"Well, well... the slacker's here."
Aus enjoyed the smooth hands working his back. Then something pinged his senses. Eyes cracked open.
His Observation Haki caught it—yellow flash landing on Sabaody Archipelago.
"The Marine monster. Borsalino?"
Little Hawk perked up at that. He'd heard the guy used swords. Laser swords from his fruit, but still.
"Let's see if he shows."
Aus closed his eyes again.
"Shit! The Marines are here!"
"Damn it! Which idiot hit a Celestial Dragon?!"
"We're dead!"
"Run!"
Everyone who'd been watching the show outside the auction house—where those two pathetic Celestial Dragons got dumped—scattered the second they saw Marine coats.
But some stayed put.
Like the auction house manager. Had his orders. Couldn't run.
Seeing him stand there, Borsalino blinked. Strolled over, hands in pockets.
"Excuse me~ Do you know where the thug who attacked the Celestial Dragon went?"
Looking down at him—
Gotta say, facing a monster like this, the psychological pressure alone was crushing for normal people.
The manager swallowed hard.
"You're Marines, right? Lord Aus told me—if the Marines want trouble, they can find him in the red-light district..."
"Hm?"
Hearing that name, Borsalino froze. Then his whole presence relaxed. Scratched his head.
Surprisingly, his face didn't get serious. He looked relieved.
"Aus? How troublesome~ Orders say not to engage him."
The slacker was happy.
He'd been thinking—if the guy fled to sea or went into hiding somewhere on the island, tracking him down would be a pain. Hard to explain to headquarters.
But now? Perfect.
Pass the headache upstairs. He was off the hook.
Headquarters wouldn't send him alone to fight Aus, right? If they tried that, well—Borsalino's Den Den Mushi might "lose signal"~
They didn't pay him enough for suicide missions.
"Moshi moshi, Fleet Admiral Kong? Got a situation I can't handle."
The old man's face appeared on the Den Den Mushi, looking unimpressed.
"Report on the Celestial Dragons, Borsalino!"
"Yes, yes... The two Celestial Dragons are fine. No life-threatening injuries. Just—I don't have authority to arrest the culprit~"
"Don't tell me..."
Kong's pupils contracted. Face darkened.
"That's right~ 'Black Gun' Aus did it~ I'm no match for that monster~"
Like he was afraid Kong would have a brain fart and order him to attack Aus, Borsalino laid it on thick.
Kong: "..."
The official bounty still called him "Black Gun"—like Red Hair, like Whitebeard.
Calling pirates "Emperors" was too much for the World Government and Marines.
Aus didn't care. "Black Emperor" was Morgans's invention anyway. Just a nickname.
"Sigh..."
"Understood. I'll report to the Five Elders. Operation's cancelled. Escort the Celestial Dragons back to Mary Geoise."
"Understood~"
Borsalino was satisfied. Escort duty was great—slack off on a luxury ship. Best part? No fighting monsters.
For Aus—
Beating up a Celestial Dragon was nothing.
And just like he predicted, when the Five Elders heard the CP report, they didn't call a Buster Call. Didn't order a crusade.
Instead, they punished the two troublemaking Celestial Dragons.
Hell, for violating the God's Knights' orders, those two almost lost their Celestial Dragon status entirely.
The elites among the Celestial Dragons—Saint Garling and the others—understood. Now wasn't the time to fight Aus.
If those two idiots had actually died, the Knights would've been screwed.
Don't fight? A Celestial Dragon died. Bottom-line issue. Had to respond.
Fight? Couldn't kill him. Without enough top-tier fighters, couldn't even win.
Same logic as the Five Elders. If things escalated and dragged Imu into it—who knows if Aus would die. But they'd definitely be finished.
The days flew by after that.
Aus spent them in entertainment venues. Enjoying life. Watching the appointed day creep closer.
Huge luxury suite.
Twenty-meter round bed. Two little maids in stockings, bare shoulders, passed out from last night's activities.
Aus looked fresh as hell. Tucked them in. Walked out.
Snapped his fingers. Instantly dressed in formal wear.
Sami approached. Bowed slightly.
"How's it looking? Tomorrow's the day. How many arrived?"
"Most are here. A few still traveling, but they'll make it."
Aus nodded. Stretched his somewhat tired lower back. Headed for the kitchen.
These past few days, Sabaody had gotten lively.
"Sir, one hour to Sabaody Archipelago."
"Thank god! We made it! Almost died out there!"
"Yeah, who expects Sea Kings halfway through?!"
"Everyone stay sharp! Don't embarrass me at the meeting!"
All kinds of ships arriving. Merchant vessels. Pirate ships. Even noble luxury fleets. One after another hitting Sabaody.
"That's..."
"That's the guy tearing up North Blue lately—the underworld's biggest broker, Donquixote Doflamingo!
Heard his code name's Joker. The Black Emperor's top lieutenant!"
"Holy shit..."
Everyone nearby gasped.
That lord's right-hand man?
"Fufufu... So lively. This the terrifying pull of the underworld king, Lord Aus?"
"Behehehe, naturally! The penalty's suicide. Heard lots of people showed up half a month early just to be safe."
Doflamingo walked with that arrogant swagger. Towering height and rebellious aura made him stand out like crazy.
Then someone caught his eye.
Slender figure. Pretty round hat. Short golden curls. Small handbag. Refined lady.
Gorgeous face. Smoking hot body. Like a stunning rose.
And roses have thorns.
"Fufufu... If it isn't the Queen of the Pleasure District, Miss Stussy? Didn't expect to see you here."
Stussy flashed a dazzling smile at Doflamingo's greeting.
"It's Lord Aus's order. How could I not come?"
"Is that so? Fufufu... Thought you'd be too angry to show—what with Miss Sami stealing your market~"
Doflamingo grinned like a devil. Tongue flicked across his lips. Deliberately needling the Pleasure Queen.
After all...
He hated World Government people. Especially someone running the Pleasure District—stealing his broker and intel business!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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