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"Joker?" Lucci's eyes narrowed slightly. This was a nickname; Joker's true identity was the Warlord of the Sea, Donquixote Doflamingo. He dealt in human trafficking, drug trade, and arms dealing. He was a complete scoundrel.
Buruburu! (Sound of Den Den Mushi ringing)
The Den Den Mushi in Michael's coat rang. Under Lucci's threat, Michael had no choice but to answer.
"Michael, did you get the cargo?" a defiant voice came through.
"Doflamingo!" Lucci's eyes flashed with cold intent. He said coldly, "This is the cargo of my Holy Spirit Empire. How dare you steal it!"
"Fufufu..." Doflamingo laughed smugly.
"I couldn't help it! Your family's goods are simply too high quality!"
His tone clearly showed his disdain for Auguro and the Holy Spirit Empire.
"You're asking for death!"
Lucci was furious and was about to crush Michael with one blow.
"Whoa, whoa! Don't be too hasty!"
Doflamingo theatrically stopped him.
"How about this! Let me speak with your King. Perhaps we can find a mutually beneficial solution!"
With those words, Lucci fully understood Doflamingo's intention. He scoffed, "You want to cooperate with Lord Soul King? Are you worthy?"
"Fufufu... That guy's subordinates are really arrogant!"
Hearing this, Doflamingo's face darkened, and a fierce look entered his eyes. Who was he?
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
A feudal lord in the New World!
Because of his past status, even the World Government was wary of him! And you, Lucci, a mere foot soldier, dare to be so dismissive?
Doflamingo's tone turned a few degrees colder.
"Are you sure you should make decisions on your own? After all, you have many clients who do business with you! If they are all targeted, your days won't be easy either!"
As one of the underworld Kings of the Grand Line, Doflamingo indeed had the capacity to completely disrupt Auguro's arms business. After all, he was a Warlord! He had the legal right to plunder! Moreover, the Holy Spirit Empire was not a member state of the World Government.
"Are you threatening the Holy Spirit Empire? Doflamingo, you are courting death!"
After a year of rigorous training, Lucci had mastered the art of suppressing his emotions. Yet, faced with Doflamingo's provocation of the Empire and Auguro, Lucci was rarely visibly angry.
"Fufufu..."
Doflamingo, far from being deterred by Lucci's anger, laughed triumphantly.
"Go find Auguro! I'm sure he'd be happy to talk to me! After all, some things only I can do for him!"
He hung up the Den Den Mushi before Lucci could respond. Hearing the last sentence, Lucci finally calmed down.
Something only he can do for the Lord Soul King?
Lucci was surprised. Over the past few months, Lucci had gained a good understanding of the Holy Spirit Empire's strength. At least two Admiral-level combatants. Even the Four Emperors were not that extravagant. It was hard to imagine what Auguro couldn't accomplish.
However, Lucci was very clear about his own role. He was merely the head of intelligence. His duty was to report the information. The decision rested with the Lord Soul King!
"Lucci, how should we deal with these guys?"
Kaku walked over. Michael's entire crew had been captured and awaited disposition.
Lucci glanced at him and said grimly, "Execute them all! They stole the Empire's goods; did they think they would survive?"
Michael was about to leap up in protest.
"We are Doflamingo's..."
Before he could finish, a bullet hole appeared on his forehead. Kaku extended his left index finger, using a Shigan (Finger Pistol) to kill him.
"Stupid!" Kaku sneered. "A pawn, and you actually thought Doflamingo valued you!"
Doflamingo was a renowned Warlord, true. But Auguro was an equally famous overlord of the Grand Line!
Regardless of how Doflamingo wanted to cooperate with Auguro, the theft of the firearms required an explanation.
And that explanation was the lives of Michael and his crew!
This was called sincerity!
It was the dignity expected of a sovereign ruler!
Otherwise, why wouldn't Doflamingo have mentioned Michael and his crew once?
The moment they were captured, their fate was sealed!
Kaku then followed suit, executing the dozen or so pirates on the ship. Since obtaining the Zoan-type Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Pseudo-Lion, a month prior, the pressure surrounding Kaku had grown heavier.
Now, within the entire Shadow Dragon Guard, only he and Lucci had comparable strength. Pressured by Kaku, Lucci had also increased his training and finally succeeded in awakening Armament Haki recently, maintaining his lead.
Water Seven.
Auguro's first water park, designed in his plan, officially opened. After a few months of promotion, the water park was already famous across the Paradise.
Watching the flood of tourists, Auguro was delighted. It looked like they would see a significant increase in tax revenue this year.
Just then, an attendant brought a Den Den Mushi. It was a call from Lucci.
Auguro answered.
"What is it, Lucci? Is there trouble in the North Blue?"
Lucci respectfully recounted the matter with Doflamingo, without any exaggeration.
"Tsk! That flamingo is certainly restless!"
Auguro curled his lip, a cold glint in his eyes.
"I want to see what that guy is up to!"
Strictly speaking, Auguro's business didn't conflict much with Doflamingo's, as Doflamingo's primary region was the New World, a place Auguro wasn't ready to venture into yet.
Auguro dialed Doflamingo's number. The Den Den Mushi immediately transformed into a wickedly handsome, arrogant face.
"Yo! Lord Soul King of the Holy Spirit Empire, hello!"
Auguro glanced at him coldly.
"Doflamingo, cut the theatrics. Get straight to what you want!"
"Fufufu... You're a man of few words! Fine! I'll be direct. I want to collaborate with you to sell your new firearms in the New World!"
Auguro replied, "You really thrive on chaos!"
The New World was already extremely volatile; even the Navy could only hold limited territory. Introducing these new firearms would surely lead to utter anarchy!
"Fufufu..." Doflamingo burst into laughter at Auguro's comment.
"Auguro, stop pretending! I know exactly what your goal is!"
My goal? Auguro paused slightly. What was this guy talking about?
Doflamingo continued, "You publicly attacked Enies Lobby, leveled Impel Down, and established a nation despite pressure from the World Government."
"It's safe to say you have amassed power, prestige, and wealth!"
"Fufufu... Tell me, when a man gathers all this, what does he plan to do?"
"Auguro, let's cooperate! Let's make this world even more interesting!"