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Though Doflamingo had yet to fully infiltrate the underground realm of the New World, his dominance in North Blue's underworld gave him enough influence to engage in friendly conversations with many powerful figures at the festival.
Then, the long-awaited Fire Festival officially began.
The city square above the palace was transformed into a grand banquet space for the invited guests from overseas. Welcoming maids greeted the attendees with fireworks and fanfare, performing traditional Wanokuni music and dances in the expansive flower-adorned hall.
The female dancers, with their striking figures and graceful movements, easily captured the attention of the crowd. Unlike Big Mom's tea parties—primarily about business deals over tables stacked with desserts—this celebration felt more like an ancient emperor's court meeting with their vassals. While the top seats remained conspicuously empty, each table below was filled with representatives of various factions.
The banquet itself stretched across the square in a long, seemingly endless line. Beautiful dancers moved fluidly through the crowd, presenting trays of fresh fruits, roasted meats, fine wines, and exquisite dishes.
"I'm familiar with the atmosphere of tea parties, but this birthday-style banquet is quite something else," Stussy remarked with a light smile, elegantly taking her seat. She raised her wine glass and took a dainty sip, her gaze scanning the room.
"Indeed," agreed Umit. His eyes, however, were fixed on the dancing girls swaying gracefully across the square. "Compared to the tea parties, this kind of ceremony is far more relaxing."
Many of the men present seemed to share Umit's sentiment, their gazes lingering on the performers. Some were already making plans to visit the Girls' Art Center before departing Wanokuni after the festival.
Doflamingo, however, was less concerned with the entertainment. Though he wasn't indifferent to the allure of women, his mind was focused elsewhere—on the empty seat at the top of the hall. He knew that was reserved for the man everyone had gathered to see: Shogun Alex.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gun salutes echoed through the streets below, accompanied by cheers and the lively sounds of musical instruments. A deep, commanding voice reverberated through the city, signaling the arrival of the Shogun.
The invited guests quickly realized that the emperor wasn't in the General City but had instead appeared in the streets below.
Through the projection of a video Den Den Mushi on the large screen in the square, attendees and citizens alike could see Alex making his way through the streets. His presence sparked joy and celebration across Wanokuni. Even the usually reclusive warriors of Amazon Lily, present at the festival, cheered enthusiastically as they watched the display.
At Alex's mere appearance, performers—ronin displaying acrobatics and singers strumming their instruments—paused their acts. The air itself seemed to thrum with energy as the crowd collectively called out his name in reverence:
"General Alex!"
The raw power of his aura and the deep connection he shared with his people were undeniable. The guests could feel the overwhelming charisma of a ruler adored by his citizens—a rare phenomenon even in the vast world of pirates.
After briefly addressing the crowd and urging them to enjoy the festival to the fullest, Alex made his way to the inner square where the birthday banquet awaited. His arrival was greeted with another wave of thunderous cheers.
As the Shogun took his seat at the head of the banquet, silence fell across the gathering. All eyes turned toward the central figure of the celebration, the man whose presence demanded attention.
"What a stunning ceremony," Stussy said, rising gracefully from her seat. With her natural charisma, she was the first to address Alex directly. "We deeply appreciate your invitation, General Alex."
As she spoke, Stussy motioned for one of her maids—a striking woman with a flawless figure and refined beauty—to step forward and attend to the Shogun.
"This is the latest headliner of our Pleasure District, Natasha," Stussy announced with a radiant smile. "Her dancing and musical talents are unmatched, but that's not all—she excels in management, service, and care. Oh, and she happens to possess the powers of the Slip-Slip Fruit."
Stussy's tone carried an air of playful confidence as she continued. "Until now, Natasha has never been offered to any guest. I thought it fitting to present her as a gift to celebrate this festival. I trust she will meet with your approval, General Alex~~"
The attention of nearly every man in the hall had already been drawn to Natasha. Her flawless, porcelain-like skin—enhanced by her Devil Fruit powers—combined with her striking beauty and elegant figure, had captivated the room. The idea of such a stunning individual being offered as a gift caused a ripple of unspoken envy.
Most assumed Stussy had simply brought Natasha to ease communication with Alex. No one had expected her to present such a prize as a personal offering.
This woman!
The unspoken sentiment echoed among the crowd, though many masked their jealousy when they noticed the clear satisfaction on Alex's face.
"Of course, I am very pleased with this gift," Alex said with a broad smile. "And I hope you enjoy the Fire Festival to the fullest."
His approval left no doubt about the gift's success. There was no reason to suspect any ulterior motive—Stussy would never risk placing a CP0 spy so blatantly by the Shogun's side, especially when her operatives had failed to infiltrate Wanokuni's restricted zones. Natasha was exactly what she seemed: a true beauty with remarkable skills and powers.
"I'm glad it meets your approval," Stussy replied smoothly, her smile widening as she subtly noted Alex's preferences for future reference.
Not wanting Stussy to dominate the evening, the other invited guests quickly began presenting their own carefully chosen gifts.
For many, this was their first meeting with Shogun Alex, and they weren't yet sure what would please him. Nonetheless, the offerings were impressive: cutting-edge technology from advanced nations, precision-packaged famous swords, congratulatory displays crafted from gold and jewels, luxurious accessories, rare goods from distant lands, and more.
Alex accepted these gifts graciously, though inwardly, he marveled at their collective value.
'It's no wonder Charlotte Linlin hosts a tea party every year, he mused. The gifts alone are worth over 800 million berries this time. And it's only the first festival.'
Not only had he forged valuable connections, but the material rewards were extraordinary.
When it came time for Doflamingo to present his gift, the atmosphere shifted. The grin on his face radiated confidence, and his smug demeanor suggested he had brought something truly remarkable.
"Fufufu… Respected General Alex, thank you for the invitation," Doflamingo said, his voice brimming with pride. "I trust my gift will satisfy you."
With a nod from Doflamingo, Trebol stepped forward, carrying a large suitcase. He set it down with a flourish, opening it to reveal the contents:
A blue-white Devil Fruit, its surface adorned with intricate, snowflake-like patterns, gleamed in the light.
A Devil Fruit!
Gasps rippled through the room. Even among the seasoned guests, it was rare to see such a precious offering. For a moment, all eyes flicked between the fruit and Doflamingo, as if trying to comprehend his audacity.
With an air of mock humility, Doflamingo added, "This isn't just any Devil Fruit—it's the Snow-Snow Fruit, a Logia."
The reaction was immediate. Guests stared at him, wide-eyed, unable to hide their shock.
A Logia-type Devil Fruit, the rarest and most coveted of the three types, was a treasure of unimaginable value. To offer it so casually as a gift was almost unfathomable.
'This guy is insane!'
Many couldn't help but think Doflamingo had gone too far in his efforts to please the Shogun. And yet, it was clear from Alex's expression that the bold gesture had been well-received.