"Were you calling me?" Kaguya walked up to the girl trapped in the net.
The pink-haired girl was quite pretty, with delicate features, bright eyes, and a youthful face that still carried traces of innocence.
Before the girl could respond, a nearby officer ran over and shouted, "Who do you think you are meddling in official business?! Back off before I have you arrested too!"
A marine soldier nearby immediately kicked the officer to the ground and barked, "Are you blind? How dare you speak to the Inspector like that!"
The officer, furious, was just about to start cursing when he froze at the marine's words. "Inspector? What Inspector?"
The marine replied coldly, "Who else but the Inspector."
The officer's eyes widened in shock. He stammered, "Y-You're... the World Government's Inspector, Kaguya?"
Kaguya stood before him and said with amusement, "What? You want to arrest me too?"
The officer turned pale with fear. He scrambled up from the ground and stuttered, "N-No! I didn't know it was you!"
He was filled with regret. He was originally a manager at the coliseum, mainly responsible for security. The pink-haired girl was a slave forced to fight in the arena. When the wall collapsed earlier, she had taken the opportunity to escape.
She was someone that King Doflamingo had personally ordered him to keep a close watch on. If something happened to her, his head would be on the line. So when she tried to flee, he panicked and lashed out in desperation.
But he hadn't expected a few reckless words would land him in such deep trouble.
"Forget it," Kaguya said, waving her hand. "It was just a moment of carelessness."
The officer breathed a sigh of relief. As it sank in, cold sweat poured down his back.
"Did you want something from me?" Kaguya asked, turning back to the girl.
"Please... I'm begging you, please save my father!" the girl cried out urgently.
Her father?
Kaguya blinked. "Could you explain a bit more?"
The girl quickly said, "Sorry, that was careless of me. My name is Rebecca, I—"
Rebecca.
Kaguya paused. So this was Rebecca.
If she remembered correctly, Rebecca should be about the same age as Luffy, which meant she shouldn't be this grown up yet. Could her own arrival in this world have caused a butterfly effect?
Still, her story had clearly deviated greatly from the original timeline.
After Doflamingo seized control of Dressrosa through underhanded means, the former king was killed outright. Many soldiers loyal to him were slaughtered, including Rebecca's mother, Scarlett. Kyros, her father, had been captured and imprisoned but later escaped. Since then, he'd been gathering forces in secret to launch a rebellion.
As for Rebecca, she had been thrown into the coliseum as a hostage. Kyros had tried to rescue her several times but failed each time.
Kaguya wasn't surprised by how things turned out. One of Doflamingo's key tools for controlling Dressrosa was the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, which could turn people into toys and erase their presence from others' memories. This made it easy to hide his crimes.
Unfortunately for him, Kaguya had taken the Hobby-Hobby Fruit. Without it, his carefully laid plans had quietly unraveled.
Some time ago, Kyros, who was leading the rebel army, had been betrayed and fell into a pre-arranged trap. He was captured by Doflamingo, who decided to execute him at noon today—in the coliseum.
Kaguya looked up at the sky. It was nearly noon now. In just a little while, Kyros would be executed in public.
"In that case, let's go," Kaguya said, walking toward the coliseum.
Rebecca nodded heavily.
When they arrived at the coliseum, they found the stands already packed with a noisy crowd, enthusiastically watching the gladiatorial fights. Every time someone was killed, thunderous cheers erupted from the audience.
One thing about human nature was true—there was always a root of cruelty. No matter who they were, there seemed to be a hidden thirst for violence and blood, especially when that instinct was awakened.
However, after searching the entire coliseum, they didn't find any sign of Kyros.
Seeing Rebecca's anxious expression, Kaguya waved over a guard and instructed him to ask what was going on.
Kaguya wasn't worried Doflamingo would play any tricks. It was just one man. She didn't believe Doflamingo would risk offending her over a rebel.
But when the guard returned, his expression didn't look good.
Kaguya raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I asked around inside the coliseum," the guard said hesitantly, "Kyros... was executed yesterday."
Executed?
Kaguya froze.
Wasn't it supposed to be today at noon?
Beside her, Rebecca's eyes widened in shock, disbelief all over her face. She cried, "No way... No way! You're lying, right?!"
The guard said, "Kyros' body is in the basement. His identity has been confirmed. If you'd like to see—"
Before he could finish, Rebecca had already bolted.
As the sun set and dusk fell, the last rays of light vanished into the horizon, and the world was draped in night.
Kaguya carried the now-sleeping Rebecca in her arms, gently laying her down on a bed and covering her with a blanket.
She looked at Rebecca's tear-streaked face and let out a small sigh.
Rebecca had been through a terrible shock today. Kyros had already been executed the day before, and by the time they arrived, all that remained was his mangled, dismembered body. The smell alone was nauseating—even Kaguya, who had seen countless bloody scenes, frowned at the sight.
Kaguya had originally considered using the Samsara Rebirth Technique to bring him back, but after thinking it over, she chose not to.
Everyone had their own fate. That was something not easily changed. To use such a technique carelessly could lead to unpredictable consequences—especially when Kaguya still didn't fully understand the power of the Five Elders.
If it were just a matter of strength, the Five Elders might not act. But a heaven-defying jutsu like the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique would surely draw their attention.
What if she ended up resurrecting someone like Gol D. Roger?
...
The morning sunlight was bright and warm, filtering through the window like strands of silk and casting dazzling patches of light onto the floor, dispelling the darkness in the room.
Rebecca's eyelashes trembled slightly. She opened her eyes and sat up in bed, her expression dazed and her face pale. It was clear she hadn't yet recovered from the trauma of losing her father.
"You're awake?"
A gentle and melodic voice suddenly echoed through the room.
Rebecca blinked and turned her head. Sitting on a chair in the room was a silver-haired girl holding a book, smiling warmly at her.
"Thank you for helping me yesterday," Rebecca said, trying to gather her composure and forcing a smile.
Kaguya closed the book in her hand and said, "I'm sorry I couldn't save your father."
Rebecca shook her head. "It wasn't your fault. I'm already grateful that you helped me."
"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself," Kaguya said with a smile, extending her hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm Kaguya."
"Kaguya?" Rebecca blinked. "You mean that Kaguya?"
Kaguya scratched her head. "I'm not sure which one you're talking about, but if you mean the Kaguya everyone talks about, then yes, that should be me."
Rebecca slipped out of bed, knelt on the floor, and cried out, "Please, help me!"
Kaguya was taken aback by Rebecca's sudden gesture. "Help you?"
Rebecca lowered her head to the floor. "I want you to teach me swordsmanship."
"Teach you swordsmanship?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow.
Rebecca lifted her head, her expression serious. "I want to defeat Doflamingo and take Dressrosa back from him."
"Aren't you doing this to avenge your family?" Kaguya asked curiously.
Rebecca shook her head and softly said, "My father always said that hatred can't solve anything. It clouds our judgment and robs us of reason."
She might be young, but she was mentally mature. Then again, anyone who had experienced such tragedy would grow up quickly.
Kaguya extended her hand. "Then what about tuition?"
"Tuition?" Rebecca asked, confused.
"If you want something, you must pay a price," Kaguya said. "If you want to learn from me, you'll have to offer something of equal value in return."
"But..." Rebecca bit her lip and shook her head. "I don't have anything I can give."
"Anything will do," Kaguya said with a smirk. "As long as it belongs to you."
Rebecca bit her lip again, then raised her head with determination. "If you're willing to teach me, I'll do anything."
"Oh?" Kaguya raised her brow and walked over, lifting Rebecca's chin gently. "Are you saying... you're the tuition?"
Rebecca lowered her eyes and gave a small, solemn nod.
Kaguya withdrew her hand, but before Rebecca could breathe a sigh of relief, that same hand slipped into her collar, gliding down the smooth skin of her neck, and grasped a soft, tender mound. Rebecca's body instantly stiffened.
Enduring the invasion of Kaguya's hand on her chest, Rebecca bit her lip. Her face flushed red, but she neither resisted nor pulled away.
To Kaguya's surprise, despite Rebecca's youthful appearance, her figure was exceptionally well-developed—her chest especially, soft and round, hard to let go.
Kaguya gave a faint smile, then withdrew her hand and sat back down on the sofa. Rebecca, too, finally let out a long breath.
"Alright," Kaguya said. "Since you're so serious, I'll take you as my disciple. But... becoming my disciple isn't going to be easy."
Rebecca unconsciously clenched her fists, and with a determined face said, "I'll work hard. I won't disappoint you, Sensei."
Meanwhile, inside the royal palace.
"You're saying," Doflamingo furrowed his brow, resting his chin on his hand, "not only did she defeat Jack, but she also notified Marine Headquarters and had warships sent to take him away?"
"Yes, Doffy," Trebol sniffled and said, "Just this afternoon, three warships from Marine Headquarters arrived."
Doflamingo said gravely, "Is she not the least bit concerned that Kaido will come after her?"
"If she's relying on her status as a World Government Inspector, there may be nothing to worry about," Trebol said hesitantly, "but the concern is..."
"Hmm? Concerned about what?" Doflamingo sat up.
Trebol, uncharacteristically serious, said, "Concerned that she might actually have the power to defeat Kaido. That would explain her confidence."
"Still, since she laid hands on one of Kaido's men, with Kaido's temper, he won't let it slide," Doflamingo said with a sneer. "When Kaido comes after her in a rage, not even she may get out unscathed."
"But Doffy," Trebol added, "she took away Kyros' daughter. Should we retrieve her?"
"Hmm?" Doflamingo muttered. "You mean Kyros' daughter?"
"Yes, Doffy," Trebol replied. "This afternoon, she had someone retrieve Kyros' body and buried it near the sunflower fields."
"Forget it," Doflamingo waved dismissively. "Just a little girl. She won't be stirring up any trouble."
Just then, a pleasant voice rang out.
"Are you talking about me?"
Doflamingo's pupils shrank sharply as he turned. Standing not far away was the silver-haired girl herself—Kaguya.
Trebol jumped in surprise. "How did you get in here?!"
None of them had sensed another presence in the room.
"So," Kaguya said as she walked forward with a soft smile, "have you made your choice? Become my subordinate, or be killed? You know, I don't have much patience. And I really like killing people."
Doflamingo's eyes, behind his glasses, narrowed sharply. He said coldly, "Go. Bring it out."
"Yes, sir."
A guard quickly ran out and soon returned, carrying a large chest—inside, a Devil Fruit.
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