Solving the Pluton power issue came first; Fruit experiments could wait.
Back in the shogun's residence, Dimon faced the scientists.
"So… several days of poking around. What did you actually learn?"
Caesar was practically vibrating. "Shu-ro-ro… a masterpiece! You can't even imagine how far ancient tech went!"
Judge and Queen traded a look, then chimed in:
"It's not just the main cannon. There are… impossible systems all over. If you'd like, I can draft a thorough inspection report."
"One thing's insane: that ship should be capable of optical cloaking. Straight-up invisibility."
Dimon massaged his brow. "Not… quite what I asked." He glanced to Vegapunk.
The doctor scratched his oversized head, choosing words carefully. "Preliminary theory: the drive needs a special liquid fuel. No idea what, yet."
"Name it and you'll have it," Dimon said. "Facilities, funds, people—whatever."
"Then we need a proper research island, more scientists, equipment… and distance from civilians. Some tests could, ah, detonate an entire city."
Please don't blow up my scientists, Dimon thought. He snapped his fingers and conjured a bottle of Eternal Life Wine.
"Build on the offshore island south of the capital—locals call it Onigashima. And for… safety, this is your hazard pay."
Stussy's eyes sparkled. "Tch, stingy. Why didn't I get a bottle back then?"
Vegapunk held the crimson liquor like scripture. "The legendary wine that grants immortality… as payment?"
"Call it a bonus," Dimon smiled. "One bottle serves four. You, Judge, Queen, Caesar—perfect headcount."
The men trembled. Vegapunk looked more curious than greedy, as if he'd rather dissect the bottle than drink it. Dimon read his mind and cut in: "Drink it now. I'll have Abel escort you to Onigashima after."
Reluctantly, Vegapunk poured four cups. They drank.
"Escort them," Dimon told Abel.
"You're not coming?" Stussy asked, slipping her arm through his.
"Construction first. I'd just be in the way."
She prodded his pocket. "What's this round thing?"
"The Fragrance–Fragrance Fruit. Oh, by the way—immortals can eat a second Fruit without dying. The new power overwrites the old."
He lifted the Fruit. "Want it?"
"A gift? I'm thrilled~" Stussy pecked his cheek, bit down, and winced through the vile taste. A soft, intoxicating scent bloomed off her skin.
"You adapted fast," Dimon sniffed—and felt heat stir.
Stussy blushed. "It lets me release aromas that… nudge hormones."
"Using it on me? Bold." He scooped her up and headed for the bedroom.
"W-wait—kidding! Mostly!"
Hours later, Dimon emerged thinking: Viagra–Viagra Fruit, huh.
Pleasantries aside, money was the real headache.
Wano wasn't a World Government member; they used oval ingots—platinum, gold, silver—as currency. Paper notes? Too much hassle.
So he chose the simple path: raise taxes. Expand Udon Quarry, hire more smiths, mass-produce seastone. Then find buyers not named the World Government.
"Ugh. No fun being my own Doffy. He was disgustingly good at moving arms…"
Dofflamingo was probably still a brat in Mariejois. Tempting to pay the Holy Land a visit—his teleportation meant even Im couldn't pin him down. He could also liberate a few Fruits on the way.
Decision made, Dimon pinged Kaido with Observation Haki—found him training outside the capital—mentioned he'd step out for a bit, then became a streak of black light and vanished into the sky.
New World, open sea.
A pirate bought a paper from the News Coo for 100 belli and whooped. "Boss Chinjao! That man's finally in the headlines again!"
The spike-skulled elder—Chinjao, bounty 542,000,000—snatched the paper. The front page screamed:
The Mysterious "Winemaker" Dimon Invades Marineford Alone!
It recounted Dimon versus Fleet Admiral Kong and Admiral Sengoku—one against two—snatching several Fruits before departing unharmed. The writer laid it on thick, even dropping "a new king is born."
"So that was a few days ago…" Chinjao rapped his conical head and sighed. "Finding him's harder than it sounds."
"Boss, the sky—that black line again!"
"Black line?" Chinjao looked up. A jet-black stroke cut across the heavens. He narrowed his eyes and felt it—an approaching presence.
"He's coming for us."
The line knifed the air, made a razor-turn, and halted above their prow. The shockwave nearly capsized the ship.
"Using Observation to peep at me?" Dimon hovered there, wings spread, gaze skimming the deck—then paused at the silhouette below.
That cone. That face.
"You're the pillar of the Happo Navy," he said, lips quirking. "Boss Chinjao."
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