"AHHHHH!"
Bepo screamed the entire way.
Anyone listening would think he was being tortured.
The only problem was that his face was full of excitement.
Kontena's face twitched.
This bear clearly enjoyed it.
On the Dragon Emperor, everyone looked toward the incoming commotion.
A white figure appeared in a flash.
When they landed, Bepo stood frozen for several seconds, his mouth hanging open.
Eventually, he turned toward Kontena.
"It's over?"
Kontena's face darkened.
"You want another round?"
"Sorry!"
Bepo immediately apologized.
"Bepo?"
"Is that really Bepo?"
Wanda and Naqin stared at him.
The image slowly overlapped with memories from years ago.
The moment Bepo recognized them, tears immediately welled up.
"Big Sister Wanda!"
"Big Sister Squirrel!"
"I finally found you!"
Everyone expected a touching reunion.
Slap.
Wanda sent him flying with one strike.
"Behave yourself."
"Stop acting exactly like you did when you were little."
Naqin sighed and helped him up.
"You really haven't changed."
"Not even a little."
"Waaah..."
Bepo looked at her pitifully.
"Big Sister Squirrel is still the nicest."
Just as he moved in for a hug—
Slap.
Another crisp smack echoed out.
Bepo flew through the air again.
Naqin calmly withdrew her hand.
"Can you stop wiping your tears and snot on people?"
"Ugh!"
Bepo crashed into the ground.
The entire crew burst into laughter.
This bear was simply too entertaining.
He landed directly in front of White Ghost.
Nami's eyes immediately sparkled.
He was almost as adorable as Chopper.
Pedro walked over with Law.
"Captain."
"Bepo has been traveling with this kid all these years."
White Ghost glanced at Law.
Nothing more.
Just one glance.
Yet Law's entire body stiffened.
An indescribable sense of danger flooded his mind.
Ever since White Ghost fully fused his dragon pressure with Conqueror's Haki, simply looking at someone could make them feel as if they were facing a natural disaster.
Fortunately, White Ghost quickly looked away.
Law secretly let out a breath.
Just then—
"Beli-beli-beli-beli!"
The Den Den Mushi rang.
White Ghost frowned.
Who was calling this late?
The moment he answered, a familiar laugh echoed out.
"Fuffuffuffuffuffu."
Law's body instantly tensed.
Hatred filled his eyes.
White Ghost ignored him and picked up the call.
"It's late."
"What do you want?"
"If this isn't important, I'll fly to Dressrosa myself after entering the New World and give it a dragon breath greeting."
"Fuffuffuffuffuffu."
"Don't be so hostile, my friend."
Doflamingo sounded as cheerful as ever.
Law's hand immediately moved toward his sword.
Click.
A cloth suddenly stuffed itself into his mouth.
At the same time, weakness spread through his body.
Bepo panicked.
Pedro quickly covered his mouth.
After a brief explanation, Bepo reluctantly calmed down.
White Ghost continued speaking.
"If you don't get to the point, I'm hanging up."
"Fuffuffuffuffuffu."
"I just wanted to ask if you found someone."
"You know exactly who I mean."
"My intelligence says you're nearby."
Law's eyes widened.
He already knew the answer.
But hearing Doflamingo ask about him still made his chest tighten.
White Ghost glanced at him.
"No."
"If I had found him, I would've taken him myself."
"I know what the Op-Op Fruit can do after awakening."
Law's face went pale.
So even White Ghost knew.
"Fuffuffuffuffuffu."
"You didn't find him?"
Doflamingo laughed.
"If you do, help me capture him."
"You know how much I want Law."
"The Heart Seat is still waiting for him."
His words sounded aimed at White Ghost.
Yet they were clearly meant for Law.
White Ghost smirked.
"My appetite is huge, Doffy."
"What exactly are you offering?"
"Fuffuffuffuffuffu."
"I know you don't care about money."
"Still..."
His tone changed.
"Didn't you once say that snow-haired girl beside me looked delicious?"
"I also have a weapon maid."
"I think she'd suit your tastes."
The moment those words came out, all the women aboard the ship turned toward White Ghost.
Their expressions instantly became dangerous.
White Ghost felt a headache coming.
What nonsense was Doflamingo spouting?
"Get lost."
"Don't lump me in with your hobbies."
"I didn't see Law."
"If I had, I'd have kept him myself."
Click.
The call ended.
White Ghost immediately began trying to calm the women down before things escalated.
Across the sea, Doflamingo stared at the disconnected Den Den Mushi.
Veins bulged on his forehead.
"Fuffuffuffuffuffu."
"You really are my most trusted partner."
Back aboard the ship, Law was finally released.
At this point, he understood.
White Ghost truly had no interest in him.
Or more accurately—
No interest in the Op-Op Fruit's eternal youth surgery.
Bepo had already forgotten everything and was happily eating desserts alongside Chopper, the crew's two mascot candidates.
After White Ghost finally managed to settle the jealous women, Law approached him.
"Why?"
White Ghost glanced at him.
"If you don't have anything important to say, eat, sleep, and leave tomorrow."
"Bepo stays."
Law clenched his fists.
"Why didn't you hand me over?"
"Or do you plan to keep me for yourself?"
White Ghost chuckled.
Then he raised one finger.
"First."
"I already have other ways to extend my lifespan."
A second finger.
"Second."
"You're too unstable."
"I don't like dealing with ticking time bombs."
A third finger.
"Third."
"You're too weak."
"You're not qualified to stay on my ship."
"And I still do business with Doflamingo."
"So I have no reason to offend him for your sake."
Law gritted his teeth.
Too weak?
White Ghost looked down on him?
Objectively, that should have been a good thing.
So why did it irritate him so much?
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