"Declare total war!"
Saint Saturn's cold, autocratic voice cracked through the chamber like a whip.
The Chamber of Authority seemed to tighten around the words. The air thickened, heavy and frigid, laced with an almost tangible intent to kill. Behind the Gorosei, the lamplight warped across the walls, and their shadows swelled into something monstrous—as though five demons had already bared their teeth, eager for blood and the sting of powder smoke.
Stussy and Doflamingo both narrowed their eyes, a chill crawling down their spines.
They had felt the Gorosei's presence before—the supreme power of the World Government, the so-called Warrior Gods—but what surged from them now made the skin on the back of their necks prickle.
The same thought rose in both their minds.
How could that Darren possibly clash with these five monsters… and still hold his ground?
Compared to Doflamingo, Stussy's worry cut in a different direction—sharper, more immediate.
If that bastard unleashed his so-called Magnetic Field Rotation and faced the Gorosei again… what would happen?
A stalemate?
An overwhelming advantage?
Or…
Could he actually kill them?
Stussy's pulse skipped, then snapped back into place as she lowered her head, forcing her expression smooth.
"Heh heh heh… So that's the game you old geezers are playing," Doflamingo said, an amused darkness in his voice. "Use this moment to flaunt the World Government's might and nail the Member States' trust in place. Cunning."
He tilted his head, grin sharp beneath his sunglasses.
"Since Saint Garling will be announcing the war on Rogers Darren… does that mean I'm handling the operation to wipe out the North Blue Fleet?"
Saint Warcury gave a slow, satisfied nod. "Correct, Doffy. Your mind is useful. Calling you back and appointing you Vice Commander of the Knights of God was the right decision."
Doflamingo's smile thinned.
"Don't get familiar, old man. We're not that close."
His voice cooled, malicious and flat.
"'Doffy' is a name only family gets to use."
Stussy flicked him a discreet glance.
If she remembered correctly, Darren called him Doffy too.
And she'd never once seen Doflamingo object.
So that bastard really does have tricks. He actually got this brat on a leash.
"You are a Celestial Dragon," Warcury said evenly. "By blood, we are your family. That is beyond dispute."
A cold sneer tugged at Doflamingo's mouth.
The Gorosei didn't press it. With a casual wave, they swept past the discomfort as if it were simply beneath them.
"According to the ceremony's schedule, your inauguration will come before Saint Garling's," Warcury continued. "Before the eyes of the world, we will grant you the authority of Vice Commander. Do not disappoint us."
Doflamingo shrugged, a low, sinister chuckle spilling out.
"Heh heh heh… that depends on how sincere you actually are."
Warcury's gaze slid to Stussy.
"As for your mission," he said, "you will provide combat support and intelligence through the CP agencies."
Saint Saturn's cane struck the marble with a hard crack.
"When the moment comes," he ordered, "eradicate the North Blue Fleet. Destroy them—completely."
"Yes, Excellency," Stussy replied, bowing with practiced obedience.
Doflamingo's grin widened into something predatory.
"Go and prepare, Saint Doflamingo," Warcury said, dismissing him with a glance.
Doflamingo rose from the sofa, lit a cigar, and strolled out with his hands in his pockets, swaggering like he owned the world.
The doors boomed shut behind him.
Stussy also asked to leave.
"Then I will take my leave as well, Excellencies," she said, bowing.
"Wait."
Saint Saturn's voice stopped her cold.
Stussy froze. "Excellency, please speak."
Saturn's tone was flat as iron. "Regarding your assignment, there is a special order."
"While you cooperate with Doflamingo and provide intelligence support, you will secretly monitor him. If he makes any unusual or suspicious moves, you will inform us immediately."
Stussy's heart jolted. Her pupils tightened, and for the briefest instant, shock and doubt flickered across her face.
"Excellencies mean…?"
Saturn's sneer deepened. "Exactly what you think. He may be Vice Commander of the Knights of God now, but we know that brat still harbors resentment toward the Government—and toward us."
"Power and status can tempt anyone," Saturn continued, voice cold and certain, "but they do not guarantee loyalty."
Stussy pressed her lips together, lowering her head. "But Doflamingo… isn't he a Celestial Dragon?"
Saturn gave a dismissive scoff. "So what? It doesn't change where he came from. If not for the times we're in, that arrogant whelp wouldn't even be qualified to set foot in the Holy Land."
Then he looked at Stussy, and a faint smile curved his lips—thin, deliberate.
"Compared to Doflamingo—a Celestial Dragon in name only—we trust you far more."
Stussy immediately bowed, head low.
"Thank you for your trust, Excellencies," she said smoothly. "This servant will devote herself to the mission you have entrusted to me."
---
Meanwhile…
The moment Doflamingo entered his private residence in the Holy Land, a CP0 agent in a black suit appeared in the main hall like a shadow stepping off the wall.
"Lord Doflamingo," the agent said, kneeling on one knee with his head lowered, "the Gorosei have issued a secret order."
Doflamingo let out a soft chuckle.
"Heh heh heh… If those five old geezers have something to say, why not say it to my face? Why send a watchdog to whisper it in the dark?"
The agent's voice was grave. "The Gorosei request that you monitor CP0 agent Stussy during your mission. If you observe any unusual behavior, report it immediately."
Doflamingo paused.
Then his mouth twisted into a strange, delighted smirk.
"Really? I thought those fossils trusted that woman like scripture."
"The Gorosei believe," the agent said solemnly, "that only a Celestial Dragon like yourself, Lord Doflamingo, can truly be trusted."
Doflamingo's grin widened, slow and vicious.
To be continued...