WebNovels

Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: Killing You Is the Lightest Punishment!

"You're watching, aren't you?"

Tsuru's voice was soft, yet it pierced through the Den Den Mushi like an ice pick dipped in poison, stabbing straight into a certain corner of the New World.

"No… actually, 'listening' would be more accurate."

"You're listening, aren't you?"

"Listen carefully to the sounds coming from your most loyal, most trusted subordinate right now."

Bang!

Another dull, heavy impact.

Vergo's body was slammed deep into the ground of the training field, creating a man-shaped crater.

"Ugh... ah..."

Weak, pained groans escaped from the pit, transmitted clearly through the Den Den Mushi to the other side.

"This is just the beginning."

Tsuru's tone didn't waver in the slightest, as if she were stating a trivial fact.

"The pain Sengoku feels from losing his adopted son… will be returned to you and your subordinates a thousandfold."

"And you..."

"Can only sit there, powerless, and listen."

"..."

On the other end of the line, dead silence.

...

Dressrosa, King's Plateau.

Doflamingo sat on the sofa, his posture as arrogant as ever, but his expression was frozen solid.

His mind was spinning at full speed.

What the hell happened?

What exactly is going on?!

All he did was answer a call.

Then he heard the voice of Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

Immediately after… came the sounds of one of his highest-ranking officers, Vergo, being beaten one-sidedly, his muffled impacts and suppressed screams echoing through the line.

Just two days ago, he had sent Vergo to investigate the Marine who dared provoke him.

And now… Vergo's cover was blown?!

The piece he'd planted within the highest ranks of the Marines—one of his most valuable operatives, cultivated carefully for over a decade—just exposed like this?!

Why?!!!

"…Doffy…"

Tsuru's voice came again.

"You'd better pray you can keep your Shichibukai position…"

"Otherwise, this old woman would be more than happy to visit Dressrosa myself… and have a proper little chat with you."

Beep… beep…

The Den Den Mushi call was cut off.

Inside the palace, silence hung heavy in the air.

"..."

Doflamingo slowly lowered his head, veins bulging on his temples like coiled dragons beneath his skin.

The next second—

Bang—!!!

He suddenly raised his hand and slammed the Den Den Mushi into the floor with all his strength!

It shattered instantly, fragments scattering in every direction.

"Haa… haa… haa…"

His chest heaved violently, his breath ragged and beastlike.

Tsuru…

That old hag…!

The old nightmare of being chased across the seas by her all those years ago came flooding back.

Vergo was gone.

He'd lost one of his top executives!

Future plans… countless plans… would now be critically affected.

Even his position as a Shichibukai was in jeopardy!

Without the protection of that title, the Marines would reissue his bounty and hunt him again.

Though… he still had his Celestial Dragon heritage to shield him, for now.

But what truly burned him inside was the humiliation—the unbearable frustration of being toyed with, utterly powerless, without even knowing who was pulling the strings.

Who the hell…

…did I provoke?!

...

G-5 Branch.

"Cough…"

Vergo lay sprawled in the middle of the ruins like a broken rag doll, barely breathing.

Sengoku raised his massive hand once more, golden Buddha light glowing faintly around it, preparing to bring it crashing down again.

"Sengoku, don't forget what we agreed on."

Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice was like a basin of icy water, dousing the raging fire of Sengoku's fury.

"..."

Sengoku's hand stopped mid-air, the golden radiance slowly fading.

He clenched his eyes shut, chest rising and falling violently.

After a long pause, he let out a deep, heavy sigh.

Before arriving at G-5, he and Tsuru had made an agreement.

He could vent his anger.

But Vergo could not die—not yet.

This top executive of the Donquixote Family still carried too much valuable intelligence in his head.

Information powerful enough to bring Doflamingo's entire empire crashing down.

Sengoku wouldn't just destroy Vergo.

He was going to take Doflamingo down with him.

"Vergo."

Tsuru stepped forward, each stride steady and deliberate, stopping directly before him. She gazed down coldly from above.

"Confess."

"Tell us everything, and we can at least give you a painless death."

"..."

Vergo struggled to lift his head.

He looked at Tsuru, lips curling into a twisted grin before coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"Ptuh."

He spat defiantly, saying nothing.

His eyes said it all.

Unyielding.

He would never betray Doffy.

Not a single word.

"…"

Seeing this, Tsuru's expression remained calm, as if she had expected this outcome.

However, behind her, Sengoku suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Haha… hahahahaha!"

"Not talking? Perfect! That's even better!"

He strode up to Vergo, crouching down to meet his bloodied face directly.

"Seeing how loyal you are to Doflamingo… I'm actually relieved."

"..."

Vergo's pupils shrank slightly, a sudden, ominous chill crawling up his spine.

Sengoku's next words confirmed his worst fears—magnifying them a thousandfold.

"Killing you?" Sengoku's tone became chillingly calm, unnaturally serene.

"That would be the lightest punishment."

"I'm going to throw you into Impel Down… and you'll live. Oh, you'll live well."

"Then, I'll make you watch."

"Watch the Donquixote Family crumble, step by step."

"Watch Doflamingo run for his life, stripped of everything."

"And in the end… I'll bring him before you personally."

"I'll make you witness, with your own eyes, everything you're loyal to… turning into dust."

"That… is the real punishment."

"…"

"!!!"

Vergo's entire body began trembling uncontrollably.

Fear.

An unprecedented, suffocating terror clawed at his heart, like an icy hand crushing it in its grip.

Giving his life for Doffy?

He could do that without hesitation.

But to watch Doffy's entire world burn…

To watch him dragged down from the throne of a god…

No.

That was far, far worse than death.

Vergo stared at Sengoku in horror, his face drained of all color, pure despair settling in his eyes.

He could die for his faith.

But he could never endure watching his faith shattered and trampled into the dirt.

"Hahahahaha!"

Sengoku looked at Vergo's now-lifeless expression, his bottled-up fury finally spilling into wild, satisfied laughter.

"Take him away!"

"And tell Magellan to keep him alive. I want him intact."

"Yes, sir!"

Several Marines rushed forward, dragging Vergo away.

Sengoku turned his head toward Tsuru.

"Tsuru… tell me, since young Hawke managed to intercept such crucial intel, how should I reward him?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru gave him a sidelong glance.

"That's your headache, not mine."

"…"

...

Meanwhile, Skypiea.

The massive warship slowly glided into the Angel Island cloud harbor, its colossal frame cutting through the mist, sending ripples across the cloud sea.

Hawke stood at the bow, cigar in his mouth.

The battleship docked steadily.

"!!!"

On the shore, the enthusiastic Skypieans, who had only been watching from afar, instantly surged forward like a tidal wave.

"Quick! Our hero's back!"

"Commodore Hawke, look! This is my family's cloud pumpkin!"

"Commodore Hawke, feel this cloud cotton cloth! So soft and breathable—perfect for a cloak!"

"Commodore Hawke—"

From somewhere in the crowd, a shrill voice pierced the chaos.

"Commodore Hawke, I love you!!!"

Hawke: "???"

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