As everyone's sympathy for Trafalgar faded, their gazes uniformly shifted to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru lightly coughed to mask a hint of embarrassment, inwardly grumbling, "That damned Doffy."
Then, he put on an innocent expression and looked at the crowd.
"I told you not to walk with me earlier."
Nami's lips curved slightly, revealing a "Do you think I'd believe that?" expression.
Her eyes fixed on Orochimaru as she asked, "So, you're very familiar with the people of Dressrosa?"
Orochimaru immediately fell into a dilemma, pondering how to explain this tricky situation.
However, it seemed he didn't need to think too much, as Doflamingo had already walked before them.
As the Donquixote Family gradually approached, Law instantly became alert and took a step back.
Seeing Law's wary demeanor, everyone followed suit, retreating with vigilant expressions.
This, in turn, exposed Orochimaru, leaving him standing at the very front.
Luffy looked bewildered: "Trafalgar, what's going on? Is there something wrong with this guy?"
Trafalgar Law was sweating profusely, his eyes fixed on the person in front of him.
Robin noticed the tension between Luffy and Law and softly explained, "Luffy, he's one of the Shichibukai, 'Heavenly Yaksha' Doflamingo. But..."
"But?" Nami's clima-tact was clutched tightly in her hand, her knuckles slightly white. Her gaze was fixed on Robin's face, Robin's hesitant expression filling her with doubt.
Robin's gaze was drawn like a magnet, firmly locking onto Doflamingo, her eyes scrutinizing him as if to see through him, but she didn't neglect to respond to Nami.
"Haven't you noticed that thing he's wearing on his ear? Doesn't it look extremely familiar?"
Upon hearing this, everyone eagerly looked up, following Robin's gaze.
Indeed, they saw an earring dangling from Doflamingo's left ear, and its outline and style instantly left a group of people stunned.
At this moment, Doflamingo, with his unique gait and a chilling sense of oppression, walked towards the group.
However, he ignored the hostile and tense group around him, simply staring intently at Orochimaru, slowly crouching down in front of him.
At this time, their matching earrings shimmered with a soft glow in the sunlight, and everyone standing to the side took it all in.
Doflamingo's lips curved into an arc, and he extended his long, slender, and well-defined fingers to gently pinch Orochimaru's chin, lifting it slightly.
His movements were gentle, and his eyes held a hint of fondness.
Then, he slowly leaned in, the distance closing bit by bit, until their lips gently touched.
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In that instant, time seemed to freeze, with only Doflamingo's smiling eyes, when he looked up, seeming to speak of endless longing.
"Welcome back."
His voice was deep and magnetic, echoing softly in the silence, broken only by everyone's tense breathing.
Everyone, having come to their senses, glared at Doflamingo through gritted teeth, their breathing somewhat constricted, faces flushed, and fiery auras erupting behind them.
Wasn't it clear enough? Their precious "black-hearted cabbage" had been pecked at by a flamingo.
They instantly remembered the so-called flamingo Orochimaru kept!! Don't just pick up anything and bring it home!!
And the clueless Luffy, though not fully understanding at the moment, felt a surge of anger.
He wanted to get rid of this person in front of him immediately; it was the first time Luffy had so urgently wanted to kill someone.
Doflamingo completely disregarded the angry crowd, directly pulling Orochimaru tightly into his embrace, as if to merge Orochimaru into his own body.
"I've prepared a banquet. Do you want to shower first or eat first?" His voice was low and gentle, whispered only into Orochimaru's ear.
Even with Orochimaru's thick skin, he couldn't help but feel a bit shy at this moment, and Dellinger and the others behind him were utterly embarrassed.
Indeed, this Young Master was not the Young Master they knew.
Dellinger's high heels scraped against the ground incessantly, as if he was about to dig out a castle.
Although these two used to be a bit clingy, this was a town, and so many people were watching. Oh my god, how awkward!
Orochimaru gently pushed Doflamingo, whispering, "Doffy... don't go too far! There are others around."
Doflamingo completely ignored everything around them, burying his head deep into Orochimaru's neck, and, unmindful of being in public, possessively planted a vivid "strawberry."
"You've brought the Straw Hat to fight me, so it's okay if I go a little overboard, right?"
Sanji watched this scene, and the anger in his heart could no longer be contained.
Ah ah ah, their little cabbage!
Although Sanji liked girls, he wouldn't let others casually spoil their little cabbage!
The enraged Sanji was about to attack, but Zoro and Luffy were a step ahead.
Their fists and sword instantly struck Doflamingo, but were easily blocked by his strings.
Doflamingo, still holding Orochimaru, stood up, his gaze passing over the two attackers and fixing directly on Law, but his eyes still held an arrogant pride, not taking these minor skirmishes seriously at all.
"Law, long time no see. You still betrayed me, after all.
I always treated you like a younger brother, what a pity.
I know your purpose in teaming up with the Straw Hat, let's just see if your methods can succeed.
I've prepared a banquet to welcome you all,
and the Straw Hat, don't look at me like that.
It wasn't me who seduced him.
I should say I was the victim at first, I just accepted my fate.
I don't even have a proper title right now."
Doflamingo even sighed pitifully as he spoke.
Luffy and Zoro, though their faces were not good, did not initiate another attack.
Hearing Doflamingo's words, they even felt a bit awkward; this did seem like something Orochimaru would do.
No, no! It's their cabbage that got bitten! No, that's not right... Ah ah ah... So annoying!
But looking at Doflamingo's eyes... they became even more hostile, and even the allure of the banquet wasn't that great anymore.
Usopp turned his head blankly, raising a hand to pat Law's shoulder.
"Have you thought of a plan? I think we need to quickly discuss a battle plan now."
Law, however, had a solemn expression, staring intently at Doflamingo, and loudly questioned him,
"What exactly are you plotting? I absolutely don't believe you would genuinely like someone and be so obedient to them."
Before he finished speaking, Baby5 darted behind Law like a ghost, and with a flick of her hand, a crisp "smack" echoed as she slapped the back of Law's head hard.
"Shut up, Law, show some respect to the Young Master. Orochimaru-sama is the Young Master's lover, an existence acknowledged by all of Dressrosa."
Law's eyes instantly widened in anger after this blow, glaring fiercely at Baby5.
Baby5, however, seemed oblivious, but then she turned and tightly clasped Nami's arms, pouted her lips, and began to cry, whimpering.
Nami was a bit flustered. Who are you? If you're going to cry, don't provoke people!
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