The next morning on Blue Dot Island, Doflamingo lounged on his makeshift throne of strings, surrounded by his black-cloaked SOS members.
He looked at Toku with a lazy, curious grin.
"Fufufufu… Boss, do you already have a plan to search for the Fude Fude no Mi?"
Toku shook his head.
"Before that, let's restrategize and prioritize what's important. The Elders have probably noticed something is wrong and figured out that CP-0 has failed. They will send the next wave maybe the Holy Knights. While they can't hold a candle to me, to you guys they're monsters. They have regenerative abilities. In other words, they can't die easily."
He paused, eyes sharp.
"This is what will happen now. Mingo, take care of base operations while I'm gone. I'm going to find Caesar, the mad scientist. I believe the two of you already have some history, which makes things easier."
Doflamingo's grin widened. "Fufufufufu…"
Toku continued, "I'll give him a deal: create a Devil Fruit that can stop regeneration. In return, I'll make him the greatest scientist in the world. Last I heard, he was working with Germa 66. I'll set off immediately."
"Godspeed, Boss," Doflamingo replied, still laughing.
"Godspeed, Boss!" the SOS members echoed in unison.
Toku vanished into the sky.
---
Three hours later, after skywalking across the sea, Toku arrived at Vanderbuck Island, where the Germa 66 fleet was currently cruising.
Without wasting time, he passed straight through the massive ship, making the entire vessel temporarily invisible to avoid detection. He located Caesar Clown in under ten minutes.
Toku grabbed the scientist by the throat and hurled him upward into the air, away from prying eyes.
Caesar screamed. "What?! Who's there?! Arghhhhhhhhh!"
"Silence, fool," Toku said coldly. "You will refer to me as 'Shadow Emperor'."
Caesar's eyes bulged. "Shadow Emperor…? Wait… Don't tell me. You're the head of the SOS? And the boss of Donflamingo?!"
"I see you're as sharp as ever," Toku replied. "That makes things easier."
Caesar tried to act proud, puffing out his chest. "What do you want from me?"
Toku's voice turned serious.
"Caesar. Listen carefully.
You've been making SMILE fruits that turn people into partial animals. That's cute. But Vegapunk is still ahead of you.
I'm going to change that.
Here's the science:
**Step 1: Why Normal Freezing Doesn't Work**
When you freeze something normally — like putting fish in a freezer — ice crystals form. Big ice crystals rip cells apart. The fish looks frozen, but when it thaws, it's mush. The cells are destroyed. That's why people don't come back from being frozen. Their cells are shredded.
**Step 2: Why Regeneration Doesn't Matter**
Some enemies — like the Elders — can regenerate. They heal from anything. Bullets, blades, magma, poison. But regeneration requires living cells. If every cell in their body freezes and shatters at the same time… there's nothing left to regenerate. Just mush. That's how we kill immortals.
**Step 3: The Problem with External Freezing**
Freezing from the outside takes too long. The enemy feels it coming. They dodge. They resist. Aokiji freezes people from the outside. They see the ice coming. They can break out if they're strong enough. We need something faster. Something they can't see or feel until it's too late.
**Step 4: The Solution — Internal Freezing**
Here's what I want you to make:
- External freeze: Standard ice powers. Creates visible ice on the target's skin.
- Internal freeze: Awakened ability. Lowers core body temperature from 37°C to -196°C in under one second.
The external freeze is a distraction. The internal freeze is the kill. They don't even feel the internal freeze. Nerves stop working at -10°C. By the time they realize something is wrong, every cell in their body is already frozen solid.
**Step 5: How the SMILE Fruit Does This**
A normal SMILE fruit gives Zoan powers — animal body parts and some regeneration. I want you to make a SMILE fruit that gives the user the power of a cryogenic being. Not just shooting ice. Not just freezing the air. The user should be able to lower the temperature inside another person's body just by looking at them. Line of sight. Instant. No projectile. No warning. Range: 50 meters. Duration: Permanent. Frozen cells never recover.
**Step 6: Why This Beats Vegapunk**
Vegapunk is studying the past — ancient weapons, old technology. You, Caesar, will invent the future. A weapon that kills immortals. A fruit that makes the Admirals afraid. A power that even the Elders cannot survive. Vegapunk created the Pacifista and the Seraphim — copies of existing powers. You will create something the world has never seen. That's how you surpass him.
**Step 7: The Trade**
I will give you: protection from anyone who wants you dead, unlimited resources (money, materials, test subjects), and credit — the world will know your name.
You will give me: the fruit (500+ copies for my SOS groups) and no betrayals. If you try, I will know. I am invisible. I am everywhere. You cannot hide from me.
Do we have a deal?"
Caesar's eyes sparkled with mad excitement. He laughed wildly. "Who can reject a deal like that?! What's the deadline?"
"Two weeks," Toku said. "You'll have a budget and funding of 3 billion berries."
"Three… threeee… THREE BILLION BERRIES?!" Caesar's face lit up like a child on Christmas. "Oi oi oi! I'll do it in one week! Get me good test subjects and a proper work environment!"
"Use the Germa 66 labs as your workspace. I'll get you the subjects. Tell them you're conducting your personal projects."
"Your wish is my command, Boss!"
Toku released him.
Caesar bowed dramatically, still laughing.
Toku vanished once more, already planning his next move.
The search for the Fude Fude no Mi had officially begun.