From Old Sleep Town to Dressrosa was just over two hundred li. At their current speed, the small warship wouldn't even need a day to arrive.
Creed planned to use Doflamingo's blood to restore Redfield to his prime.
He hadn't originally thought of Doflamingo, but on a whim he pressed Hansui's forehead and used Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) to read his memories—unexpectedly uncovering a secret: the reason the World Government targeted Creed and set an ambush for his "trial" was because Doflamingo had informed on him…
Even the 1,000,000,000-belly bounty in the underworld for Creed's head had been issued by Doflamingo!
That bill would have to be settled properly.
At the same time, he was shocked by his own Kenbunshoku Haki.
The special trait he'd extracted from Redfield had let him discern good and evil at SSS+; now, at SSSS-, it had advanced into mind-perception—piercing a person's heart.
In the original story, Luffy had his forehead tapped by Redfield and his memories were read. Now, Creed possessed the same miraculous ability.
He even thought it was a little fun.
"Gu-gu."
A strange cry came from above, breaking Creed's reverie. He and Redfield looked up—it was a flock of bats.
"They're the bats from Old Sleep Town—no, that one's there too," Redfield said, recognizing them at once.
When they had left Old Sleep Town, they hadn't finished off the giant bat that guarded the Devil Fruit. Unexpectedly, it had now returned at the head of the others, chasing after them.
Revenge? To take back the fruit?
In the next breath, they realized the bats were only there to see the giant bat off. After bidding its underlings farewell, the giant bat obediently landed in front of Redfield.
"It says it wants to follow me."
Perhaps thanks to the Koumori Koumori no Mi (Bat Fruit), Redfield understood what it meant.
Creed had no objections. The giant bat wasn't on Falkor's level, but it was still strong—at least SSS-tier.
Holy Land Mary Geoise—near the World Government complex stood a grand hospital named Qinglong (Azure Dragon) among a hundred exquisite buildings.
At the very top, in the most prestigious VIP ward, a circle of Celestial Dragons gathered around a bed, gazing at an unconscious, withered old man. After sighing, they withdrew.
This old man was the Celestial Dragons' sole Grand Elder: Saint Adrian.
Outside the VIP room, the Celestial Dragons held a brief discussion.
"Everyone, Hansui has failed to retrieve the legendary Bat Fruit! And once again that devil Creed sabotaged us!"
"What?! That useless Hansui! Isn't he the third-ranking power in CPO? How could he lose to Creed!"
"Right, the Five Elders told us Creed only had copying abilities, that his combat power wasn't high."
"You trust those Five Elders? My father's still a dog-headed freak and they're helpless to fix it!"
"I say Lord Imu should replace them. Those five old fossils can't even protect us properly—let alone serve us!"
"I've already ordered Hansui to commit seppuku! He's a spent old man now, worthless!"
"Fine. Let's hope CP0's two chiefs won't disappoint us."
"As long as Creed lives, I can't sleep!"
"Same here. Our Celestial Dragon dignity has been trampled again and again. A 3,000,000,000-belly bounty from the Government can't move the very top hunters—why don't we add our private funds?"
"Doflamingo already posted 1,000,000,000. We add 2,000,000,000 to make it 3,000,000,000."
"Good. That way it won't exceed the Government's bounty."
"Settled!"
Their subordinates swiftly pushed the decision through special channels into the underworld.
In no time, the top powerhouses of the entire underworld were boiling with excitement.
Many of them set out at once, mobilizing every contact to hunt for Creed's trail.
With a total of 6,000,000,000 belly on the table, even apex fighters would risk their lives! And with the World Government secretly feeding Creed's movements, few of them searched in the wrong direction.
…
Unaware that he'd set the underworld ablaze, Creed stared at the coastline ahead.
Dressrosa lay before them.
A tropical island of resort charm—"the land of love, passion, and toys."
From offshore he saw jagged rocks strewn along the shore, but also a bustling harbor with merchant ships coming and going in droves.
When Creed's small warship sailed into view, it drew many eyes at the port.
King Doflamingo, a Shichibukai under the World Government, enjoyed privilege and immunity—hardly any Marines had set foot on Dressrosa in years.
Today, Creed arrived this brazenly, which many found strange.
Harbor soldiers hurried to report and some came to greet the ship, asking Creed's purpose.
They didn't expect Creed's vessel not to dock at all. When it was still more than a hundred meters out, Creed and Redfield leapt skyward toward the lofty King's Plateau.
Strike straight at the dragon's lair!
The King's Plateau housed Dressrosa's royal palace—the highest point in the kingdom and the residence of the Donquixote Family, where its executives and kin lived.
…
Inside the palace, Doflamingo set down a receiver. Veins stood out on his brow, panic plain on his face.
"Damn Five Elders—they can't even handle Creed. Now the fire's on me!"
"Doffy! We're here. No need to panic—they're only two men,"
said a slovenly uncle in a circle-patterned, quilt-like cloak, wearing small black shades.
Trebol—top executive of the Donquixote Family. Beta Beta no Mi (Sticky-Sticky Fruit) user.
"Anyone who provokes the Donquixote Family is on a dead-end road,"
added a man wearing a helmet with a round mirrored visor, stitch lines at the corners of his mouth, clad in deep blue.
Gladius—top executive of the Donquixote Family. Pamu Pamu no Mi (Pop-Pop Fruit) user.
Other top executives were present as well, united in purpose.
"Call Sugar too…" Doflamingo hesitated, then decided to play his trump card.
Suddenly—
"Doflamingo, come out and face me!"
A clear voice boomed from outside, rolling across the palace sky.
(End of Chapter)
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