Stussy clearly hadn't expected such a reaction from Roldy . She froze for a moment, her back instantly soaked in cold sweat.
She hadn't even seen when he made his move.
As expected of the man hailed as the King of the Next Era.
"My apologies."
She bowed slightly, no longer attempting to use her charm to divert his attention.
"Mr. Roldy , my visit tonight does not represent only myself. It also represents the force behind me."
"Oh? The force behind you?"
Roldy 's interest was piqued. He exhaled a plume of smoke and studied her. Under that gaze, Stussy felt as though she were being watched by a ferocious beast.
"Yes. The force behind me—"
"The World Government."
She had braced herself for his wrath.
Yet after closing her eyes for a full minute, no pain came.
When she opened them, Roldy was still seated calmly, cigar between his fingers, watching her with steady composure.
"…You?"
"What? Surprised I didn't snap your neck?"
He let out a disdainful snort.
"Cloning is a forbidden technology under the World Government. And no matter how insignificant Miss Buckingham Stussy may have been, she was still a former member of the Rocks Pirates. No ordinary faction could obtain her genetic material."
He leaned back slightly.
"And a 'Queen of the Pleasure District' like you—weak on the surface—yet capable of swallowing an enterprise that lucrative? Of course there's a powerful backer. A very powerful one."
Roldy spoke casually.
Stussy maintained her composure—but inside, a storm raged.
"As expected of you, Mr. Roldy ."
"Enough flattery. What do those five old men want? We just finished a war not long ago. Let me guess—they've heard I intend to take a bite out of the Underworld, and now they can't sit still?"
He didn't even need her explanation to piece it together.
Stussy's expression stiffened slightly. She nodded and summarized the Five Elders' proposal in her own words.
"…Mm."
She felt numb.
What did that 'mm' even mean?
Roldy sat silently, deep in thought. She dared not interrupt.
The room fell into stillness.
"Big Brother! Big Brother! Look what I found—oh! Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt!"
Sheen burst through the door without knocking—as he often did in private.
Roldy usually tolerated his lack of manners.
But this time, upon seeing the elegantly dressed Stussy in the room, Sheen wore a knowing grin and quietly retreated.
A vein twitched at Roldy 's temple.
That idiot. Once they returned, he would definitely "train" him properly.
Not beat him.
Train him.
After all, Roldy was a refined and gentle man—how could he possibly resort to violence?
Scholarly discipline wasn't "beating," was it?
He shook his head, dismissing Sheen from his thoughts, and looked back at Stussy.
"So. What conditions are those five fossils offering me?"
Roldy had not refused outright.
Though he bore resentment toward the World Government, now was not the optimal time for open war.
He possessed tremendous strength—but confronting the so-called King of the World directly was another matter.
After all, Rocks D. Xebec had once met that sovereign.
As the former Seventh Division Commander of the Rocks Pirates, Roldy had heard plenty of secrets from Rocks himself.
"Th-the Elders are willing to… share the Underworld with you."
"So they want half?"
Roldy let out a cold laugh.
How greedy.
At present, the World Government didn't even control half of the Underworld.
And once he unified it, they expected to claim a share?
Did they take him for a fool?
"Bring out the Den Den Mushi. I'll speak to those five idiots personally."
Stussy had been assigned as negotiator, but she lacked authority in major matters. And Roldy himself seemed eager to make direct contact with the Five Elders.
After brief hesitation, she stepped out to confirm with them.
Ten minutes later, she returned.
In her hands was a small white Den Den Mushi. Upon its shell was the unmistakable emblem of the World Government.
"Moshi moshi. Can you hear me?"
Roldy grinned broadly at the snail.
The Den Den Mushi stared at him silently.
Moments later, its features shifted—morphing into the stern face of an imposing elder.
"It has been a long time, Fitt Roldy ."
"Gahahaha! Indeed it has, esteemed Five Elder—Saint Warcury."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Good to see you're still alive."
Stussy broke into a cold sweat.
Never in her life had she heard anyone address a member of the Five Elders in such a tone.
And yet—
From the other end of the Den Den Mushi, no anger came.
From childhood, she had been taught that the Celestial Dragons were supreme, that the Five Elders were untouchable.
But what she witnessed tonight planted a strange seed in her heart.
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
100+ ahead Chapters are already up on Patreon →patreon.com/Sagamaster789
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 + chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789