Several ships of varying designs lay anchored before the Gates of Justice.
Among them, one vessel stood out for its exceptional beauty, distinct from all others—the Kuja Pirates' Ship of the Empress of Amazon Lily.
The ship was entirely red, its hull exquisitely crafted and instantly recognizable.
At that moment, Boa Hancock reclined lazily on a chair on the deck, clad in her signature crimson gown, her skin pale as snow, her demeanor both haughty and indolent.
She tilted her chin slightly, her eyes coolly fixed on Ivan's Orange Ship in the distance, her expression utterly unmoved, as if everything that had just transpired held no relevance to her.
Standing beside her, Sandersonia was far less composed than her elder sister.
After a moment's hesitation, she finally spoke up:
"Sister, how do you think White Dove Ivan will respond to Doflamingo's taunts?
If conflict breaks out between them, it could disrupt the Marine Headquarters' arrangements, and we might get dragged into it as well."
Hearing Sandersonia's words, Hancock slowly withdrew her gaze and scoffed:
"Respond? I care not!
Whether it's Doflamingo or White Dove, they are nothing but foul-smelling men. Their squabbles have nothing to do with me."
She paused briefly, her eyes softening instantly, a trace of infatuation flickering within them:
"The only one I care about is Lord Fox of the Shadow Garden.
He alone is worthy of the title 'man'—the only true man in this world.
Ever since I learned that Lord Fox publicly executed those filthy Celestial Dragons, avenging me and all those oppressed by them, my heart and soul have belonged to him completely."
Sandersonia grew even more concerned upon hearing this. She lowered her head slightly, her tone tinged with caution:
"Sister, I understand your feelings for Lord Fox, but this is the territory of the Marine Headquarters, surrounded by Marines on all sides.
Mentioning the Shadow Garden in such a place, if overheard by high-ranking Marines, could bring trouble. You might even be held accountable by the World Government, which would bring no benefit to you or Amazon Lily."
"Trouble?" Hancock burst into laughter as if she had heard something utterly ridiculous. "I fear no trouble.
For I am far too beautiful. In this world, anyone who beholds my beauty will willingly forgive all my faults.
Even if I mention the Shadow Garden, they will turn a blind eye. Who would dare to trouble me?"
As soon as Hancock finished speaking, the other female warriors of Amazon Lily on the deck erupted into fervent cheers:
"Ahhh, our queen is too beautiful!"
"Indeed, indeed! Our queen's beauty can conquer the entire world!"
"Whoever dares trouble our queen, we will kill them!"
The warriors' cheers rose and fell, their eyes filled with adoration and reverence for Hancock.
Listening to her subordinates' praises, Hancock wore a triumphant smile before letting out her distinctive, ringing laughter.
"Hehehehe, indeed, this concubine is far too beautiful, hehehehehe..."
Unlike the liveliness aboard the Kuja Pirates' Ship, the atmosphere on the other vessels of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was somewhat delicate.
On the Donquixote Pirates' Ship.
Doflamingo leaned back in his seat, staring mockingly at the Orange Ship.
The executives beside him, Trebol and Diamante, snickered softly, their eyes filled with contempt for Ivan.
Clearly, they were all waiting to see this young Admiral Candidate make a fool of himself.
Trebol let out his signature slimy laugh:
"Behehehehehe, that White Dove really is just a wet-behind-the-ears brat. He's been mocked for so long and doesn't even dare to utter a word in retort."
Diamante chimed in:
"Exactly. The Marine Headquarters must truly have no one left, to appoint a child like him as an Admiral Candidate. It's practically asking for humiliation."
The subordinates of the other Warlords nearby joined in with loud, mocking laughter, one wave after another, brimming with disdain and scorn.
However, not all the Warlords were in a mood to watch the show.
On Jimbei's ship, he stood at the edge of the deck, arms crossed, his expression grave as he watched the Orange Ship and the Donquixote Pirates' Ship ahead.
He had always harbored the desire to prevent war, well aware that once this conflict erupted, it would bring endless slaughter and destruction, claiming countless lives.
Thus, he had no wish to see a clash between the Warlords and the Marine Headquarters' Admiral Candidate, let alone watch the situation deteriorate further.
Hearing the taunts from Doflamingo and the others, Jimbei pondered for a moment before finally leaping into action. He stepped onto the sea's surface and slowly made his way to the deck of the Donquixote Pirates' Ship.
Facing Doflamingo's mocking gaze, Jimbei spoke in a serious, solemn tone:
"Doflamingo, that's enough.
This is the Gates of Justice. We are about to head to the Marine Headquarters to handle important matters. There's no need to provoke unnecessary conflict just to hassle a young man."
"Oh?" Doflamingo lifted an eyelid, glancing at Jimbei dismissively. "Jimbei, this is between me and that White Dove. It's none of your business. Don't meddle."
Seeing this, Jimbei couldn't help but feel a twinge of helplessness. He wanted to persuade further but was interrupted by Trebol at Doflamingo's side:
"Hey, Jimbei, Doffy already told you to mind your own business. You'd better hurry back to your own ship. Otherwise, we'll deal with you too."
Jimbei looked at the arrogant Doflamingo and Trebol, realizing that further persuasion would be futile. He could only let out a heavy sigh before turning and leaping back to his own ship.
He knew that a conflict was likely unavoidable now.
Aside from Jimbei, another who wasn't in the mood to watch the show was Moria.
Moria didn't join the other Warlords in mocking Ivan—not out of sympathy, but because he had learned of Ivan's true strength from Perona.
Perona had witnessed Ivan in action during the battle at the G-2 Branch.
His true power was no less than that of the Three Marine Admirals!
Moria stared in Doflamingo's direction, secretly sneering:
"Hmph, that fool Doflamingo actually dares to provoke that White Dove.
He has no idea what kind of monster he's messing with."
"I can't wait to see how this play ends."
Perfect—that annoying Doflamingo is finally going to take a big fall here.
He always acts so high and mighty. This time, it's his turn to taste what it feels like to be crushed.
As time passed, the jeers from the Donquixote Pirates' Ship grew louder. Trebol's laughter, sticky and piercing, echoed across the sea:
"Coward! White Dove Ivan is nothing but a coward!
He's been mocked by Lord Doflamingo for so long, yet he still doesn't dare show his face. How laughable!"