Chapter 127: A True Man Cannot Endure Such Humiliation!

"What did you say? You prepared ten courtesans for him?"

Jack stared at Black Maria in disbelief, his concern evident as he spoke.

"I told you to treat him well, but I didn't mean this kind of hospitality!"

"Ten courtesans? Can that scrawny dog even handle that? His back might break!"

"Cough cough..."

"Hahhh..."

Black Maria exhaled a smoke ring in Jack's direction, smirking at the jealousy written all over his face.

"Stop staring at me with those envious eyes! And by the way..."

She leaned in, her lips dangerously close to Jack's ear, and whispered,

"I checked out the gift you prepared for me."

Jack's eyes lit up. "So? What do you think?"

Maria smiled mischievously. "After the banquet, come to my room."

"Really?!"

Seeing her nod in confirmation, Jack practically jumped for joy.

"It's settled, then! I'll show you what it means to be a real man!"

At that moment, Doflamingo appeared at the end of the hallway, accompanied by several courtesans.

"Fufufufu! Jack, thanks for the hospitality!"

Doflamingo's face was smug, satisfaction radiating from his every movement. Jack glanced at the lipstick marks on his face and muttered jealously,

"No problem... as long as your back doesn't give out."

"Haha! While my physique may not compare to yours, I've been through some serious training myself."

"Hm?"

Jack lowered his gaze to Doflamingo's slim A4 waist, sneering.

"Serious training? You?"

"Have you ever frog-jumped across mountains? Pulled ships across the ground? Taken a spiked club to the back, been scorched by fireballs, or drenched in venom? If your butt doesn't have calluses, don't talk to me about training!"

Doflamingo blinked, staring at Jack's... posterior.

Calluses on his butt? What kind of training could possibly lead to that?

Could it be some kind of secret technique?

But as his gaze shifted to the bruises on Jack's head, Doflamingo froze. The phantom sensation of Kaido's spiked kanabo, Hassaikai, resurfaced in his memory. The humiliation of being tossed around like a toy, helpless under Kaido's overwhelming power, was something Doflamingo never wanted to experience again.

As Doflamingo entered the banquet hall, he saw Yamato chasing two small brats and a giant wolf around the port. Meanwhile, a group of pirates laughed heartily, clinking mugs of ale. Among them were Rim and Master, who had accompanied Jack.

At the head of the hall, Kaido sat on a massive chair, guzzling alcohol.

"Kaido-sama."

"Oh, Joker!"

Kaido's drunken gaze fell on Doflamingo as he gestured toward the spread of food in the middle of the hall.

"Help yourself to whatever you like. Hope it suits your tastes. The plates are over there."

"Thank you for the hospitality."

Doflamingo moved toward the banquet table, where dozens of steaming dishes and barrels of fragrant alcohol awaited. A group of pirates wearing chef hats was busy grilling more food nearby.

"Self-service, huh?"

He scanned the area but frowned. "There are chopsticks and spoons, but... where are the plates?"

Before he could figure it out, Jack and Black Maria strolled over. Jack grabbed two steaming food trays, each almost the size of half a man, and said nonchalantly,

"What're you staring at? Just grab what you want! Don't worry—they'll refill it soon enough!"

"Wait... these are the plates?"

Doflamingo stared at the massive trays, finally understanding what Kaido meant. Without breaking his facade, he used his threads to lift one into the air and carry it toward the giant table near Kaido's seat.

"Oh, that power of yours is pretty handy, huh?"

"Oi! You three idiots, get down from there!"

Kaido's voice boomed across the hall.

Doflamingo looked up to see Yamato riding on Jack's head while two brats perched on his shoulders. He couldn't help but remark,

"Kaido-sama, the bond between Jack and his comrades is truly something special. It reminds me of my own family."

"Hmm..."

Kaido stood, his eyes narrowing at the chaos.

Before Doflamingo could react, Kaido grabbed Hassaikai and swung it at Jack.

CLANG!

"GAH!"

Jack reeled, clutching the massive lump forming on his head.

"You middle-aged drunkard! Are you insane?! How many times do I have to tell you—you can't handle strong liquor! Go sit at the kiddie table!"

"Master! Get over here and purify him!" Jack bellowed.

Doflamingo watched, dumbfounded. That strike... wasn't Kaido using Haki just now?

The floor had cracked under the force of the blow, yet Jack only had a bump on his head.

Is Jack's body just that tough, or am I really as weak as he says?

"Come, Joker! Drink with me!"

Kaido, now purified by Master's powers, raised his cup and beckoned.

"Your negotiations in the Underworld need to go smoothly!"

"Tch. Of course."

Doflamingo picked up a glass, silently vowing to prove his worth.

As the night went on, with Master continuously purifying Kaido, the towering emperor downed drink after drink. Meanwhile, Doflamingo kept the conversation flowing, the banquet filled with laughter and camaraderie.

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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg