Next year would be the year Kaido and Kozuki Oden fought their decisive battle.
That earth-shattering clash would completely transform the balance of power in Wano Country.
By entering Wano Country early, he would have ample time to lay his plans, fish in troubled waters during that great battle, and seize everything he wanted.
Saint Dio drained the wine in his glass, a meaningful smile curling his lips.
"Wano Country... now that's a treasure trove."
However, Saint Dio could not simply head to Wano Country openly.
Every trip a Celestial Dragon took had to be reported to the World Government and put on record. The route, purpose, expected duration-every detail had to be documented in case anything unexpected happened.
If he stated outright that he wanted to visit Wano Country, his report would probably be rejected the moment it reached the Five Elders' desks.
Even the World Government struggled to interfere in that mysterious, isolationist nation. How could they possibly approve a Celestial Dragon's visit to such a place?
So Saint Dio had to go in secret.
His plan was to return to Mary Geoise first, then head to the Sabaody Archipelago.
There, he would find a pirate crew about to set sail for the New World, kill their captain, and force them to change course and take him to Wano Country.
Although a merchant ship would serve the same purpose, Saint Dio had another destination in mind-Fish-Man Island.
He had never visited that kingdom beneath the deep sea. This was a perfect opportunity to take a trip there and see whether he could get his hands on the Mark-Mark Fruit.
However, something unexpected happened on the voyage back to Mary Geoise.
"Lord Saint Dio! A Marine warship has been spotted chasing a pirate ship up ahead!" the lookout called down from the mast.
The boatswain hurried over to Saint Dio and asked, "My lord, should we steer clear? We wouldn't want to get caught up in unnecessary trouble..."
As a rule, when Celestial Dragons' ships encountered situations like this, they usually took a detour.
After all, the less trouble, the better.
But after hearing the boatswain describe the pirate ship's appearance, Saint Dio changed his mind.
"You said that pirate ship... looks like a flamingo?"
"Yes, my lord. A pink hull, with a flamingo's head at the bow. Very distinctive."
The corners of Saint Dio's mouth lifted slightly.
A pink flamingo-that feature was far too distinctive.
At this point in time, only one person owned a ship like that.
Donquixote Doflamingo.
"Head over," Saint Dio instructed calmly.
The boatswain froze, thinking he had misheard. "My lord, you mean..."
"I said, head over," Saint Dio repeated.
The boatswain dared not ask anything else. He hastily bowed in acknowledgment, then turned and ran to relay the order.
The treasure ship slowly changed course, heading toward the flamingo-shaped pirate ship and the Marine warship pursuing it.
Saint Dio stood at the bow, the sea breeze stirring his white hair and white coat as he watched the pink ship being pursued in the distance.
Doflamingo-Joker of the Underworld, one of the Shichibukai, and king of Dressrosa.
Those were all his future titles, though. At present, his Underworld business was still in its infancy, and the Marines' Vice Admiral Tsuru was hot on his heels.
Like Saint Dio, he had been born a Celestial Dragon.
Although Doflamingo had lost his status as a Celestial Dragon, the intelligence network and underground resources he would control in the future would be of considerable use to Saint Dio.
Chapter 40: Do me a favor
Saint Dio's treasure ship slipped directly into the course between the Marine warship and the pirate ship, positioning itself firmly between them.
On the warship's bridge, Vice Admiral Tsuru braced both hands against the railing, her brow tightly furrowed.
A sharp gleam flashed through her weathered eyes as she stared fixedly at the Celestial Dragon's vessel that had suddenly cut in.
After so many years in her position, what storms had she not weathered? A Celestial Dragon's ship interfering at a time like this could not possibly be a coincidence.
"Pass the order down. Get a Den Den Mushi ready and be prepared to report to Fleet Admiral Kong at any moment," she quietly instructed the adjutant beside her.
The adjutant left to carry out the order. Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Tsuru kept her gaze fixed on the treasure ship.
A figure in white leaped from the ship and landed steadily on the warship's deck.
"On guard!"
The female Marines on deck instantly raised their steam rifles, their dark muzzles all trained on the white figure.
Vice Admiral Tsuru raised a hand to stop them, however, having already made out the newcomer's attire.
A white suit, a white cloak, and a white mask covering the entire face.
Cipher Pol Aigis Zero.
A member of the World Government's highest intelligence agency.
Stussy landed on the deck without showing the slightest alarm at the guns pointed at her.
She calmly straightened the hem of her cloak, then bowed slightly to Vice Admiral Tsuru on the bridge, courteous and poised.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, I've heard much about you." Stussy's voice came through her mask. "I've come to deliver a message on a Celestial Dragon's orders. My lord hopes you will show mercy and let the pirate ship ahead go."
Her words immediately made the atmosphere on the bridge turn delicate.
Meanwhile, aboard the pirate ship that had been fleeing at full speed, the members of the Donquixote Family also noticed the development.
Trebol blew his nose and excitedly clapped Doflamingo on the shoulder. "Doffy! This is our chance! Let's slip away while they're tied up!"
Doflamingo, however, did not move.
He stood at the bow, his eyes behind his sunglasses fixed on the Celestial Dragon's treasure ship that had cut in, his expression so dark it seemed water might drip from it.
He did not answer Trebol, merely standing there in silence as though waiting for something.
On the warship, Vice Admiral Tsuru fell silent for a moment after hearing why Stussy had come. Then she slowly spoke, her tone suggesting she had just heard some absurd joke. "You mean... you want me to let that pirate go?"
Her gaze was as sharp as a blade as she stared straight at Stussy's mask. "Are you sure your lord knows what he's doing?"
Stussy remained unmoved. "I'm merely delivering a message on orders. As for the reasons behind it, those fall outside my duties."
Vice Admiral Tsuru stared at her for a long while before slowly nodding. "In that case, I'll report this to Fleet Admiral Kong exactly as it happened. He can decide."
"Please do." Stussy stepped aside and made an inviting gesture.
Without another word, Vice Admiral Tsuru took the Den Den Mushi her adjutant handed her and dialed the Marine Headquarters Communications Channel.
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Fleet Admiral Kong sat behind his desk, its surface piled high with reports from the various branches.
An island plundered by pirates, merchant ships repeatedly disappearing along a shipping route, a newly emerged pirate crew rapidly expanding its power... every report spoke of the same fact: the Great Pirate Era was growing ever more intense, and the Marines' forces were already stretched thin.
Fleet Admiral Kong rubbed his temples, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long sigh.
Sometimes, he really wanted to simply retire and leave this mess for the younger generation to worry about.
Just as that thought crossed his mind for the umpteenth time, the Den Den Mushi on his desk rang.
"Buru buru buru-"
Fleet Admiral Kong answered the Den Den Mushi, and Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice came through the receiver. "Fleet Admiral Kong, there's something I need to report to you."
After hearing Vice Admiral Tsuru's account, Fleet Admiral Kong's face filled with bewilderment.
A Celestial Dragon had stepped forward of his own accord to protect a pirate? This was a first for him.
Celestial Dragons had always regarded those in the world below as ants. Protecting a pirate was out of the question; even if one were killed right in front of them, they might not spare a second glance.
There had to be something strange behind this.
But even as Fleet Admiral, he had no authority to make decisions on his own in matters involving Celestial Dragons.
Fleet Admiral Kong considered it for a moment, then told Vice Admiral Tsuru, "Wait a moment. I'll consult the Five Elders."
He ended the call with Vice Admiral Tsuru and dialed another encrypted line.
In the Room of Authority, the Five Elders sat in their respective seats, listening to their subordinates report on recent developments around the world.
Just then, the Den Den Mushi placed in the center rang.
After hearing Fleet Admiral Kong's report, the five old men could not help exchanging glances.
A Celestial Dragon protecting a pirate? That was certainly something new.
Just as they were about to ask for the Celestial Dragon's name, another Den Den Mushi rang.
The Five Elders looked down at its white shell with a golden marking and immediately knew who was calling.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter reached out and answered it. Saint Dio's languid voice came through the receiver. "Hey, old gentlemen. Long time no see. Have you eaten?"
"Saint Dio, it's rare for you to contact us of your own accord." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter's tone remained even. "We hear you want to protect a pirate?"
"That's right. Do me a favor." Saint Dio's voice was still lazy. "His surname is Donquixote."
At the mention of that surname, the Five Elders' expressions shifted subtly.
Donquixote, the family that had voluntarily renounced its Celestial Dragon status over a decade ago.
Everyone among the Celestial Dragons knew about that affair.
The Five Elders exchanged a glance and asked no further questions.
"Very well," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter answered briefly before hanging up.
He then picked up the other Den Den Mushi and instructed Fleet Admiral Kong on the other end, "Do as that Celestial Dragon wishes."
Although Fleet Admiral Kong was full of questions, he asked no more now that the Five Elders had personally spoken.
Since the Five Elders had approved it, perhaps that Celestial Dragon was actually a secret operative of the World Government?
With that thought, he notified Vice Admiral Tsuru to let them through.
In the Room of Authority, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter set down the Den Den Mushi and tapped his fingers lightly against his armrest, sinking into thought. "This Saint Dio... what is he planning now?"
Saint Topman Warcury shook his head and spoke slowly. "Who knows? We old men have never been able to see through that young man's thoughts."
In the Room of Authority, the five old men fell silent for a moment.
They did not know how Saint Dio had become involved with someone from the Donquixote Family, nor did they intend to investigate.
After all, that white-haired youth had always acted unpredictably, and he had his own considerations behind everything he did.
More importantly, Lord Imu had specifically singled him out for attention.
Although Lord Imu had never mentioned him again after that occasion, as though he had been forgotten, the Five Elders knew well that they could not fathom that lord's thoughts.
If Lord Imu suddenly remembered him one day, and they had done something they should not have in the meantime, the consequences would be more than they could bear.
Thus, the Five Elders had always taken a permissive attitude toward Saint Dio.
As long as he did not do anything too outrageous, they turned a blind eye and even made things easier for him in certain respects.
And that permissiveness was not solely because of Lord Imu.
There was another reason-or rather, another person-who made the Five Elders particularly "tolerant" toward Saint Dio.
That person was Stussy.
When they first sent Stussy to Saint Dio's side, they had merely intended to plant a pawn. None of them had expected that pawn to shine so brilliantly under Saint Dio's tutelage.
The Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Vampire-Stussy had developed this fruit's powers to their full potential, especially its intelligence-gathering abilities, which were unrivaled within Cipher Pol Aigis Zero.
Through Blood Servant Control and Bat Clones, Stussy could infiltrate any organization or region in an extremely short time, spreading an intelligence network that left no gap uncovered.
Naturally, the Five Elders had noticed such abilities, and they could not help coveting them.
But they also understood that Saint Dio had personally cultivated Stussy.
Neither the development of her fruit nor the improvement of her fighting skills could have happened without the resources and guidance Saint Dio provided.
Now that Stussy had fully ripened into a mature fruit, forcibly recalling her would be no different from plucking the fruits of Saint Dio's labor straight from his hands.
Such behavior would not only be contemptible, but might also directly enrage that youth.
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