"Would Lady Linlin be interested in watching the show?"
Kaido clashing with Whitebeard? That was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
Standing at BIG MOM's side, Katakuri and Perospero's eyes gleamed sharply.
Having swallowed part of Golden Lion's territory, their ambitions had only grown fiercer.
At that moment, BIG MOM's thoughts aligned perfectly with those of her two sons. She burst out laughing.
"Ma ma ma ma ma! Wouldn't it be even better if I waited until they finished fighting and then swooped in to clean up the mess?"
There isn't a ruler alive who doesn't crave absolute dominance—
To rule the entire world alone.
And BIG MOM was no exception.
As for Kaido's so-called favor of saving her life—
The Fish-Fish Fruit had already repaid that debt.
"Of course you can, Lady Linlin. After all, I have always been your loyal supporter."
After affirming BIG MOM's idea, Doflamingo continued with a smirk.
"However, the Navy's intelligence network in the New World isn't blind. If Kaido and Whitebeard stir up trouble, the Navy won't pass up the chance to get involved. If the two of them end up weakening each other, only to be taken down by the Navy afterward..."
"Lady Linlin, there's an old saying: A single tree cannot hold up a collapsing building."
At these words, not only BIG MOM, but even Perospero's eyes grew noticeably more serious.
The Navy remained the world's most terrifying military force.
With Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku, the Hero of the Marines Garp, Strategist Tsuru, and the trio of monstrous Vice Admirals, not to mention a countless number of other Vice Admirals—
Their strength had never been more overwhelming.
Unlike pirates, the Navy didn't need to pass through Fish-Man Island to move their forces.
If Marine Headquarters decided to throw everything they had into a campaign, gathering soldiers from across the globe—
They could cross the Red Line and completely encircle them.
If that happened, there'd be only one route left: flee deeper into the New World.
After a brief exchange, BIG MOM's voice rang out once again.
"Ma ma ma ma! I'll go check it out myself. My dear son-in-law, what about you?"
"Fufufufufu, for such a grand event, how could I possibly miss it?"
...
Click.
Doflamingo hung up the Den Den Mushi, just to be safe.
Then he called Vergo, who was stationed on Raijin Island, to make some further arrangements.
Once everything was set, he finally made his way to the parlor.
After a hearty meal and some drinks, Doflamingo and Gancho sat across from each other in a quiet room.
Gancho, peeking nervously at Doflamingo's crimson-lensed glasses, hesitantly spoke up.
"Your Majesty Doflamingo, about the IQ Grass... what do you intend for us to do with it?"
Even though their brief time together had reassured Gancho that the Heavenly Yaksha meant them no harm, that eerie red gaze was still too much. He instinctively bowed his head.
"I'll entrust you with part of the IQ Grass to cultivate."
Doflamingo curled his finger, and a thick document floated down into Gancho's hands.
"For the sake of your Tontatta's health—and the healthy growth of the IQ Grass—my capable subordinate, Tesoro, will explain the details of our cooperation."
Gancho blinked in confusion as he accepted the document.
Before he could ask any questions, a Den Den Mushi emerged from Doflamingo's coat.
"You flatter me, Boss," Tesoro said humbly, before turning to Gancho and launching into a polished speech.
"Our Boss firmly believes that effort deserves appropriate reward.
By cultivating the IQ Grass, your people will naturally reap tremendous benefits.
Surely you can agree with that, King Gancho?"
Gancho, simple and trusting by nature, nodded quietly.
"You're absolutely right, Tesoro-san."
"Good, it seems we have an initial understanding.
Now, because IQ Grass is extremely valuable, it requires 24-hour monitoring.
However, its scent is irresistibly attractive to your people.
To prevent any... unnecessary accidents, and to ensure everyone's safety and health—
Only your finest warriors should be permitted to approach it, rotating in three shifts a day.
What do you think?"
Gancho hesitated for a moment, but when he remembered how crazy his people had gotten after even a whiff of IQ Grass, he nodded again.
"You're right."
...
After a while—
Gancho sat there, clutching a thick stack of documents, utterly bewildered.
It felt like... they had gained everything, yet somehow nothing at all.
Seeing Doflamingo about to leave, Gancho quickly called out, fear momentarily forgotten.
"Your Majesty Doflamingo! What about the independent sky island you promised?"
"Relax," Doflamingo said casually, smiling. "Think carefully about whether you want to rebuild a new island from scratch, or just take Green Bit with you. Once I'm done with my current business, I'll come back for you."
Leaving those words behind, Doflamingo walked out, smiling faintly.
Another tool-race secured... free of charge.
...
Bristol Island.
The massive Moby Dick lay docked at the port.
Four slightly smaller but otherwise identical ships surrounded the central flagship.
The entire Whitebeard Pirates crew—more than a thousand strong—had gathered!
Their battle spirits were sky-high!
And it wasn't just them—dozens of pirate ships of various shapes and sizes were steadily approaching.
They weren't enemies.
They were former members of Whitebeard's fleet—
Now captains of their own infamous crews throughout the New World!
"Ice Witch Whitey Bay!"
"Airuwan!"
"Maelstrom Spider Squard!"
"Little Oars Jr.!"
...
One notorious pirate after another gathered, shouting with a deafening roar—
"OLD MAN!!!"
The atmosphere was electric; the shouts shook the skies!
Standing at the bow of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard himself couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
It had been a long, long time since he'd seen so many of his children reunited.
"Kurararara! Boys!!!"
He lifted his massive naginata, Murakumogiri, and roared—
"Set sail! Show those beasts of the Beasts Pirates who the real kings of the seas are!!!"
"OOOOHHHH!!!"
...
Onigashima, Wano Country.
Warships were gathering here as well.
Kaido's twisted kin, genetic mutants of all shapes and sizes, were sprawled across enormous ships, devouring food like wild beasts.
Beastmen of every variety—and hybrid fusions of man and beast—
Babanuki, Daifugo, Dobon, and many others—
All stood lined up behind the two All-Stars.
Because Zoan genes were more common, there was a noticeable difference in numbers behind each All-Star.
Queen glanced smugly at the larger crowd behind him compared to King's side.
"Look, King! Proof that the boss favors me more!"
"Idiot," King shot back coldly. "In naval battles, mobility matters. Flight beats brute force a hundredfold."
He snapped back easily, though secretly he was already thinking about getting more blood samples once Doflamingo arrived.
"Doesn't matter! I still have more people than you!" Queen cackled gleefully.
Winning a rare argument with King made him so happy, he figured he could down three whole barrels of red bean soup tonight.
Amid the swirling chaos—
The group of samurai who had surrendered to Kaido looked especially weak and pathetic.
"Worororororo!!!"
Above the fleet, dark clouds rumbled, and a colossal blue dragon twisted through the sky, its laughter shaking the heavens.
"King—Raise the battle flags!"
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg