At the same time.

Off the coast of Mary Geoise.

Stussy slowly lowered the military Den Den Mushi in her hand, exhaled a heavy breath, and let out a wry chuckle. Even through the line, she could feel the frustration radiating from Sengoku.

The recent string of "defections" among the Navy's core forces had planted deep doubts within the World Government about the Marines' loyalty and reliability. And that distrust wasn't just a feeling—it came with real consequences: budget cuts.

To the Five Elders, the logic was simple. The World Government had poured endless manpower and resources into the Navy—building fleets, supplying weapons, and funding its might. Yet the Marines, who were meant to be the government's "face," were now using those very resources to rebel? Training one's own enemies... Who could tolerate that?

And with the world in turmoil—the North Blue breaking from the Member Nations and the Heavenly Tribute revenues shrinking—the World Government's financial strain meant the Navy's military budget would be mercilessly reduced.

"Sengoku must be tearing his hair out right now..."

A trace of amusement curved Stussy's lips, but her smile soon faded as another thought surfaced.

"Where's that bastard Daren been these past few days...?"

The image of Doflamingo appearing earlier in the Pangaea Castle audience hall made her brow furrow. Deputy Commander of the God's Knights—that was the position Doflamingo had always dreamed of. With that title, he'd gained everything he'd ever wanted: a noble, godlike status, power and privilege above others, and the right to once again reside in the Holy Land.

With temptation like that, how could Doflamingo not be swayed? Stussy wasn't sure.

The icy sea breeze swept along the towering cliffs of the Red Line, biting deep into her skin and raising goosebumps across her arms. Breaking from her thoughts, she looked up to find that the merchant ship had already left the waters around Mary Geoise and entered the New World.

Shaking her head, Stussy turned toward the cabin. The instant she stepped inside, the lighting shifted, shadows bending across the room. Her eyes flickered. Sensing something, her expression hardened. She raised her hand and struck out without hesitation.

Rokushiki—Flying Shigan!

Clang!

Sparks burst through the dim cabin, flashing like a spiderweb before fading away to reveal a familiar, defiant face.

"Fufufufu... not holding back, are we?"

Doflamingo sat cross-legged, lighting a cigarette with a click as a cruel grin crept across his lips.

"Trying to kill his 'protégé,' are you?"

The door behind her shut slowly. Stussy's half-lidded, sultry gaze sharpened as she looked at the blond Celestial Dragon before her.

"Then let me ask you this... Donquixote Doflamingo, now the proud Vice Commander of the God's Knights—are you still content to be someone's godson?"

Vampiric fangs extended beneath the shifting lamplight, glinting with danger and mystery. Her knees bent slightly, her body poised like a drawn blade as she sneered,

"...Or has your ambition begun to swell now that you've climbed the Celestial Stairway?"

"—Fufufufufu!!"

Doflamingo burst into manic laughter.

"That's funny—I was about to ask you the same thing, Fox... the high-ranking CP0 agent drunk on power."

"You stood before the Five Elders and laid bare the secrets of someone's abilities... Aren't you afraid of his revenge?"

As he spoke, his fingers danced and curled, while the pink feathers of his coat quivered faintly.

If one were to look closer, they'd see it—countless thin, razor-sharp threads filling the entire cabin, crisscrossing into an intricate web that sealed off every path of attack or retreat.

In the reflection of Doflamingo's sunglasses, a cold, sinister glint shimmered.

"I'm curious, Stussy... have you already broken your pact with someone and chosen those five old fools?"

As the words fell, their eyes locked, and sparks seemed to fly in the air as their gazes collided. Killing intent surged from both sides—restrained yet unrestrained—whipping the air in the cabin into violent turbulence. The deck and hull groaned and creaked under the pressure.

In that instant, the atmosphere reached a suffocating intensity. The air itself felt like a taut string, stretched to the brink of snapping.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

Suddenly, a series of knocks came from outside the cabin.

"Lady, we heard some noises... Is everything alright in there?"

The merchant ship's guard asked respectfully.

Stussy cast a glance at the blond Celestial Dragon before her, then let a teasing smile curve her lips.

"Nothing. Just practicing my techniques."

As the sound of footsteps faded down the corridor, Stussy and Doflamingo exchanged one last look.

At the same time, both of them withdrew their killing intent. The vampire's fangs vanished, and the crisscrossing threads in the air recoiled and disappeared.

"Fufufufu. So it seems all that was fake intelligence that guy deliberately had you leak to the Five Elders?"

Doflamingo had pieced it together by now, clicking his tongue with a cold laugh.

Stussy walked slowly to the window, opened it, and lit a slender lady's cigarette for herself.

"It was indeed his plan, but..."

"But what?"

Doflamingo's tone grew sharp.

She glanced at him with a half-smile, half-sneer.

"...the intelligence wasn't fake."

Doflamingo froze.

The intel... was real!?

How could that be?

That guy's lost his mind!?

Wait—

A realization struck him, his pupils contracting sharply.

"He wanted to use this intel to intimidate the Five Elders!?"

Stussy exhaled a slow wisp of smoke, her voice calm and faint.

"Perhaps. He and I are merely ordinary allies, not particularly close. How could I possibly know his exact intentions?"

"Since he wanted me to leak it to the Five Elders, and it happens to help me climb higher in the organization..."

Her crimson lips curved into a charming smile.

"Why wouldn't I do something that kills two birds with one stone?"

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