The Queen Anne's Revenge cut through the waves and headed straight for Mary Geoise.
Doflamingo stepped off the ship with a complicated expression.
This land had once been his home.
It held everything he desired—and everything that humiliated him.
"Go home."
Xiao said it calmly.
Then he walked forward, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, leading Doflamingo straight toward one of the grand castles reserved for the Celestial Dragons.
Doflamingo stopped in his tracks.
"…Are you serious?"
He stared at the enormous fortress before them. Its scale and luxury surpassed even the residence of his former family.
"A castle like this belongs only to the direct bloodline of the Five Elders."
Xiao did not answer immediately. Instead, he gestured toward the inner garden.
Under a massive white parasol, several noble ladies were enjoying afternoon tea.
In the center sat a young woman with long black hair and bright golden eyes. She leaned lazily against her chair, exuding effortless arrogance.
Xiao pointed at her.
"Jay Garcia family. Direct granddaughter of the Scientific Defense God. Twenty years old this year."
He paused, then added lightly:
"My wife."
Doflamingo froze.
The noble ladies had already noticed them.
When they saw Xiao, their expressions changed at once.
"Your Excellency Teach."
They curtsied politely.
It was not courtesy alone.
Everyone here knew why they showed respect.
Pure gold.
The rare metal that could slow aging—almost grant eternal life.
It was tightly controlled, sold in limited quantities, and priced absurdly high. Even among the Celestial Dragons, only the heads of households and primary heirs had priority access.
The others had to wait.
And Xiao controlled the supply.
The women abandoned their tea without hesitation and gathered around him instead, smiling warmly.
Xiao smiled back, as if unaware of the calculation behind their eyes.
"I didn't mean to interrupt. Please, continue."
He handed out small gifts—exquisite trinkets from the Cyberpunk World. They were not expensive, but they were novel, delicate, and full of unfamiliar craftsmanship.
The ladies were immediately charmed.
At the table, however, the young woman's face darkened.
She rose slowly.
"Inferior humans," she said coldly. "Take your people and leave. Don't dirty my castle."
Her golden eyes swept over Xiao, then over Doflamingo and the others behind him.
There was no attempt to conceal her disgust.
Xiao laughed softly.
"Sani, do you know what I like most about you?"
He pulled a necklace from his pocket—a crystal set in fine metal.
Under the sunlight, the gem shimmered brilliantly.
The light refracted into countless colors, sharp and clean.
"Hmph."
She lifted her chin.
"You think a piece of junk like that can please me? This Queen doesn't even want to look at it."
But her eyes betrayed her.
For just a moment, they lingered.
Xiao pretended not to notice.
"Yes, yes. Next time I'll prepare something better."
He held it out casually.
After a brief pause, she took it.
"Since you've brought it all this way," she said with disdain, "I'll accept it."
She put it on immediately.
Then she turned and walked away—far too quickly for someone uninterested.
Doflamingo watched the entire exchange in silence.
When they finally entered the inner reception hall, he spoke.
"The granddaughter of a War God marrying you?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"…You traded pure gold for status."
Xiao reclined on a chaise longue, crossing one leg over the other.
"Of course."
He spoke as if it were obvious.
"With this identity, many things become easier."
Doflamingo clenched his teeth slightly.
Celestial Dragons.
Eight hundred years of rule.
Legitimacy backed by time itself.
Even if someone like Straw Hat rose to prominence, even if the Revolutionary Army grew stronger—
The foundation of the world had already hardened.
And Xiao had placed himself inside it.
Not outside.
Not against it.
Inside.
(T/N: I keep forgetting this guy is completely evil. He always does a good job of reminding me though. At least his alignment is Lawful Evil)
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