Chapter 145: Dressrosa (Patreon)

Chapter 145: Dressrosa

Dressrosa.

The open-air pool in the palace shimmered under the tropical night breeze, carrying the fragrance of flowers across the water's surface, stirring delicate ripples.

The pool was packed with bikini-clad beauties—some laughing atop inflatable swan floats, others raising glasses by the poolside bar, their silvery laughter echoing through the courtyard.

Under a nearby parasol, Doflamingo lounged on a white recliner, his pink feathered coat casually draped over the back. His sunglasses slid down the bridge of his nose, revealing the usual arrogant smirk at the corner of his lips.

A cigar dangled between his fingers while his other hand toyed with a golden flask. Several of his executives stood nearby.

Diamante, draped in a matador's cape, whistled at the women in the pool. Pica stood stiffly in the shadows, arms crossed. Trebol, oozing mucus, whispered something into a beauty's ear, making her giggle and push him away. Meanwhile, Baby-5 and Buffalo splashed around at the pool's edge, sending sprays of water flying.

Doflamingo exhaled a smoke ring and was about to raise his glass when a faint sound came from the top of the wall.

Instantly, the atmosphere tensed. Diamante's cape billowed without wind, Pica's fists took on a stony gray hue, and Trebol's mucus dripped onto the ground with a sizzle.

A masked figure sat perched on the wall, legs dangling, his tone laced with amusement. "Well, well, quite the lively party."

"Who goes there?!" Diamante barked, hand gripping the hilt of his sword. "You dare trespass in the royal palace? Got a death wish?"

But Doflamingo raised a hand to stop him. His gaze, hidden behind his sunglasses, fixed on the figure, pupils contracting slightly before he burst into his signature "Fufufufu" laughter.

"So it's you. You arrived earlier than I expected."

He waved dismissively at his tense subordinates. "Relax, he's one of us—well, more accurately, a 'business partner.'"

Bahr leaped down from the wall, his eyes sweeping over the bikini-clad women before letting out a low whistle. His smirk deepened as he met Doflamingo's gaze. "You sure know how to live better than I do."

During their earlier Den Den Mushi call, he'd teased Doflamingo for his refined tastes, but now it was clear the man's extravagance matched his own.

Maybe I should add something like this to the Ark Maxim. Definitely more comfortable than Fish-Man Island's seawater pools.

"Like what you see?" Doflamingo arched a brow, stubbing out his cigar in an ashtray. "Take your pick. Fufufu... Women are just toys to me—easily replaced."

Bahr settled into the recliner opposite him, accepting a glass from a nearby beauty and taking a sip. "You're surprisingly generous."

"Of course. We're partners, aren't we?" Doflamingo drawled. "Partners should share in the... fun, no?"

"Oh?" Bahr dragged out the syllable, studying the flamboyant warlord with newfound appreciation. He couldn't help but admire the man's magnanimity—no wonder he commanded such loyalty despite his cruelty.

At the very least, Bahr knew he could never pull that off.

Seeing Doflamingo's sincerity, Bahr's gaze drifted across the laughing crowd before settling on a vividly dressed figure in the corner.

The woman had long, black, silky curls that cascaded naturally, adding a touch of allure to her appearance. She wore a uniquely designed dress adorned with delicate purple polka dots, its sleeveless cut revealing slender arms. The hem was decorated with layers of red ruffles, elegantly layered, paired with purple high heels that perfectly accentuated her graceful figure and distinctive charm.

He tilted his chin slightly, his tone casual. "Let her come keep me company."

Doflamingo followed his gesture, his gaze behind the sunglasses imperceptibly sharpening. The woman by the pool sensed the attention, her hand pausing briefly as she held her glass, a flicker of complexity flashing in her crimson eyes.

Bahr caught the subtle reaction and lazily leaned back in his chair, tapping the armrest with his fingers. "Never mind if it's too much trouble. I was just making conversation."

Of course, he knew exactly who that woman was—Violet, the princess of the Dressrosa Kingdom. To save her father's life, she had chosen to join the Don Quixote Pirates and serve under Doflamingo, adopting the alias "Viola" as an assassin within the family.

If he remembered correctly, Viola held a somewhat special position in the Don Quixote Family, with whispers of closeness to Doflamingo, almost like a lover.

He was curious to see just how generous Doflamingo could be.

After a brief silence, Doflamingo suddenly let out a low chuckle, his laughter unreadable. "Why not? Viola, come here," he called toward the corner.

Viola's fingers tightened around her glass, her knuckles whitening, but she obediently made her way through the crowd by the pool. When she stopped before them, she lowered her gaze slightly, her voice calm and measured. "Young Master."

"Keep this guest company for a few drinks," Doflamingo said lightly, as if it were the most mundane request. "Make sure to 'entertain' him well."

He emphasized the last word slightly, and Viola's shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly. She lifted her head, her emerald eyes now filled with her usual seductive smile—though it didn't reach her gaze. "Yes, Young Master."

She stepped closer to Bahr, bending slightly to hand him her glass, her fingertips brushing his hand with deliberate lightness. Her voice was honeyed. "What would you like to drink, sir?"

Bahr took the glass, studying her face for a moment. The hidden restraint and wariness in her eyes made her far more interesting than the laughing dolls by the pool.

Doflamingo truly was generous—it seemed he didn’t hold anyone close, not even those rumored to have ties with him. They could be dismissed as easily as objects.

In the original story, even Monet, considered "family," had been ordered to her death. It showed that in Doflamingo's mind, everything could be discarded for his goals.

Which meant the cooperation he’d been summoned to discuss this time was anything but simple.

"I'll have what you're drinking," Bahr said, swirling the glass as the liquid traced arcs along its sides. He smirked. "Seems your Young Master is truly magnanimous."

Viola's smile faltered for a split second before blooming again. She poured another glass and handed it to him. "It's my honor to accompany you, sir."

Only when she lowered her head to pour did she steal a quick glance at Doflamingo on the lounge chair. Behind those sunglasses, his eyes were like a lurking serpent, fixed intently on them—watching, weighing.

Doflamingo surveyed the scene before him before suddenly clapping his hands. As he rose, his feathered pink coat brushed against the floor, stirring a faint breeze. "Well then... I'll leave you two to chat. I won't disturb you further."

"Weren't we supposed to discuss business?" Bahr arched an eyebrow, his fingertip tracing half a circle along the rim of his glass.

Surely he hadn't been summoned just to be entertained by a woman!

"The night is still young, no need to rush." Doflamingo's smile was laden with implication as he rapped his knuckles against the armrest of his lounge chair. "Tomorrow I'll take you somewhere interesting, and we'll talk in detail then."

Turning to Viola, his gaze lingered on her for a moment behind his sunglasses before leaving her with a deceptively light yet weighted remark: "Don't disappoint me, Viola."

Watching Doflamingo's retreating figure, Bahr thought to himself—just as he'd expected. This man hadn't summoned him here merely to discuss weapons.

How intriguing.

As the footsteps faded, Bahr observed Viola's tense profile and suddenly chuckled low. "Seems your young master doesn't hold you in very high regard either."

Viola's grip on the wine bottle tightened abruptly, a flash of sharpness crossing her emerald eyes before being swiftly concealed. She merely raised her glass toward him, replying, "You jest, honored guest. The young master's intentions aren't for us to speculate upon."

Bahr didn't press further, simply clinking his glass lightly against hers. In the crystalline chime of their glasses meeting, he seemed to hear the woman's suppressed sigh buried deep within.

In Doflamingo's kingdom, everyone was merely a piece on his chessboard—including this seemingly favored Viola...