Almost simultaneously, Lily and Fujitora left the Bullfighting Arena, heading in opposite directions at the entrance. One held down the sword handle, leading people away, while the other tapped the ground with a cane, gradually moving away.
"Master Issho, please put on your coat."
Behind him, a cloak-wearing Navy caught up and handed the Navy cape to Issho.
"Ah..."
Issho stopped, turned his head back, "Thank you, um... Do you know who those people are?"
"Those people?"
The Navy turned to look, but there were no more shadows to be seen, and he replied in confusion, "Master Issho, I didn't see anyone."
"Hmm... Okay, it seems Dressrosa is even more chaotic than I imagined."
Fujitora tapped the ground and, followed by the Navy, headed towards the northwest.
Not far after Lily stepped out, she instructed Gin and Pearl to head to the underground smuggling factory, while she herself, after a quick glance around, decided to advance towards the Royal Palace.
Thud.
A little girl holding an ice cream stumbled and fell, her ice cream flying from her hand, spinning through the air. Before the girl could be upset, a delicate hand gently caught the ice cream just before it fell to the ground.
"Yours..."
Lily smiled and helped the fallen little girl up.
"Tha-thank you."
The little girl shyly took the ice cream back, thanked Lily, and quickly ran off.
Lily watched her leave, her smiling face suddenly turned stern, "Come out."
From the alley behind her, a man dressed in white, wearing a high top hat and half mask on his face, suddenly emerged.
"Long time no see, your attire seems a lot more splendid..."
Lily turned her head to look at the person in the alley, saying, "Rob Lucci."
"Indeed, it's been a while."
Lucci said coldly, "You've made quite a name for yourself now, Lily."
After glancing at him, Lily turned her gaze back to the lively scene of toys interacting with humans on the street, asking, "What are you here for?"
"Checking Doflamingo's smuggling list."
Lucci said, "This time, he forced the top to play along with him and sent out 'false reports' to the world, making the top unhappy. At least... we need to find that smuggling list."
Pausing for a moment, he continued: "Of course, we all know the biggest smuggling list lies with Sage."
The Seven Warlords of the Sea have a treaty, and getting the title doesn't mean they can act recklessly. They're certainly not supposed to ally with other pirates.
Of course, as subordinates, it's possible.
But anyone with a brain should know the Four Emperors could never be subordinates to the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
But this matter, the World Government knows, the pirates know, even if key evidence exists, it must be treated as unknown.
"So?" Lily asked.
"So, at least get a hold of Doflamingo's handle, turn passive into active. Even if I don't come here, I will eventually go to O'hara to discuss this with Sage..."
Lucci said, "The top wants to take over this channel."
"I can answer for Sage, it's impossible."
Lily said, "We are very unsatisfied with Doflamingo's actions now, and definitely won't hand the initiative to the World Government... However, your intel comes at the right time, where is that smuggling list?"
"The Four Emperors can't do it themselves."
Lucci said, "The top wouldn't allow it."
"We don't need their permission. There are too many places they can't oversee. I'll decide based on Doflamingo's success or failure, whether to use this list."
Lily said, "Go ahead, give us that list, and how you explain it to the top is your issue. Lucci, don't forget, you have work with us too."
Silence ensued behind her, but Lily paid no heed, standing for a while before proceeding to the Royal Palace. The person supposedly in that alley disappeared without a trace.
Regarding the smuggling list, they never knew, as Doflamingo never spoke of it, and as trading partners, they never asked.
But this time, entrusted with the decision, she felt it was better to acquire this list.
After all...
Lily watched the toys on the street, playing and interacting like humans, her eyes calm and unwavering.
The Observation back then was too shallow, only vaguely sensing something different, but now...
This group of toys has richer emotions than the humans on the street!
...
"Alright, let's begin the battle in Zone B!"
"Oh! Compared to Zone A, where Blackbeard's subordinates suddenly intruded, Zone B has no shortage of strong fighters. Possessing the 'King's Fist,' rumored to be able to destroy fortresses with a single punch, the King of Prodence, Elizabello II! And his strategist, known for his wisdom, Dagama!"
"Also from the Long-legged Race, the leg martial artist, Blue Gilly!"
"The instigator of the 'Government Agency Explosion Incident,' former Bounty Hunters, the duo Abdullah and Jeet!"
"Last year's Super Rookie, known as the 'Cannibal Demon,' the most wicked Pirate, Bartolomeo!"
"And... A member from the Four Emperors Disaster's subordinates, hailed as the Disaster New Star, 'Hyena' Bellamy!"
The Bullfighting Arena's Zone A battle ended, naturally leading to Zone B.
Also composed of more than one hundred and fifty participants, Bellamy stood among the crowd, arms crossed, revealing a vicious grin at those around him, sticking out his tongue to lick, then looking towards a man practicing punches, wearing a crown.
"Prodence? It seems I've heard of it somewhere..."
"Pirate! Don't be too arrogant!"
Dagama, the strategist as round as a ball, shouted: "Of course you've heard of it, the Fur Race that plundered our Prodence Kingdom, carrying the banner of your Disaster Pirates! This time encountering you, we must rid ourselves of disgrace!"
"Who cares about you!"
Bellamy sneered again and looked towards the careless, bored Bartolomeo, suddenly kicking a burly man rushing over as the start signal sounded.
"The words you said earlier, now I'm fulfilling them, come on, let's see how much capability you have!"
Bellamy crouched on both knees, releasing bursts of air from beneath his feet, posing in a stance ready to charge.
"Master Bellamy!"
"Leave it to us first!"
At that moment, the duo Abdullah and Jeet were fighting their way through the crowd, approaching Bellamy.
Abdullah's head resembled an inverted triangle, holding two steel forks in his hands; Jeet looked like someone from Alabasta, wielding two curved swords; their fierce faces now wore ingratiating smiles.
"Hmm? Who are you?" Bellamy raised an eyebrow.
"We're a debt collection duo from the Underworld, followers of Master Sage..."
Jeet casually cut down a Sword Fighter that attacked him, rubbing his hands with a pleasing smile.
"Underworld? Master Sage hasn't recruited debt collectors like you as subordinates; you're just employed, don't get it wrong." Bellamy released the spring pressure that was forming beneath his feet, stood up, and said.
"Yes, but we dream of becoming Master Sage's subordinates!"
Abdullah chuckled fawningly: "Master Bellamy, please watch our performance!"
After eliminating the Big Hand Funeral Master, Sage used the channels of Crocodile and Doflamingo to announce to the Underworld how the Big Hand Funeral Master died, while beginning to recruit people.
Though it didn't represent an entire industry, the death of the industry's leader would inevitably cause chaos, and during this chaos is the best time to recruit personnel.
Abdullah and Jeet came just like that, having committed the act of bombing a Government agency, thus becoming wanted, unable to continue as Bounty Hunters, turned to the Underworld to prepare as assassins instead.
They had just entered the Underworld when they heard Sage was recruiting, so they rushed over eagerly.
It's the Four Emperors!
If they could enter his ranks, it would be a glory!
But the idea was good; the reality was different. Sage didn't treat Underworld people as subordinates; it was purely an employment relationship. Sage assigned tasks, and they accepted them, simple as that.
Nonetheless, there was a communication channel, so they worked while waiting for an opportunity.
If they were to directly go to O'hara, that would be possible, but they didn't want to be small fry, and this job suited them better than being Pirates.
Thus, they thought to make a big impression so that Master Sage would notice them.
The Dressrosa competition was just the opportunity.
They didn't expect to encounter the Disaster cadres here; if they performed well, perhaps they could meet Master Sage in person!
"The Funk Brothers are also working for Master Sage; they're in Zone C, really a pity. If they were in Zone B, they could also help Master Bellamy acquire the Flame-Flame Fruit."
Jeet licked his sword, "Don't worry, Master Bellamy; we will definitely help you win the championship of this competition!"
The influence of the Four Emperors isn't simply region-bound; it's impactful worldwide.
"Interesting, alright, as long as you do well, I permit you to join the Disaster Pirates!"
Bellamy said with a smile: "First, clean up those small fry!"
Master Sage recently had plans to recruit a batch of controllable people from within the debt collection industry and support them to become leaders. If they performed well, it's not impossible.