One, two, three, freeze!

Garrison's pupils contracted slightly, followed by an overwhelming surge of fury.

He was very familiar with this game.

During his idle moments, he often forced his household slaves and maids to play, then killed a few for entertainment under the guise of the rules.

"Everyone knows the rules, right?"

Doflamingo's lips curled into a wicked smirk as he continued, "Since that's the case, let's begin. I still have a meeting to attend after the game ends."

Before his words faded, Doflamingo suddenly realized someone was missing.

His gaze swept over the dozens of Celestial Dragons crowded at the estate gates and those who had stepped inside to watch the spectacle.

His sinister grin grew even more chilling.

"A game this fun needs more players to be exciting!"

As he spoke, the unique power of his Paramecia String-String Fruit silently activated.

In an instant, countless transparent threads descended from above, soundlessly attaching themselves to the Celestial Dragons in the estate.

Before they could react, Doflamingo manipulated the strings, forcing the group to move towards the pavilion like wooden puppets, completely out of their control.

"Dammit, my body won't obey me—"

"Doflamingo, what... what are you doing? Release us at once!"

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you all standing around for? Cut these strings off us!"

Amids the panicked shouts, the dozens of Celestial Dragons were dragged into the open space outside the pavilion under the helpless gazes of their CP0 bodyguards.

"Fufufufu, you all really need to exercise more!"

Doflamingo laughed wickedly as he observed the Celestial Dragons pulled in by his strings.

"Don't worry—as long as I remain in the Holy Land, I'll make sure you all work out and shed that excess fat!"

"Now then—"

Pausing briefly, Doflamingo suddenly spread his arms wide and declared with malicious glee.

"Let the game... begin!"

"Doflamingo!"

Before the game could commence, a cold shout rang out from beyond the estate.

The newly appointed leader of the God's Knights, Shamrock, strode through the gates with a group of subordinates, his expression dark.

Resting a hand on the hilt of his sword, he fixed Doflamingo with a piercing glare and said sternly.

"There are limits to fooling around. As the vice leader of the God's Knights, isn't this going too far?"

"Oh?"

Doflamingo slowly turned his head, his sinister smile unwavering.

."Ah, if it isn't Leader Stinkcock! What an unexpected... honor."

"!!!!"

Shamrock's pupils dilated instantly—the insult "Stinkcock" nearly made him draw his sword on the spot.

Before he could react, the dozens of Celestial Dragons under Doflamingo's control cried out for help.

"Shamrock, you must stand up for us!"

"We did nothing wrong! We were just watching from outside the estate when Doflamingo dragged us into this 'one, two, three, freeze' nonsense!"

"Shamrock, as the head of the God's Knights, you must punish Doflamingo severely! He... he's gone too far!"

Garrison's reaction was even more dramatic—as if clutching at a lifeline, he dropped to his knees before Shamrock with a loud thud.

With tears streaming down his face, he pleaded, "Shamrock-sama, you must stand up for the Donquixote Family. Doflamingo has been targeting our family with all sorts of retaliations lately. If you don't intervene, our family will... will be driven out of the Holy Land."

Hearing this, Shamrock couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.

It wasn't that he didn't want to intervene, but the current Doflamingo was not the same as before.

With the backing of Fleet Admiral Orion, even as the leader of the God's Knight, Shamrock dared not impose too many restrictions on him.

If Doflamingo hadn't gone too far recently and if his inaction might lead to his own involvement, he wouldn't have bothered to step in at all.

Scanning the surroundings, Shamrock took a deep breath inwardly, suppressing his dissatisfaction with Doflamingo and spoke slowly.

"Doflamingo, give me some face. Let's end things here today. There's an important meeting to attend and as the vice leader, you can't be absent."

"Give you some face?"

Doflamingo blinked, then shoved his hands into his pockets and walked up to Shamrock.

"Your family is really strange—always asking others for favors. Does the Figarland Family's face carry that much weight?"

"What do you mean?" Shamrock's eyes turned icy in an instant. "Are you saying that even if I speak up, you'll still make trouble for them today? Doflamingo, don't tell me you think Fleet Admiral Orion promoted you to this position just so you could take revenge on the Celestial Dragons who wronged you? If that's the case, then I must say, Fleet Admiral Orion has terrible judgment in people!"

"Hmm?" Doflamingo took a sudden step forward, closing in on Shamrock.

"Dare to disrespect Fleet Admiral Orion? Do you believe I wont kill you right now?"

"Am I wrong?" Shamrock didn't back down.

Instead, he pressed his forehead against Doflamingo's and said in a low voice, "If this is all you're capable of, then you're nothing but worthless scum."

"Let me tell you something—Crocodile, who also serves under Fleet Admiral Orion, has been appointed as the first mayor of Wano Country. Under his management, Wano has undergone earth-shaking changes in just a few days. Right now, he's even representing Fleet Admiral Orion in negotiations with the four Underworld Emperors brought to Wano."

"Now look at yourself. What have you been doing in the Holy Land these past few days?"

"Either framing Celestial Dragons in Pangaea Castle with baseless charges or seeking revenge on members of the Donquixote Family. You're already the vice leader—even if you don't retaliate, they'll still fear and respect you. What you should be doing now is living up to your responsibilities as vice leader and not disappoint Fleet Admiral Orion!"

Hearing this, Doflamingo's eyes flickered slightly.

Shamrock's tone was harsh, but his words were undeniably reasonable.

After locking eyes with Shamrock for a moment, Doflamingo suddenly took a step back.

Without even glancing at the Celestial Dragons behind him, he swaggered towards the manor gates with an arrogant stride.

Seeing this, Shamrock sighed inwardly in relief.

Bringing up Fleet Admiral Orion had indeed been the right move.

In this situation, no one else's influence would have worked—the only person who could rein in Doflamingo was the Fleet Admiral himself.

Just as Shamrock was about to turn and follow, Doflamingo, who had already reached the manor gates, suddenly stopped.

He turned back to look at the relieved Celestial Dragons and grinned wickedly, saying.

"I'll head to the meeting first. I'll come play with you all another day when I have time."

At these words, the Celestial Dragons who had just breathed sighs of relief froze on the spot, their faces turning ashen.

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