Chapter 22

In Dressrosa, Doflamingo sat on the throne with a gloomy expression. He had just received an order from his older brother, the Black Dragon, to hand Blackbeard over to the Whitebeard Pirates.

"When will all of this end?" Doflamingo muttered, feeling the constant pressure of selling off his boss's business every day. It was exhausting dealing with individuals like the Red Earl, Shiryu of the Rain, and notorious figures like Blackbeard and Crocodile. Doflamingo questioned which one of them was the most troublesome.

While the Black Dragon may not fear revenge, Doflamingo knew he had to be cautious. The pirates he had sold off held a deep grudge against him in private. Even though the black dragon promised to protect him, Doflamingo found the promise to be unreliable. He knew that the protection wouldn't last forever.

In order to avoid future retaliation from these former subordinates, Doflamingo had left some "special gifts" on them before sending them away. These gifts were meant to weaken their strength significantly without causing their deaths. Doflamingo believed that if he caused the death of any of his buyers, both the buyer and the seller, the Black Dragon, would be furious.

The so-called gift was also left on Blackbeard's body, where he had received hundreds of stitches in his abdomen. Blackbeard screamed in agony within the underground laboratory.

"Doflamingo, you bastard! You didn't even use anesthesia! This pain is killing me! I won't let you get away with this!" Blackbeard's voice echoed through the lab, filled with anguish.

...

Upon Xilan's floating vessel, he was still awaiting the arrival of the warships. Boa Hancock had already been sent away. He dialed the phone bug to inquire about the warships' status.

"Master Xilan," a pleasant voice greeted him from the other end.

It was Chi Tong, one of the commanders of the G0 base and a Marine Vice Admiral. A black haired beauty. Chi Tong was a puppet created by the system, identical to a human in appearance but completely loyal to Xilan. Even though it's a doll she still had independent emotions.

This is one of the many reasons why Xilan spends tens of billions a year with the system. Sometimes, this money-burning system of his can give some special rewards.

Xilan asked if the warships had arrived, as he had applied for 50 ships from Sengoku. However, Chi Tong informed him that the warships had not yet arrived and that the headquarters had been dismissive in their responses.

Concerned, Chi Tong speculated that the exposure of Xilan's sale of warships to the Beasts Pirates might have caused such delay. "Could it be that Mr. Xilan's sale of warships to the Beasts Pirates has been exposed? I heard that Kaido has recently formed his own Marine. Not only are the warships, but even the clothes and other coats are exactly the same as our Marines."

"Kaido forming a Marine?!" Xilan exclaimed, frustrated by the lack of discretion on Kaido's part. He couldn't understand why a pirate would establish their own Marine. "Can't that lawless brat keep a low profile?!"

Realizing that the trade with the Beasts Pirates was also facilitated by the World Government, Xilan found some solace. It seemed like a trade arrangement between the two parties, rather than a direct consequence of his actions.

"I will handle it myself. I'll call Sengoku," Xilan stated before preparing to hang up. But before he could, he had a change of heart.

"Chi Tong, be cautious while I'm away. If anything goes wrong, remember to escape in time," Xilan advised. He emphasized the importance of his own people's safety above all else.

Contrary to Boa Hancock's earlier statement, Xilan was well aware that their relationship was purely physical. He saw no issue with a woman who refused to engage in romantic pursuits.

"Master Xilan, please take care as well. We'll be waiting for your return," Chi Tong replied softly, bringing some reassurance to Xilan's mind.

After ending the call, just as he was about to contact Sengoku, the blue phone bug rang first. Sengoku's hoarse voice came through, delivering urgent news.

"Xilan, hunt down Doflamingo immediately. It has been discovered that he has a secret connection with the Black Dragon, and that damn bastard has sold off all the prisoners!" Sengoku exclaimed, his voice filled with a wounded tiger's fury.

In the realm of perilous encounters, injured beasts often emerge as the most formidable adversaries, and Xilan, attuned to the nuances of his surroundings, detected a rare eruption of seething fury from Sengoku's lips.

"I have laid eyes upon him; there is no need for interrogation. He should face immediate execution!" Sengoku declared vehemently, his anger palpable. "The Five Elders have already given their approval."

Xilan found himself momentarily caught in a web of indecision. As an esteemed Admiral, duty-bound by the code of the Marshal Marine, he knew it was not within his purview to reject such a command. After a fleeting pause, he acquiesced, his voice touched by the solemnity of acceptance. "I shall shoulder this responsibility. Leave it in my hands."

"Very well, inform me once you have dealt with Doflamingo."

"Oh by the way."

Xilan halted Sengoku, who was about to end the call, and inquired, "The situation in the New World is highly perilous at present. Whitebeard and Kaido are on the verge of making their moves. My G0 base requires reinforcement. The request was made for 50 warships and 100,000 firearms. Why has none of it reached my possession... err, I mean, my base?"

Sengoku's countenance darkened. You scoundrel, playing games with me, pretending not to know, even in matters such as these.

"The production of weapons cannot be rushed, especially when it concerns substantial and vital resources like warships. They are not mere playthings. Have some patience."

Without granting Xilan an opportunity to argue further, Sengoku swiftly terminated the call.

Xilan's visage contorted, resembling that of a scapegoat, his expression clouded. "Sengoku, be forewarned that those who dare to deny my desires shall bear the weighty cost, and you shall not be exempt."

He, Xilan, is not just black and white, but white and white!

"Set sail, let us proceed to Dressrosa first."

Xilan stood on the deck, his cloak billowing in the sea breeze.

This time, instead of appearing as the Black Dragon, he would descend upon Dressrosa as the Marine Admiral "Red Dragon."

...

—

If you want to read the next 15 chapters right away, visit my Patreon. 

Link: Patreon.com/penfu

1st tier: 5 chaps ahead 2.50€

2nd tier: 10 chaps ahead 5€

3rd tier: 15 chaps ahead 10€

PS. Please comment and donate your Power Stones.