"This Pryce is undoubtedly a once-in-a-millennium genius inventor!" Charlotte Linlin exclaimed as she watched an explosive tag detonate in her palm.
Although the explosion of a single tag wasn't particularly powerful, the sheer quantity they had plundered was staggering.
A single box of explosive tags could reduce Onigashima to rubble—just imagine the destructive potential!
"With the teleportation talismans, we can finally go wherever we want!"
"Exactly! And those explosive tags are the perfect match for the teleportation talismans!"
"If I'm in a bad mood one day, I'll just teleport above the Whitebeard Pirates, scatter a handful of explosive tags, and then leave!"
"Hahahaha, brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"
The higher-ups of the two pirate crews chattered excitedly, their voices filled with glee.
For a while, the banquet hall was filled with laughter, singing, and dancing.
Kaido who had been drinking heavily, suddenly stood up.
"Now that we've got the teleportation talismans, let's go somewhere for a change!"
"Linlin, where do you think we should go?" Kaido swayed slightly, holding a teleportation talisman in his hand as he let out a drunken hiccup.
"How about we take a trip to Dressrosa?" Charlotte Linlin suggested, licking cake cream off her fingers with a cheerful grin.
"Doflamingo's place?"
"Good idea! I can check on the progress of my artificial Devil Fruit production!" Kaido nodded in agreement.
"Right, and I'll have Doflamingo ask Caesar about the progress of the gigantification drug he's been researching for me."
"He's been taking so much money from me every year—it's about time I got an update!" Charlotte Linlin stood up and walked over to Kaido side.
***
The New World, Dressrosa.
The annual gladiatorial tournament had begun!
Doflamingo and Diamante sat at the very top of the coliseum, watching the gladiators battle fiercely below.
Trebol wobbled in, leaning on his cane.
"Doffy, how was your time at Marine Headquarters these past few days?" Diamante casually asked.
"Doffy never has a bad time, no matter where he goes. What I'm most curious about is that Zanpakuto that managed to cut down Kaido!" Trebol said with a tone of longing.
After returning, Doflamingo had shared everything he had seen and heard during his time with the Whitebeard Pirates.
The fact that someone had managed to slash Kaido so badly that he fled in tears and panic—something like that would have been unthinkable in the past, not even worth mentioning, let alone imagining.
Yet now, it had actually happened!
And although Caesar had refused to provide Doflamingo with Pryce inventions, Doflamingo had managed to coax some information out of him.
Things like Senzu Beans and teleportation talismans were already well-known, but explosive tags and Zanpakuto were things Doflamingo had either seen firsthand or heard about.
But what truly left Doflamingo in disbelief was Pryce's invention—the Time Chamber!
After gritting his teeth and paying Pryce a hefty sum of a one billion Berries, Doflamingo had spent three hours inside it. (Renting not buying it)
Inside, Doflamingo was utterly amazed by the gravity systems and the ability to extend time within the chamber—each feature seemed more incredible than the last!
"The Time Chamber… I'd love to experience it too!" Trebol sighed wistfully.
Although their business is doing quite well now with substantial funds, Pryce once mentioned that letting Doflamingo take a billion to experience was only out of respect for Caesar and it would be a one-time thing!
"Not to mention the Time Chamber we've never even seen, I'd love to get my hands on a Zanpakuto too!" Diamante said with longing.
"Enough talk. There's no point. Right now, I'm definitely no match for Pryce. We'll take our time with the alliance" Doflamingo sighed and stood up.
"Doffy, where are you going? Didn't you just get back?" Trebol asked, puzzled.
"Sengoku mentioned something about a meeting when I left earlier. I'm heading back now!" Doflamingo said as he pulled out a teleportation talisman and left.
After all, he didn't have many teleportation talismans on hand—these were just leftovers he'd gotten from the Marine.
Watching Doflamingo disappear, Trebol returned to the castle on the Royal Plateau.
Suddenly, a purple light appeared at the castle entrance.
Trebol walked over. "Doffy, did you forget something...?"
Trebol said with a smile, thinking Doflamingo had returned to relay something he'd forgotten.
But then he noticed the figure in the light was far too massive to be Doflamingo.
The next second, Kaido appeared before Trebol.
"Ka... Kaido!" Trebol stammered.
"Where's Doflamingo?" Kaido asked calmly.
But to Trebol, those words sounds utterly terrifying.
Kaido was one of the Four Emperors, a legend who had dominated the seas for years!
Even if Doflamingo were here, the entire Donquixote Family combined wouldn't stand a chance against Kaido.
"Doffy just returned to Marine Headquarters, Kaido-sama!" Trebol forced himself to stay calm and answered truthfully.
Kaido's eyes narrowed, locking onto Trebol.
An invisible pressure spread, so terrifying that Trebol's legs began to tremble uncontrollably!
After a long moment, Kaido nodded, confirming that Trebol wasn't lying.
"Call Doflamingo" Kaido said as he casually sat down cross-legged.
Trebol felt the pressure on him suddenly lift and breathed a sigh of relief.
He quickly pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket and dialed Doflamingo.
***
Doflamingo, who had just arrived at Marine Headquarters, was walking with several Warlords toward the meeting room.
Suddenly, his Den Den Mushi rang.
"It's a call from home!" Doflamingo was puzzled.
No one had mentioned anything when he was just there. Why was there a call as soon as he left?
"What's going on, Trebol? What happened?" Doflamingo asked with a frown.
"Doffy, Kaido has come to Dressrosa. He told me to call you!" Trebol spoke with a hint of fear in his voice.
"Kaido?" Doflamingo exclaimed in shock, immediately realizing his voice was too loud.
Sure enough, Teach and Mihawk both turned their heads in unison!
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I release a new One Piece fic, One Piece : Uncle Your Justice is Not Absolute enough!