"I have this too!"
With both hands braced against her legs, Tritoma shouted furiously as a wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from her body, clashing violently with Doflamingo's own!
In an instant, dark ripples of energy burst out in all directions.
Even the spectators above—Enel and the others—felt the sudden shift.
Lacking the qualifications himself, Enel clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Another one with Conqueror's Haki."
"The previous Empress of Amazon Lily had that ability too, if I recall."
The older Giberson muttered to himself.
The last Empress, Shakky, hadn't been gone from the seas for even ten years.
He still remembered that woman clearly—mainly because of her partner, the right-hand man of the Pirate King.
Dark King Rayleigh—he was unforgettable.
Morgans cautiously glanced around. Seeing Enel's attention wasn't on him, he quickly pulled out his notebook.
This moment—it lit a fire in his reporter's heart. His desire to write this into a headline-worthy story burned even stronger.
...
Below.
"How interesting!"
Doflamingo's eyes lit up.
He hadn't expected this woman to also possess Conqueror's Haki.
Could it be that every Empress of Amazon Lily was just that innately gifted?
"Fufufufufu~ Who would've thought? This tiny Amazon Lily actually birthed two rare talents at once—what a fascinating surprise."
A pleased smile crept across Doflamingo's face as his gaze swept past the unconscious Hancock and landed on the struggling Tritoma.
He hadn't planned on running into them this time.
Just stumbling across Hancock, the future Pirate Empress and a wielder of Conqueror's Haki, had already been an unexpected delight.
And now?
A buy-one-get-one-free situation.
This unknown Empress also had the qualifications for Conqueror's Haki.
How wonderful.
This woman was worth claiming.
Whether as a breeding vessel or as a combat asset—she held tremendous value.
"Empress of Amazon Lily, state your name!"
Tritoma straightened her back with great effort, glaring at Doflamingo, who wore an infuriatingly relaxed expression.
"You vile scum—you're not worthy of knowing my name!"
Looking at the Empress whose only strength left was her stubborn mouth, Doflamingo chuckled darkly.
"No problem. I'll make you talk... Be mine, woman!"
"?!"
Tritoma's eyes widened in disbelief, her chest heaving in rage.
As the ruler of Amazon Lily, she had always adhered to the sacred tradition established hundreds of years ago—
Men are forbidden!
This despicable Heavenly Yaksha—how dare he?
"You bastard! You're spouting—"
Spurt!
Tritoma coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed unconscious.
Her previous injuries from battle had long since torn open again under the intense strain of her emotions.
And with Doflamingo maintaining his superior Conqueror's Haki, it was like a taut bowstring snapping—her body had reached its limit.
"...?"
Doflamingo tilted his head, slightly confused, and extended his Observation Haki.
"Please, Doflamingo-sama, forgive our Empress for her stubbornness!"
At last, the elder Gloriosa arrived. Holding her serpent staff, she performed a long-distance knee-slide and planted herself between Doflamingo and Tritoma.
"The left pulmonary artery is ruptured, clavicle is fractured, spleen…"
After a brief assessment of Tritoma's injuries, Doflamingo opened his eyes, a thoughtful gleam flashing in them.
No wonder her legs gave out so quickly.
There was a reason she didn't appear in the 'official' future timeline. Without his intervention—
Chasing after the slave traders to save the three sisters, she'd likely have died regardless.
Good thing he showed up.
Finishing his train of thought, Doflamingo flicked his wrist—Gloriosa was hoisted into the air.
Silken threads pulled Tritoma back into his arms.
Seeing this, Gloriosa panicked, thinking Doflamingo was about to kill her.
She struggled with all her might, the threads biting into her flesh, but she paid no attention to the pain.
"Whatever anger you carry, Doflamingo-sama, take it out on me! Let me bear it—please don't harm the Empress!"
"..."
Doflamingo turned his head, speechless, and stared at Gloriosa's aged body. Even behind his sunglasses, his expression visibly twitched.
Can you not say things like that with double meanings? Who the hell would be interested in you?!
And besides, my woman—why would I hurt her?
While controlling specially-designed nano-threads to stitch up Tritoma's internal injuries, he casually added:
"I trust Amazon Lily won't object if I pay it a little visit?"
Originally, he was only aiming to rope in Rayleigh—if the man showed up himself.
But now, after unexpectedly encountering Hancock and her sisters…
And this bonus Empress as well?
All three of them were connected.
Children choose—strong men take them all.
Time to find a place to secure all three.
Sabaody was too chaotic, too close to Marine Headquarters. His appearance there would trigger an all-out military response.
Amazon Lily, however, located in the Calm Belt, was perfect for handling this.
...
Gloriosa glanced at Tritoma, whose face already looked less pale.
How could she possibly say no?
She'd always known when to yield.
Moments later—
Three large ships took off toward the Calm Belt.
From the deck, Gloriosa looked back toward Sabaody, eyes flickering.
Now, all she could hope for was that Rayleigh and Shakky would learn what had happened here in time.
"Fufufufufu~"
Noticing her mood, Doflamingo turned and smiled subtly at the prow.
"Trying to contact Rayleigh? I'll help you."
Gloriosa stared, confused. "???"
Had she... said anything?
"Glug glug."
...
The harbor beneath the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
World Government and Marine personnel were everywhere.
At a quiet alleyway off to the side—
Shakky exhaled a cloud of smoke as she gazed coldly toward the bustling port.
"If Doflamingo killed Zephyr, even if the World Government's in peace with him, there's no way he'd appear here so openly."
"If he intends to sell our people as rare merchandise to the Celestial Dragons, his subordinates are bound to show up."
Rayleigh, who was usually relaxed and carefree, now solemnly drew out the longsword he'd kept well-maintained for years and wiped it down slowly.
He said gently:
"Don't worry. Tritoma and the others will be fine."
Still, Rayleigh himself was baffled by Doflamingo's contradictory actions.
On one hand, sending Hatchan as a show of goodwill—
On the other, attacking Amazon Lily.
If Doflamingo knew Hatchan was his friend...
There's no way he wouldn't have known about Shakky's connection to the Kuja.
"Glug glug!"
...
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg