Storm City, the sky remains densely covered with dark clouds.
"Sage, what exactly are you planning to do?"
Sage sat on a tree branch, holding a microphone, and looked at the Radio Snail nestled in Kalifa's palm, smiling:
"What am I planning? Why don't you ask yourselves what you're planning, eh? You guys know exactly who Doflamingo is and what kind of deal he has with me. I'm a Pirate; if Doflamingo loses, then so be it. Are you just going to stand by when you're even more entangled with him?"
On the other end of the line, there was a brief silence, then a voice said, "The newspaper has been published; we can't change anything. We also need to provide an explanation to the world. But as for you, Sage, don't get too arrogant; you're just a Pirate."
"Pirate wants to do whatever the hell they want! Spare me the nonsense, you five old geezers don't dare wage war against me!"
Bam!
Sage casually threw the microphone onto the Radio Snail, laughed upon seeing the call end, and said, "Poor performance! Just like before, forget it, let's have Lily take over."
"Sengoku is on the way, and the newly appointed Admiral Fujitora is also there; isn't it a bit risky for Lily to be alone?" Kalifa asked.
Sage snorted a laugh, stood up from the tree, and after uprooting the tree he had grasped, he placed it back where it was.
"What is the World Government? Just like us Pirates, they're scoundrels concerned with collecting protection fees and interests. What is the Navy? The external organization of the World Government; it's equivalent to treating them like Sipher and Misty."
"If the top is weak, the bottom won't be too strong; do you think they're pumped full of blood? A bunch of naturally weak individuals can't stir up much of a commotion."
He dusted off his hands and turned to walk towards the outside, "Leave it to Lily; she'll give me a satisfactory answer, I'm off to fish!"
…
Dressrosa.
Lily had Doflamingo cornered, with Issho following closely, at a standstill with her.
However, compared to before, the atmosphere was considerably more harmonious, as Pirates and Marines continuously arrived, gathering around them, setting camps, all the while keeping a watchful eye.
"Don't worry about me, maintaining order for the populace is what's important."
Issho remarked, "Here, I alone am sufficient."
"Do you need this old man to issue orders? This is now our territory!"
Pearl, whose face was foolishly exposed beneath layers of bandages, shouted, "Lady Lily has long given the order!"
"Pirates are Pirates, Marines are Marines; it's not as if our actions prevent the Marines from acting, such isn't the way of righteousness. Moreover, do not address this old man like that, this old man and your group remain adversaries."
Issho sat on a small stool, gesturing towards the back, "Go ahead."
"Yes, Admiral Issho." A group of Marines took his orders and exited again.
"Lady Lily..."
Several accompanying female Pirate nurses gathered by Lily's side, worriedly asking, "Do you need treatment?"
"Much appreciated."
Lily nodded, glanced at the unconscious Doflamingo, and turned to walk into the set-up camp, where several female Pirates treated her wounds and bandaged her up.
In terms of injuries, hers wasn't light; the overwhelming pressure had crushed various parts of her body.
Navy Admirals, indeed, none of them are easy to deal with.
While opposite her, Issho straightforwardly remained on his stool, having people treat his injuries.
Once the injuries were dealt with, both sides remained at odds, seemingly acting as if the other side was nonexistent.
In Dressrosa, in the eyes of everyone who wouldn't dare believe it, the Marines and Pirates embarked on a joint law enforcement operation.
Dressrosa wasn't exactly all flourishing apart from the upper-level darkness.
The darkness and oppression below still existed; a chaotic Pirate-governed place, its roots claiming the bloodline of the Heavenly Celestial Dragon—how good could it be below?
Loving the people as one's children?
During King Liku's reign, the Bullfighting Arena still harbored slaves and criminal Sword Fighters; during Doflamingo's reign, things only intensified, with some people turned into a cage they could never escape.
Outside, there were still thugs; after the initial panic brought by the Birdcage Line, they regained calm and considered whether to take advantage of the chaos in this dilapidated Dressrosa for a wave of robbery, only to be discovered by the Navy and Pirates.
The Navy wouldn't kill but rather apprehend them.
As for the Pirates, it's more direct—this turbulent place, slaughtering is the best way to stabilize things.
Based on their previous experiences of invading territories, starting with killing people couldn't go wrong.
Though this made the Navy almost confront them, considering the command they couldn't receive against the Four Emperors, they suppressed their feelings and endured silently.
After all, there was only one Admiral; not everyone had Fujitora's authority, strength, and courage.
The external actions also reached Issho's ears. He furrowed his brow tightly, looking at Lily, who had long emerged from the tent and stood opposite, he said:
"Young lady, this trend of slaughter, is it the norm for your Disaster Pirates?"
"Most effective, and quickest," Lily replied.
"For the citizens committing minor evils, there should be minor punishments; such doesn't warrant death," Issho said.
"I'm a Pirate, not concerned with such things."
Lily squinted as she watched Issho, who had already moved his hand onto the hilt of his sword cane, while her right hand also gripped the sword hilt at her waist.
At that moment, Doflamingo lying on the ground moved his fingers, then reached out to cover the missing corner of the lenses of his sunglasses, his lips curling:
"Fufufufufu, Lily, kill him!"
Lily glanced at Doflamingo and said, "You've lost."