His native accent slipped out unawares.
A booming laugh drowned out the scattered conversations in the hall.
A tall man in a black formal suit approached slowly, a slender woman on his arm. The Germa guards on either side dropped to one knee in unison, their bowed heads announcing the newcomer's identity.
Vinsmoke Judge.
The wineglass stilled between his fingers.
Doflamingo narrowed his eyes. What approached him was not a man, but a moving fortress of steel, bearing down with an oppressive presence.
Rossi was not surprised.
Someone who would briefly clash with an Emperor of the Sea in the future was naturally beyond what the current Donquixote Family could match.
Of course, there was no need to become enemies.
"Eeyah... what an intimidating presence..."
Trebol lowered his voice, tension threading through his sticky drawl. "Everyone, rein yourselves in. Don't cause trouble..."
Rossi sighed silently.
There were no fools in the family who specialized in provoking others, but some people simply talked too much.
"...Thank you all for traveling this far to witness my engagement ceremony."
Judge stood on the dais, his golden hair loose, his words and bearing suffused with the practiced majesty unique to royalty.
His gaze swept the hall like a beast surveying its territory.
"The Vinsmokes founded their kingdom through military might, and all of you here are powerful figures who command strength.
Fine wine, song, and dance are not our forte, so why not-"
He released the woman beside him and clapped his hands lightly.
Rumble-
Successive tremors surged up from beneath their feet. The floor rose and fell like a living thing, and the people in the hall swayed slightly, as though standing atop heaving waves.
But who among those admitted to this hall lacked ability? Even the youngsters accompanying their elders to broaden