At the same time…
In the Dressrosa palace, a group of Tontatta dwarves, armed with explosives and with cotton stuffed in their ears, stood fiercely outside Sugar's room.
"What are you guys doing?!"
"Are you rebelling?"
Trebol, with his long snot hanging, angrily shouted at the group of Tontatta dwarves.
However, the Tontatta dwarves acted as if they didn't hear him. The leader raised a spear and shouted, "Release Princess Mansherry, or I'll blow this place up immediately!"
"Princess Mansherry?"
Trebol frowned upon hearing this.
Damn it, who told them the truth?
"Listen to me, your Princess Mansherry is just injured. We're treating her…"
Whoosh—!
A spear, not much thicker than a toothpick, flew and pinned Trebol's clothes to the wall. Trebol, sweating profusely, looked at the earplugs in the Tontatta dwarves' ears and swallowed hard.
These guys…
Who the hell blocked their ears?!
"Give us back the princess!"
"Give her back!!"
Holding explosives several times larger than their bodies, the Tontatta dwarves, with their cute faces trying to look fierce, slowly approached Sugar.
…
The scene shifts back to the underground factory.
"Young Master Doffy…"
The fire was mostly under control. Gladius, with his light blue spiky hair and holding a bucket, appeared beside Doflamingo and whispered, "There's no response from the palace guards."
Doflamingo: "…"
Turning his head, he glanced at Vivian's confident smile. Doflamingo took a deep breath, calming himself, and said, "State your conditions."
"As expected of a smart man."
Vivian said, spitting out a mouthful of blood, causing Tashigi, who was supporting him, to feel a surge of worry.
"My conditions are simple. I want to take all the civilians and toys on the ship…"
"That's impossible," Gladius immediately refused.
But Doflamingo raised his hand to stop him.
"You can take the civilians and toys. What else?"
"Besides that… I want the antidote for Trance and 20% of your business profits."
As soon as Vivian said this, everyone's eyes focused on him.
The pirates of the Donquixote Family almost all showed expressions of anger.
On the Navy's side, except for Smoker and Kuto, everyone else looked disappointed.
Officer Vivian… how could he… how could he make such a disgraceful request?
They had thought Officer Vivian was a righteous Navy who cared only for civilians, but…
"I really misjudged Officer Vivian."
"I never thought he would be this kind of person."
Some Marines whispered among themselves.
A sense of betrayal surged in their hearts.
Hearing this, Doflamingo couldn't help but cover his face, laughing more maniacally.
He had thought these Marines coming to rescue people would be so righteous, but they had such intentions?
It was really… laughable.
But a mere Navy Officer wants ten percent of my business profits?
He began to ponder.
At worst, he could give up being a Shichibukai!
And as the scene remained tense…
[Option 1: Continue insisting on 20% profit. (Reward: Random combat skill from another dimension x1)]
Option 2: Reduce the demanded profit to 10%. (Completion reward: Random basic attribute +1)
"Ten percent." Vivian immediately raised a finger.
"This is my final concession. Otherwise, we'll go down together."
Saying this, she stepped back to stand beside Fujitora, slightly shaking her military sword, which instantly became enveloped in electric light.
Doflamingo glanced at Fujitora.
"I can agree to this condition."
"Young Master Doffy?!"
The pirates of the Donquixote Family were all extremely shocked, as if they had heard something unbelievable.
Young Master Doffy… willing to take such a loss?
Is this the Doffy I know?
However, what Doflamingo was thinking at that moment was: It's just 10% profit, a small loss to temporarily protect his business. It seemed acceptable.
After all, he currently needed to use his position as a Shichibukai and the title of King of Dressrosa as cover.
Giving up years of effort for 10% profit didn't seem worth it.
Moreover, the strength of that blind man was also something he couldn't fathom…
"Ten percent. You name a trading location, and every three months, I'll send someone to deliver it." Doflamingo said.
As for whether the other party would raise the amount after leaving, he wasn't worried about that.
If worst comes to worst, as Vivian said, they would go down together with the Navy.
Returning to the sea as a proper pirate didn't seem so bad; he even missed the days in the North Blue.
"Deal."
Vivian smiled, extending her hand to shake Doflamingo's, reaching an agreement.
"Young Master Doffy, what about the losses we suffered today…"
Someone glanced at the burnt warehouse behind them and cautiously asked.
"Just a small loss, worth it to make a few Navy friends." Doflamingo said expressionlessly.
As for what he was really thinking, Vivian knew all too well.
If Fujitora hadn't been there, she probably wouldn't have been able to leave without wiping out the entire Donquixote Family.
Supported by Tashigi, she boarded Smoker's warship. As soon as she stepped on the deck, she was met with disdainful looks from the Navy marine officer.
"Vivian, when we return to headquarters, we will report this matter truthfully to our superiors!"
"Prepare to be dismissed."
With that, Vivian suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Vivian!"
Kuto hurried over.
Meanwhile, Smoker, with two cigars in his mouth, explained to the others, "This kid is seriously injured. Given the strength she just showed, if I had joined the fight, I would probably have ended up the same."
"What?"
"Even Captain Smoker isn't a match for that guy?"
The marine officer were surprised.
After all, Smoker was sent from the Navy headquarters. To them, a headquarters captain was like a "war god." But now…
"After all, the opponent is a Shichibukai, second only to the Four Emperors and Navy Admirals in the New World." Smoker exhaled a smoke ring, "So, for now, I'm indeed no match for that guy."
This was the first time he admitted his inferiority in front of his subordinates.
Despite his usual stern demeanor, he actually cared a lot about his reputation.
"So, the reason that guy demanded 10% profit, though it seemed like it was for money, was actually for self-preservation."
"Self-preservation?"
"Because… if we really fought those guys, few of us would leave here alive."