"Could it be that Vice Admiral Vergo is really an undercover agent?"

The previously aggressive Marines suddenly paused, turning to Vergo with expressions of disbelief.

"Don't believe him! He's talking nonsense!"

Vergo shouted desperately. He still hadn't given up hope.

What if Caesar was lying? Who would even record a video if they were serious?

He wouldn't admit to anything until the very end.

Caelan then sent Tashigi to the experimental base to retrieve the video based on Caesar's testimony.

The sailors stood still, silently waiting for the evidence.

Without seeing it for themselves, they refused to believe their respected commander was actually a Donquixote spy.

Soon, the video Den Den Mushi arrived and played before everyone.

On screen, Vergo and Caesar were seen chatting and laughing, clearly discussing the details of their transactions.

Earlier, Hina had tried to stop Caelan, but was held back by Gion.

Now that the evidence was conclusive, even Hina couldn't help but be shocked.

"He really was an undercover agent..."

The sailors stood hollow-eyed, their hearts sinking.

Even now, they struggled to believe their admired base commander had been a spy for Doflamingo.

But the evidence was undeniable. They had no choice but to accept the truth.

In that moment, they remembered their fallen comrades.

Those Marines had died mysteriously during Vergo's missions, and Vergo had expressed deep condolences afterward.

Back then, they had cheered for Vergo. Looking back now, those were nothing but crocodile tears.

Their comrades had died because Vergo betrayed them.

A wave of fury surged in their hearts.

There's nothing more painful than betrayal.

"Vergo, you deserve to die! Were you ever worthy of the trust of so many brothers?!"

The Marines roared in anger.

They still held onto a shred of hope, wanting to see a trace of remorse in Vergo's expression—anything that could offer them some closure.

Vergo scoffed and spoke coldly, "Brothers? They're not my brothers. Only the Donquixote Family are my brothers. Who the hell are you?"

The Marines glared at Vergo, enraged.

They wanted to tear him apart.

Vergo ignored the Marines and turned his attention to Caesar, the bastard who had betrayed him—twice.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He shouted at Caesar, "You stupid idiot!"

Vergo couldn't comprehend Caesar's logic.

If he hadn't betrayed him, the plan would've succeeded already.

"Caesar Clown, I saved you out of kindness, and this is how you repay me? You exposed me. What do you even want? Are you brain-dead?!"

Vergo yelled, on the verge of collapse.

"You're the idiot! Caelan-sama already saw through you long ago!"

Caesar dropped to his knees and flashed a flattering smile at Caelan.

He saw through me from the beginning?

How could that be possible?

But Caelan had acted without hesitation. Vergo had no choice but to believe it.

"Caesar, if you do this, the Young Master won't let you off easy!"

Vergo glared at Caesar, as if he could devour him alive.

He was Doflamingo's plant in the Marines—rising all the way to base commander. His importance to the Family was obvious.

"Let him do his worst. In front of Caelan-sama, Doflamingo is nothing!"

He had already seen two of the Seven Warlords under Caelan's command.

Gecko Moria, once a bloated mess, had slimmed down and now clung to Caelan like a loyal dog.

And then there was Empress Hancock.

Just those two were enough to make Doflamingo's life miserable.

Not to mention Caelan himself.

What could Doflamingo possibly do?

Caesar wasn't stupid. It was clear Caelan was gunning for Doflamingo.

And Doflamingo was definitely going to lose.

In the end, his fate might even be worse than Caesar's.

"The Young Master's methods are beyond your imagination!"

Vergo snapped back, still holding faith in Doflamingo.

"If those are your last words, they're pretty boring."

Caelan had no interest in hearing more. He simply snapped Vergo's neck.

"You'll be defeated... by the Young Master..."

Vergo choked out his final words, eyes filled with reluctance as they slowly closed.

He still held a shred of hope.

There was still one trump card left in the Donquixote Family.

Sugar could turn anyone she touched into a toy.

Though Armament Haki could block her ability, no one could keep Haki active 24/7.

If Sugar ever got close to Caelan, she might be able to catch him off guard.

With so many women around Caelan, he probably wouldn't suspect someone like Sugar.

But Caelan didn't know what Vergo was thinking.

If he had, he would've laughed out loud.

Become a toy? Was his A-Rank Divinity just for show?

"Me, defeated by Doflamingo? Where does that confidence come from?"

Caelan muttered, amused.

Still, Vergo had sounded so sure. Could Doflamingo really have something hidden?

Caelan thought back over Doflamingo's plotlines in the original story.

He found no possible path to victory.

Only then did he feel reassured. Vergo was just bluffing.

"Moria, I'm leaving this one to you."

Caelan tossed Vergo's corpse to Gecko Moria.

"Thank you, Caelan-sama!"

Moria caught it joyfully.

The corpse of an elite vice admiral was premium material for his zombie army.

Meanwhile, the sailors watched Caelan's actions and felt a sense of satisfaction.

The man who had deceived them for so long was finally dead.

Caelan turned to the Marines and smiled. "Everyone, look at me. I have an announcement to make!"

Though they didn't know what he was about to say, the Marines all turned toward Caelan.

"Are you interested in joining my new Navy?"

Caelan smiled and extended an invitation to the elite Marines of the G-5 branch.

"Did I just hear that right?!"

Everyone was stunned—Nami, Gion, and the rest included.

The sworn enemy of the World Government was trying to recruit Navy soldiers—an entire branch at that?

The world suddenly seemed just a bit more confusing.

(To be continued.)

***

For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves

(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)