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Chapter 189 - The Spokesman Of The "Cross Family"

After Oro Ka ate the Barrier-Barrier Fruit, a Paramecia-type, all the maids in the "Cross Family" gained significant abilities—except for Kuina, who remains unable to use any. 

Thus, Kahn assigned the task of hunting down Shiki, the Golden Lion, to Carina, who had recently been promoted to top officer. Oro Ka, with her Barrier-Barrier Fruit powers, was sent along to ensure Carina's safety.

The battle itself was entrusted to a perfectly coordinated team of elite members. Carina, upon receiving the mission, remained calm and confident. Over the years, she had gained experience, from accompanying Kahn into Impel Down to securing the Devil Fruit on Long Ring Long Land. By the time Kahn acquired the Barrier-Barrier Fruit, Carina was already leading missions on her own.

With Oro Ka's protection, Carina was certain she wouldn't fail—unless they faced an enemy that even the Perfect Squad couldn't handle. So far, no one had survived an encounter with the three Perfect Squad members combined with the disruption caused by Carina's Dark-Dark Fruit powers, a Logia ability.

For this mission, Carina sought help from just one person: Viola, who had moved from Dressrosa to Amazon Lily. Viola had also eaten a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. Carina used the abilities of Perfect Five, who had the Teleport-Teleport Fruit, to transport their group of three daughters and two Perfect Squad members from Wano Country in the New World directly to the Sabaody Archipelago in the first half of the Grand Line.

Viola, who had become an ally, had a significant role. Not only were her abilities valuable and needed protection, but she had also become one of Kahn's women in the last few years. Both Scarlet and Viola, after Hancock and Mary, were part of Kahn's circle. Once Kahn secured the sisters, he didn't leave them in Dressrosa.

Since they possessed pure gold, their lives would span hundreds of years, and they didn't need to face the daily grind of ruling a kingdom. Scarlet left the responsibility of Dressrosa to Doflamingo, allowing her and Viola to live on Amazon Lily, overseeing both Wano and Amazon Lily alongside Hancock and the other women.

Doflamingo, now managing Dressrosa, had become the "Cross Family's" official representative to the outside world. Over time, Kahn became a legend in the New World and the youngest Emperor of the Sea in history. The "Cross Family" had grown into a dominating force in three major industries—arms, medicine, and entertainment. Every corner of the world bore the "Cross Family's" influence.

Their dominance was so vast that even the Whitebeard Pirates, the strongest crew in the world, dared not provoke them. Unbeknownst to many, the "Cross Family" had almost entirely monopolized the trade of weapons in the New World.

Even Whitebeard's medical supplies came from the "Cross Family."

If anyone dares to challenge the "Cross Family," unless they have a justifiable reason, even if they're killed by the "Cross Family," the Whitebeard Pirates will likely not intervene. If the Whitebeard Pirates were to retaliate, they would face serious consequences—namely, losing access to guns and medicines on the black market.

Even if someone tried to purchase these supplies on behalf of the Whitebeard Pirates, the cost would skyrocket. This is because the major powers receive discounted rates on black-market arms and medicines. Without access to quality weapons or medicine—or if they only have subpar guns and junk medicine—the strongest pirate crew in the world, with their ageing captain Whitebeard, would become an easy target for other ambitious pirates.

Thus, Whitebeard's second-in-command, Marco, has issued strict orders that no one is to cause trouble in the "Cross Family's" territory. 

This shows just how vast and powerful the "Cross Family" has become. As the family's external representative, Doflamingo has risen to great prominence, commanding both respect and fear. His influence now rivals what it was originally. In the past, Doflamingo merely aligned himself with Kaido, terrified of him, to the point where even Kaido's top officers could intimidate him. But in this life, Doflamingo has become the "Cross Family's" spokesperson, and even Kaido treats him with care.

Kaido, needing large amounts of ammunition to keep control of his territory, including the pirate haven on Hachinosu Island, knows that treating Doflamingo well might result in favourable negotiations for weapon prices.

This shows that even the mighty can humble themselves when necessary. After losing Wano and Onigashima, Kaido won't attempt to reclaim them unless he's confident in victory. Instead, he begrudgingly buys weapons from Kahn's "Cross Family." 

Doflamingo's management of Dressrosa has even been tolerated by the World Government, though with one condition: Scarlet must attend the World Summit every four years as the representative of Dressrosa. Scarlet, of course, gladly accepts such a prestigious position.

Meanwhile, back with Carina's group, Viola uses her Devil Fruit ability, the Glare-Glare Fruit, to quickly locate the Golden Lion's island. Shiki, preparing for his "East Blue Destruction Plan," has already raised the archipelago to a height of several kilometres above the White Sea.

Finding Shiki's base was easy for Viola's clairvoyance powers, as the islands weren't hidden in the White Sea's clouds. 

"Hee hee... Sister Viola's clairvoyance is truly impressive. With your help, this mission is bound to go smoothly," Carina praised, skillfully boosting Viola's confidence. 

Then, with Oro Ka by her side, Carina smashed a jar on the ground. 

Boom!

As the jar burst, smoke enveloped Carina and Oro Ka. When the smoke cleared, the two women, who had been dressed in stylish outfits, were now fully equipped in black combat uniforms, their faces concealed by black helmets.

Seeing Carina and Oro Ka ready, Viola also changed into her own combat suit. 

Once suited up, the three women and the Perfect Team activated their stealth mode.

In the blink of an eye, they teleported—not just vanishing through invisibility but teleportation itself.

When they reappeared, they were standing in mid-air, supported by floating devices.

Below them lay the floating islands that made up the base of the legendary "Flying Pirate," Golden Lion Shiki.

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