After Orochimaru successfully subdued the Tontatta Tribe, he looked at the underground factory that appeared out of thin air and nodded in satisfaction. After confirming that no traces were left, he gently closed his eyes.
An invisible Observation Haki spread out like ripples, accurately "touching" the status of Usopp and others.
Orochimaru mused to himself, "It's about time."
Lao G's battle was over, and the elevator was now usable.
Orochimaru walked with steady steps towards the elevator.
The moment he stepped into the elevator, the metal door slowly closed. With a slight mechanical whir, the elevator ascended smoothly. Reaching the second floor above ground, the door opened with a "ding," and light poured in.
Orochimaru arrived at the designated location, where the palace items packed by Baby5 were neatly arranged.
He bent down to inspect them, and after confirming everything was correct, he patted the packages, stored them in his system backpack, and stood up, ready to find a place to watch the show.
Usopp's moment of glory was about to arrive, and he was very much looking forward to the birth of "God Usopp."
However, out of caution, he decided to patrol one more time to see if there were any stragglers.
And his dirty bed... Orochimaru decided to destroy the evidence.
But just as he passed the hall, Doflamingo's words, "If Violet were still here... what a pity," clearly reached his ears.
Orochimaru's steps paused slightly, and a meaningful curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He turned around blankly... and "gently" pushed the door. "Boom!" The door was violently flung open, nearly flying off its hinges, and it rattled loudly with a "creak."
Orochimaru frowned, his face gloomy.
"How many years has this broken palace not been repaired? Even a door is in such a dead state. Are these people just freeloaders?!"
Orochimaru was inexplicably very displeased, his gaze sweeping like a torch across the room.
The moment he saw everyone, a mocking curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Well, well, besides Luffy, all the important people are gathered here.
Sabo on the ceiling, Law tied up, Sanji outside the window, Violet and Kyros.
Doflamingo, this guy is truly blind, he deserves to be beaten!"
This thought flashed through his mind, but the disdain on his face became even more apparent.
"What, Doffy, what are you regretting... Are you reluctant to part with your former lover?"
Meanwhile, Sanji, who was outside the window and still immersed in Violet's beauty, heard these words and felt as if struck by lightning, his face instantly turning pale.
He widened his eyes, looking incredulous.
As if his entire world had collapsed at that moment, he muttered silently, "No... this isn't real..."
Doflamingo stretched languidly, his joints making soft "crackling" sounds.
A faint smile played on his lips, and with a hint of playful provocation in his eyes, he walked directly towards Orochimaru.
Before Orochimaru could react, Doflamingo had already moved close, wrapping one arm around Orochimaru's waist and the other through his bent legs, steadily lifting him up. He then settled back into his chair, with Orochimaru sitting on his lap.
He lowered his head slightly, his warm breath fanning Orochimaru's ear, his tone carrying an indescribable tenderness.
"I was merely lamenting the loss of a capable intelligence officer. You know Violet's abilities all too well; she saves a lot of trouble during interrogations.
But Law, this guy is very stubborn and just won't talk."
As he spoke, his fingers deliberately traced Orochimaru's waist.
Doflamingo looked at the bound Law with a hint of amusement, then slowly shifted his gaze back to Orochimaru's face, leaning in intimately, their noses almost touching.
"How about you help me out?
He messed up our 'love nest' looking for something.
I just want to punish him a little, that's not too much, is it?
Or are you... feeling sorry for him?"
King Riku's eyes widened, his face filled with shock, staring fixedly at the suddenly changed Doflamingo as if he had seen a ghost.
Sanji, on the other hand, was relatively calm, having witnessed similar scenes before.
But Baby5 and the other Executives couldn't bear to watch, turning their heads away and silently complaining, "Can the Young Master please stop 'displaying' himself every time he sees Lord Orochimaru? He's old enough, it's really an eyesore!"
Meanwhile, Sabo, hidden on the ceiling, was trembling with rage, his silver teeth grinding audibly, his eyes seemingly spitting fire.
If it weren't for Luffy's request and Violet's instruction to wait for the right moment, Sabo would have likely charged out.
"This is his family's! His family's!!!" he roared inwardly, an invisible killing intent spreading like a tide, as if it would tear apart the ambiguous atmosphere in the next second.
Doflamingo keenly caught the needle-like killing intent, raising an eyebrow with interest.
A playful smile curved his lips. This killing intent was quite sour. Had he encountered a competitor?
Thinking this, Doflamingo threaded his hands under Orochimaru's armpits, his fingers interlaced and clasped tightly, holding him firmly in his embrace.
His chest pressed tightly against Orochimaru's back, and he buried his head in his neck, his nose lightly brushing the delicate skin, inhaling deeply as if greedily drawing in the other's scent.
He lightly licked Orochimaru's earlobe, his voice a low, husky tone that sent shivers down the spine, as if seeking a response.
"How do you think I should punish Law?
He is my subordinate, after all. He left without permission, without severing ties with the Donquixote Family.
Not only did he form his own Pirate Crew, but he also injured an elder and is now allied with your idiotic brother to overthrow me.
This is considered betraying the Family..."
With that, he looked up in the direction from which the killing intent came, his gaze provocative and triumphant, deliberately hugging Orochimaru even tighter, his hips even rubbing slightly, as if declaring his ownership to the hidden opponent.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, a complex expression of ruthlessness and playfulness intertwined in his gaze, seemingly waiting for the other party to react.
However, Sabo still hadn't reacted.
It was Orochimaru, upon noticing Doflamingo's series of actions, whose expression almost slipped.
He was internally exasperated: "No, is this flamingo crazy? Why is he in heat out of nowhere?
Doesn't he know Sabo is watching?!"
A flicker of anger flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. His figure vanished from Doflamingo's embrace like a ghost, reappearing at the doorway in the blink of an eye.
He took a deep breath, trying his best to maintain a calm expression. It was truly difficult to lash out at Doflamingo, as the guy was always like this, and he had more or less tacitly allowed it.
He cleared his throat and said, feigning composure,
"I told you, I'm not involved in your affairs. Do as you please. I just happened to pass by."
No sooner had he spoken than Orochimaru abruptly turned his head, his gaze like two fiercely burning flames, shooting towards Baby5, who was casually smoking a cigarette.
In an instant, his aura changed dramatically, and strict mode was immediately activated.
"Baby5! Didn't I explicitly tell you to quit smoking?!!!"
This roar exploded in the room, making everyone's eardrums ache.
It startled Sabo and the others; it was the first time they had heard Orochimaru speak so loudly... excluding screams.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"