Ebisu Town, Hidden Port.
This was Wano Country's sole gateway to the outside world.
"Clank—clank—"
Chains rattled as the massive elevator emerged from the tunnel shaft, transporting the Flamingo onto the river, where it docked alongside the Beasts Pirates' fleet.
"Fufufufu!"
Accompanied by a roguish laugh, Doflamingo appeared on the deck, flanked by the officers of the Donquixote Family.
On the opposite side of the Beasts' ship, Gurd stood at the forefront with his arms crossed, backed by Speed and other members of the crew.
The two sides glared at each other, tension thick in the air.
Doflamingo stared at Gurd, lifting a hand to his forehead.
"Fufufu, seems we're being underestimated."
As one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, he held significant influence and power across the world. Yet, the Beasts Pirates clearly didn't take him seriously—not even sending a proper figurehead to greet him.
In his expectations, even if Kaido wouldn't personally welcome him, at least one of the Three Disasters should have been dispatched. This treatment was nothing short of disrespect.
Their condescending attitude infuriated him. He hadn't come to Wano to submit to Kaido—he was here for a partnership!
The Donquixote officers were equally incensed. For years, their family had thrived without opposition—when had they ever been slighted like this?
"They're not even acknowledging us!"
"Let's teach them a lesson!"
"Doffy, I can't hold back anymore!"
The officers clenched their fists, itching for a fight.
So what if they were a Four Emperors' crew?
They were all pirates. The simplest way to earn respect was to prove their strength.
They'd long wanted to test themselves against the officers of a Yonko's crew!
Gurd watched the restless Donquixote Family, his gaze turning colder as he slowly raised a hand.
The next moment, dozens of cannons positioned around the port swiveled to aim at the Flamingo, while his subordinates and the Beasts Pirates onshore raised their firearms.
"Oi oi, that's just dirty!"
The previously aggressive officers broke into cold sweat. With so many guns and cannons trained on them, even they would struggle to escape unscathed.
Not to mention—what about their ship?
They wanted a fight, but not an all-out artillery exchange. Their vessel couldn't withstand that kind of firepower.
"Fufufufu—"
Doflamingo shrugged, strutting toward Gurd with an exaggerated gait—only to step onto thin air the moment he left the ship.
Gurd's eyes narrowed.
Though he lacked detailed intel, he'd already pieced together the situation. Doflamingo had killed the Warlord Hanafuda, attempting to usurp his role as an intermediary.
Such an act was undeniably a provocation against the Beasts Pirates. While Kaido had permitted Doflamingo's visit, that didn't mean he'd let the offense slide.
The final outcome would hinge on what Doflamingo could offer. Until then, Gurd's task was to "welcome" (and humble) their guest.
Judging by Doflamingo's actions, he clearly intended to make a statement—likely in the same manner as a certain red-haired hotshot.
Fortunately, Gurd had a countermeasure ready.
Close the gates—release the hound!
"Yamato!"
"Got it!"
Yamato stepped forward, facing Doflamingo.
In the next instant, their eyes locked—and both unleashed a torrent of Conqueror's Haki, colliding violently!
"BOOM!!!"
A terrifying shockwave engulfed the entire port!
Ships rocked violently, water surging in reverse.
"SPLASH!"
The Beasts Pirates crew members collapsed one after another, foaming at the mouth and losing consciousness, causing a brief commotion.
"Hey, what's wrong with you guys?"
"Wake up!"
"Stay calm, they're just unconscious."
Speed reassured the crew while glancing at Gurd ahead.
Facing such a powerful Conqueror Haki shockwave, the man stood unmoving like a reef, his aura completely different from a few months ago.
Perhaps he really could become an All-Star!
On the opposite side, the executives of the Donquixote Family swayed unsteadily, struggling to maintain their footing, their faces filled with shock.
"Just like Doffy!"
"Conqueror Haki!"
"Who the hell is this girl?"
They had been confident in their strength. Before coming here, they had repeatedly thought that even against the executives of a Four Emperor's crew, they wouldn't lose.
But now, they were shaken.
A girl with Conqueror Haki and a leader with an overwhelming presence—just these two alone were enough to put them on high alert.
Yet, these two had no reputation whatsoever within the Beasts Pirates. A glimpse was enough to imagine how terrifying the Beasts Pirates truly were.
"Ugh!"
At that moment, Doflamingo staggered uncontrollably back onto the deck, his expression dark.
"Doffy!"
The executives rushed forward to support him, their shock deepening as they watched the cheerful girl bouncing happily on the other side.
Clearly, Doffy had lost in the clash of Conqueror Haki!
Gurd ruffled Yamato's head, then turned a cold gaze toward Doflamingo, showing no mercy.
"Next time, it'll be war!"
"..."
Mingo's smile vanished.
Gurd gave a slight nod and raised his hand in command.
"Let's move. Don't keep Kaido waiting."
"Yes!"
The two ships sailed toward Oni Island, one after the other.
Flamingo, the lounge.
The atmosphere was tense.
Mingo sat on the sofa, his face so dark it seemed to drip with malice.
The contest with the Beasts Pirates had already begun, and he had lost the first round—meaning the upcoming negotiations would be at a disadvantage.
In the underworld, to dominate a partnership and secure greater profits, one needed sufficient strength.
If another mistake was made, all his plans would crumble, and he might even die here.
Fortunately, he had prepared a trump card!
"Fufufufu!"
Mingo opened the treasure chest on the table, his smile returning.
Kaido wouldn't be able to refuse his bargaining chip!
Meanwhile, aboard the Beasts Pirates' ship.
Speed sat at the table, resting her chin on one hand as she tilted her head and grinned at Gurd.
"You were really cool back there."
"Thanks for the compliment."
Gurd leaned back, calmly propping his legs up on the table.
Truthfully, he had been sweating bullets.
If a real fight had broken out, his side would have had almost no chance of winning.
Even with Yamato, defeating Doflamingo would have taken considerable time—but what about the other executives?
Nearly all of the Donquixote Family's executives were Devil Fruit users, making them an overwhelming threat to ordinary pirates.
At best, he could have held off one.
However, he had been certain that Doflamingo wouldn't dare escalate into all-out war. The best approach was to intimidate him with Conqueror Haki—avoiding conflict while still showcasing their strength.
And just as he had predicted, it worked perfectly!
Compared to solving problems with brute force, he preferred using his brain—especially since his current strength wasn't enough to solve problems the hard way.
"I still need to get stronger."
Gurd clenched his fist, his gaze deep and determined.
In just a few short months, he had grown several times stronger, enough to rank among the Headliners of the Beasts Pirates.
But in high-level battles, it still wasn't nearly enough.
The only ways to grow stronger quickly, aside from feeding the Groudon inside him, were to enhance his Conqueror Haki.
"Buy a house!"
Gurd's eyes gleamed.
Once he purchased Ebisu Town, his Conqueror Haki would surely improve dramatically!
(End of Chapter)