Hearing Doflamingo's request, Shuu immediately understood what he meant.
Doflamingo wanted to bring the Donquixote Family with him back to Mary Geoise.
Shuu raised an eyebrow.
"Doflamingo, the only one who can officially regain Celestial Dragon status is you."
A trace of disappointment flashed through Doflamingo's eyes.
However, Shuu continued:
"That said, your executives can accompany you as your personal guards."
"After all, your return is bound to cause some dissatisfaction among certain Celestial Dragons."
The moment he heard those words, Doflamingo's face lit up with delight.
As for opposition?
He couldn't care less.
He was Joker, the king of the underworld.
"Thank you, Young Master! Thank you, Young Master!"
Doflamingo repeated the words over and over, unable to contain his excitement.
A faint smile appeared on Shuu's face.
"That's enough."
"Someone will contact you later with the arrangements."
"For now, take care of Dressrosa's affairs."
"Yes, Young Master!"
The call ended.
Doflamingo sat frozen for several moments.
Then the excitement finally burst through.
At last.
After wandering the world for decades, he was about to become a Celestial Dragon once again.
As the initial wave of exhilaration subsided, another thought crossed his mind.
It seemed the title of "Heavenly Yaksha" would soon become part of the past.
As for his subordinates...
Doflamingo immediately ordered Baby 5 to gather all the executives.
When everyone had assembled, he looked at them and slowly spoke.
"Everyone, I have an announcement to make."
While Doflamingo was deciding which members of the Donquixote Family would accompany him to Mary Geoise, Shuu sat inside Marine Headquarters, rubbing his temples.
His gaze drifted toward the sky outside the window.
"Luffy..."
"In the end, you couldn't escape capture."
Clicking his tongue softly, he picked up a Den Den Mushi and contacted the Five Elders.
Buru Buru Buru...
The call was answered almost immediately.
"Hello, Young Master. What instructions do you have for us?"
"I intend to fulfill my promise to Doflamingo."
The Five Elders paused briefly before understanding.
"You mean his restoration as a Celestial Dragon?"
Shuu nodded.
"That's right."
"Inform the other Celestial Dragons."
"Tell them Doflamingo is one of my people."
The Five Elders felt a chill run down their spines.
It seemed the Donquixote Family was about to rise once again.
"Understood, Young Master!"
"We'll handle it immediately."
"Good."
"I'm leaving it to you."
"Please rest assured."
The call ended.
Shuu returned his attention to the mountain of paperwork on his desk.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Ryokugyu's warship finally sailed into the harbor of Marine Headquarters.
Following behind was the Thousand Sunny.
It wasn't because Ryokugyu wanted to keep Luffy's ship as a trophy.
Rather, Shuu had specifically ordered that it be brought back as well.
Under Shuu's instructions, the Straw Hat Pirates were not sent to Impel Down.
Instead, they were transferred directly to Marine Headquarters.
As the ships docked, Ryokugyu stretched lazily and stepped ashore.
Guina and the other Zero Division members followed behind him.
The Straw Hat Pirates were surrounded by Marines and escorted in the center of the formation.
Now that they had arrived at Headquarters, Ryokugyu no longer worried about any strange "crew buffs."
After all, this place housed the strongest military force in the world.
For the first time since his capture, Luffy was finally reunited with his crew.
"Zoro! Sanji! Carina! Robin! Brook! Franky! Chopper!"
Luffy shouted each name at the top of his lungs.
The crew immediately turned toward him.
"Luffy!"
After several days of recovery, most of their injuries had healed.
Walking at the front, Ryokugyu glanced back at the noisy group.
"Tch..."
"I really don't understand how you people can stay this optimistic."
Shaking his head, he continued leading them toward the detention facility.
Every Marine base had a prison.
But Marine Headquarters was different.
Following Shuu's recommendations, the Headquarters prison had been integrated directly into Zero Division's territory.
As a result, the Straw Hats' final destination lay beneath Zero Division itself.
Although they had been captured, the crew continued carefully observing their surroundings.
Each of them seemed convinced they would eventually escape.
Where that confidence came from remained a mystery.
Soon they arrived before Zero Division's headquarters.
It was the Straw Hats' first time seeing the building.
Massive white walls radiated authority and solemnity.
The black dome above created an almost suffocating pressure.
"Move."
Ryokugyu gestured for them to continue.
His subordinates felt nothing unusual.
They were all members of Zero Division.
But for the Straw Hats, it was a completely different experience.
The moment they stepped through the entrance, dozens of Observation Haki signatures swept across them.
These were the guards assigned to protect Zero Division.
Twenty-four hours a day, they rotated shifts, continuously monitoring the area with Observation Haki.
Security was absolute.
As they entered the underground prison, a man wearing a purple kimono and a white Marine justice coat emerged from inside.
A cane rested in his hand.
A smile sat on his face.
"Yo, Ryokugyu."
"Mission accomplished?"
Ryokugyu nodded.
"Yeah."
"Issho, looks like you're finished too?"
Fujitora laughed heartily.
"My assignment was easy."
"Just a few pirates worth over a hundred million."
Then his gaze shifted toward Luffy and the others.
"Oh my."
"You really caught them."
Ryokugyu shrugged.
"That part doesn't matter."
"Want to grab a drink tonight?"
Issho nodded immediately.
"Of course."
"I'll head home first."
"Come find me later."
With that, Fujitora left.
Luffy had already been completely forgotten.
Ryokugyu seemed equally eager for a drink.
Licking his lips, he quickened his pace.
Before long, the Straw Hat Pirates were placed into separate cells.
Each person received an isolated prison room.
They could hear one another's voices.
But they couldn't see each other.
The arrangement greatly reduced the chances of an escape attempt.
Once everything was secured, Ryokugyu instructed his men to keep a close watch on the Straw Hats.
Then he headed straight toward the headquarters building.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Shuu's voice sounded from inside.
Ryokugyu entered.
"Fleet Admiral Shuu, I'm back."
Shuu looked up from his desk.
"Ryokugyu."
"That was quicker than expected."
Scratching his head, Ryokugyu reported:
"Following your orders, the Thousand Sunny has been secured in the harbor."
"The entire Straw Hat crew has been imprisoned."
Shuu nodded in satisfaction.
"Good work."
"Get some rest."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
After Ryokugyu departed, silence returned to the office.
Shuu leaned back in his chair and stretched.
His gaze shifted toward the direction of Zero Division.
A thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.
"Luffy..."
After a brief pause, he stood up.
"I should go see him."
-----------------------------
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