When Wang Shi walked out of the Heixiu Panda specialty shop, holding Baby 5's hand, Buffalo was completely dumbfounded.
How had he managed to lose Baby 5 while they were just out shopping?
How was he supposed to explain this to Lord Diamante back at the Ambassador Hotel?
If young master Doflamingo found out he hadn't taken good care of Baby 5, would he cut him into a pile of meat strips?
"Buffalo, right? Baby 5 and I fell in love at first sight. Go report this to Diamante and Doflamingo. I hope they'll give us their sincere blessing.
"Don't worry. My betrothal gift to your country won't be small."
Holding Baby 5's hand, Wang Shi smiled back at Buffalo, a hint of amusement deep in his eyes.
Baby 5 nestled happily against Wang Shi, not even sparing a glance for Buffalo, the big fellow she'd grown up with.
As expected of a "sick maid" who'd listened to Sai and tried to kill herself, then followed him to the Flower Kingdom without question.
A "maid who needed to be needed" who forgot her "family" the moment she found a husband.
A girl with such a flaw in her character really was a little heartless.
But when the person she was with was Wang Shi—
Well, Wang Shi took that back.
He liked it.
Watching Wang Shi leave with Baby 5, Buffalo immediately scrambled back to the Ambassador Hotel and, trembling with fear, reported everything to Diamante, Machvise, and Lao G.
"What? Wang Shi and Baby 5 fell in love at first sight, and he wants to make her his empress?"
"Baby 5 already agreed?"
"Idiot, Buffalo! You know Baby 5 can't refuse anyone. Why didn't you stop her?"
The three cried out in shock. Lao G even kicked Buffalo flying, his face furious.
"This is a mess. Wang Shi doesn't know that Baby 5 can't refuse people. He really thinks she sincerely accepted his proposal."
"If we forcefully take Baby 5 away, Wang Shi will probably turn against us. This emperor isn't someone to trifle with."
"Hmph. It's all Buffalo's fault for failing to keep an eye on Baby 5 and causing such a huge problem."
The three argued heatedly, each of them increasingly frustrated.
The Goa Empire was a major client of theirs, and Wang Shi was powerful, too.
If they mishandled this, they wouldn't just lose a wealthy client—they might not even make it out of the Goa Imperial Capital.
"We'd better report this to young master Doflamingo first."
Lao G spoke with a grave expression. They'd received news that morning that Wang Shi had awakened Conqueror's Haki.
He was a true king.
The news had been confirmed to Marine Headquarters by Captain Smoker of Loguetown and the Marine hero Fist Garp.
Doflamingo had learned of it through the Marines' internal intelligence network.
And while gathering information about the East Blue and the Goa Empire, Diamante and the others had indeed found reports that Wang Shi had "knocked out a crowd" in Loguetown and Foosha Village.
An emperor with the "qualities of a king" who also possessed a powerful Exile Ability—
How could someone like that be ordinary?
After Diamante reported the news about Baby 5 to Doflamingo, Doflamingo was indeed a little angry.
He was annoyed that Baby 5 had practically thrown herself at Wang Shi, and he blamed Diamante and the others for failing to keep an eye on her.
He was even more displeased that Wang Shi had scooped up the Baby 5 whom Doflamingo had raised like a "daughter."
Baby 5 did have a flaw in her character. Sometimes, she even dared to attack Doflamingo. But in his eyes, she was still a "family member" with value.
He couldn't just give her away for nothing.
At the very least, he had to recoup what he'd invested in her over the years.
"Get in touch with Baby 5 and give her a mission. Have her go undercover at Wang Shi's side and secretly send his information back to the Donquixote Family."
"Also, negotiate with Wang Shi. We'll approve of his relationship with Baby 5 as long as he defeats Germa 66."
Doflamingo calmly dealt with the mess Baby 5 had made.
"Understood. If Wang Shi defeats Judge, he'll certainly be worth investing in."
"Don't worry, Dof. I'll make sure Baby 5 gets the mission, and I'll even get a generous betrothal gift out of Wang Shi."
Relieved that Doflamingo hadn't flown into a rage, Diamante immediately spoke up and promised he'd handle things.
After Diamante finished speaking with Doflamingo, he hung up the Den Den Mushi and gave Buffalo another beating.
This mess had come out of nowhere and landed him with a whole heap of trouble.
Carrying Doflamingo's instructions, Diamante promptly left the Ambassador Hotel, entered the Goa Imperial Palace, and negotiated the betrothal gift and conditions for Baby 5.
Everything depended on Wang Shi defeating Judge.
If Wang Shi couldn't beat Judge, they would end their hired work and take Baby 5 away with them.
Inside the palace.
After hearing Diamante's terms, Wang Shi smiled and agreed.
Diamante had demanded an exorbitant betrothal gift of 500 million Belly, but Wang Shi agreed without hesitation.
It was only money. He could earn it or take it by force.
In theory, how could someone as strong as Baby 5 compare to a pirate with a 500-million-belly bounty? She wasn't worth a betrothal gift of 500 million.
After all, Doflamingo's former bounty had only been 340 million Belly.
But Wang Shi thought she was worth the price. Her Weapon-Weapon Fruit alone was worth that much.
Diamante was increasingly pleased by Wang Shi's wealth and straightforwardness. He felt he'd negotiated a great deal for the Donquixote Family and preserved their valuable client, too.
He'd have to go back and make sure Doflamingo knew what a good job he'd done.
He really was great at handling things!
Diamante thought he'd come out ahead, and Wang Shi thought the same.
Everyone was happy. A win-win!
When Baby 5 heard that the Donquixote Family had approved of her "marriage" to Wang Shi, she was so moved that she burst into tears.
Young master Doflamingo wouldn't kill her fiancé after all.
She'd found a fiancé who needed her, and she'd found happiness.
Diamante had wanted to speak with Baby 5 alone and arrange her espionage mission.
But Baby 5 kept clinging to Wang Shi. She paid Diamante no mind and didn't even notice his hints.
Diamante silently cursed Baby 5 as a useless traitor, "a woman who'd found a man and forgotten her family."
He could only find another opportunity to arrange the surveillance mission.
In any case, once the Goa Empire went to war with the Germa 66 Legion, he'd be able to give Baby 5 her orders.
If Wang Shi couldn't defeat the Vinsmoke family, Diamante would have to take that stupid woman away by force.
After Diamante and the others left the Goa Imperial Palace, Wang Shi put an arm around Baby 5 and smiled faintly. Having money, power, and strength felt great.
At last, Empress Sally, that little weakling, would have someone to share her battles with.
That night, Wang Shi took Baby 5 to bed without wasting any time.
Nojiko was a little envious. She was already eighteen, so why didn't His Majesty Wang Shi take an interest in her?
Was it because her skin was dark?
Should she put together some skin-whitening meals for herself and ask Kaya to make her some whitening medicine?
After Wang Shi found a new empress, Nami buried herself in her navigational studies, trying hard not to think about him.
She swore that one day she'd be prettier and more capable than Baby 5.
Kaya also stayed up all night studying medicine, keeping herself busy, though there was a hint of gloom on her little face.
As for Empress Sally, that little weakling had long since been thoroughly satisfied by Wang Shi and needed several days to recover.