Somewhere in the corridors of power on the Red Line...
For the past half a year, the Five Elders had been unusually relaxed, barely bothered by any real trouble.
But now, with the latest intel on Crocodile in hand...
The slicked-back Elder furrowed his brow once again.
"Crocodile is heading to Skypiea. What's your take on this?"
"Let him go," the long-bearded Elder sneered. "He's just another fool, no different from Aramaki. The real focus should be that special ship."
He pointed at the vessel built by Iceburg, his narrow eyes flashing with a chilling light.
"With that, we might be able to crush Doflamingo once and for all."
"Not enough," muttered the sword-wielding Elder, opening his eyes from a half-sleep. "This thing can't handle the unpredictable seas. If anything goes wrong, the whole fleet could be wiped out."
"Let Vegapunk handle it. Let him improve it," Saturn said, frowning slightly. "Besides, the Navy doesn't have the strength right now to launch a full-scale assault on Skypiea."
"Doflamingo won't stay holed up on Skypiea forever. The moment he leaves, we strike—take the Seastone mines."
...
While the Five Elders argued, Spandam was busy unleashing his fury at returning CP agents from Water 7.
"You idiots! Who the hell told you morons to take on Crocodile?!"
"Damn it! The point was Pluton! The Pluton that can destroy entire islands with one shot!!!"
The surviving CP agents could only listen in silence, blank expressions on their faces.
Wasn't it you, Spandam, who ordered us to keep everyone away from Iceburg?
Didn't we even double-check with you beforehand?
And didn't you say that even a Yonko would need permission?!
But Spandam's rant didn't stop. His twisted expression only grew more distorted, and his insults turned toward someone else entirely.
"Crocodile! Damn bastard! Pirates will always be pirates!!"
"He has zero respect for the World Government!!"
"The title of Warlord of the Sea means nothing to him?!"
"CP9 represents the World Government! Damn it!!!"
Spandam was spiraling, unraveling in a state of total emotional chaos.
You couldn't really blame him.
His father, Spandine, had died at Doflamingo's hands without making even the slightest ripple in the news.
The family had scraped together every ounce of influence just to get Spandam this position as CP9 chief.
All their hopes for revenge and survival were pinned on him.
And the key to breaking this stalemate... was the ancient weapon, Pluton.
But all they got from Fishman Tom was a few useless barrels of fish meat.
And Iceburg? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Failure after failure. And now, even the Five Elders were starting to lose confidence in him.
...
New World — Pleasure Street.
Pirate ships were docked all around the island, crowding every pier.
Men—fresh off their ships—flooded the streets, waving stacks of Belly and screaming with wild eyes lit by weeks of repressed desire at sea.
"OOOHHHHH! This time I'm gonna go wild for three straight days!!!"
"Still smells so sweet!!! Hahahaha!!"
"This—THIS is the scent of a woman!!"
Why only men?
Because this island didn't just cater to pirates.
Even bored nobles and royals seeking "thrills" had come here.
At the shore, a legion of women stood in perfect rows.
Barely clothed. Each of them a carefully chosen flower, ready to meet every man's twisted tastes.
They blinked seductively as the men rushed forward, each exuding a magnetic charm.
"Welcome to Pleasure Street, gentlemen!"
"Would you like to eat something first—or eat me?"
"I promise I'll make you feel so good, my lord~!"
...
The whole island was one giant red-light district.
Every available inch was packed with buildings—no space wasted.
The glow of soft pink lights added a haze of seduction to the entire island.
At the center of it all bloomed a strange, towering flower—shaped unmistakably like a woman's sensual symbol—its fragrance drifting on the air.
A stimulant, giving these men the strength to fight like demons in battle...
And forget their fatigue as they drowned in waves of pleasure.
Every room echoed with moans and gasps.
Here and there, men collapsed—utterly spent, limp as rags.
But the women who entertained them?
They stayed sharp—soothing, flattering, and insightful.
Luring the men into revealing bit by bit... their secrets, their plans, their lives.
This was how the Queen of Pleasure Street, Stussy, gathered intelligence—and kept a tight watch over the sea.
Right now, the elegant and calculating Stussy was frowning at an invitation she held from Totto Land.
A tea party, hosted by Big Mom.
"Doflamingo... engaged to Charlotte Smoothie. So it's a real alliance now?"
The invitation hinted at much more than celebration.
It was a declaration.
A message to every power invited—not just a show of strength, but a call for cooperation.
And above all else, a political marriage.
It was a standard strategy for Big Mom's empire—grow the family, grow the power.
But this time?
Two Emperors—Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo and Big Mom—joining hands?
That changed everything.
-----------
Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg