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The next day, in the morning.
The Underground Emperors walked out of the watchtower, gazing at the giant, endless embankment in front of them, still somewhat dazed.
Though called an embankment, it was more like a miniature Red Line. They stood on top of the embankment like ants, estimated to be at least five hundred meters wide.
The ground was paved with asphalt, stretching as far as the eye could see.
"This is a miracle!"
Morgans excitedly filmed with his Den Den Mushi. Such a massive project was hard to imagine being accomplished by humans.
He had a premonition that the surprises wouldn't stop there!
Du Feld scoffed, cigar in mouth.
"Morgans, you're too excited."
"Kwahahaha, how can one not be excited in the face of such a miracle?"
Morgans turned to the Emperors, asking the crucial question. "Have you ever wondered where this continent leads?"
"Where does it lead?"
The Emperors pondered briefly, then their expressions changed, cold sweat breaking out, utterly horrified.
"Could it be... North Blue?!"
This was the Calm Belt between the New World and North Blue. If the passage continued straight, it would eventually reach North Blue.
"Impossible!"
The Emperors were incredulous.
Even within the visible range, the scale of the project was unbelievably vast. If it truly extended to North Blue, how terrifying would that be?
Even the World Government couldn't complete such a massive project. No, it was simply impossible.
"Kwahahaha, let's wait and see!"
The beast carriages for transport were ready.
The Emperors boarded the carriages and spent half an hour reaching Hoenn Fortress. The colossal fortress once again stunned everyone.
"It's no less impressive than Marineford!"
For the past six months, the Beast Pirates had been busy, but without revealing a single hint, only that massive amounts of supplies had disappeared.
So the Beast Pirates were building a fortress!
To construct a fortress of this scale, even some affiliated nations would struggle to do so, even with all their might.
The financial power was astonishing!
And the continental bridge.
Compared to the fortress, the continental bridge was the truly grand project.
The section they had seen earlier was just the tip of the iceberg. From the fortress, the continental bridge's destination truly was North Blue.
"Simply breathtaking."
The Underground Emperors exclaimed repeatedly.
They were so utterly shocked that they didn't know how to express themselves, perhaps it truly could only be described as a miracle.
Many people's minds became active.
They had already realized what this passage connecting the New World and North Blue meant. Endless profit!
"Guests have arrived!"
At the fortress entrance, dozens of giants stood on both sides, an overwhelming pressure emanating from them. These giants alone were enough to destroy countless nations.
"The rumors are true!"
The Underground Emperors exchanged glances.
Previously, on Hachinosu, the Beast Pirates had also hired giants to guard the gate, but at that time, there were only four giants, and they were famous war mercenaries.
It was simply a matter of money being in place!
But now there were dozens of giants.
This wasn't something money alone could accomplish!
Rumor had it that the reason for the Beast Pirates' war with Red Hair was to compete for the giants. Now it seemed to be true.
The giants had pledged allegiance to the Beast Pirates.
The Underground Emperors looked at Stussy. It was well known that Stussy had a relationship with Daichi, and was very likely to know the details.
"Stussy, you're so tight-lipped."
"I don't know either."
Stussy shook her head.
She was completely unaware of this. These days, besides managing Pleasure District, most of her time was spent dealing with Groudon Company matters. She didn't have so much energy to pay attention to other things.
She also hadn't expected that Daichi would create such a shocking grand project and conquer the giants.
Two giants pushed open the incredibly heavy steel gates.
Speed smiled and invited them in.
"Please come in, esteemed guests."
"Alright."
The Underground Emperors eagerly entered the fortress.
In the open-air plaza at the center of the fortress, banners fluttered as if for a festival, with stalls everywhere and a dazzling array of delicious food.
It wasn't as luxurious as a Tea Party, but it wasn't far off.
Besides the basic banquet area, the plaza also had some private stalls, such as giant stalls, Mink stalls, and laborer stalls.
After all that hard work, everyone was enjoying the celebration.
And a certain fox's "Kin Inari Shrine."
"Guest, would you like a fortune telling?"
The Priestess actively solicited customers. She had come early before dawn to secure a good spot, planning to earn some extra money.
Anyway, Daichi didn't care.
When she was in Wano Country, due to Orochi's tyranny, very few commoners visited the Inari God Shrine, causing the shrine to run at a deficit. At that time, she often set up a stall at the market to supplement her household income.
Stussy sat down at the stall with interest. "Tell my fortune, little sister."
"No problem."
The Priestess's eyes lit up.
Business was here!
A moment later, Stussy left with a dark expression.
The other Underground Emperors were also strolling around, secretly observing the situation in the fortress, their astonishment growing.
Not only the giants, but the fortress also housed numerous Minks and Kuja warriors, all well-known powerful races.
They also spotted a certain inexplicably familiar white-haired old man, who was gambling with a few laborers.
"It couldn't really be him, could it?"
He looked so much like him, too much!
"Dark King Silvers Rayleigh!"
Morgans picked up his Den Den Mushi to film.
As a big news reporter, others might not be able to confirm, but he would never be mistaken. This inconspicuous old man was definitely the Dark King!
But why would the Dark King be here?
It was incomprehensible, but not important.
This was big news!
"That Daichi is truly a man who constantly creates headlines!"
As noon approached, the main forces of the Beast Pirates and Big Mom's children arrived one after another, with only Kaido and Big Mom yet to appear.
As Yonko, they were among the main protagonists of this banquet. Without them, the banquet could not officially begin.
In the office on the top floor of the fortress castle.
A Den Den Mushi relayed a message. "Reporting to Daichi-sama, Kaido-sama and Big Mom have been fighting for a day and a night, and there's no sign of them stopping!"
"Are they never going to stop?"
Daichi frowned!
"Tell Kaido, if he doesn't come to the banquet, I'll give the surprise gift I prepared for him to someone else!"
"Uh, okay, okay!"
The pirate meekly hung up the phone.
Why did it feel like Daichi-sama was threatening Kaido?
Never mind, the command was important.
"Kaido-sama, stop fighting!!!"
"Hmm?"
Kaido's gaze sharpened towards his subordinate.
The pirate immediately waved his hand. "Daichi-sama wants you to attend the banquet, and he said he prepared a surprise gift for you!"
"Surprise?"
Kaido was momentarily stunned.
A surprise from Daichi would definitely be a genuine surprise, the kind that would make him happy for ten days to half a month.
The golden dragon he had received last time was now placed beside his bed. Every night before sleeping, he would look at it a few more times before going to sleep.
The brief distraction allowed Big Mom to seize the opportunity.
"A weakness!"
A Haki-infused punch landed squarely on Kaido's face.
"Pfft!"
Kaido spat blood, retreating several steps on his knees, yet he didn't counterattack, his mind filled with thoughts of the surprise.
"I'm not fighting anymore, old hag!"
"Huh?!"