"Joker..."
Onigashima, Wano Country.
Kaido clenched the gilt-edged invitation in his hand, grinning with sharp teeth.
...
"First the Op-Op Fruit, now the Float-Float Fruit..."
King stood beside him, speaking gravely: "Doflamingo seems to have quite a knack for rare Devil Fruits."
Kaido sneered: "But he can't keep any of them."
"He's a bit clever, though—not daring to let his subordinates consume them, using them to trade for profit..."
...
"This is the fruit that person publicly expressed wanting." King frowned slightly: "He will definitely go."
Kaido glanced at him: "How long has it been? You already dare not call his name directly?"
King gave a bitter smile: "The gap between me and him now is probably like the gap between him and me back then."
"Less than ten years, he has already left me far behind. It's just unfortunate about Kari..."
...
Kaido pondered.
When Kari was sealed away, he wanted to go and wreak havoc at the Marines, forcing them to release Kari.
It happened just as the Marines were gathering in full force.
He enjoys challenging things, always talking about his hobby of suicide, but...
...
After that, Bullet came to fight him, and there were many other messy challengers, so he had no time to go after Kari.
No time was just an excuse...
He had seen G-179 base from afar in the sky—this was actually his base when he first became a pirate.
That Golden Tree gave him a very bad feeling, and...
Griffin, standing atop the tree canopy, pierced through several kilometers with his gaze, meeting his eyes from above the clouds.
...
This kid... has already reached that level...
Kaido had confidence in defeating Griffin, but battles of this level required considering too many things.
Just like how the World Government could surely wipe out a Four Emperors crew if they fully mobilized, yet they still maintained restraint.
Fights between top-tier powerhouses could influence the sea's landscape, affecting everything with a single move.
Once choosing to attack this guy, it would undoubtedly escalate into a full-scale war...
Not just the Marines, Linlin might seize the chance to encroach on my territory, and there's also Bullet watching covetously...
For Kari, is it worth starting a full-scale war?
After deliberation, Kaido still abandoned Kari, continuing to manage his own forces.
...
I've done my part for you, buddy. Who told you to go start a fight right after getting new gear, and then lose? I can't help you either.
And now,
"Shiki's fruit..."
Kaido recalled the battle at God Valley.
That battle had no strict winner; the World Government killed Rocks, but the other members also looted God Valley's treasures.
He obtained the Azure Dragon Fruit then, counting as one of the winners.
But the one who seized the most treasures was Shiki.
Thanks to this, he could later establish the massive Flying Pirates, their momentum rivaling the Rocks Pirates, even pushing Roger's crew to the brink.
...
The formation of the Flying Pirates hinged most crucially on the Float-Float Fruit's ability.
The strength of Devil Fruits lies in their users, but there are always some exceptions.
A master proficient in Two-Colored Haki who eats this fruit could instantly restore the might of the Flying Pirates from back in the day!
A truly strategic-level Devil Fruit, capable of influencing the world's balance!
...
"King, how much is our treasure worth in Belly?"
King paused for a moment, thinking it over before replying, "The funds we can access immediately are around ninety billion Belly."
As the de facto ruler of Wano Country and the Governor of the Beasts Pirates, Kaido's assets were definitely more than that.
But most existed in non-cash forms, such as Sea Stone mines, the Artificial Devil Fruit industry in collaboration with Doflamingo, and the entire nation's labor force available for exploitation.
...
"Hmm... bring it all. We're preparing to attend the auction."
"Mr. Kaido..."
King couldn't imagine Kaido obediently participating in an auction. Logically speaking... if you want something, shouldn't you just take it by force?
Kaido lightly tapped the armrest of the stone throne and said calmly:
"Ninety percent of the Belly used to bid for the Float-Float Fruit will be returned by Doflamingo."
"We inherently have ten times more funds than anyone else!"
"If the rules are in our favor, then we follow them."
"When the rules no longer benefit us, that's when we rewrite them."
...
"I understand, Mr. Kaido!"
——
——
——
"An auction? Are you going to attend, Stussy?"
Totto Land—Whole Cake Island.
The Queen of the Pleasure District, Stussy, sat across from the Pirate Emperor of the New World, Charlotte Linlin.
Also seated nearby was one of the Underground Emperors, 'Loan Shark King Du Feld.'
They had been invited to attend Linlin's tea party.
...
Stussy held her teacup, propping her chin with one hand, and said slowly, "It sounds quite interesting... I'm sure there will be many familiar faces. Are you interested, Linlin?"
Linlin frowned thoughtfully for a while before grinning widely. "Not interested. My children already have suitable fruits!"
Hearing this, Stussy breathed a sigh of relief.
Her second identity was that of a high-ranking agent in the World Government's CP0, and she was here on a mission.
According to intelligence, the Beasts Pirates were raising funds, clearly planning to attend the auction.
If Charlotte Linlin were to go as well...
The movements of Pirate Emperors were a key focus for the CP Organization. If they were to meet, it could easily lead to situations beyond control.
Confirming Linlin's intentions was one objective; the other was...
Stussy turned to the Loan Shark King. "I can't resist auctions. Lend me some money, Feld."
...
Feld set down his teacup and said flatly, "Double the amount in a month. How much do you want to borrow?"
Stussy smiled sweetly. "As much as you can lend~"
After all... she had no intention of repaying.
Feld sneered. "I don't think you can afford the interest."
...
"Linlin~"
Stussy turned to Linlin, calling out in a coquettish tone.
"Mamamamamama..." Charlotte Linlin laughed. "Just lend it to her, Feld. I'll be the guarantor!"
"But..."
"I said, I'll be the guarantor!"
Her large face leaned in, the terrifying pressure enveloping Feld, a stark contrast to her earlier kindness toward Stussy.
"Alright... I'll prepare the funds when I return."
Feld immediately backed down, not daring to look directly at Linlin, and turned to Stussy.
"Even you have to sign a contract!"
"Thank you, Felder."
...
The Five Elders have given orders: that person must absolutely not obtain the Float-Float Fruit.
Stussy clearly sensed…
The higher-ups were already planning to take action against Uchiha Griffin.
How did it come to this… It's just a shame about Lucci.
——
——
——
Beneath the Golden Tree.
Kari, who the world believed should be in prison, sat cross-legged among the roots, his skin shimmering with flecks of golden light.
"Don't go fishing for a while. Guard this place and don't let anyone approach," Griffin said calmly.
For these past few years, what had been sealed within the ice cross was merely a sculpture in Kari's likeness. He had been diving into the sea to hunt Sea Kings to feed the tree.
Compared to the inconsistent quality of Pirates, Sea Kings were beings with purer life energy.
By now, the roots of the Golden Tree had already penetrated deep into the seabed, and even without being fed, it could automatically draw upon natural energy.
But recently, it seemed to have encountered some kind of obstruction.
Through his mental connection with the Golden Tree, Griffin sensed… something terrifying in the deep sea seemed to be repelling the Golden Tree's absorption.
This ocean still holds many secrets…
...
Kari opened his eyes, a faint crimson glint flickering within. "Bartholomew Kuma contacted me earlier. It should be about the final modifications beginning."
Griffin pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Understood. I'll make a trip there."
"Oh, right…"
Griffin looked Kari up and down. "Can you eat a Devil Fruit?"
...
He was determined to obtain the Float-Float Fruit. It would be best if money could solve it; if not, then he would resort to force.
After all, no matter how much he spent, he would take it all back from Doflamingo.
It was originally my thing, and you still want to charge me for it?
The moment Doflamingo refused to hand it over obediently, he was destined for a beating.
...
"Theoretically, I can acquire the abilities of a Devil Fruit."
"However, when I return, I might carry the Devil Fruit Factor. You'll have to judge the risks involved yourself."
Is that so…
Currently, there is no precedent for someone using two Devil Fruits simultaneously. Until Blackbeard's unique physical constitution is understood, it's better not to take such unnecessary risks.
With a thought from Griffin, a branch extended down from the canopy of the Golden Tree.
A leaf unfurled, and a golden pellet the size of a knuckle fell into Griffin's hand.
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