Chapter 161: Let's Spare Kuzan's Life, Diamante.

Hearing what Doflamingo said, Kuzan thought it made sense for a while.

But he also knew what Admiral Sengokuwas thinking. First of all, he wanted to annoy Doflamingo.

Sengoku wants to send the message that if Doflamingo plays tricks on him, Sengoku can do the same if he really wants too.

Like right now, although the Marines have no need for Doflamingo's combat power, they want to specifically include him to disturb him. 

If you have the guts, refuse the order. As long as you dare to refuse the order, we Marines will dare to abolish your status as Seven Warlords of the Sea!

But it is impossible for Kuzan to say this to Doflamingo directly, otherwise, it would be too embarrassing.

Therefore, Kuzan said vaguely: "After all, you are the leader of the rookies in the New World now. I heard that your Donquixote Family has great energy in the underworld. Our Marine Headquarters also hopes to use your intelligence network to find Douglas Bullet as soon as possible. In addition, this is the first time that a Seven Warlords of the Sea has joined forces with our Marine. It is also for publicity."

Hearing the first half of the sentence, Doflamingo reluctantly agreed, but in the second half of the sentence, Doflamingo secretly smiled.

Publicity?

What is there to promote? It seems like the Marines want to publicize how easy how much stronger they are than the Shichibukai. 

Doflamingo has already sensed Sengoku's disdain through the call-up order written by himself.

Seeing that Doflamingo was "convinced", Kuzan said with a smile: "Then, if it's convenient, why don't you return with me? When the Buster Call is launched, no ships from foreign forces are allowed to enter. For this operation, it's best that you board one of our warships."

Doflamingo didn't answer Kuzan, and suddenly asked: "Vice Admiral Kuzan, what day is it today?"

Kuzan froze for a moment, then said: "March 16, 1502, according to the Sea Circle Calendar. What's wrong?"

"Oh..." Doflamingo grinned and said with an evil smile: "The World Summit that is held every four years will be held at the end of this year, right? As the king of Dressrosa, I also received an invitation from Mariejois, but you know, the New World is too chaotic, and I have many enemies. If I go to Mariejois from here, the journey will be dangerous, and I will definitely need the marines to escort me." 

Kuzan froze for a moment, his expression suddenly stiffened.

Seeing Kuzan's stiff expression, Doflamingo is in a very happy mood, why are you here to pretend to be aggressive? Sengoku, if you really want to continue this hate-love relationship then come!

Before Kuzan could gather his thoughts, Doflamingo continued: "You know, due to my identity, I've had some conflicts with your Marines, and I'm not very acquainted with other Marines. So, if possible, I intend to request assistance from Mariejois this time and have my old acquaintance, Admiral Sengoku, act as my guard."

Hearing this, Kuzan quickly came back to his senses, and said in a deep voice: "Impossible, Mr. Sengoku, as a Marine Admiral, does not take on the role of escort when Mariejois holds the World Summit, he needs to guard Mariejois and to participate in the World Summit on behalf of our Marines!"

Of course, Doflamingo was aware of this, so he wasn't surprised. Pretending to understand, he nodded and said, "I see, there is still such a rule. So if Admiral can't come... what about you, Vice Admiral Kuzan?"

To be honest, among the Marines, whoever comes to serve as Doflamingo's bodyguard will be humiliated.

So Kuzan is naturally very unhappy!

Of course, he also knew that Doflamingo brought up this matters at this time, just to counter their Marine's behavior just now.

So Kuzan didn't answer the taunt and fell silent.

It can be counted as taken a step back.

Seeing this, Doflamingo smiled, and didn't continue to press anything, and said: "Currently you guys are still searching for Bullet's whereabouts, so if I leave with you, will I go to Marineford to stand by?"

"No." Seeing that Doflamingo didn't continue the topic just now, Kuzan was relieved, and said in a normal tone this time: "According to the information we have collected, there is a high probability that Bullet is roaming around the New World, and we have already found some trails, so the Buster Call's fleet has already docked at New World's G-1 Marine Base for maintenance and can sort out at any time. Therefore, if you go with me right now, you will be treated as a guest at our G-1 Marine base."

"G-1..." Doflamingo rubbed his chin, also curious. This place will become the new Marine Headquarters in the future.

Marine Base G-1can be said to be the most important Marine Base in the New World.

Serving as the 'head' of the New World Marines.

If Doflamingo recalls correctly, if it weren't for the awkward situation of this generation's Marine Admiral vacancies— one being vacant and one retired— then in fact, the New World G-1 Marine Base would have an Admiral serving as base chief.

They would be specially responsible for dealing with various matters in the New World.

After contemplating for a moment, Doflamingo said, "Here in the underworld, I will utilize my Donquixote Family connections to collaborate with your Marines in tracing Bullet's whereabouts. In regards to going to G-1... If you are not in a hurry, you can wait for me at the port for a few days. I still have some government affairs to attend to."

That made Kuzan a little bit more interested in Doflamingo too.

"It's okay to wait for you for a few days, but during this period, can I be active in Dressrosa?" Kuzan asked after thinking for a bit.

"Yes," Doflamingo said with a smile, "Aside from my pirate status, I am the king of an affiliated country under the World Government. Of course, Marines are very welcome to be active in my Dressrosa."

Kuzan always felt that Doflamingo's attitude towards him was a bit strange. After all, he heard from Admiral Sengoku that Doflamingo hated the Marines.

But Kuzan felt that Doflamingo...doesn't seem to hate him?

There is no evidence, it's just an instinctive feeling.

After chatting for a while, Kuzan had nothing to say to Doflamingo, and he decided to tour the city of Dressrosa, so he left soon.

After Kuzan left, Diamante came in from nowhere, looked at Doflamingo and said, "Doffy, if you don't like that Marine, let me help you get rid of him."

Perhaps Diamante's recent shift in demeaner and hotheadedness can be attributed to the hot fruit? In short, Diamante seemed to dislike Kuzan from the first time he saw him.

Doflamingo smiled and waved his hands: "Let's spare his life, Diamante..."

Diamante nodded again, and after thinking about it, he said, "Is there something special about him?"

"Huh? Why do you say that?" Doflamingo asked a little strangely.

"Because it's rare for you to be so tolerant to a Marine, and even allowing him to tour around Dressrosa." Diamante responded naturally.

Doflamingo rubbed his chin, thought for a while, and said with a smile: "Indeed, he is a special Marine..."

"Because he is likely to become a Marine Admiral in the future? I heard that he, Sakazuki, and Borsalino are the Admiral seedlings that the Marine higher ups put their hopes on." Diamante said.

"No," Doflamingo shook his head and said, "It's not about being a Marine Admiral, but it's interesting to be able to step down from the position of Marine Admiral."

Over the past few decades, there are only two people who have voluntarily resigned from the position of Marine Admiral, one is Zephyr and the other is Kuzan.

And without exception, these two former Marine Admirals, after leaving the Marine, have dealt a heavy blow to the Marines.

Zephyr almost blew up the entire New World, and Kuzan joined the Blackbeard Pirates afterwards and became a Titanic Captain. Later, he even cooperated with the members of the Blackbeard Pirates and almost killed Garp on Beehive Island.

Needless to say, Zephyr hated pirates so much, even if he really fell out with the Marines, he wouldn't cooperate with Doflamingo.

But Kuzan is different... Kuzan can get along with Teach, so why can't he make some progress together with him?

As for the reason behind what Kuzan did... It doesn't really matter. In any cases, no matter what the reason is, as long as he takes that crucial step, there is no turning back.

Kuzan may want to use Teach to achieve some purpose, or his goal is Teach, so he chose this path.

But if he thinks about it carefully, why doesn't Teach want to use Kuzan to do something?

In his final analysis, this kind of thing, in the end, still depends on whose fist is stronger!

"Sakazuki is a rock to lift the Marines and why isn't Kuzan?" Doflamingo murmured.

Although Diamante was a little confused about what his young master meant, but seeing that the young master had no intention of explaining, he finally stopped asking.