[~1400 words]
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James retracted his massive dragon tail and transformed back into his human form. He watched emotionlessly as Doflamingo collapsed to the ground.
The Warlord's signature sunglasses were completely shattered.
Jinbe, who had been watching the battle from the sidelines, saw that it was over and ordered his crew to bring forward a pair of Sea Prism Stone handcuffs. They quickly shackled Doflamingo.
"Heart Repair Operation!"
Strings twisted and wove inside Doflamingo's body, desperately trying to repair his broken, severely injured form.
But the Fish-Men didn't give him the chance.
*Click—*
The Sea Prism Stone cuffs snapped shut. Doflamingo immediately went still. Though his String-String powers were suppressed, he regained enough clarity to speak in a hoarse, bitter voice.
"Everyone has been deceived by you… James. You're not a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user at all. You're an unknown Mythical Zoan, aren't you?!"
James's lips curved into a faint smile. "Who knows?"
Doflamingo let out a long, helpless sigh.
"Even now, you won't give me a straight answer… Well, that's how it is. The winner takes all, and the loser… has no rights at all."
"It's a shame. With your talent, you should have gotten a much stronger Devil Fruit. Only then would it truly be worthy of you."
"You managed to bring out the full potential of the String-String Fruit, but even at its best, it can't elevate you to the very top."
"Fufufufufu…"
Doflamingo laughed bitterly and fell silent. He had always known the String-String Fruit had its limits. But back then, he had been desperate for any power that could change his fate, and his choices were few.
"Escort him back to the Divine Kingdom and keep him under strict guard!" James ordered.
He shook his head, feeling somewhat bored with the outcome. From the very first clash, he had noticed Doflamingo was already injured from his fight with Jinbe. That small advantage had made the battle even easier than expected.
James raised his hand and dialed Shura's Den Den Mushi.
"Shura, once you've finished dealing with the Donquixote Family, take full control of Dressrosa. Confiscate all communication devices and gather everyone below King's Heights."
"Yes! God-sama!"
With a burst of lightning, James vanished from the spot.
.....
By the time he returned, King's Heights had already been completely secured by Shura and the other priests along with their Divine Soldiers.
The remaining Donquixote Family members had either been eliminated or had surrendered without resistance.
Inside the palace, Nami, Vivi, and the other Divine Concubines were chatting happily with Violet and Baby-5.
"What are you all talking about?"
The sudden voice interrupted their laughter. The women turned to see James had just appeared and was already scooping Perona into his arms.
"You scared me! Let me go, you hateful Onii-chan-sama!"
Perona squirmed in embarrassment under the amused gazes of the other women, twisting her body desperately to escape his embrace.
James smiled and gently stroked her soft, rosy cheek with his hand.
Perona trembled as if a switch had been flipped. Then, like an obedient doll, she stopped struggling and went completely still in his arms.
James settled into Perona's former seat and pulled her onto his lap.
One arm wrapped securely around her waist while his other hand boldly slipped under the fabric of her dress, kneading her soft breasts with slow, possessive strokes.
He leaned in and pressed heated kisses along the side of her neck and collarbone, occasionally capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss.
Perona's inner thoughts: I'm being good… Please let me go… Please be gentle!
Nami was the first to react. She pouted cutely and replied, "We're talking about girl stuff! I can't tell you!"
"Oh?" James murmured against Perona's skin, his hand never stopping its gentle but firm groping and kneading as he continued to kiss and tease the sensitive ghost princess on his lap. "Even if you don't say it, I already know."
"Even if you don't say it, I already know."
"Hmph! Then why did you even ask?!" Vivi pouted, though she still moved behind James to neatly straighten his collar.
James had overheard their conversation from afar. They had mostly been telling Violet and Baby-5 how amazing and powerful he was.
After chatting for a while longer, James casually speaking between kissing Perona who was already in a daze, Robin closed the book on Dressrosa's history she had been reading and exclaimed,
"The former rulers of this country—the Donquixote Family—were actually Celestial Dragons!"
"Eh?!"
"Does that mean Doflamingo is…?"
The women were equally shocked. Celestial Dragons were the privileged class that ruled over the World Government, enjoying absolute authority and countless privileges.
"Don't panic," James said calmly, his voice steady even as he lightly pinched Perona's nipple through her dress, making her whimper softly.
"Doflamingo's foolish father voluntarily gave up their Celestial Dragon status, so they are no longer Celestial Dragons."
He had known this history for a long time. The only real pity was that Doflamingo's mother had died too early…
*Cough.* James had no strange intentions—he was simply lamenting the tragic fate of Doflamingo's family.
"Nani?! Doflamingo seems pretty smart, so how could his father be that naive? Giving up Celestial Dragon status… How did they even survive?"
"At least Doflamingo survived…"
After spending some time playfully "playing house" with Perona and the other girls, the Den Den Mushi on the nearby table finally rang.
*Blur blur~ Boga~*
"God-sama! All communication devices in Dressrosa have been confiscated or taken over by us."
"Good~"
"Additionally, the citizens have all been gathered in the plaza below King's Heights. We also apprehended some resistors along the way and brought them to the scene."
"Read the prepared announcement. I'll be watching from above."
"Yes!"
*Boga~*
Violet had been quietly watching James the entire time. She seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
"Let's go. We'll head to the edge of King's Heights and watch the show~" James said, ignoring her hesitation for now. He called the women to follow him.
"Okay~"
Perona finally regained her freedom. She flashed away instantly and hid behind Robin, clinging tightly to her arm, clearly afraid James might get rough again.
Her adorable, frightened appearance made even Robin chuckle softly, taking pity on the delicate girl.
Chatting and laughing among themselves, they arrived at the edge of King's Heights. From there, they had a perfect view of the entire plaza below.
Shura stood ramrod straight on a high platform, looking down at the restless crowd. He tapped the amplifier Den Den Mushi and announced in a loud, authoritative voice:
"Citizens of Dressrosa, congratulations! You have been freed from the tyrannical rule of the pirate Donquixote Family!"
"From today onward, this will no longer be a pirate nation, but a kingdom blessed by the glory of God-sama!"
"You no longer need to fear exploitation and oppression by the Donquixote Family."
"As long as you obediently follow the will of God-sama, Dressrosa will surely march toward prosperity and glory!"
"…"
"The so-called 'fairy legend' ends today. The 'fairies' were actually the Tontatta Tribe, and they will no longer steal your belongings at will."
"You can now walk the streets confidently with your possessions, without fear of them being taken."
"That's a lie! How can the 'fairies' be the Tontatta Tribe?! The fairies are our guardians!"
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