This was a bustling town. The port teemed with various ships, and as one strolled along the dock, one was enveloped by busy sailors and merchants.
"How ironic! It thrives on the power of pirates, yet it's more prosperous than most towns."
Upon entering the town, Nia couldn't help but sigh.
She had visited numerous similar port towns over the years, but few could compare to Speda Myers.
Only their most significant port cities could surpass this place even among the major nations.
"We're not a pirate ship. We can just dock here. No one dares to cause trouble in the Donquixote Family's territory."
Neru directed Penguin and Shachi to moor the boat, and after paying a sum of money to the dock manager, he took the two of them to catch up with Rhodes and his companions, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
They had come to stir up trouble for the Donquixote Family, but because of the family's reputation, they were spared the inconvenience of having someone guard the ship. It was quite amusing.
As for the docking fee just paid, it would be recouped from the Donquixote Family.
"Even if it were a pirate ship, no one would care as long as it didn't fly a conspicuous flag."
"The Donquixote Family's presence is truly ubiquitous in this town."
On the wall of the dock management office, the Donquixote Family's Jolly Roger was prominently displayed. Moreover, after entering the town, Rhodes and his companions observed that almost every few steps, they could see a store bearing the Donquixote Family's emblem, encompassing nearly every aspect of the town's commerce.
"What's the next move?"
Everyone looked at Rhodes, awaiting the captain's instructions.
"How to act? Naturally, we launch a direct assault!"
Rhodes's gaze settled on a building in the town's center, a sprawling manor.
With the burgeoning business activity, it was likely that only the Donquixote Family could afford to maintain such a large estate in the heart of Speda Myers Town.
Furthermore, atop the main building of the manor, a Donquixote Family flag fluttered in the breeze.
"Say hello to them first, Nalu."
"Understood!"
Under the horrified gazes of the surrounding crowd, Neru raised the black gun in his hand and aimed at the waving flag of the Donquixote Family.
Bang!
With the sharp report of the gunshot, the bullet sped from the chamber, and the next moment, the flagpole in the center of the manor snapped, causing the Donquixote Family's flag to fall.
······
A quarter of an hour prior
Central Manor, in the main hall of a side building
A tall and slender man, roughly two meters in height, lay sprawled on the table, his head buried in his arms, emitting guttural "haha" sounds.
"Lord Edorard Manudo, a man claiming to be Doflamingo's most devoted admirer, has requested an audience. He says he has crucial information to report."
A subordinate entered cautiously, his head bowed and his eyes fixed on the ground.
"So many people aspire to serve that master. If I had to meet with everyone, how would I ever get anything done for him?"
"Oh, no, I'm the dog."
Manudo lifted his head, revealing an elongated canine face, and licked the ice cream from his cheek with his long tongue as he spoke.
"Alright, I'll have him dismissed immediately."
The subordinate didn't dare to say anything further, simply nodded and prepared to leave. "You just called me a dog, didn't you?"
A towering figure suddenly loomed over the entering subordinate, and a sudden chill permeated the air.
"I'm not, I didn't!"
The subordinate shook his head frantically in denial, still not daring to lift his gaze.
"Lick my bowl clean!"
Thrusting the bowl in his hand in front of the subordinate, Manudo regarded him coldly, then turned his attention to another subordinate.
"Go and bring that fellow in. If his information isn't significant, I'll make him lick plates for a month."
"Yes!"
After a loud affirmation, the designated subordinate quickly exited the room, his back turned, and a look of relief at having narrowly escaped punishment.
Lord Manudo always sported a dog-like face and referred to himself as a dog, yet he never tolerated anyone else calling him one. Anyone who dared to mention "dog" in his presence would be forced to lick his dog bowl clean as punishment.
"Master Manudo, I am Sarquiss! I wish to report to you about a group of arrogant individuals attempting to encroach upon the Donquixote Family's business."
Finally granted his wish of meeting a member of the Donquixote Family, Sarquiss's heart surged with excitement.
Over half a month prior, they had been instantly defeated by Rhodes and fled like stray dogs, unable even to retrieve their leader, Bellamy.
Upon returning to their base, Sarquiss couldn't quell his agitation, so he disregarded the dissuasion of others and rushed to Speda Myers, hoping to enlist the power of the Donquixote Family to rescue Bellamy.
Through his persistent efforts over this period, he had finally established contact with lower-ranking members of the Donquixote Family. After paying a bribe of 50,000 Berries, the contact had finally agreed to introduce him to Lord Manudo.
Glancing at his friend lying on the ground not far away, a flicker of doubt crossed Sarquiss's mind.
He had just found this friend and asked him to report to Lord Manudo on his behalf. But why was he licking a bowl?
Without time to dwell on it, Sarquiss quickly relayed the entire situation to Manudo.
From the moment they heard the news of the Felke family's intention to enter the arms trade, to their determination to stop them, their defeat by Rhodes and his crew, and Bellamy's capture.
After finishing his account, he even produced a few portraits. Fortunately, one of his companions was skilled in drawing and had sketched portraits of Rhodes and his companions upon their return.
"In other words, you want me to rescue your captain, this fellow named Bellamy, for you, correct?"
After listening to Sarquiss's description and examining the portraits in his hand, Manudo began to summarize.
"My primary intention is to inform you that there are lunatics in the North Blue who dare to infringe upon the interests of the Donquixote Family. It's just that our strength is too meager, so we require the intervention of a powerful figure like yourself to safeguard the Donquixote Family's interests!
Of course, it would be even better if we could rescue our captain in the process. We will undoubtedly defend the Donquixote Family's interests to the death!"
"You hide under the family's banner, accept the family's protection, and exploit the family's power to further your interests. I've encountered many like you. Do you know what ultimately became of them?"
Sometime during Sarquiss's impassioned plea, Manudo had moved to stand directly before him, looking down with his imposing height.
"You don't think I can't discern the difference between your self-serving motives and genuine loyalty, do you? Why do you think I am the one who holds the ultimate authority for the family in the North Blue?"
(End of this chapter)