoku gave her a brief glance. It wasn't her stunning beauty that caught his attention—it was her presence. She didn't carry herself like a maid at all, but rather like a queen. And from the subtle pressure he sensed, Sengoku could tell she was no weakling either.
Still, he said nothing and continued toward the living room.
"Well, now, this is a rare guest indeed," Rosinante said with an amused smile as Sengoku entered. "Never thought I'd see the day when Admiral Sengoku came to visit me as a guest instead of trying to arrest me. I must admit, I'm surprised."
"You're no longer a wanted man under the World Government," Sengoku said curtly. "So naturally, I won't arrest you. But if the day ever comes when your name is back on the bounty list, I'll personally drag you to Impel Down."
"Heh, then I suppose I should feel honored," Rosinante replied coolly. "But I'm not that easy to capture, Sengoku. If you plan to come for me, you'd best be ready for the entire Navy to be left in ruins."
Sengoku's gaze hardened, but before the tension thickened further, Rosinante smiled faintly and said, "Anyway, let's leave that for the future. I heard you're set to become Fleet Admiral soon—congratulations. Though I'm curious, how do you still have time to pay me a visit?"
"You think I wanted to come here?" Sengoku snapped, taking a seat without waiting to be invited. "If it weren't for the chaos you stirred up, I wouldn't have bothered with this trip."
"I'm the victim here," Rosinante said calmly. "Think about it—what was I supposed to do, take a beating and not fight back?"
Sengoku's eyes narrowed. "Rosinante Donquixote, word is you're investing one trillion Berries to build an 'Evernight City' on the Sabaody Archipelago. Is that true?"
"That news should've spread across the whole world by now," Rosinante said with a faint smile.
"The Sabaody Archipelago belongs to the World Government," Sengoku said sharply, cutting him off.
"I only know that it used to be a barren wasteland," Rosinante replied evenly. "And now it bears the flag of the Grey Nation. If you insist on claiming it as yours… then we'll simply have to fight for it."
A wave of pressure burst from Rosinante, his presence surging like a storm. Sengoku met it with equal force, his own aura roaring to life. The two titans clashed invisibly, their wills colliding until even the air itself grew heavy and tense.
"Please, gentlemen, let's not start a war in the parlor," the World Government officer finally interjected, his tone polite yet firm.
Despite not possessing combat power himself, he remained composed. The CP0 agents beside him had already formed a subtle defensive line, shielding him from the crushing force radiating between the two men.
Even from these few guards, Rosinante could see the Government's depth of power—ordinary CP0 agents, yet each radiating strength on par with an elite Vice Admiral, some even bordering on admiral-level capability.
"And you are?" Rosinante asked coolly.
"I am Gunit, personal attendant of the Five Elders' Retinue Hall," the man said with a deep bow. "I bring greetings to His Majesty Rosinante Donquixote."
Though he claimed to be merely an official, his bearing was that of nobility—refined, disciplined, and unmistakably confident.
The Five Elders' Retinue Hall—despite its humble name—was a powerhouse within the World Government. The attendants might appear to be servants, but in truth, they were the Five Elders' secretaries and trusted hands. The Elders ruled the world, yet they couldn't handle every detail themselves; these attendants were the ones who carried out their will.
Though they had no formal rank, they represented the direct authority of the Five Elders—and their words could move nations. None within the Government dared underestimate them.
"Well, well… a personal attendant of the Five Elders, escorted by CP0 no less," Rosinante mused. "Seems the Elders hold you in high regard. So tell me—what business brings you here?"
Even among Celestial Dragons, few were granted CP0 protection outside Mariejois. This man's status was evidently exceptional.
"It's merely a matter of duty," Gunit replied smoothly. "The Five Elders heard that His Majesty intends to invest one trillion Berries into the Sabaody Archipelago. They are greatly pleased and have sent me to see if there's anything the Government can do to assist."
"Now that's what I like to hear," Rosinante said with a faint smile. "But come now, let's not pretend. The Five Elders' real purpose isn't just to 'help,' is it? They want to know my true intentions behind this investment. Perhaps they suspect the Evernight City is a front—an excuse to station troops here and prepare for something against the Government or the Navy?"
"Not at all," Gunit said calmly. "The Five Elders are well aware that the Grey Nation's Bins possesses spatial transport capabilities. If you intended to deploy troops, you wouldn't need to do it through such elaborate means. The Five Elders' concern is simply that of elders watching over a promising junior. After all, Your Majesty is their junior, in a sense."
Rosinante chuckled. "Let's drop the formalities, then. You're here to sound me out, and I've no interest in games. The Grey Nation operates under a vassal-state system. Naturally, I must secure benefits for my people. I plan to trade goods between the Sky Islands and the Blue Sea—selling Skypiean technology here and exporting Blue Sea resources there. The Sabaody Archipelago is simply the ideal location for such commerce."
"I see… a grand vision indeed," Gunit said approvingly. "In that case, the Five Elders believe there are some matters in which they may be of assistance—such as the first of the three promises Your Majesty once made. The Five Elders may be able to help make that possible."
Rosinante's eyes narrowed slightly, his lips curling into a faint, sardonic smile.
"And what," he asked softly, "will that cost me?"
...
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