The meeting had not yet ended when Sengoku heard someone coming to see him.
He looked outside and saw a blond young man in a Marine uniform, his face flushed with embarrassment. Sengoku understood immediately.
Rosinante was his adopted son, currently serving as a Marine Lieutenant Colonel. He was also the central figure of their current discussion – the younger brother of the Demon Heaven Yaksha.
Rosinante must have come to see him about his older brother Donquixote Doflamingo's situation.
Though this boy was Donquixote Doflamingo's brother, his personality was nothing like his brother's.
Kong noticed this and gave Sengoku a look, signaling him to go handle it himself.
Sengoku stood up immediately and walked outside.
"Follow me." Rather than discussing the matter directly, Sengoku led Rosinante to the shore. The two stood there looking at the sea breeze in prolonged silence.
"Sengoku, sir…"
"You came here because of Donquixote Doflamingo, didn't you?"
After a long while, just as Rosinante was about to lose his composure and speak, Sengoku cut him off, stopping the words before they could leave his mouth.
Rosinante nodded, but for a moment he didn't know how to begin.
"You're a good child."
"Sengoku, sir, my brother… is he all right? This matter – it shouldn't have been his own choice, right?"
Rosinante worried that Donquixote Doflamingo had been coerced by Big Mom into agreeing to this marriage. He feared his brother might be harmed. Though they hadn't seen each other in years, that man was still his brother.
"Donquixote Doflamingo's situation is indeed somewhat dangerous right now. Setting aside the World Government for the moment, the Celestial Dragons absolutely want him dead. What will ultimately happen, I don't know."
"I see…"
When Rosinante heard Sengoku say this, he understood that the other party couldn't help Donquixote Doflamingo. He had already known this was impossible, really.
Though they were brothers, their positions had long since diverged.
Now he was a Marine, while his brother was a pirate. Not just any pirate, but one who commanded immense power.
What's more, if Donquixote Doflamingo truly allied with Big Mom, the situation would become even more troublesome.
Thinking this, Rosinante didn't want to make things difficult for Sengoku. He swallowed everything he had originally wanted to say.
Watching him leave, Sengoku couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Honestly, he treated Rosinante exactly like his own son. Having no children of his own, he had taken in this adopted son and naturally cared for him deeply.
But when Donquixote Doflamingo was involved, it was hard for him to offer Rosinante any help.
Because that man was simply far too despicable.
Watching Rosinante depart, Sengoku silently returned to the conference room.
On the other side, Donquixote Doflamingo had connected to the Den Den Mushi call with Buggy and the others.
"Buru-buru-buru… Buggy!"
Buggy watched the Den Den Mushi turn into a squinty-eyed face and immediately picked up the phone with arrogant pride.
"Well, well, if it isn't Donquixote Doflamingo! Haven't seen you in days and you're already getting married? Alright, let's skip the pleasantries. When the big day comes, I'll be sure to send you a grand gift!"
"Shut up!"
On the other end, Donquixote Doflamingo – already in a foul mood – nearly attacked the Den Den Mushi upon hearing Buggy's voice!
That red-nosed Den Den Mushi was simply infuriating to look at.
"It seems our Demon Heaven Yaksha classmate isn't very happy with his bride! Woo woo woo –" Buggy had no fear of his threats and was about to deliver even more cutting remarks when Enel covered his mouth and dragged him away.
"That's enough, Buggy!" Enel knew the person on the other end was an ally, and jokes couldn't go too far. He took Buggy's place and connected the call. "What's going on, Donquixote Doflamingo? You wouldn't be calling unless the specific plan was already arranged, would you?"
Donquixote Doflamingo watched the Den Den Mushi's appearance change to Enel's face and thought this was much more pleasant to look at than that red-nosed fool.
After suppressing his anger, he finally spoke slowly. "Fufufu… If we want to make our move during the Tea Party, we first need to deal with a troublesome character."
"The one who's over-trained his Observation Haki."
"Katakuri?" Shanks leaned in at that moment. "True, that guy can see several seconds into the future. If he also participates in the Tea Party, our ambush won't be nearly as effective."
Katakuri had been defeated by their combined forces before.
But at the time, his injuries hadn't been severe. The main reason he'd retreated was actually that he'd been transporting sweets – something the Big Mom Pirates considered absolutely non-negotiable.
Now, several months had passed, and Katakuri's minor injuries had long since healed.
"There's currently an opportunity. Because the Tea Party's scale was suddenly expanded, that guy is still out transporting sweet ingredients around the world."
"This time you must inflict serious injuries on him so he cannot attend the Tea Party. Only then will our plan have completed its first step."
"That's easy. He's nothing but a defeated opponent! I can handle him alone!" Enel immediately took on this task.
He wasn't boasting – his combat strength was genuinely no longer inferior to Katakuri's. Moreover… his Observation Haki was nothing to scoff at either.
"Don't underestimate him. It's best if several people act together. Don't end up defeating him but losing your own combat effectiveness in the process."
Donquixote Doflamingo absolutely did not advocate for one-on-one duels. In his view, if you could hunt as a pack of wolves, why would you risk your life in a single combat?
"After dealing with Katakuri, the next challenge will be the guards on Whole Cake Island. During entry, everyone will need identity verification and body searches."
"I recall you have swordsmen among you? Weapons will absolutely not be permitted inside the venue."
Hearing Donquixote Doflamingo say this, Shanks and Dracule Mihawk both couldn't help but frown.
Both of them excelled in swordsmanship. If they couldn't use their swords, their combat strength wouldn't just be diminished – it would be severely restricted.
"Don't worry. We'll have them wait outside as backup. Once things start inside, they can enter then," said Vander Decken IX.
Donquixote Doflamingo nodded, accepting this proposal.
"Normally, participants at the Tea Party would need identity verification, and mismatched invitations would cause considerable trouble. But this time the situation is special. My people shouldn't be specifically targeted – as long as they surrender their weapons, they can blend in."
"In that case, Enel will handle Katakuri. Shanks and Dracule Mihawk will wait outside as backup. The rest will follow you into the venue."
"That red-nosed idiot has to wait outside too. He's far too conspicuous!"
[
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