The coast around Dressrosa was surrounded by large numbers of mushroom-shaped rocks. If viewed from high above, the country looked as if it was located right at the "pistil" of a flower. This was an island nation full of laughter and passion, with smiles on everyone's faces.
Perhaps because he had consulted with Tesoro, Doflamingo had also made the entertainment projects here quite lively.
Coupled with his 'reputation' of having connections in both the underworld and legitimate circles, although this place couldn't yet become a recognized 'gray area' like the Gold City, it was almost there.
In the past, not only pirates but even Marines and World Government's spies could be seen everywhere here.
Of course, with the collapse of the World Government, those agents and spies had temporarily disappeared. Even the Marines who often visited here had been transferred to the first half of the Grand Line. This led many small-time pirates to set their sights on this wealthy island, thinking about whether they could plunder it and make a fortune.
Unfortunately, even without considering Doflamingo himself and his connection to the Beasts Pirates, just the officers and combatants of the Donquixote Pirates were enough to give these ordinary pirates a hard time. Despite their non-human appearances, among them were either Devil Fruit users, naturally strong-bodied fighting fish fish-men, or martial artists skilled in fist techniques.
-At least, in front of those small-time pirates, they were invincible.
However, facing Orochimaru, who had somehow taken control of Sugar and Diamante, the leaderless Donquixote Pirates truly found it difficult to act.
"Gentlemen, there's no need to put on such an indignant look."
Orochimaru wore a large, loose robe that covered the obvious white snake scales on his wrists and ankles, as well as the bone spurs extending from his joints.
His pale, somewhat sickly face appeared like a ghostly shadow in the dimly lit throne room.
Diamante, as always, stood by Orochimaru's side as if hypnotized, 'faithfully performing his duty.' As long as anyone made a threatening move towards him, this seemingly lifeless 'puppet' would decisively use his steel-made cape to cut the other's throat… even members of the Donquixote Pirates were no exception.
And one of the 'cornerstones' upon which this nation was built, the legal loli who mastered the [Hobi Hobi no Mi], Sugar, was currently glaring at him with a look of anger but not daring to speak. At the same time, a three-tomoe [Cursed Seal] had been engraved on Sugar's body.
This kind of Cursed Seal didn't have much coercive effect on guys like Diamante or Doflamingo, as their physique and willpower were enough to resist the torment from the seal. At least for now, this Orochimaru hadn't yet mastered the means to use the Cursed Seal to threaten others' lives... or even to possess their bodies.
However, when combined with the special gas of the legendary chemical scientist Caesar Clown, this Cursed Seal acquired a brainwashing-like effect.
For example, the current Diamante, and Sugar's sister... the [Yuki Yuki no Mi] user, Snow Woman Monet. (T/N: Snow-Snow Fruit.)
Because the [Surgeon of Death] Trafalgar Law had not yet returned to Punk Hazard, Monet still had a human body at this time, not the 'human bird' appearance from the original fate line.
This form didn't diminish her combat power, though. After all, the power of that human-faced bird was ultimately inferior to her Yuki Yuki no Mi.
At least that counted as a Logia-type Devil Fruit.
Currently, this female Logia user was in a state similar to Diamante's, in a hypnotized, vacant-eyed state. If she hadn't been used as a hostage, Sugar might not have compromised so readily.
And once Sugar was controlled, even if Trebol, Pica, and the others had more capabilities, they wouldn't dare act rashly. After all, Sugar's condition was related to the fate of all of Dressrosa… it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it could directly affect Doflamingo's future.
As long as Sugar fell unconscious or died due to external forces, those she had turned into toys would return to their original forms. Simultaneously, the 'deleted' memories would also be restored.
This was the bug of the Hobi Hobi no Mi's ability. As long as someone was touched without defense, they would be turned into a toy.
Then, Sugar would make them swear an 'oath', forcing them to work for the Donquixote Pirates... until death.
And the memories related to the person turned into a toy would completely disappear from others' minds… even obvious problems would be ignored.
For example, if a father in a family was turned into a toy, the remaining mother living with her child wouldn't notice anything wrong. It was as if it was meant to be that way.
Even information records about those people would be subconsciously ignored. This was the most terrifying aspect of the Hobi Hobi no Mi. It was also the reason why Orochimaru targeted Sugar as soon as he seized control of Punk Hazard.
But it was really easy... Orochimaru sighed softly in his heart… the process of turning the tables was easier than he had imagined.
The person in charge of Punk Hazard, Caesar Clown, was originally not someone willing to be subordinate to others.
He didn't view Doflamingo as a 'Young Master' to be loyal to like other family members, but only as a shield with enough deterrence. Perhaps also a generous and foolish patron.
However, Doflamingo wouldn't easily trust someone like Caesar, which is why he sent Monet as a secretary to assist (and monitor) Caesar. Their mutual scheming was already understood without being spoken.
And almost as soon as Orochimaru arrived at Punk Hazard, he instinctively detected this discord from snippets of conversation and skillfully began his instigation. As if he had done it thousands of times before, persuading Caesar didn't waste much of his energy. The two like-minded individuals felt like they had met too late.
In contrast, the most troublesome part was how to research the special [Cursed Seal Gas] with Caesar under the watchful eyes of Monet and Diamante.
A gloved finger gently picked up a grape and placed it at Sugar's mouth. But the food she usually loved most held no attraction for Sugar at this moment. She just pursed her lips, staring intently at Orochimaru.
This guy was too cunning.
Under that large robe, he was also wearing a full-body suit that covered him completely… perhaps even his face was covered with something. At least when Sugar secretly touched the other party, the Hobi Hobi no Mi couldn't take effect.
"Not eating? What a pity..."
Seeing the little girl unwilling to accept, Orochimaru let out an eerie laugh, then his long tongue coiled around the grape and pulled it into his mouth.
As the highest-ranking officer of the Donquixote Pirates in Doflamingo's absence, Trebol had seen enough.
"That's enough, Orochimaru. What you wanted has already been given to you. When exactly will you release your control over them?"
This guy, who always spoke in a sticky manner, now had a tone that was sinister and full of killing intent.
"Don't think you can keep manipulating the Donquixote Pirates forever!"
As he spoke, combatants like Pica, Lao G, Dellinger, and Gladius all stood up. Each of them was confident they could kill the current Orochimaru at such close range… if he didn't have Sugar in his hands.
"Relax... gentlemen, I have no interest in your country... or your so-called 'domination' dreams."
After eating the grape, Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth and said unhurriedly.
"It's a bit troublesome to explain to you... Researching Devil Fruits, or rather, researching the evolution of life is not as simple a matter as your impoverished brains imagine. You have no idea what kind of great undertaking I am engaged in. It's far more significant than your joke-like..."
Orochimaru stood up directly, getting more and more excited and agitated as he spoke, but fortunately, he held back his words at the critical moment.
"Apologies..."
He gently wiped the corner of his mouth with his glove and sat back down.
"In short, you should continue doing what you usually do. When my research is complete, I will naturally release them. Until then… I'll have to trouble you greatly..."