One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine

The warship set sail once more.

The cool sea breeze gently brushed across their faces as Staff Officer Tsuru watched the Vice Admiral calmly washing the blood from his hands on the deck, her gaze complex and unreadable.

"Daren, did you really intend to kill Doflamingo?"

Daren took the handkerchief a Marine respectfully handed him, wiped his hands clean, then turned and smiled.

"How could I?"

"I know how to keep things in check, Staff Officer Tsuru."

"Donquixote Doflamingo may have been expelled from Mary Geoise, but the noble blood of the Celestial Dragons still runs through his veins."

"I was just giving him a little lesson, so he won't be so reckless next time."

Staff Officer Tsuru fell silent.

The killing intent earlier had been impossible to conceal.

When Daren drew his sword and slashed at Doflamingo's neck, she had clearly sensed the deep, hidden murderous aura from him.

Moreover...

She couldn't help but recall Doflamingo's feral expression as he screamed, "Damn Marine! One day I'll kill you," and she unconsciously pursed her lips.

That same deep, smothered killing intent...

Originally, she had harbored doubts about the relationship between Doflamingo and Daren, but after the events on the island, most of her suspicions had faded.

Everything else could be faked—

But the desire to kill reflected in a person's eyes could never be hidden.

As a user of the Woshu Woshu no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that could "wash away" the evil in a person's heart, Staff Officer Tsuru was far more sensitive than most to malice, hatred, and hostility.

'It seems Sengoku might have been overthinking things...'

Staff Officer Tsuru quietly breathed a sigh of relief, composed herself, and asked,

"Do you think the Five Elders will agree to Doflamingo's terms?"

Daren took out a cigar, bit it between his teeth, lit it, and slowly walked toward the bow of the ship, letting the sea breeze hit his face. He shook his head with a smile.

"As a subordinate, I dare not speculate too much about the minds of the elders."

Staff Officer Tsuru glared at him in exasperation.

"Enough nonsense! Speak!"

Daren raised his hands helplessly.

"They'll probably agree. After all, Doflamingo can't simply be killed. Only by agreeing to his demands will the Heavenly Tribute return to the hands of the World Government."

Staff Officer Tsuru nodded, agreeing with his judgment.

After they subdued Doflamingo, the Five Elders immediately ordered the Marines to withdraw.

After all, allowing a "pirate" to negotiate directly with the World Government would be too damaging to the Five Elders' prestige.

Moreover, given Doflamingo's sensitive background, the negotiations likely touched on deeper secrets—secrets that the Marines had no right to know.

At the end of the day, in the eyes of the World Government, and even the Five Elders, no matter how powerful the Marines became, they were nothing more than tools and weapons for maintaining their global rule—not qualified to sit at the negotiation table.

...

Desert island.

Doflamingo, covered in blood, sneered coldly at the Den Den Mushi in front of him, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"The Marines are gone. So, what's your decision?"

On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, in the Pangaea Castle's council hall, the Five Elders sat in deep silence.

The great hall was deathly quiet, the only sound being the soft bubbling of boiling tea.

At a certain moment, Saint Saturn asked hoarsely,

"Doflamingo, why do you want to gain the title of Shichibukai?"

"Fufufufufu..."

Doflamingo let out a sinister laugh.

"That's none of you five old fossils' concern. Anyway, this is my only condition."

"On one side, you have the Heavenly Tribute offered to the Celestial Dragons of the Holy Land, and on the other, just a Shichibukai position that means nothing to you... It shouldn't be a hard choice, right?"

Saint Warcury sneered,

"So we can understand this as a threat?"

As his anger rose, the scar on the forehead of the Warrior God of Justice, Topman Warcury, seemed to glow a dark red.

"No, no, no. It's not a threat."

Doflamingo laughed even more wildly.

"Compared to being a pirate, I'm more of a businessman."

"So, this is just a deal I'm proposing to you... nothing more."

The blond Five Elder, Saint Peter, scoffed,

"A deal? Sounds more like revenge to me."

"Revenge for when we rejected you and kicked you out of Mary Geoise."

Doflamingo shrugged indifferently, spreading his blood-stained hands, his tongue licking his lips.

"No, I'm actually a very magnanimous person."

"What happened back then... let's just leave it in the past. Since you didn't let me stay in the Holy Land, I have nothing to say. After all, it was my foolish father who made the first mistake..."

"But you shouldn't stop me from reclaiming, step by step, the power and status that rightfully belong to me, should you?"

This time, the Five Elders were silent for even longer.

"We need time to consider."

"No problem."

Doflamingo lit a cigarette.

The Den Den Mushi communication was suspended.

...

In the council chamber.

"The Heavenly Tribute is in his hands. If we don't get it back, we won't be able to answer to the Celestial Dragons."

"It's just a Shichibukai position. Even if we give it to him, he won't be able to overturn the world."

"My concern is that brat's appetite will only grow bigger."

"He wouldn't dare. He knows very well where our bottom line is."

"Yes. Otherwise, his demand this time wouldn't have been the Shichibukai title but a return to the Holy Land itself."

"In that case..."

"Wait!"

Warcury suddenly lifted his head.

"What is it, Topman?"

Saint Nusjuro, dressed in a samurai outfit and holding a wicked-looking long sword, looked over at him.

"I want to confirm one thing first."

A confident smile appeared on Warcury's lips.

He turned his gaze toward the ancient bronze doors of the hall.

"Come in."

Creak...

The doors slowly swung open.

A slender figure wearing a fox mask stepped inside, kneeling gracefully on one knee.

"Stussy, at your service, Your Excellencies."

The white silk robe that symbolized CP0's authority draped over her body, but the enticing curve of her back still showed through.

Warcury narrowed his eyes, his old gaze locking onto Stussy.

"You should already know the relevant intelligence. What's your judgment regarding Doflamingo joining the Shichibukai?"

Keeping her head lowered, Stussy answered softly,

"This is a matter of great importance. I dare not offer a foolish opinion."

Warcury chuckled.

"Stussy, you did well in keeping the Shichibukai candidate list we gave you confidential."

"You've proven your loyalty."

"So speak. Based on your experience and judgment, what's your opinion on Doflamingo becoming one of the Shichibukai?"

The moment had come!

Stussy fought to steady her pounding heart, bowing even lower.

"In my humble opinion, Your Excellencies, allowing Doflamingo to become one of the Shichibukai may not necessarily be a bad thing."

She spoke in a trembling voice.

Beneath her mask, a victorious smile curled at the corners of her crimson, seductive lips... ever so slightly.