Robin watched Chiga for a while as he interacted with Violet. When Chiga brought Violet over, she offered a warm smile and introduced herself politely.
"Hello, my name is Robin. I'm a friend of Danzo."
Violet nodded in return, matching Robin's politeness, though she couldn't help subtly sizing up the strikingly beautiful woman before her, who seemed about the same age.
Robin's beauty was undeniable, but Violet's instincts told her there was a hint of quiet hostility behind that gentle smile.
It wasn't surprising. Violet was well aware of her own allure—she had more admirers than she could count, and Robin clearly had feelings for Danzo, which naturally made her defensive.
Still, while Violet understood it, she wasn't one to back down. She met Robin's eyes without flinching, creating a silent, charged tension between them.
Chiga, noticing the shift in atmosphere, quickly stepped in with a casual laugh.
"Let's not just stand here. Shall we head in?"
Realizing her reaction was a bit childish, Violet shifted her gaze and nodded.
"Alright, but I do have to ask… Danzo, you're not with the Navy, are you?"
Chiga blinked, pretending to be caught off guard. "No, why do you ask? Is that a problem?"
"It's good that you're not," Violet said. "Navy personnel and law enforcement are forbidden from entering the coliseum. It would be a real hassle if you were discovered."
"That's… a strange rule. With no law enforcement, how do they keep order? Wouldn't that make things chaotic?"
"No, the Donquixote Family handles security. No one dares to stir trouble on Doflamingo's turf."
Chiga raised an eyebrow. "I see. Seems like Doflamingo commands a lot of influence."
Violet gave a faint, bitter smile. "Heh. Naturally."
At the mention of Doflamingo, a flash of hatred crossed Violet's eyes—brief but unmistakable. That man built his entire rule on deceit, standing on the broken back of King Riku's legacy.
Chiga didn't press the issue. After exchanging a few more words, the trio made their way to the coliseum.
At the entrance, Chiga bought three VIP seats without hesitation, drawing respectful looks from the staff as he led the two women inside.
Their seats were positioned a comfortable distance from the crowd, offering an undisturbed view of the arena. Chiga sat in the center, with Robin and Violet on either side of him.
After settling in, Chiga turned to Violet and asked,
"Miss Violet, who are the current favorites to win the tournament?"
Violet, who had been staring absentmindedly at a statue in the coliseum, blinked and responded,
"I've only heard of two—Bellamy and Spartan."
Chiga instantly recognized the names. Spartan was a minor thug who got pummeled by Luffy in the anime for bullying Rebecca. Bellamy, on the other hand, had been Doflamingo's blindly loyal underling for years before realizing how little he meant to his so-called idol.
That said, it made sense Bellamy would be here. After the Swallow Island incident, the Donquixote Family had suffered heavy losses. Doflamingo was short on manpower and needed capable fighters.
The coliseum was the perfect hunting ground for new recruits. Bellamy likely saw this as his chance to prove himself and re-enter Doflamingo's good graces.
Today's match was crucial. Spartan had won eleven consecutive monthly championships. A twelfth victory would make him the annual champion and give him a direct path into the Donquixote Family.
But if Bellamy beat him, all of Spartan's victories would amount to nothing but a footnote in Bellamy's rise.
In the waiting area, Bellamy and Spartan locked eyes. Contempt radiated between them. Each was convinced they would be the last man standing.
But personal duels outside scheduled matches were forbidden. Anyone who broke the rules would be eliminated immediately by Doflamingo's inner circle.
So they had no choice but to grind through the other competitors before settling things directly.
Meanwhile, the opening matches began. Two massive men, more beast than human, clashed violently, drawing roaring cheers from the crowd.
To Chiga, the spectacle was hardly impressive. It felt more like watching children wrestle or primates fighting in a zoo.
Violet was visibly distracted. Only Robin seemed genuinely interested, occasionally turning to Chiga with questions.
"Who do you think will win this round?"
Chiga offered brief, confident answers. And each time, his prediction was correct.
After several such predictions, Robin's eyes widened.
"Danzo, you're incredible!"
Chiga's lips twitched slightly. He was starting to regret using the name "Danzo." The real Danzo had been the Uchiha Clan's greatest enemy back in Konoha. Even if Robin meant the compliment sincerely, it still felt awkward.
Violet, however, nodded in agreement.
She also believed "Danzo" possessed keen insight. In fact, judging by how accurately he analyzed the fighters, she figured he must be quite powerful himself. Maybe even strong enough to win a few matches in the arena.
Eventually, the final bout arrived—just as expected, Bellamy and Spartan stood as the last two contestants.
The moment they stepped into the arena, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers. Bellamy looked indifferent, his focus unshakable. Spartan, on the other hand, soaked in the attention like a vain pig at a feast.
Spartan stretched his arms toward the crowd, proudly showing off his bulky physique. But when his gaze landed on Chiga, his eyes lit up.
It wasn't Chiga himself that caught his attention—he dismissed him instantly as a pampered pretty boy.
It was the two women beside him—Violet and Robin. Both stunning. Both alluring.
Spartan's eyes gleamed with lust. He thumped his chest with both fists, whistled at them, and flexed his chest dramatically.
To him, it was a display of masculinity. To Robin and Violet, it looked more like a deranged gorilla showing off.
Their expressions turned cold with obvious disgust.
Chiga chuckled lightly, then spoke, as if musing to himself,
"Let me guess who wins… Bellamy has a great shot."
Violet and Robin blinked. Until now, Chiga only commented when asked. This time, he spoke on his own.
It didn't take long for them to understand. Chiga was clearly annoyed with Spartan's antics.
Robin giggled behind her hand. Violet allowed herself a small smirk.
Chiga leaned back, voice calm and sure.
"Suddenly, I feel like this fight won't even be close. Bellamy might wrap it up in less than three seconds."
___
Thank you all for the constant motivation, it really means a lot, and we've come such a long way together. 💙
Your support keeps me going, and if you'd like to go the extra mile, you can also get early access to chapters on my Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/Zphyr