"Oh?" Rhett leaned forward with genuine curiosity, his smile playful. "For example?" "For example…" Stussy slowly raised her hand, her eyes alight with hope as she pointed toward the window. "A Navy admiral is already on his way." As if to confirm her words, smoke billowed from a distant warship stalled on the horizon. But Rhett didn't so much as flinch. His grin only widened. "Ah, you just noticed? Kizaru arrived not long after I killed him. Maybe his ship dropped anchor. Look at that smoke pouring from the deck seems like they won't be moving any time soon. When will they arrive? Who knows? So hard to guess." Stussy's finger froze midair. The spark of hope in her eyes guttered out. The golden light hovering over the horizon truly was frozen in place. Even the silhouette of the battleship was faintly visible. And yet, as Rhett said, it never approached. Her heart sank like lead. The World Government… Her next thought turned bitterly to Vegapunk. Even he had abandoned her. The Five Elders had never intended to save her. They had probably coordinated with Kizaru in advance, instructing him to "arrive late" on purpose. She was nothing more than a sacrificial pawn meant to appease Rhett's wrath. "…Heh… hehe…" A hollow laugh spilled from Stussy's lips, laced with a touch of madness. She lowered her hand and dug her nails into her palm until blood welled through her fingers. "So that's how it is…" she whispered. "All this time I still naively believed… I mattered." Rhett tilted his head, blood mist curling around him like a shroud. His dragonlike grin twisted, equal parts humor and menace. Rule one of the Crimson Blood Mist: Never trust what you see within it. Interpersonal Trick +1. Stussy inhaled deeply. Then She dropped heavily to her knees, forehead pressed against the cold floor. Her trembling voice rang clear. "Lord Rhett… I submit to you." Follow current novels on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚·𝔫𝔢𝔱 Rhett arched a brow. "Oh?" She lifted her head. Gone was the seductive poise, gone the veil of calculation. What remained was the raw fury of abandonment and the purest instinct to survive. "I know all the World Government's secrets the deployment of CP0, the plans of the Five Elders, even the defensive weaknesses of Mary Geoise." Her words came fast, desperate, as though afraid Rhett might dissolve her into blood at any moment. "I can be your most loyal pawn. All I ask… is to live." Rhett studied her in silence for several seconds before chuckling. "Interesting." He crouched down slowly, the blood mist condensing into a sharp dagger at his fingertips. Tilting her chin upward with its edge, he whispered, "And yet just now, didn't you say the World Government never compromises?" Within his crew, Rhett might play the clownish elder brother. But here, facing outsiders, he was every bit the king. Stussy's breath caught. His oppressive aura threatened to crush her. Still, she forced herself to meet his gaze. "They will compromise… if the price is high enough." "For example… you." Stussy's jaw clenched. "I am CP0's top operative. My intelligence network spans the world. I can secure you maximum leverage. The World Government will have no choice but to negotiate." She was gambling everything, fighting to prove her value. Rhett narrowed his eyes, weighing her words. Clever woman she hadn't uttered a single detail about Vegapunk. She knew she could never return to the World Government, but by staying with Rhett, she might still find purpose. After a long pause, Rhett smirked. He drew the blade back, dispersing the blood mist. "Fine. I'll give you a chance." Straightening, he towered over her. "Now… call the Five Elders." A shiver ran down Stussy's spine. But she steadied her hands, reaching into her cloak to withdraw a golden Den Den Mushi an emergency line direct to Mary Geoise. The receiver clicked. "Stussy," came the cold, cutting voice of Saint Nusjuro. "Report." Stussy's fingers trembled, yet her voice was calm, even tinged with irony. "Saint Nusjuro, things… are not exactly as you expected." For a heartbeat, silence. Then Nusjuro's tone hardened. "You betrayed us?" "Betrayal?" Stussy laughed bitterly, her eyes flicking toward Rhett's smirk. She rose to her feet, though her knees still shook. "No. The truth is… the World Government never considered me one of its own, did it?" The Den Den Mushi squinted, mimicking Nusjuro's suspicion. "Do you know what you're saying, Stussy?" "Of course I do." Her laugh was cold. "You sent me to the Pleasure District under the guise of controlling the underworld's networks. In reality, I was always just a disposable pawn." Her voice sharpened. "Just like tonight. You could have dispatched Kizaru earlier but you didn't. Because my life was meaningless. What mattered to you was testing Rhett's limits." A harsh scoff came from the line. "Foolish woman. Rhett's blood mist creates illusions. You think pledging yourself to a pirate will save you?" Stussy faltered, glancing at Rhett. He returned only a wide-eyed grin, as if to say ??? Really? "Whether I live or die is not for you to decide." She turned fully toward Rhett, lips curling into a cold smile. "It is for Lord Rhett to decide." No longer hiding her stance, her voice rang with conviction. "From this moment on, I speak on behalf of my master Rhett. I am here to negotiate with the World Government." She knew the instant those words left her mouth, her bridge to the Government was gone. The Den Den Mushi's features stiffened before Nusjuro's voice cracked with restrained fury. "You " "First." Stussy cut him off, firm and unyielding. "The World Government will immediately cease all interference with Blood Dawn operations. That includes naval raids, underworld sabotage, and economic sanctions." "Second. From this day forth, the Pleasure District belongs to Blood Dawn. The Government will not meddle in its affairs." Rhett gave her another glance, intrigued. Bold woman already carving out her place. He liked people with ability, just as he had with Doflamingo. On the line, a heavy thunk sounded Nusjuro's staff striking the floor. "Absurd! Who do you think you are?" Stussy didn't flinch. "I am the queen of the Pleasure District. I am CP0's highest-ranking agent. I hold the complete map of your underworld operations." Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "And if you refuse… I can always sell this intelligence to the Revolutionary Army." Stussy knew she had struck the Government's deepest nerve. Their greatest fear was never pirates, but revolutionaries armed with truth. And thanks to Rhett, the Revolutionary Army now had a sharper vision than ever before. If they gained proof of the Government's corruption in the underworld, allied nations would splinter in revolt. Seconds ticked by. Then another voice replaced Nusjuro's. Saint Saturn's. "Stussy… you dare threaten us?" "No. I am offering you a choice." Her smile was icy. "Keep clashing with Blood Dawn until the Revolutionary Army profits from the chaos… or step back, just enough to preserve the balance of this sea." Once again, silence claimed the line. ————————————————————————————————————————————————— Hooked already? Let me know what grabbed you leave a review and fuel the journey forward! and if we hit every 250 Power Stones, a bonus chapter drops! Things are just heating up. Read ahead in Unbound Evolution and stay ahead of the crowd. [email protected]/_tey