Sea Kings

"Is this your partner, Shark Chili?" Looking at the snake-like creature slithering behind him, Trebol let his disgusting snot drip as he eagerly tried to step forward.

"Hey! Hey!! You're too close, Trebol!" Gray scrambled backward, terrified that Trebol's snot might smear onto him.

Unfortunately, Trebol didn't care about his feelings: "Neh, neh! Don't be so distant, kid!"

Gray looked at him with utter disgust: "I won't be held responsible if Shark Chili bites you!"

"Are you looking down on me, kid?" Trebol's snot grew a bit larger: "Regardless, at its current size, it doesn't even count as a sea beast."

"If I couldn't even handle this, I wouldn't be much of an executive, would I?"

"Besides, I'm in charge of logistics! How well or how much it gets fed in the future is entirely up to me!"

Hearing this, Gray was speechless.

It was true.

Although Doflamingo had decided to invest heavily in raising Shark Chili, missing a few meals here and there wouldn't do any real harm.

But soon, Gray realized something: "Even so, if Shark Chili slacks off during a battle at sea, then... guess what the result will be?"

"Young Master values Shark Chili precisely for its combat prowess in the ocean."

"Not only for destroying enemy ships during battle, but when we need to retreat—with Shark Chili's help, who could possibly outrun it?"

Trebol: ...

After a few moments of silence, Trebol decided to change the subject: "Neh, neh! Since you've already called it back, let me handle the arrangements!"

As he spoke, he used his cane—which served more as a decoration than a tool—to point at the abandoned courtyard nearby: "That will be its home from now on, and food will be delivered there."

"Of course, you need to keep it in check. Don't let it eat the underlings who bring the food; it'll be a hassle to find replacements!"

Gray nodded: "Understood!"

"I'll move into the place next door. It'll be convenient to look after Shark Chili."

"Suit yourself!" Trebol didn't care about that at all and waved his hand: "Wait here! I'm going to arrange for someone to bring food over."

"Oh, right, Baby-5!"

Baby-5, who was standing nearby, blinked and immediately snapped to attention: "Hai! Is there something you need me to do, Trebol-sama?"

"Not today, but remember to train with Buffalo tomorrow!"

"Hai!"

After Trebol left, Gray took Shark Chili and Baby-5 to the abandoned courtyard next door.

The layout of this courtyard was no different from the rest of the Donquixote Family's base; they were all two-story buildings.

Before anyone had moved out, this area had been considered a wealthy district, and the design and size of the houses still hinted at their former luxury.

Unfortunately, most things had been cleared out, leaving only ordinary furniture behind.

However, that was enough; it wouldn't take much to tidy it up for living.

"Baby-5, let's go upstairs and clear out a room together!"

"Eh! No problem, Gray-sama!" Whenever she was given a task, Baby-5 never refused.

They went up to the second floor and moved furniture from other areas into the master bedroom. Gray cleaned while Baby-5 wiped the dust off the furniture.

After working for a while, Gray had mopped the hallways and the room. Returning to the master bedroom, he saw Baby-5 diligently wiping every corner.

A sense of her virtuous and gentle nature filled Gray's heart. Thinking back to the scene where she had been abandoned by her own mother, Gray, who had already been fond of Baby-5 in his previous life, felt even more protective of her: "Baby-5!"

"Hmm?" Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Baby-5 looked at Gray in confusion: "What is it, Gray-sama?"

Gray looked at her earnestly and solemnly: "From now on, you are my most important family."

"The kind of family that will never betray or abandon you for as long as we live!"

"I also need you to treat me as the most important person in your life—more important than the Young Master and the others!"

"Ah! Am I needed?" Gray's words made Baby-5's cheeks flush red. She cupped her face with both hands, looking completely intoxicated.

"Hai! Gray-sama, I'll remember that!"

Even though Baby-5's actions and demeanor remained the same as before, Gray knew she had taken it to heart.

Given her history and personality, that was just how she was!

As for the rest, he would let time be the judge.

Gray stood on the balcony and looked down: "Shark Chili!"

"Chumi!" Shark Chili, who had been coiled up in the courtyard, heard the voice and curiously raised its head.

"Remember, from now on, she is our partner too, just like you and me, understand?" Gray pointed at Baby-5.

"Chumi~"

"I'll take that as a yes. Go back to sleep if there's nothing else!"

"I'll call you when the food arrives later."

Shark Chili: "Chu-mi!"

Shark Chili retracted his body, coiling up quietly.

Over here, the two who had finished cleaning up began to move the blankets and other items over.

From the moment he woke up at noon until now, a whole day had passed, and the sun left its final glow upon the surface of the sea.

"Let's go, Baby-5! Time to go eat dinner!" As he spoke, Gray pulled her up and led the way toward the cafeteria next door.

"Okay, Gray-sama!"

After only a few steps, the two arrived at the cafeteria, and the first thing they saw was Jora busy at work.

"Auntie Jora!" ×2

"Oh~ it's you two little brats!" Turning around to glance at Gray, whose head was wrapped in bandages, Jora asked casually: "It's good that you're awake, eat plenty~ your injuries will heal faster that way!"

"Got it!" Making an OK gesture, Gray sat down with Baby-5 at the far end of the long table, directly across from Buffalo.

At the head of the long table sat Doflamingo, with Trebol to his lower left and Pica to his right.

Behind them, in order, were Corazon, Diamante, and Gladius.

As for the remaining executives, they were not present.

Senor and Machvise had gone out after the meeting in the afternoon to assist Lao G in handling business.

As the largest underworld organization in the North Blue, one could easily imagine what kind of "business" the Donquixote Family conducted.

"Alright, now that everyone is here, let's eat!" The young Doflamingo had no intention of discussing matters while eating.

"I'm digging in!"

Gray, Buffalo, and Baby-5, having no concept of restraint, grabbed the meat with their hands and stuffed it into their mouths.

"So delicious!" Gray was certain that no food from his past life could compare to the meat of a Sea King.

Moreover, Sea King meat was the best supplement and body-strengthening food in this world of powerhouses.

Without supplements like Sea King meat, those powerhouses wouldn't even be able to replenish the energy their bodies consumed on a daily basis.

Sea King meat was not only a specialty of this world, but also the foundation for the existence of powerhouses capable of destroying the world.

"Whew~ I'm stuffed!" Only when his stomach could hold no more did Gray lean back against his chair with a look of satisfaction.

"Hehe! I ate more than you." Buffalo, sitting opposite him, said to Gray with a smug look.

Gray: "Uh."

"Fine, fine, you win!" Gray couldn't be bothered with the little brat.

Although he envied the other boy's ability to eat so much, he didn't show it on his face.

In this world, being able to eat was a talent. Only those who could eat a lot had the potential to grow into powerhouses.