Among the Beasts Pirates' top brass, King was the quieter one.
Sitting alone off to the side, smoking silently, he casually balled up the newspaper that held Doflamingo's bounty poster and burned it to ash with a flicker of flame—before transforming into his pteranodon form and flying off into the sky to continue contributing to the expansion of the Beasts Pirates.
When the banquet was nearly over, the "Imperial Deputy" of the crew—the Golden Right Hand, Hanfuda, affectionately known throughout the pirate world as the Lizard King Hanfuda, returned with a grin behind his black bat-shaped headgear, carrying two Devil Fruit crates.
Queen was far from an out-of-touch stiff-brained scientist—otherwise he wouldn't have joined the Beasts Pirates the instant MADS disbanded.
He had connections with the Beasts Pirates long before this, and his knowledge of the New World was extensive.
He remembered perfectly how Hanfuda once dared compete with Kaido over territory, so Queen had long recognized Hanfuda's strength.
Thus, the moment Hanfuda appeared, Queen rushed over enthusiastically to shower him with flattery.
After all, as the saying goes: "You don't hit the smiling face."
Especially not when that smiling face was round, soft, and extremely friendly.
Sure enough, after a storm of boot-licking, Queen and Hanfuda became fast friends.
With Kaido's tacit approval, Hanfuda casually handed one of the Devil Fruits he brought back straight into Queen's hands.
Queen was so overwhelmed with joy that he grabbed Hanfuda's thigh and burst into tears.
If Kaido hadn't been present, Queen definitely would've given Hanfuda a passionate "sing-dance-rap" performance right on the spot.
Hanfuda was Beasts Pirates' Imperial Deputy for a reason.
He used his brain far more than Kaido ever did for major matters.
Most of the Devil Fruits the Beasts Pirates obtained in the future were thanks to Hanfuda's efforts.
As Queen chattered nonstop, Hanfuda filtered out the useful information.
Once the crew got drunk and rolled around on the floor, Hanfuda quietly excused himself and headed for Kaido's private quarters.
Inside Kaido's room—
Kaido was sprawled spread-eagle across a giant bed, four towering 3-meter-tall women lying unclothed atop his body.
Hanfuda pushed the door open without hesitation.
The moment he stepped in, the intense, lingering scent hanging in the air told him exactly what Kaido had been doing moments earlier.
Sighing at Kaido's overwhelming vigor and "physical stamina," Hanfuda didn't bother pretending to be polite.
He grabbed one of the women around the waist, pulled off his unnecessary clothing, and to the woman's sharp scream, began his own "business" while calling for Kaido.
Kaido didn't need calling.
The moment Hanfuda entered, Kaido was already awake—he simply didn't feel like moving yet.
When Hanfuda spoke up again, Kaido shoved aside the woman draped across him, reached for the bottle of liquor Hanfuda brought, took a swig, and said casually, without a hint of discomfort:
"Little bro, good work this time. Go ahead and relax. Anything important we can talk about tomorrow."
Hanfuda was just as fast-paced.
Finishing himself with a single explosive thrust, he tossed the fainted woman aside and said openly:
"Can't do that, Kaido. This matter concerns rapid expansion of our territory. We need to plan ahead."
"What's it about then, little bro? And let me make this clear first—if you want me to work with Linlin, I absolutely ain't agreeing."
Kaido trusted Hanfuda 100%.
But as a man of "principles," he refused to cooperate with that "big sister" ever again.
"You think too much. It's Shiki.
There's confirmed intel that the Marines are preparing to move against Shiki, and they intend to act soon.
We can use that opportunity to take over Shiki's territory."
Hanfuda smiled slyly.
"Shiki? Marines wanting his head isn't new.
Little bro, let me tell you—no matter how stupid Shiki is, the Marines don't have the power to eliminate him. That's impossible."
Kaido didn't doubt Hanfuda—he simply didn't believe Shiki was someone the Marines could take down.
Hanfuda sorted through the intel in his mind and slowly explained:
"I knew you wouldn't believe it.
But the Marines aren't just sending Garp and Sengoku this time.
Zeffar is secretly stationed in the New World as well.
The three great powers of the Marines are gathering—this isn't a small matter.
According to our Marine informants, the World Government is involved too.
Dragon, that Marine traitor we met a few years back, seems to be participating.
With a lineup like that—and Shiki's arrogant personality—his defeat is guaranteed.
And that's when we rise, and replace the Flying Pirates."
"Gah-hahahaha!
Then what are we waiting for, little bro Hanfuda?!
This time, I'm taking half of that old man Shiki's territory!"
Kaido wasn't lacking in confidence.
Getting intel ahead of time meant seizing the initiative.
In the New World, where monsters roamed everywhere, taking even half of Shiki's holdings was already a massive win.
The secret meeting concluded.
Kaido and Hanfuda immediately set their plan in motion—issuing emergency summons and marching toward Shiki's domain.
Totland.
Though Totland had yet to reach its future peak, the Big Mom Pirates were already a crew capable of rivaling the Whitebeard Pirates—with Charlotte Linlin alone enough to form a Yonko-class threat.
And with the senior officers like Katakuri gradually coming into their own, their power was only growing.
On Whole Cake Island—
Charlotte Linlin, who had just given birth to twin daughters—the 18th and 19th daughters, Charlotte Galette and Charlotte Poire—was happily holding a birthday banquet.
Her fertility was terrifying.
She had already given birth to 25 sons and 17 daughters—multiple children per year, far exceeding human limits.
She truly wasted not a single drop of gene.
At the party, a gigantic cake was being devoured at a speed of one meter per bite, while Chef Longbread hurried nonstop to produce more food.
Seated slightly below Linlin, Katakuri and Perospero were at a smaller round table, discussing something over a newspaper.
"Katakuri, there's a promising newcomer lately. His first bounty is already seventy-five million Beli. Should we bring him into Totland early?"
"No need.
Mama doesn't like us making decisions for her, nor do we need outsiders meddling.
If the guy's strong, he might work as a husband candidate for one of our little sisters."
"Heh-hee-hee… that makes sense. Katakuri, here—your favorite donuts."
Meanwhile, in the Edd War Sea, giant waves rose and fell violently.
Not far away, aboard an enormous Marine battleship—
Garp grabbed Sengoku by the collar, furious, and punched him squarely in the head.
Then he roared:
"Sengoku!
You knew damn well Nazca wouldn't flee!
You knew he'd fight to the end—maybe even die in battle!
Why didn't you transfer him away beforehand?!"
Sengoku didn't dodge.
He accepted the punch head-on.
He understood Garp too well.
Nazca had reached the rank of Vice Admiral largely thanks to Garp's training.
Nazca had always treated Garp as his teacher—even if Garp never acknowledged it.
But undeniably, somewhere deep inside, Garp had recognized Nazca as half a disciple.
Now Nazca had died in the line of duty—a death he didn't have to suffer.
Saying Garp wasn't angry…
would be a lie.
(End of Chapter)
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