Chapter 183: 183. Entry

Words : 1297 Updated : Oct 4th, 2025

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- A month later. The much-anticipated Fire Festival was held once again in the waters of Wanokuni. It was as if the riots in the New World over the past year had never happened. The festival's prosperity and grandeur extended not only across the Floating Islands but also to the offshore ports. Countless ships from distant seas were moored at specially constructed docks, each bustling with activity. Above the islands, fleets tasked with transferring guests to the Sky Kingdom were stationed in droves, neatly organized on the vacated landing zones. Guests who had traveled from afar presented their invitations one by one. Once cleared, they boarded the massive floating continents that ferried them into the skies. Leading the reception were members of the Charlotte Family, tasked with welcoming these honored guests. At the Pier On the dock, three women stood side by side. "Sister, which group of guests is arriving this afternoon?" asked Effilée, the fifth daughter of the Charlotte Family, as she watched a ship approach for inspection. She turned toward Armand, standing at the center. "It should be the sixth group," replied Armand, the third daughter of the Charlotte Family and a renowned swordswoman. Known as one of the Sky Kingdom's strongest fighters, Armand sighed lightly and added, "I can't keep track anymore. There will be more and more guests over the next few days. Be cautious—don't let any uninvited stragglers sneak in." With the establishment of the Sky Continent, the number of invited guests for the Fire Festival had naturally increased compared to previous years. As such, security measures had been heightened, with the three sisters tasked as key festival inspectors. "Yes, Sister," replied Hachée, the fourth daughter, nodding alongside Effilée. The three women, all part-snakehead hybrids, were quadruplets born of the same family as their second sister, Charlotte Mondée. Among the four, however, only Armand stood out for her exceptional strength, often making her the de facto leader of the group. Suddenly, a red and white light flashed from Hachée's waist. She quickly retrieved her Den Den Mushi, which carried a notification from the Sky Kingdom's Shadow Guard. It signaled the arrival of another ship. Not long after, two conspicuous ships approached the inspection point. One bore the snail-like design of Germa 66, and the other displayed the iconic flamingo logo of the Donquixote Family. "Fufufufu... What an over-the-top scene. Only that man could pull this off." Standing aboard his ship, Doflamingo gazed at the vast archipelago and the mainland above. Though his expression remained calm, a glint of awe flickered in his eyes. The Sky Kingdom, empowered by the Float-Float Fruit, had evolved far beyond even his wildest imagination. Its scale, functionality, and appearance surpassed Wanokuni's inland sea and territories by an immeasurable margin. The upgrades within the kingdom only added to its magnificence. Even Punk Hazard, once a project of immense interest to him, felt insignificant in comparison to this incredible sight. "What a beautiful place! It's even prettier than the Sabaody Archipelago!" exclaimed Monet, captivated by the floating clouds, vibrant rainbow hues, and the countless bubbles that surrounded the kingdom like a dreamscape. "This is just the exterior," remarked Diamante, peering ahead. "The true beauty lies inside. Though, it seems the transport system has been changed since last time." As they approached the inland sea's dock, they noticed a large Stop sign raised over the pier. Sentry towers surrounded the area, heavily manned with guards. At the center of the pier stood three tall snakehead women, their gazes fixed on the approaching ships. "Fuffuffuffu... There's no need for formalities, Armand," Doflamingo called out as the Donquixote Family's ship docked at the pier. Armand, the leading swordswoman, remained composed as she observed the flamboyant pirate lord. Doflamingo grinned confidently. "We've been regular guests since the first Fire Festival. You know us—there's no need to stop us." Indeed, the Donquixote Family had attended the Fire Festival every year since its inception, solidifying their status as consistent allies to the Sky Kingdom. "I don't care if you're new or a returning guest—everything here follows the rules," said Armand, exhaling a puff of smoke as her cold, snake-like eyes fixed on Doflamingo. Her tone offered no leniency, and she made no effort to conceal her disdain. Doflamingo raised an eyebrow, surprised by the unexpected resistance. But recognizing the futility of pushing back, he motioned for his retainers to comply. At his signal, one of his subordinates promptly produced an invitation letter and handed it to Armand. Armand took the invitation, inspected it briefly, and passed it to one of her sisters for safekeeping. Then, her attention shifted to the Germa 66 ship docked nearby. "And where's your invitation?" she asked, her gaze sharp. The Germa ship was hardly unfamiliar to her. In fact, during her mother's reign, there had even been discussions of incorporating Germa's technology into their arsenal. "We don't have an invitation," one of Judge's attendants admitted. "But we've brought a Devil Fruit as a gift." Hearing this, Armand frowned. Rules were rules—without an invitation, not even a member of the World Government or an Emperor of the Sea could gain entry. However, the mention of a Devil Fruit complicated matters. Unable to decide on her own, Armand retrieved a black Den Den Mushi from her pocket and stepped aside to make a report. Watching Armand walk off, Doflamingo smirked. He had already guessed the outcome. Given that a Devil Fruit was involved and that Germa 66 was far from a significant power in the Sky Kingdom's eyes, Robin, the kingdom's shrewd overseer, would likely approve their passage. As expected, Armand soon returned, her tone clipped as she issued orders to allow the ships through. The massive gate blocking the sea route was raised, and both ships proceeded toward the inland sea port. Doflamingo turned to Judge with a sly grin. "Fufufufu... Well, you're past the inspection now. The rest is up to your luck." Judge said nothing in response. Nor did he offer any thanks—after all, he had already paid a hefty price for this opportunity. Between the guide's fee and the Devil Fruit he would present as a gift, the cost was considerable. Yet for Judge, the potential rewards outweighed the sacrifices. If the Germa Kingdom could forge an alliance with the Sky Kingdom's Flying Admiral and gain access to advanced combat uniform technology, it would all be worth it. Moreover, if this cooperation helped restore Germa to its former glory, Judge was prepared to do whatever it took—even if it cost him his life. This stubborn ambition did not escape Alex, who observed it with a mix of amusement and indifference. Sitting on his throne, Alex leaned back against the cushions held by Black Maria, a faint smile playing on his lips. Judge's unwavering persistence reminded him of Charlotte Linlin, whose baseless verbal promises often swayed people. From Robin's report, Alex had already deduced the purpose of Germa's visit. While Germa's technology had once held potential value to him, it paled in comparison to the advancements he now commanded, like Seraphim-level mechanical creatures. Exoskeletons and cloning techniques were outdated relics in his eyes. Still, since Judge had gone to the trouble of offering a Devil Fruit as tribute, Alex saw no harm in giving him a chance to present his case. The outcome, however, would depend entirely on Alex's mood. Compared to Germa's arrival, Alex found the report from Catarina regarding Stussy's mission far more intriguing. "A beauty trap?" Alex chuckled, his expression relaxed.

Chapter 183: 183. Entry

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