"U‑Uta, isn't this far too bold…?" One arm covered Tashigi's chest, the other her crotch; her whole face radiated crimson.
"Hehe, but it's gorgeous, right? The perfect way to show off every curve you got from the Tier template." Uta smiled, hands on hips.
"Then why are you in that school swimsuit? It's way more modest than mine."
"You don't get it, Tashigi. Sometimes a sukumizu is more suggestive. You've gone daring; I'll do academy—nice contrast." She struck a teasing pose.
Tashigi sighed and glanced aside—then spotted Arton stretched out on a pool lounger. "That's Captain Arton!"
"Yup. I pulled him in here before I dragged you over, but he nodded off again." Uta giggled, took Tashigi's wrist, and tugged her closer. "Great chance—see if you can get him to rise for us."
Tashigi managed only a helpless squeak.
…
Time slipped by as Arton "exchanged combat insights" with Uta and Tashigi.
Meanwhile, outside…
Inside the World Economic News Agency, reports poured in:
"President, distribution in the East Blue is complete."
"South Blue is finished as well."
"North Blue still has a few uncovered zones, but we'll be done within a few hours."
"West Blue is already wrapped up."
"The New World copies are out."
"Paradise needs half a day more."
Listening, Morgans' beak curved into a huge grin. "Gya‑hahaha! By now every corner of the world knows Arton killed a World Noble—and threatened Saint Shalria! And who shook the world by printing it? Me!"
A Den‑Den Mushi shrilled. Morgans frowned but answered.
"I'm Spandain. Morgans, why has that story reached every sea? The Government wants an explanation."
"Look at the masthead, Spandain—no World Economic logo. We obeyed your gag order and ate the loss. Some other paper scooped us. If I'd known, I'd never have agreed to keep it quiet."
"Don't let us find proof you were involved."
Click.
"Hmph—dig all you like," Morgans muttered, opening one of the anonymous papers—the front page ablaze with Arton's deed at Loguetown. "If anyone can stir up this world, it's me."
…
Dressrosa – Royal Castle.
Trebol lowered the same newspaper. "That Arton—kills a World Noble, brags to the world, vows revenge on a female World Noble… Touching him was definitely the wrong move."
On the throne Doflamingo's face was dark. "I can't understand why Monet insists on searching for that man—why he's worth defying me."
Trebol scratched his chin. "Young Master, still hung up on Monet? Honestly, I can't blame her for being curious, but to go against your direct order… unbelievable."
Doflamingo's brows knit tighter. In his memory, Monet had always been one of his most dependable agents; her sudden obsession with Arton—and open disobedience—made no sense to him.
"Could it be that Monet has really fallen for Arton?" Senor Pink wondered aloud.
As the Donquixote Family's only married officer, he knew better than anyone what love could do to a person, and thus suspected Monet had ignored Doflamingo's order because of it.
"Fallen in love? Impossible," Diamante muttered, stroking his chin before glancing at Doflamingo.
Doflamingo's brow knit. "Whatever the reason, we must not get tangled with Arton. He killed a World Noble, announced it to the whole world, and even threatened the woman Shalria. The World Government will never allow him to live. If we're linked to him, we'll be dragged down too—so no contact, under any circumstances."
"Then what about Monet?" Senor Pink asked. "If she really finds Arton, what do we do?"
"If that woman chooses Arton, she's no longer part of the Donquixote Family," Doflamingo said—clearly vexed.
"Which leaves us with a headache where Sugar is concerned," Trebol sighed.
Doflamingo nodded. Without Sugar's Hobi‑Hobi power he never would have seized Dressrosa's throne, and losing her would wreck his plans. "Track Monet down; when we find her, I'll have a long talk with her."
He took the newspaper from Trebol. The sheet lacked the World Economic logo, but a broker king like Doflamingo could see Morgans' hand all over it.
"Strong himself, able to make his crew strong… I suppose that power gave you the nerve to provoke the Government, Arton. Too bad—you knew nothing of the Government's trump cards. If you hadn't done this, we might have been able to work together."
…
Wano Country, Onigashima.
"Kaido, new word on Arton—he's stirred up another big story." King set a newspaper in front of the Yonko, who was drinking.
"Is it about Yamato?" Kaido growled.
"She bolted too quickly—no trace of her yet. But if she could crush the explosive collar she'll survive outside Onigashima, so there's no need to fret," King replied, handing him the paper.
Kaido waved the concern off. "That brat keeps claiming she's Kozuki Oden… Forget it—just keep searching." He looked down, then burst into hearty laughter.
"Bwah‑hahaha! That Arton's got guts—kills a World Noble and openly taunts the Government! Shame he's still in the East Blue; I'd hunt him down myself. King, where are Black Maria and Ginrummy now? Any chance they'll reach him?"
"By now they should be in the first half of the Grand Line at best—still some distance from the East Blue," King said. "But Arton is likely to head for Paradise soon; they may cross paths there. I doubt, though, that Black Maria or Ginrummy could recruit him."
Kaido smirked. "True. Anyone who beat Shiki and Mihawk, then dared provoke the World Nobles, won't bend easily. Even so, if his crew really has that many Mythical Zoan users, I have to extend an invitation—Worororo!"
...
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