Chapter 23 / Chapter 24

"Captain, I really like this white bear. We have to make him our crewmate! Hah-leh-leh-leh..."

With so many people watching him, Bepo grew embarrassed. He lowered his head, his face turning red like a shy young girl's.

"Who are you people?"

Law surveyed the group, on high alert and ready to move at any moment.

Honey Queen's eyes lit up at the sight of Bepo's adorable reaction. "What an interesting white bear. He's so cute."

Perona flew through the air, her little face alight with excitement.

"I love him, I love him! He's so cute! I'm going to make him my pet."

Pato joined in the fun, grinning. "Now I'll have someone to play with. We can go fishing together, hehe~~"

Chris spoke up then, his voice calm.

"We're the people who can save you."

"Come with us, and you can survive this. You might even get the chance to take revenge."

"What do you say? Think it over."

Burgess shrugged and burst out laughing. "What's there to think about? Of course he'll join us."

"If he doesn't, his enemy will probably kill him when he gets here. Wehahahaha..."

Doc Q glanced at Burgess and made a suggestion. "Once he joins, we can start the Division Commander Challenge. You'll be First Division Commander."

Lafitte twirled his cane and said politely, "You enjoy watching people fight so much, yet I never see you step up."

"I think you're the best fit for First Division Commander."

Law fell silent as he listened to them.

The situation was dire. He needed a plan.

He might be able to escape on his own. But with Bepo in tow, the outcome was obvious.

He simply didn't have the stamina!

Doflamingo would catch them for sure.

That made the choice easy...

(I spent a little more time on Law because he's a major character. I hope you understand. The fight starts next chapter, and Chris will finally show what he can do (*￣︶￣).)

A Wager Against Doflamingo ### "Do you know who's hunting me?"

Law stared coldly at Chris. "Ever heard of Doflamingo? He's one of the Shichibukai."

"You think you can take him? Don't make me laugh."

Everyone froze at his words.

They hadn't expected his pursuer to be someone so formidable.

A Shichibukai! How terrifying was that?

"Isn't this exactly what Chris is after?"

Belo Betty exhaled a puff of smoke. "What a coincidence. He's found an opponent already."

Honey Queen shook her head, her fine brows drawing together.

"No, Doflamingo isn't the one. Have you forgotten? Chris plans to go after Crocodile."

"Chris would never change a plan he'd already made."

Burgess looked at Chris, threw his arms up, and laughed.

"Captain, why not change the plan and take down Doflamingo instead? Then we'll be Shichibukai! Wehahahaha..."

Lafitte planted his cane in front of him. "The captain said the strongest of the Shichibukai is the Great Swordsman Dracule Mihawk."

"As for Doflamingo, he ranks either second or third."

"He has Conqueror's Haki, after all!"

Doc Q watched the two of them with a strange smile. "Why don't we tell the captain to stay out of it and let you two fight Doflamingo first? Wouldn't that be fun?"

Chris stood with his hands in his pockets and looked at Law. "Let's make a wager."

"If I save you, you'll follow me from now on. If I can't, then forget I said anything."

Bepo's eyes lit up. He urged Law on excitedly.

"Captain, let's agree! Doflamingo is really strong."

Law said nothing. He watched Chris and the others with a cold gaze, weighing his options.

Just then, a brazen voice rang out.

"Fuffuffuffuffu..."

Doflamingo strode in with his usual swagger. "So many brats on this island. What a lively place."

"It's been a while since I killed anyone. Today's a good day to indulge."

Doflamingo looked at Law and grinned. "My dear Law, you must be thrilled to have so many people joining you in the grave. Fuffuffuffuffu..."

Honey Queen gazed at the flamboyant figure, curiosity on her pretty face.

"So that's a Shichibukai? He looks awfully domineering."

Belo Betty exhaled smoke. "Just what you'd expect from a pirate recognized by the World Government. Arrogant and contemptuous of everyone around him."

Perona tilted her little head, clearly intrigued.

"He walks in such a funny way! I've never seen anyone move like that before. He's so full of himself!"

Burgess shrugged. "So that's a Shichibukai. Even the way he walks says he's the boss."

Lafitte twirled his cane and smiled faintly. "He's strong. No wonder he's among the very best of the Shichibukai."

Law nodded then. "Fine. I'll take your wager."

"If you really have that kind of strength, I'll join you."

"Mm-hmm~~"

Bepo beamed when he heard his captain agree.

Chris glanced at Law and spoke calmly.

"One thing before we start."

"If you try to sneak away while I'm fighting Doflamingo..."

"And I catch you, I'll kill you!"

With that, he walked forward and stopped in front of Doflamingo.

Law frowned. Doubt immediately crept into his mind.

He had planned to use Chris as a distraction and slip away while the two fought.

But Chris had seen right through him. That complicated things.

"I suggest you don't run."

Baccarat smoothed her hair and smiled. "Chris always means what he says. If you run, you really will be in trouble."

"Even if we plead for you, Chris won't listen."

Honey Queen nodded in agreement.

"Baccarat's right. You'd better not even think about it. It's too dangerous."

Belo Betty took a drag on her cigarette. "The moment we landed on this island, you were destined to become one of us."

Doc Q looked at Burgess and Lafitte with a mysterious smile.

"Aren't you going to help? This is a rare opportunity."

"Normally, you couldn't find a Shichibukai to fight even if you wanted to."

Burgess shot him a glare. "Cut the nonsense."

"He's no ordinary Shichibukai. Are you trying to get us killed, you bastard?"

Lafitte adjusted his top hat and replied politely.

"I would like to test Doflamingo's strength, but I value my life. Best not to do anything reckless."

A breeze swept through the area, rustling the leaves and gently stirring the flowers and grass.

Doflamingo kept his hands in his pockets and grinned. "What's your name, brat?"

"You've caught my interest. Join my family, and you might even become an officer."

"The Donquixote Family is the biggest family in the world. Joining us would be the highest honor."

Doflamingo laughed and went on. "Well? You're dying to join, aren't you? Fuffuffuffuffu..."

(As for Doflamingo's ranking among the Shichibukai, I'd put him second. He should be a little stronger than Tyrant Kuma, since he has Conqueror's Haki. What do you think? (*￣︶￣))

The Seven Warlords Alliance ### "You've got the wrong idea, Doflamingo."

Chris folded his arms, his face calm. "We will become partners someday, though. That much is true."

"Oh..."

Curiosity crossed Doflamingo's face, and he grinned.

"You want to work with me, brat? Let's hear it."

"I do love a good partnership. Fuffuffuffuffu~~"

Chris spoke without a trace of expression. "Before long, I'll become a Shichibukai. Then we'll form an organization."

"The Seven Warlords Alliance!"

Doflamingo covered his face and burst out laughing, almost maniacally.

"Fuffuffuffuffu..."

"That was hilarious, brat. You actually made me laugh."

Then Doflamingo's gaze turned cold, veins bulging on his face. "You think a brat like you can become a Shichibukai? What a joke."

"A partnership? What makes you think you're worthy of working with me?"

Burgess bristled at Doflamingo's arrogance and shouted.

"Captain, this bastard's too full of himself! Let's fight!"

"He thinks you're all talk? Then beat some respect into him."

Lafitte twirled his cane and smiled faintly. "He is a powerful Shichibukai, after all. If you want to discuss a partnership, you'll have to show him what you can do."

Perona flew back and forth, her little face scrunched up in displeasure.

"What's-his-name is really annoying."

Honey Queen smiled. "His name is Doflamingo."

Baccarat looked around at everyone and offered a gentle smile. "There's no avoiding this fight now. We should move back so we don't get caught in it."

"They're both monsters. Standing too close would be dangerous."

With that, Belo Betty turned and walked away from the battlefield.

Bepo looked at Law anxiously. "Captain, what do we do?"

"Fall back."