NOVEL NEXT Chapter 424: I’ll Commit Seppuku to Atone
"That damn brat!"
Watching Doflamingo's figure shoot into the sky and disappear among the distant clouds, Stussy ground her teeth in frustration. A flash of embarrassed anger flickered in her eyes, her ears burning red.
That little punk—he was clearly getting back at her for mocking his godfather earlier.
But what truly shocked her was that Doflamingo had actually guessed her "secret relationship" with Daren!
A wave of shame, like being caught in an intimate secret by a relative, surged through her chest. Even the toes in her high heels curled slightly from the mortification.
"Good thing he ran off quickly!"
Stussy huffed coldly, lighting another cigarette. After smoking it down to steady her mood, she slipped her mysterious, alluring fox mask back on and stepped out of the cabin once more.
The sharp click of her heels echoed through the corridor. Hearing her approach, the patrolling subordinate immediately strode over and bowed respectfully.
"Queen-sama, do you have any orders?"
Every guard on this merchant ship was one of Stussy's personally trained core subordinates—absolutely loyal. They all knew of her dual identity as both the Underworld Empress and a member of the World Government's CP0.
In an even, composed tone, Stussy spoke.
"Relay my orders. Starting today, all business between our Pleasure District and the Donquixote Family will receive a 30% discount based on the original terms."
"..."
The butler-clad subordinate looked up in disbelief, staring wide-eyed at his elegant Queen-sama. His mouth opened, but no words came out.
"What is it?"
Her voice carried a faint edge of irritation at his hesitation.
"Do you have an objection?"
The man's expression twisted with conflict. Taking a deep breath, as if making a desperate decision, he bowed deeply.
"Queen-sama, I wouldn't dare," he said earnestly, pain flickering across his face. "But... are you truly certain about giving away part of our Pleasure District's profits to the Donquixote Family? A 30% discount is... quite a lot."
Though Pleasure District's operations were mostly illegal and yielded staggering profits, a 30% cut would still cost them heavily. On such a massive scale, that discount translated into astronomical losses—numbers no ordinary person could even imagine.
How could Queen-sama suggest something so reckless? This wasn't like her at all!
Even if the Donquixote Family was expanding rapidly in the New World, and even if Doflamingo-sama was a valuable ally, he wasn't worth sacrificing that much profit!
"Hmm... You do make a fair point."
Stussy's calm acknowledgment made the butler exhale in relief. A smile of pure gratitude spread across his face.
Thank goodness. Queen-sama must've just been having a moment of rashness.
Of course—someone as brilliant and farsighted as Her Majesty would never make such a fooli—
"Thirty percent really is a bit low," Stussy mused suddenly, smiling as her eyes glimmered. "It makes me seem stingy, even insincere. Let's lower our profit margin a bit more—give the Donquixote Family a 40% discount instead."
"...???"
The butler's smile froze.
He blinked, certain he'd misheard.
F-forty percent!?
That's practically working for free!
When did the Pleasure District become a subsidiary of the Donquixote Family!?
This isn't a partnership—this is charity!
He stared at Stussy in dazed horror, his mind going completely blank.
Wait—did you think I meant thirty percent was too little!?
That's not what I meant at all!
At that moment, it felt as if his entire worldview had shattered.
Stussy glanced at him calmly.
"Just carry it out. Consider it the Pleasure District's welcome gift to the new Vice Commander of the God's Knights."
"Understood, Your Majesty..."
The butler answered weakly—but the moment the words left his mouth, something clicked. His eyes went wide, his jaw nearly hitting the floor.
"Th-the... Vice Commander of the God's Knights!?"
Stussy didn't respond. She simply turned and began walking toward the stern of the ship.
Watching the elegant sway of his Queen-sama's figure, the butler suddenly stiffened in realization.
"So that's it!"
No wonder the Queen-sama—who'd never once lost in the ruthless world of business—was willing to part with such a huge portion of profit to the Donquixote Family. It all made sense now! She was making a political investment ahead of time.
The newly appointed Vice Commander of the God's Knights... a man of status, influence, and power beyond reach!
As expected of our Queen-sama!
The butler's excitement surged. He quickly turned on his heel and rushed off to execute her command.
"Hey, did you notice something?"
Another subordinate approached quietly, lowering his voice. "Doesn't it seem like our Queen's in a really good mood today?"
The butler rolled his eyes.
"Of course she is! The Pleasure District's influence is about to expand again!"
"Is that so?"
The man scratched his head and looked toward the stern, where the Queen of the Pleasure District stood humming softly, tending to a patch of flowers with a faint smile.
"But somehow... I feel like that's not the reason."
…
Grand Line, first half.
Impel Down—the Great Undersea Prison.
"Hey! Damn it, Magellan! Get over here and clean this toilet!"
A bald prison guard stormed out of the restroom, cursing under his breath, a gas mask strapped tightly to his face.
"You bastard! You eat like a monster but never digest anything! All you do is eat, sleep, and shit! Because of you, I'm always stuck covering your shifts!"
"And that's not even the worst part—you didn't flush again! Are you trying to kill me!?"
Behind him, thick purple smoke billowed out from the stall—pure, toxic gas.
"Sorry, sorry! My stomach hurt too much, I forgot... It's all my fault."
Magellan, also wearing a gas mask, suddenly dropped to one knee with a heavy thud. His face twisted with shame and despair.
With tragic resolve, he pulled out a dagger, gripped it in both hands, and drove it toward his own abdomen.
"I'll commit seppuku to atone for my sin!"
Thud!
The bald guard kicked him hard, sending Magellan flying several meters across the floor. Panting furiously, he shouted,
"Don't even think about it!"
"If you kill yourself—who's going to scrub the damn toilets!?"