A few days later—
A ship from Dressrosa arrived at Gran Tesoro.
Under the escort of several Donquixote Family members, Sugar and Monet stepped into the golden city.
Both wore puzzled expressions.
They had been staying perfectly fine in Dressrosa—
Then suddenly got summoned here without any explanation.
Of course they were confused.
"Why were we suddenly called here? Does Young Master have a new mission?" Monet asked Buffalo, who was leading the way.
Buffalo's expression looked awkward as he stammered, "Uh… Young Master will explain it to you personally."
Soon—
They arrived at a luxurious golden hall and met Doflamingo.
Well… most of the place had already been turned into ruins.
But even casually, everything was still made of gold.
"Young Master!" Sugar called out.
Doflamingo wore his usual grin—
But if one looked closely, it was slightly stiff.
"Fufufufu… Sugar, Monet. You've arrived."
"Young Master, why did you call us here? Is there an important mission?" Monet sensed something was off.
Even more confused than before.
"Young Master… are you abandoning us?"
"This is an order."
Doflamingo's tone hardened briefly, then softened again.
"For a period of time, you'll need to stay by the side of 'Fallen One' Leno."
"Nani?!" Sugar cried out, her face full of shock.
"Why? Are we leaving the family?"
Monet frowned deeply, her eyes filled with confusion.
Doflamingo took a breath, forcing calm into his voice.
"It's only temporary. A necessary measure."
"It won't be long before you return to the family."
He sneered inwardly.
Just temporary custody!
Once Kaido arrives, Leno won't even be able to protect himself—
And they'll naturally return!
To reassure them—and stabilize the rest of the family—
He gave a brief explanation.
Even so—
Sugar and Monet still felt humiliated.
They had been reduced to bargaining chips.
Even if it was "for the family."
…
Not long after—
Doflamingo brought them to meet Leno and his crew.
"Fufufufu… Captain Leno, as agreed, I've brought them."
He pointed at the two girls.
"Sugar—the Hobby-Hobby Fruit user. As compensation."
"And that's Monet—the Snow-Snow Fruit user. Both are highly capable subordinates of mine."
Leno casually glanced at them and nodded.
A bonus.
Not a huge one—but still something.
At least Monet still had normal legs.
"You can leave now."
Doflamingo's mouth twitched slightly.
Used and discarded, huh?
"I'll take my leave, then."
He gave Sugar and Monet one last deep look—
Then turned and left without hesitation.
His pace quickened immediately.
He went straight to arrange a ship, eager to leave this place of trouble.
After all—
He had already called Kaido.
As for Tesoro?
Sorry, my friend. Can't save you—guess you'll just have to die.
At this point—
It wasn't about Tesoro anymore.
It was about his grudge with Leno.
Even Leno found his decisiveness a bit amusing.
But it didn't matter.
Now—
Only Leno's group, along with the newly arrived Sugar and Monet, remained in the hall.
Sugar glared at Leno angrily.
Monet remained cold and vigilant.
Leno looked at them calmly.
"I know you're not convinced."
He raised his hand, palm facing them.
"Since you're here, you follow my rules. Whether you like it or not."
Before he even finished—
Both girls suddenly felt their hearts tighten.
As if something had entered them!
"Ugh—!"
They cried out in pain, faces turning pale.
"W-What did you do to us?!" Monet clutched her chest in shock.
"A little insurance," Leno said indifferently.
"I've left a trace of my Chop-Chop power inside your hearts. It controls your life and death."
"What kind of joke is that?!" Sugar screamed, lunging toward him.
If she could just reach him—
Touch him—
She'd win!
But that distance—
Might as well have been infinite.
Before she could even get close—
The pain in her heart intensified!
Leno's eyes turned cold.
A thought flashed through his mind—
"AAAAAHHH—!!"
Agony exploded through their bodies!
It felt like their hearts were being sliced apart by countless tiny blades!
They collapsed to their knees, bodies curling up uncontrollably.
Trembling violently.
Cold sweat soaked their clothes.
Tears and snot streamed down their faces.
Completely broken.
"S-stop… please…" Sugar wailed, curled up on the ground.
"Spare… spare me… Leno-sama…" Monet gasped, her pride completely shattered.
It felt like death was only a second away.
Behind Leno—
Stussy and Nychin silently lowered their heads.
They too—
Had the same "insurance" in their hearts.
Seeing this scene—
They understood even more clearly what defying Leno meant.
The example had been made.
No one dared harbor rebellious thoughts.
Leno watched them roll in pain—
Then finally withdrew his power.
The agony receded like a tide.
Sugar and Monet collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.
Their eyes filled with lingering terror.
Looking at Leno—
As if he were a demon.
"Too… terrifying… I never want to feel that again…"
Sugar's face was pale, her body still trembling.
In that moment—
She realized something clearly.
Her life—
Was entirely in Leno's hands.
Even if Doflamingo came—
He couldn't save her.
Since resistance was impossible…
A thought formed in her mind.
If she couldn't fight—
Then she'd adapt.
She struggled to sit up and knelt.
"L-Leno-sama… I'll tell you something…"
Leno raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"It's Young Master's plan! No—Doflamingo's plan!"
For survival—
She chose betrayal without hesitation.
"He secretly contacted Kaido! Told him you're here—and that taking me would affect his SMILE trade!"
"Kaido is furious! He's already on his way!"
Monet froze in shock upon hearing this.
Then slowly lowered her head.
If even Sugar had betrayed him—
What choice did she have?
That was her little sister.
She spoke weakly, confirming it.
"I-it's true… Doflamingo did contact Kaido…"
Leno listened, then smirked.
"Kaido's coming?"
He rubbed his chin.
Then looked at the two trembling girls.
"Not bad. Useful information."
This…
Was actually important.
He had already killed a clone of Kaido—
But not the real one.
No wonder Doflamingo ran so fast.
So that was his plan.
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