With just a few words, securing a Seven Warlord spot—for Doflamingo, this was life-changing shit. But for Aus? Just another casual chess move.
Somewhere along the way... maybe as his ambition climbed, or his power kept exploding, casually fucking with the seas had become trivial for Aus. Just another Tuesday.
And this favor Doflamingo owed him? Heh heh heh... let the bastard spend his whole life paying it back.
(Loyal orange!!!)
Night crept in. The red-light district's peak hours arrived. In a luxury private room, Aus stripped off his shirt and walked bare-chested into the VIP bathing area.
The legit kind—get your minds out of the gutter.
Steam rose everywhere. This central luxury room never opened to outsiders. In the warm springs, a tall figure relaxed with arms spread wide, soaking by the pool's edge.
Three figures walked in.
Sami wore a thin, light robe, kneeling gracefully by the pool to massage Aus's shoulders with delicate hands. No. 6 and No. 7 sported cool swimsuits, diving into the springs to serve Aus—holding up food and cold drinks, feeding him respectfully.
"Perfect. Nice and soft and white springs."
Watching Sami, No. 6, and No. 7 serve him devotedly, Aus felt genuine warmth and pleasure, smiling as he praised them.
Running around outside all day was exhausting as hell.
When he'd sailed with Captain Roger, he'd seen these seas' true face—nothing like simple travel and adventure. Great pirates clashed without restraint, fighting over islands and territory. The World Government rotted from corruption. Self-proclaimed noble pigs ran wild in markets. Regular people lived in the cracks between...
Only because Aus had power—plus the Roger Pirates' protection—had he never personally tasted these seas' malice.
But since leaving the ship, Aus could only rely on himself.
Though his somewhat ridiculous strength let him live pretty well, scheming and plotting would definitely be unavoidable—whether facing the Five Elders or those so-called sea overlords...
Places that truly felt like home to Aus, besides Old Mayor's house and the Roger Pirates, were probably just this Sabaody territory—protected by him, belonging to these girls.
Sure, they served and worshipped him because of his strength plus decent looks, but wasn't strength also Aus's hard-earned result?
He loved this "gentle haven."
Seeing Aus's relaxed, comfortable expression, Sami massaged his temples while hesitation flickered across her face, eyes uncertain.
"Got something to say? Just spit it out. No need for this wishy-washy shit. We're old friends by now, right, Sami?"
Such tiny emotions and expressions couldn't escape Aus's perception.
Hearing his sudden question, Sami's eyes dimmed, naturally not daring to hide anything:
"It's nothing, Lord Aus. I'm just thinking... that Doflamingo—with my years of business experience meeting countless people—definitely isn't someone willing to be loyal to others. Plus he's got the same [King's Ambition] as you.
I absolutely trust your strength fears nothing, but I worry this might be an ungrateful wolf that can never be tamed..."
Ever since Aus decided to release Doflamingo, she'd felt something was off. That feeling peaked because of a small incident.
After an unknown conversation, amid everyone's disbelief in the red-light district and the Donquixote Family's tearful gratitude, Aus brought the imprisoned Doflamingo out and publicly announced his release.
This move definitely pissed off the women and girls harmed by Donquixote Family thugs, but they were willing to swallow those feelings for Aus's sake.
But Aus naturally considered this. To avoid disappointing these lovely girls, he smiled and bent down, whispering in the silent, head-down Doflamingo's ear: "You know what to do... right, Doffy?"
Hearing this, Doflamingo seemed to snap back to reality, eyes unreadable behind his sunglasses.
Imprisoned for days, first time leaving the cell, seeing warm sunlight—but he only felt ice-cold all over.
Under Aus's wicked gaze, this arrogant blonde youth had lost his usual wild grin.
After just a moment's pause, he silently walked toward the Donquixote Family prisoners.
The equally released Trebol and others, seeing Doflamingo approach, thought their young master had negotiated with "Black Gun" Aus. Though they didn't know what price was paid, they could finally leave.
"Hey... Doffy! We can finally—"
Trebol stepped forward first, wanting to say something, but the silent Doflamingo ignored him completely, walking straight toward the crowd behind.
These were the family thugs and minions who'd caused riots in the red-light district. They'd also been imprisoned awaiting Aus's judgment, but their treatment was definitely worse than Doflamingo's—abuse was the minimum.
Seeing their young master approach, hope exploded in their eyes! Worthy of being their recognized king! Excellent! Finally free...
Swish...
Smiles hadn't faded when the happy bastards felt something wrong. Confusion appeared in their eyes. Perspective shifted.
"This is... my body?"
In the beheading instant, they retained consciousness, but before thinking about reasons, consciousness fell into eternal darkness.
This was destined massacre.
Some had followed him for years, but Doflamingo still silently strangled them all with strings.
Sami and others stared dumbfounded. Even women who'd suffered the thugs' violence felt this was too brutal. The timid ones covered mouths and vomited violently.
Only Sami, though uncomfortable, kept eyes fixed on silent Doflamingo, then saw a scene that shocked her greatly.
After killing all participants except officers, Doflamingo actually forced out a smile.
Seeing this, Sami felt it was far more terrifying than seeing him gloomy and furious.
She watched him smile at Aus and bow his head, eyes still unreadable behind sunglasses:
"Please calm your anger... Lord Aus."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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