In Dressrosa…
"Me?" Baby-5 pointed at herself, unsure. "Why should I go with you?"
She wasn't afraid.
"You might be of use to us."
"Of use?" A spark of excitement lit up Baby-5's eyes. "You need me?" She moved toward Hancock, clearly thrilled.
The other officers looked at Baby-5, speechless.
Such an easy person to sway.
"I am a member of the Donquixote Family, and I won't obey the enemy's commands," said Monet, her gaze unwavering, as snowflakes floated around her.
Her loyalty to Doflamingo was clear.
The senior officers like Torrebol frowned in disapproval. This was the perfect chance for them to escape, and here she was refusing it outright. They couldn't openly tell her to go, but Torrebol finally said, "Monet, for the family, you must be ready to make sacrifices. If they want you, take your sister, Sugar, with you."
He emphasized Sugar's name.
"Big Sis, the Donquixote Family is terrifying. Finally, we can leave. Let's go," Sugar whimpered, putting on a convincing display of fear.
Seeing her sister's performance, Monet understood. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "Alright," and took Sugar's hand, leading her toward Hancock.
"You two, stay aside for now," Hancock instructed, indicating for them to step away.
Monet's expression faltered slightly.
Had they seen through her plan?
Gion looked approvingly at Hancock, impressed by her caution. Hancock was developing into a competent pirate capable of holding her own.
The sound of clapping came from outside.
Kuke entered, walking up to Hancock and nodding in approval. "Good job, Hancock."
He hadn't warned them about Sugar's powers, wanting to test if they had not only the strength but the experience and awareness of seasoned warriors.
"Really?" Hancock's face lit up as she grabbed his arm, practically bouncing in joy. Her previously commanding demeanor vanished.
"Kuke!?"
Still reeling from their failed plan with Sugar, Pica and the others were horrified to see Kuke standing there alive.
"Kuke's… alive?" Viola stared at him, dumbstruck.
It couldn't be real.
Surely it was impossible. They had all seen reports and photos confirming his death.
Kuke ignored them—Doflamingo himself wouldn't be worth Kuke's attention here.
Turning to Viola, he asked, "You're the princess of Dressrosa, aren't you? Would you join me to expose the darkness of the Warlords and return Dressrosa to its former glory?"
He extended his hand in invitation.
"Me?" Viola's hand went to her lips as she stared in astonishment at Kuke.
The dream she didn't dare have was now in reach.
Dressrosa could be saved.
The kingdom could be saved.
"I… accept." Viola placed her small hand in Kuke's.
Standing beside Kuke, Hancock grumbled, "He's inviting you to join us, not proposing. No need to be so emotional." Then she looked expectantly at Kuke, wishing he would propose to her instead.
New Member: Viola
12th Official Crew Member: Lookout - Viola [Paramecia - Glare-Glare Fruit, Power Level: 4,831].
Though not a powerhouse, her Glare-Glare Fruit ability was invaluable for surveillance and observation.
After recruiting Viola, Kuke shifted his attention to Baby-5, who gazed at him with wide eyes.
With the Weapon-Weapon Fruit, Baby-5 was one of the easiest to persuade to join the crew. If anyone could join easily, it would be her or Yamato from Wano.
"Baby-5, would you like to leave the doomed Donquixote Family and join the Sun and Moon Pirates?" he asked directly.
Although Baby-5's combat power was ordinary, the Weapon-Weapon Fruit had immense potential. Her limited development was more due to her own lack of strength and stamina rather than the fruit's capabilities.
"You need me?" Baby-5's eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked up at Kuke.
Kuke nodded firmly.
Her eagerness was almost tangible as her enthusiasm radiated from her.
Kuke chuckled to himself, unsurprised. She would be a valuable addition, but her tendency to follow anyone who claimed they "needed" her would have to change. Such loyalty should be reserved for the Sun and Moon Pirates alone.
13th Official Crew Member: Baby-5 [Paramecia - Weapon-Weapon Fruit, Power Level: 1,965].
Her role was set.
Kuke designated Baby-5 as the crew's sharpshooter. Although Stussy had some skill with firearms, she wasn't a dedicated sniper. Kuke planned to rigorously train Baby-5 in her fruit's potential, aiming to develop powerful ranged weapons for her role.
With two new recruits, the mission had been a great success.
Turning to the sisters, Monet and Sugar, Kuke considered his next move.
He first looked at Monet.
"I won't betray the Young Master," she said, resolved.
Kuke remained unmoved.
A Logia like the Snow-Snow Fruit had once been intriguing, but now, Monet held little value in his eyes.
He turned his attention to Sugar.
Her Hobby-Hobby Fruit was indeed powerful, almost a cheat-level ability. However, it had a critical flaw: it required physical contact with the target, making it ineffective against top-tier opponents.
"I'll join you if it means I won't have to die," Sugar stammered, fearfully eyeing Kuke.
"Of course."
"Then… I'm willing."
But Kuke saw no genuine willingness in her.
"Belo, lock them up for now. Once they witness the fall of the Donquixote Family and Doflamingo's fate, if they still refuse to join us, they can share the same fate."
Kuke saw no point in expending energy on them.
If they could be won over, great.
If not, it didn't matter.
The crew was complete.
The Donquixote Family still had another female member, Jora, who possessed the Art-Art Fruit. But looking at her, Kuke had no interest.
Looks weren't everything, but appearances did matter to some degree.
"Finish them," Kuke ordered, pointing at the stunned officers.
"Right away, Captain."
With a snap of her fingers, Stussy unleashed a wave of lightning that struck down everyone in its path.
Pica attempted to escape underground, only to be shattered by a single punch from Shakky.
By the time the citizens below noticed anything was amiss, the Donquixote Family was no more.
A small contingent remained behind in Dressrosa while the Radiant Eclipse anchored at a nearby island where the Tontatta Tribe resided, safely out of sight.
With everything set in place, only three days remained until the upcoming grand event.
Kuke, Gion, Hancock, Stussy, Shakky, and Belo Betty prepared for departure.
Gion transformed into her phoenix form, with Kuke and Hancock perched on her back. Shakky turned into a bat, carrying Stussy and Belo Betty with her.
Together, they took flight, heading over the Red Line toward Sabaody Archipelago.
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 144+ at patreon.com/Emik01.
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