Chapter 134 Wandering Souls
'That damned man, he doesn't show me any respect at all.'
'He's so gentle and charming in bed, but the moment he steps onto the training ground, he becomes a completely different person.'
'Hmph, I'm not going to his room tonight.'
'Wait, that's not right. If I don't go, won't Baby 5 just be even happier?'
'I've got it. Tonight, I'll definitely drain him dry. Let's see if he can still act so high and mighty tomorrow.'
'Didn't he say my Flower-Flower Fruit could only be used for tickling? That might be true for others, but I'll show that man the true power of the Flower-Flower Fruit tonight.'
As these thoughts swirled, Nico Robin couldn't help but giggle.
"Heh heh."
Zane tilted his head, watching Nico Robin suddenly burst into laughter, a question mark practically appearing over his head.
'Is this what a woman in love is like? Even a cool and mature beauty turns into a bit of a ditz once she falls in love?'
'...Actually, it's not so bad.'
*
*
*
"What's the situation? Is the target heading this way?"
"Don't worry. Although the men we sent didn't make it back alive, the intel they sent back shows the target is heading here for supplies, exactly as planned."
"Good! This time, we will definitely avenge the Young Master!"
...
Inside a certain room, a group of people had gathered, engaged in a heated discussion and making solemn oaths.
Stone-Stone Fruit user—Pica!
Stick-Stick Fruit user—Trebol!
Ripple-Ripple Fruit user—Diamante!
Swim-Swim Fruit user—Senor Pink!
Pop-Pop Fruit user—Gladius!
Ton-Ton Fruit user—Machvise!
Snow-Snow Fruit user—Monet!
Hobby-Hobby Fruit user—Sugar!
As one could see, those gathered here were the elite officers of the Donquixote Pirates.
Doflamingo was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
He was also the heart and soul of the Donquixote Pirates.
His death had undoubtedly dealt a massive blow to the crew.
Ever since Doflamingo's death was confirmed, the Donquixote Pirates had been in a state of utter ruin.
Not only did they lose their leader, but with the loss of the Warlord title, the entire Donquixote Pirates crew became easy prey for the surrounding wolves.
Their former territory, Dressrosa, was lost.
Their vast influence and subordinates had completely collapsed.
Several officers had even perished.
By now, all that remained of the massive Donquixote Pirates were these few officers, wandering like lost souls.
Their purpose for gathering here was simple: revenge.
The target of that revenge was, without a doubt, Zane.
Zane hadn't bothered to hide his movements, and the New Riding the Wind and Waves was a very conspicuous ship.
Especially with his bounty skyrocketing, it was easy for the Donquixote officers to track his whereabouts.
And so, they did.
After some digging, the officers of the Donquixote Pirates were now prepared to ambush the New Riding the Wind and Waves at its next resupply point.
Although they were now little more than wandering ghosts.
The remaining officers of the Donquixote Pirates were certainly not to be underestimated.
Take Pica, for example.
His strength was second only to Doflamingo within the Donquixote Pirates.
In some aspects, his Stone-Stone Fruit was even more versatile than Doflamingo's awakened String-String Fruit.
As the discussion ended and they confirmed that their enemy, Zane, would arrive soon.
The Donquixote officers immediately sprang into action.
Pica used his Stone-Stone Fruit ability to merge his entire body into the island. His head manifested on a mountain near the harbor, and he glared intently at the distant sea.
The others also moved.
Some hid in underground compartments created by Pica, preparing to launch a surprise attack once the battle broke out.
Others disguised themselves and blended into the harbor crowds, waiting for an opportunity.
'Young Master, don't you worry. Even if it costs me my life, I will avenge you.'
Monet, her green hair dyed black and her face disguised with makeup, posed as a fruit vendor at the harbor.
Her gaze flickered toward the horizon every now and then.
Feeling the detonator hidden in her sleeve, her heart was filled with grim resolve.
Land of the Dead.
The detonator in Monet's sleeve was connected to a devastating weapon—a combination of poisonous gas and Devil Fruit powers.
The Donquixote Pirates had specifically retrieved it from Punk Hazard.
Land of the Dead was the final trump card prepared by Monet and the other officers for their revenge.
Even though Zane's fight with Kuzan wasn't public knowledge.
Just based on his previous record, Zane was formidable enough that the Donquixote officers didn't have much confidence in their chances of winning.
A mutual death.
This was the resolve of the Donquixote officers.
It had to be said that Doflamingo's personal charisma and leadership were exceptional.
The officers under him were almost all fiercely loyal.
"Don't worry, Sis. As long as I touch that Zane guy, it'll all be over in an instant."
A voice full of childlike innocence came from beside her.
Sugar didn't need any disguise; she played the role of a little sister by Monet's side perfectly.
Due to the influence of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, although Sugar was twenty years old, her appearance and mental state were stuck at the age of ten—the age she was when she ate the fruit.
Even now, knowing they were about to face a powerful enemy, Sugar was happily eating her favorite grapes as usual.
Popping a grape off her finger and biting into it, she looked up at the worried Monet and spoke quite dismissively.
It was normal for Sugar to be naive because of her young mental age.
But her confidence also came from the power of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit.
With a single touch, she could turn someone into a toy and even erase their existence from the memories of everyone else.
Such an ability was undoubtedly terrifying.
It was also why Doflamingo had always valued Sugar so highly, keeping her as his ultimate trump card.
"Yes, Sugar is the best. Here, have some more grapes!" Monet looked at her sister with a face full of tenderness.
Tenderly placing the plump grapes on her sister's fingers, Monet stroked her head.
'Sugar, please forgive me.'
'If we really lose in the end, then let us pay back the Young Master's kindness with our lives together.'
Monet looked at her eternally innocent sister with eyes full of apology.
"These grapes really do taste quite good."
At the fruit stand, a hand reached out, grabbed a grape, gave it a quick wipe, and tossed it into a mouth to chew.
He offered a compliment while eating.
"I'm glad you like them—"
Hearing the voice, Monet instinctively turned her head, thinking a customer had been lured by her disguise to buy fruit.
The practiced greeting had just left her mouth when it came to a sudden halt.
When Monet looked at the supposed customer, a face that had caused her many sleepless nights—one she might never be able to forget—appeared before her.