Chapter 224: The Greatest Duel Tournament in History!
Neverland, Jade Greenhouse.
"Hey, where are today's jailers?"
"Where's the big guy? Unicorn? Stinky flame?"
As the only prisoner currently in prison, Baby 5 was bored as usual.
Of course, although nominally in prison.
The prison in the Jade Greenhouse was like other places in Neverland, looking not so cold.
Surrounding Baby 5 was a huge vine house.
Strange flowers bloomed on the vines, and the vines themselves didn't separate completely from the outside—there was even an exit nearby.
But Baby 5 knew she couldn't escape.
Because as long as she approached the exit, vines would grow and extend naturally to force her back.
Wearing Sea Prism Stone handcuffs, she couldn't use her ability, naturally unable to destroy vines.
Baby 5 even understood—not sealing her ability was meaningless too.
Because outside the prison, phantom beasts often acted as jailers.
Of course, their guarding was very casual, even often playing with Baby 5; they were quite familiar with each other.
"If you don't come, I'm escaping?"
Baby 5 said.
"Alright."
Just then, a crisp voice came. "There's a banquet outside today, they all went to the banquet."
Accompanying such words, Baby 5 saw that beautiful fairy lady.
Of course, Baby 5 already knew the other's other identity—The Zodiac Sheep Constellation 'Kigetsu'.
Beside her now, a small dog followed.
Baby 5 naturally knew that was one of the strongest phantom beasts on this island, Phantom Beast Lord 'Yazi'.
"Banquet?"
"Yeah, new 'Dream Coaster' champion today, successfully avoided phantom beast attacks on the way, getting perfect score... everyone is very happy, celebrating now."
Collei said smiling.
"Hmph, sounds impressive, which brat?"
Baby 5 snorted hearing this.
But seeing Collei hesitated for a while without answering, she leaned back boredly, sitting against a warm vine. "Not joining the banquet, looking for this old lady for what? Playing chess? Or chatting?"
She tilted her head up, trying hard to pretend disinterest.
But her hand already fished out a black chess piece emitting dreamy glow from her pocket.
Have to say, this small game called 'Dream Gomoku' taught by the other was quite fun, even she could feel the joy.
"Tell you first, still same words—wanting this old lady to play or chat is fine, but don't think I'll betray Young Master..."
"I came to let you go."
Her words were interrupted by Collei before finishing.
"...Ha?"
Baby 5 froze, then looked at Collei incredulously. "What did you say?"
"It's Lord Hitsuji's order."
Collei smiled. "He said he already got the desired news, let me release you to leave..."
"What does that mean!?"
Before she finished, she saw Baby 5's eyes turn red.
She pursed her lips, trying hard to make her words sound fierce. "You mean, this old lady is useless again, right!?"
Useless—that was the word she feared most being applied to herself.
"No."
But hearing this, Collei shook her head solemnly.
Even wearing a fairy veil, Baby 5 could feel the sincerity in her words. "Nothing to do with that, just... I think we are friends."
"So I'm relieved you can survive."
Friends?
This word almost made Baby 5 tremble all over.
"What nonsense is that!?"
She gritted her teeth. "This old lady is the Donquixote Family's best assassin, not your friend..."
But hearing this, Collei didn't speak.
She just looked at Baby 5.
Yes.
During the time Baby 5 was imprisoned here, she had been responsible for managing Baby 5.
And because only phantom beasts were on the island before, and Hitsuji was absent for long periods.
So Collei often chatted with Baby 5.
She wouldn't mention The Zodiac, only Neverland anecdotes.
Baby 5 wouldn't mention Donquixote Family secrets either.
Both maintained tacit understanding, just chatting idly.
So Collei knew long ago what kind of person Baby 5 was.
This made Collei pity her internally.
She also experienced extreme malice in the world, experienced Celestial Dragons' torture.
But in those dark years, she at least had a ray of hope—that was her brother's promise to her.
Holding that hope, she survived.
But Baby 5 was different.
Abandoned by her mother since childhood, she had no relatives.
Adopted by Doflamingo, educated as an assassin since childhood—her life was twisted from the start.
She was an assassin, but only because others wanted her to be an 'Assassin'.
She was a person without 'Self'.
When looking at Baby 5, Collei often felt she was looking at a self not saved but fallen into the abyss.
So, when Hitsuji expressed releasing Baby 5.
Collei was truly relieved.
Speaking, Collei took out the key, unlocking Baby 5's Sea Prism Stone handcuffs.
"..."
From start to finish, Baby 5 glared at her fiercely.
But unknown whether fearing Yazi or other reasons—she didn't attack Collei finally.
"You will regret this."
She gritted her teeth. "When this old lady returns to Young Master, maybe turn around and become your enemy!"
Words fell, she heard Collei say, "Never do that."
"If so, you will really die."
As always, her words were sincere.
"Who will die... Young Master is the man who will become Pirate King! The losers will only be you!"
Hearing this, Baby 5 gritted teeth angrily.
She rushed out of the prison quickly.
But just then...
"Baby 5."
Collei's call from behind stopped her steps.
"Hmph—"
She turned around proudly. "Regret it? Indeed thinking carefully, dare not let this old lady go, right?"
"No, I want to say... everyone is having a banquet, do you want to join? Not too late to leave after the banquet."
"..."
So, Baby 5 became exceptionally angry. "Who wants a banquet with you enemies?"
She decided not to listen to this guy anymore, rushing out of the Jade Greenhouse decisively.
She familiarly found the 'Rainbow Bridge' located in the south of the island used to descend to the sea surface—that was the temporary passage Collei told her during chats.
When she stepped on the Rainbow Bridge, and saw the surrounding rainbow really begin to 'Descend' slowly as Collei said...
"Hoo!"
Surrounding cold sea wind blew; Baby 5 shivered.
"..."
Her gaze looked up at the rainbow-glowing, obviously lively Neverland above.
Unknown why, she felt somewhat lost internally now.
"Don't think too much!"
But soon, she shook her head. "Young Master and others must be waiting for me, must go back quickly—first become a glider, then find a ship in nearby town... hm?"
Muttering while moving her body, she unexpectedly found.
Now, that 'Dream Black Chess' piece she often used to play with Collei, capable of splitting into countless pieces, was still in her hand.
"Who wants this kind of thing..."
She raised her hand, intending to throw that chess piece away.
At the same time.
Neverland, Center of Fairy Tale Forest, Top of Sheep Head Statue.
"..."
Hitsuji's gaze looked at the leaving Baby 5 from afar; eyes under the mask flashed thoughtfully.
In his hand, a newspaper showed strange colors under colorful glow.
'Fighting with rookie pirate crew in New World, Whitebeard Pirates suffer personnel loss again after many years?'
'The Zodiac Saru? Grand Line Island 'Little Garden' Disappears'
Even these two news concerning 'The Zodiac' and 'Four Emperors', enough to shake the sea normally, weren't the main theme in this newspaper.
Most content of the entire newspaper, and the headline reported... was that super news shaking the sea currently.
[Artificial Devil Fruit? Real or Fake?]
The newspaper title wrote so.
And the content was concise.
"Dressrosa King, one of the Seven Warlords 'Donquixote Doflamingo' released news—he will hold the largest scale duel tournament in history in Dressrosa soon, inviting all powerhouses worldwide to participate."
"It is reported the prize of this tournament is not treasure, but a person."
"According to Doflamingo's claim, he is a genius researcher who successfully created 'Artificial Devil Fruits', also former SSG second-in-command—his name is 'Caesar Clown'."
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