NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Loyalty
...
G-5 Branch.
Conference Room.
"Sengoku the Buddha Sweeps Through Golden Lion's Territory – Golden Lion Shrinks Back, Watching His Subordinates Fall"
"BIG MOM and Kaido Form Alliance – Marines Overwhelmed, Expedition Halted"
...
As they read the bold headlines, the lower-ranking officers stationed at G-5 broke into smiles. No matter how the expedition had turned out, as long as the Vice Admirals returned, G-5 would be safe.
Vergo raised his glass.
"Gentlemen, Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admirals are on their way back. A toast to the expedition!"
"To the expedition!"
Clink!
Clink!
...
G-5 Branch – Kitchen.
"Vergo-s— Vergo-san, Vergo-san, you saved me with your own hands from that pirate den!"
The last remaining cook at G-5 clung desperately to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, his entire body trembling.
"Didn't you say I reminded you of yourself? I've always looked up to you, Vergo-san!"
"Oh? Is that so? But you see... I'm not a Marine."
Pushing his glasses up, Vergo's gaze remained as calm as a still pond. He lifted his bamboo staff, now coated in Haki.
"Still, I must say, you imitated me quite well."
Crack!
A white mass of brain matter splattered across the floor.
Hiss...
Changing into a fresh uniform, he removed his glasses and placed them down.
Stepping over the lifeless bodies, Vergo made his way toward the deserted island where his hidden ship was docked.
...
Waters Near G-5 Branch.
"Admiral Sengoku, how did Kaido and BIG MOM make contact? They showed up just in time to help Charlotte escape."
Among the surviving officers, Chaton was the least injured, but he was still confused.
"BIG MOM's territory is next to Golden Lion's, but Kaido is all the way in Wano. How did he end up here?"
"The secret drug," Sengoku said, his expression darkening. "That cursed thing is throwing the seas into greater chaos. Kaido came for it."
The memory of Doflamingo running rampant at Sabaody still gave Sengoku a headache, even through his bandages.
A Celestial Dragon stripped of his status—why was the World Government so reluctant to move against him?
Setting aside those thoughts, Sengoku issued a new order.
"Chaton, Vice Admiral has fallen in battle. You will take command of the remaining G-5 forces for now. I'll send reinforcements soon."
"Understood, Admiral!"
Chaton's ship adjusted course, heading straight for G-5 Branch.
...
Approaching G-5 Branch.
As they neared the base, Chaton's lieutenant gazed at the scavenger birds circling overhead, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.
"Vice Admiral Chaton, something might have happened to G-5."
"No, not 'might have'—it already has."
Chaton's Observation Haki had already sensed the corpses scattered across the base.
There was no life left.
By the time Chaton arrived and confirmed the situation, Vergo had already set sail, heading toward Dressrosa.
...
G-5 Branch – Open Sea.
Gurururu.
"Vergo, did you make it out smoothly?"
"Perfectly, Doffy. I should be able to reach you within a day."
"Good. I've been looking forward to it."
Click.
Doflamingo juggled the artificial Devil Fruit in his hand, a smirk spreading across his face.
What kind of dragon would Vergo turn into?
Since the old witch was still alive, he had to handle things carefully. Maybe it was time to reach out to Kaido as well.
Gurururu.
"Speak of the devil..."
As Doflamingo looked at the Den Den Mushi, Perospero's face reflected back at him.
"Doflamingo, you know what happens to traitors of the family, don't you?" Perospero sneered.
"You're calling me a traitor? Then why not have Linlin question me directly? I'm sure the answer would be far more convincing."
"Don't play dumb, Perorin." Perospero scoffed. He had just explained the situation to Mama moments ago, and her reaction left him speechless.
...
Aboard the Singing Ship – A Few Minutes Earlier.
"...Someone leaked our movements to the Marines, Perorin."
"Ma-ma-ma-ma! Would the Marines really let that little brat Doflamingo sell his secret drug?"
BIG MOM burst into laughter, finding the idea ridiculous.
"Doflamingo's no fool—he's a cowardly little rat."
"Perospero! Stop interrupting my meal!!!"
...
"How did you come to such a foolish conclusion?" Doflamingo's tone was teasing.
"Foolish? Only you knew our movements."
Perospero's hand—once burnt by magma—itched with phantom pain.
"Leaking intel about Dressrosa to ensure no outside reinforcements could reach you... Must've felt great to topple a kingdom without lifting a finger, Perorin."
The angrier Perospero became, the less likely BIG MOM would suspect him. If she had any doubts, she would've already come after him.
Doflamingo's smirk widened. He had successfully rewritten history in his favor.
"Don't let your anger cloud your judgment, Perospero. I funded this invasion of Dressrosa and Prodence entirely. To share the burden of fighting the Marines, I even brought Enel and Moria along."
"You should know their strength from Loguetown. I'm very serious about this partnership."
"That has nothing to do with whether you sold us out to the Marines!" Perospero snapped, his usual verbal tic gone in his rage.
"If I were working with the Marines, why wouldn't I just seize Whole Cake Island now? Do you really think Amande and the others could stop me?"
Perospero: ...
That actually made sense. Could Doflamingo really be innocent?
"I heard Kaido showed up on the battlefield. Could the rumors be true that he and Linlin once sailed together?"
Doflamingo feigned innocence. "He came for the secret drug."
"Fufufufu! Perospero, I look forward to our next meeting."
Click.
Hanging up, Doflamingo's mood lifted.
So Kaido came for his secret drug?
Had it really taken nearly two years for the news to reach Wano?
Ridiculous.
But it also proved one thing: Kaido's relationship with BIG MOM wasn't as close as everyone assumed.
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