Chapter 518

"Perhaps you're right."

"That Marine brat might really be done for!"

Big Bear said.

"How about we go over and see how that brat ends up?"

"A Marine, daring to set foot alone on Donquixote Family's turf. There must be some reason behind this."

"Take a guess — how do you think that brat will end up?"

"This should count as a direct provocation of the Donquixote Family's authority, right? A Marine, daring to step into Demon Town all alone — isn't this an open challenge to the Donquixote Family?"

"Someone like that is bound to end up in a miserable state."

"Let's go! Hurry and take a look! If we're too late, we might only see a cold corpse."

"..."

A dozen or so pirates sprang into action, including the burly man called Big Bear, who followed closely as they headed for the casino the Donquixote Family had opened in Demon Town.

That place was the Donquixote Family's core territory!

It was also one of the businesses the Donquixote Family operated.

Looking across the islands within several hundred li of sea in every direction…

This casino in Demon Town was by far the largest in scale.

Precisely because of that,

it could attract countless pirates from across this sea, who flocked to Demon Town's casino.

On top of that,

the Donquixote Family's fearsome reputation was enough to deter any pirates with ill intentions from causing trouble at the casino.

Therefore,

Demon Town's casino naturally became the paradise in the eyes of all pirates.

Even if Marines showed up…

they had nothing to fear!

After all,

the casino was a place under the Donquixote Family's protection!

Even the Marines, the Donquixote Family did not need to fear in the slightest.

Unless…

someone of Vice Admiral rank or higher from Headquarters showed up!

But, was that possible?

Obviously not realistic.

Those top-tier powerhouses of Vice Admiral rank or higher from Marine Headquarters — how could they possibly come all the way to Demon Town just to deal with a single casino opened by the Donquixote Family?

Such thankless work, presumably even the Marines would not do lightly.

Meanwhile,

under the guidance of the pirate called Big Bear, Lu En cut straight across the dim streets and smoothly reached his destination!

A mere three hundred meters,

he arrived in just a moment.

His footsteps came to an abrupt halt, and Lu En stood quietly before the door of an immensely large casino.

His expression was calm, his gaze indifferent as he surveyed this casino.

Or rather…

this was a gambling city!

Not merely a simple casino.

Very large,

very luxurious,

just from the outside alone, it was enough to reflect the enormous scale of this casino.

A dazzling array of lights flickered out from the windows around the casino's perimeter, dispelling the dark environment of Demon Town, the riot of colors dazzling to the eye.

Faintly,

a pungent smell of alcohol drifted through the air.

And the smell of cigarettes too.

At the casino's entrance stood two burly men tasked with guarding the door, most likely peripheral members of the Donquixote Family.

Becoming a core member of the Donquixote Family was no easy feat.

Moreover,

if they were core members, they wouldn't be assigned to stand guard at the casino's entrance.

"So this is the casino the Donquixote Family opened?"

"Zhenshiqi Sect!"

"No wonder it can attract so many pirates flocking here."

Lu En sighed with feeling.

Standing before the casino's entrance, he gazed at this immensely large gambling city.

By a conservative initial estimate,

this casino could hold no less than several tens of thousands of people!

Yes!

This is comparable to a small-scale city!

A large-scale casino capable of accommodating so many people would naturally be loved by countless pirates, and with the deterrent power of the Donquixote family, it could also prevent some desperadoes from coveting it inside the casino.

As a casino opened by the Donquixote family, even desperadoes would not dare cause trouble inside.

This is the powerful deterrent of the Donquixote family!

"At this stage, Doflamingo clearly has not yet seized Dressrosa, nor established the Dressrosa Kingdom, nor become a king."

"So…"

"The Donquixote family's current base is still stationed in the first half of the Grand Line."

"However, considering Doflamingo's wildly ambitious character, he must have already attempted to covet territory in that stretch of sea in the New World."

"Dressrosa is the prime target he has set his sights on."

"It's just a pity that Doflamingo, before becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, did not possess the ability or capital to scheme for Dressrosa."

Lu En thought to himself.

The current Dressrosa is probably still in a very poor economic state.

Only after receiving Doflamingo's rule…

Will Dressrosa begin to flourish.

Before Doflamingo's rule, Dressrosa was so impoverished it was like a barren island!

From this, one can also indirectly demonstrate—

Doflamingo is indeed a very shrewd and capable powerhouse!

Not only is his personal strength extremely powerful,

Even his business tactics are exceptionally outstanding.

Only under his management and rule,

Will the originally impoverished Dressrosa become incomparably prosperous and flourishing in the future.

As for Doflamingo as a person, setting aside for now his character, good or evil, and all other aspects—judging solely by his personal ability, Lu En still rather admires him.

One has to admit this point.

Doflamingo's personal ability is truly outstanding!

After a while,

Feeling the pungent smell of alcohol drifting through the air…

Lu En gradually pressed down all the myriad thoughts in his head.

With an invitation letter for the Seven Warlords of the Sea, personally issued by Fleet Admiral Kong of the Marines, tucked in his bosom.

Immediately,

He stepped forward without the slightest hesitation, walking all the way toward the casino's great doors.