"Fufufufu… there's no need to stop us, Amande, is there?"
Once the ships had docked and come to a halt, Doflamingo called out directly to the leading female swordsman, his tone carrying a hint of familiarity.
After all, the Donquixote Family were veteran guests of the Fire Festival—old regulars who showed up every single year.
"I don't care whether you're a newcomer or an old acquaintance. Everyone follows the rules."
Amande clenched a cigarette between her lips, her gaze as cold as ice, showing not the slightest intention of giving Doflamingo any face.
Doflamingo raised an eyebrow slightly. This treatment differed from what he'd expected, but under someone else's roof, he had no choice but to play along.
At a glance from him, a subordinate hurriedly produced the invitation embossed with the flame emblem formed by the combined letters "M" and "D", respectfully handing it over to Amande.
Amande took the invitation, gave it a casual glance, then passed it to her sister beside her for safekeeping. Immediately afterward, her eyes shifted toward the other ship—Germa 66.
"And their invitation?"
The vessel looked familiar to her. Back when her mother was still alive, she'd once had designs on that very technology.
"They don't have an invitation," Doflamingo interjected smoothly, "but they brought Devil Fruits. Those are being offered as a door gift."
At those words, Amande's brow furrowed instantly. Without an invitation, even a World Government top brass or an Emperor of the Sea wouldn't be qualified to enter.
But since Devil Fruits—such rare treasures—were involved, she didn't dare make a unilateral decision to drive them away.
Pulling a black-shelled Den Den Mushi from her chest, Amande stepped aside and reported the situation.
Seeing this, Doflamingo already knew how it would turn out.
With Devil Fruits paving the way, and with Germa 66 posing no real threat in the other party's eyes, that cautious and far-sighted chief administrator Robin would almost certainly approve entry.
Sure enough, things unfolded exactly as Doflamingo expected. After hanging up, Amande waved to the dock guards, issuing the order to let them pass.
Soon, the massive gate sealing off hundreds of meters of sea slowly opened, allowing the two ships to proceed into the inner harbor.
With that settled, Doflamingo turned to Judge and smiled.
"Since you've passed inspection, whether things work out from here on depends on your own fate."
Judge kept a stiff expression and said nothing—no thanks, no pleasantries. After all, he'd already paid an exorbitant "guide fee," and with the grand gift he still had to present, this visit had cost him dearly.
But as long as he could latch onto the Flying Sky General's colossal ship and obtain the core technology behind the combat suits, every sacrifice would be worth it. If he could even secure support to restore Germa's former glory, Judge wouldn't hesitate to serve like a beast of burden—or even give up his life.
That somewhat laughable obsession had long since been fully calculated by Tenma.
After all, this was the same foolish king who could blindly believe the empty promises casually tossed out by Charlotte Linlin.
Just from Robin's report alone, Tenma could already guess Judge's purpose for coming.
In the past, Germa's technology might have held some reference value for him. But compared to Seraphim-grade mechanical lifeforms, their exoskeleton factors and cloning techniques were nothing more than children's toys.
Still, since they were being so well-behaved and had brought Devil Fruits as a meeting gift, Tenma decided to give them some face and allow them a chance to speak.
Whether anything came of it in the end would depend entirely on his mood.
Compared to Germa's petty affairs, Tenma was far more interested in Katerina's report regarding Stussy.
So they were planning to use a beauty trap?
Tenma's lips curled upward as he leaned back comfortably against Maria Fang's soft thighs.
It seemed he was about to gain yet another double agent.
As guests continued to arrive one after another, and after several days of meticulous preparation, the long-awaited Fire Festival finally officially began on this very day.
As with past festivals, the entire nation was decked out in lanterns and decorations, a jubilant atmosphere of prosperity enveloping every floating island in the sky.
To be honest, the festival's program was much the same each year—nationwide celebration, more or less.
Yet despite this being the seventh time it was held, no one had ever found it dull or tiresome.
After all, the wines and delicacies unveiled each year were unrivaled, and the combat tournaments were the most blood-pumping highlights of all.
What's more, this time the venue itself was an unprecedented aerial spectacle—just that alone was enough to thrill anyone.
The Fire Festival was not merely a grand birthday celebration; it was also a ritual of releasing countless lanterns into the sky, carrying everyone's hopes and wishes for the future.
Millions of lights ascended into the night, illuminating the stair-like structures that had once been hidden in darkness. From afar, they looked like a blazing staircase of fire leading straight into the heavens.
"Esteemed guests, please proceed this way."
A magnificent staircase constructed from Perospero's candy abilities shimmered with crystalline light, guiding the guests directly from the second district to the central venue.
Walking along it felt like strolling through the sky itself, bathed in the glow of millions of lights—a breathtaking sight that would be remembered for a lifetime.
Upon reaching the now even more magnificent Shogun City, guests were led by attendants onto ascending transport craft that carried them straight up to the highest level of the Shogun's castle.
There, within a vast open-air hall, the banquet had long since been perfectly arranged.
Seated at the place of honor was Tenma, the Flying Sky General in both name and reality. The Oniwabanshu and other retainers sat nearby like stars surrounding the moon.
Though many of the guests had paid their respects at previous festivals, gazing once more upon Tenma—the man now standing at the very pinnacle of the world—felt entirely different. The pressure that came with his elevated status was unmistakable.
What they didn't know was that, in Tenma's eyes, every guest present was nothing more than a flock of lambs awaiting slaughter—some of them especially plump and deeply satisfying.
Once all the guests were assembled, voluptuous attendants began guiding their assigned guests to their seats.
Among them, the most eye-catching were the chief attendants Lira Blackveil and Natasha.
Seeing that alluring woman who had transformed into the Shogun's chief maid steward, those guests who knew the inside story were inevitably drawn by her graceful bearing—and, almost subconsciously, their gazes drifted toward Stussy.
"Truly beautiful… this is a paradise beyond every woman's imagination. I thank the General for allowing this humble lady to spend such a delightful and dreamlike night."
A soft, lilting voice rang out—so sweet it seemed to melt bones.
Wearing a hat that concealed her golden hair and dressed in a vivid pleated gown, Stussy lifted her wine glass and gracefully bowed toward Tenma.
Compared to her words, the carefully chosen attire did even more to accentuate her siren-like figure to the fullest.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.Part One is officially complete — and it's now available
Go check it out and dive into the full experience.
Claim early access here: [email protected]/voidink08
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews unlock 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.