Doflamingo watched Black Lily leave, sipping his tea.
He didn't really expect a killer of her level to succeed—Gusion's own strength was average, but surrounded by pirate big names.
Even for a pro like Black Lily, it would be hard. But it was worth trying—if it worked, great.
As for being traced—he wasn't worried. Black Lily had a good underground rating. She might blame him, but with no evidence, he could deny everything.
If anyone could be set up that way, he'd have been dead long ago.
It was just a gambit—if it paid off, fine; if not, no loss.
Meanwhile, Black Lily left the castle, thinking even a genius like Doflamingo was easy to fool in this pirate world.
But Doflamingo had no idea—she just wanted transportation. She would seek out Gusion, not to kill, but to cooperate.
Body Killer was dangerous and had grown stronger in this world for months. If the rumors were true, he might possess a seed. Who knew how powerful he'd become?
Also, from what she'd gathered, Body Killer already had influence in the Navy and backed by a huge force. She couldn't shake him alone.
Honestly, she wasn't that loyal to End Space—she just held a grudge against Body Killer from last time, and always paid back her debts.
Currently, the only other explorer with real influence was Gusion. She had to ally with him.
As for benefits—she was sure her intel would satisfy him. She wanted Body Killer dead; Gusion could claim the unique treasure.
…
Gusion awoke from his dazed state, rubbing his aching head—already wrapped in a top-grade bandage.
Using his appraisal skill, he saw this bandage was a purple-quality healing item, providing long-term recovery—amazing.
Checking his life force, Gusion sighed—he was really not tough. One hit from Kaido and he was out.
He used Seimei Kikan to heal his wounds quickly, but restoring his energy would require a big meal.
He went up to the deck and found the pirates holding a banquet—standard fare. He removed his bandage and joined in, feasting.
With the Seimei Kikan skill, Gusion had to eat enormous amounts of high-quality food daily to boost his stats.
At sea, nothing beat the meat of sea kings—top-tier ingredients, sometimes even legendary quality.
Luckily, Kaido had just hunted one down. The meat was delicious and very nourishing.
After a few bites, Gusion felt power surging through him—no wonder the strong kept getting stronger, with such good food.
"Yo, you're awake? Your body's so weak—not even as tough as Yamato!"
Kaido staggered over, sitting beside Gusion and slapping his shoulder with a laugh.
"It's that Mr. Kaido's attacks are too strong..."
Gusion's bones ached under the blows. "But I did learn something. Let's try again after the banquet."
He could only say, Kaido's methods were magical—his spiked club could make anyone enlightened with one hit.
Luffy fought Kaido: one hit—Advanced Armament; two hits—Advanced Conqueror's; three hits—Fruit Awakening. Gusion believed he'd master Conqueror's Haki techniques soon enough.
He really did feel something.
When Kaido coated his club with Conqueror's and struck him, he felt something deep inside his soul clash with Kaido's Haki.
He tried to recall that feeling—maybe he really did have the aptitude, just needed guidance.
And the most direct guidance was clashing with another Conqueror's user.
Since it's called Conqueror's, it means those with the talent never submit. When they meet another, their spirit instinctively resists.
Gusion drank and chatted with Kaido, while King stood nearby, silent and pensive.
Gusion guessed it was about the Lunarian race. Someone had leaked that there were Lunarians on Sky Island, which Gusion figured was a lie, but it still worried King.
Because of this, Gusion was sure the leaker was an explorer, and that they were targeting him.
The bounty posters had made it clear to all explorers in this world—he had become the Beasts Pirates' The Thunderstorm, and King was their top officer. Using the Lunarians as bait would lure out King—and, by extension, the whole crew and Gusion himself.
But Gusion couldn't figure out why—why would another explorer risk so much to draw him in?
The One Piece world was vast—couldn't everyone mind their own business?
With their strength, explorers in the New World could be killed at any time—stirring up trouble here was dancing on a knife's edge.
Even Gusion, as reckless as he was, didn't mess around in Wano—he chose to cooperate with Kaido for protection. In the New World, brute force would just get you killed.
He thought the other explorer was courting death, but someone strong enough to reach the New World shouldn't be stupid—so there must be a reason worth risking everything for.
It wasn't arrogance—he just didn't believe any explorer could scheme against Kaido or King. The real target had to be him.
After a long time, Gusion realized the only explanation—his Origin Seed.
According to the End Space, the Seed was unique and would always attract covetous eyes.
From his own experience killing Setsuna to obtain it, he knew that if another explorer killed him, they could claim the Seed and gain its unique power.
Back in the Kengan world, every explorer got a Seed-related quest—anyone with brains could guess he had it in the end.
If any explorer met someone from Endspace in another world, or shared the info, he could be targeted by high-level explorers or other Space elites.
Gusion smirked. If they were after his Seed, they wouldn't be weak—they'd be a big catch.
"What are you thinking? Drink up!"
Kaido raised his bowl, snapping Gusion out of his thoughts.
…
Meanwhile, not far away, a small ship passed the Beasts Pirates' warship. When its crew spotted Kaido and Gusion, their faces turned pale.
"Shit, turn! It's Emperor Kaido!"
The people on the boat shouted, trying to escape as far as possible, afraid of being noticed.
One of them was a third-level explorer from Endspace. After hearing about Sky Island, he'd wanted to sneak into the New World, but had run into Kaido almost immediately.
What shocked him most was the man drinking with Kaido—someone not from the original story, but recently seen on a wanted poster.
He hadn't believed it, but now he saw it with his own eyes—the Beasts Pirates really did have a Fourth Calamity, that damn explorer.
This Gusion guy was cheating—while everyone else was fighting their way up, he'd just cozied up to Kaido. Who could compete with that?
Just then, he felt a chill, sensing several gazes.
Looking back, he saw three mighty figures at the bow of the massive ship watching them.
Kaido, drunk at the bow, muttered, "Why's there another little boat coming this way? Sink it."
King thought this was normal—in these seas, newcomers got no mercy. It was a lesson in who ruled here.
Gusion used his scan skill on the other captain, confirming he was an explorer—not quite human, with a third eye like Pudding.
He put down his jug, stood up, and said, "I want to try a new move."
"I'll come with you, Mr. Gusion—maybe grab some treasure from their boat."
King put down his food.
"I'll trouble you, Mr. King."
Gusion didn't refuse—he knew King was looking out for him.
King spread his wings, grabbed Gusion, and took off toward the little ship.
"Goddammit! Shameless!"
The explorer on the ship cursed. "Come on, 1v1! Why are you bringing King, huh?!"
But Gusion ignored him. When King let go, he landed heavily, smashing the deck.
"Not bad. Good for testing my blade."
Gusion grinned at the three explorers on board—all level three, with around 55 points in total stats.
Months ago, he couldn't have beaten them. But now, he'd upgraded everything.
He unleashed his Mazuko, fully activating his thunder breathing—thunder crackled as he prepared to claim their loot, but something unexpected happened.
"We kneel before the Calamity!"
One explorer dropped to his knees. "There are two Devil Fruits on board—offerings to the Beasts Pirates! Please spare us!"
Gusion, who was about to fight: ???
Even explorers from End Space were this spineless now?