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Hoenn Fortress Port, the warship docked.
"Officer, the port entry application has been approved!"
"Understood."
Three CP0 agents, wearing masks and white coats, disembarked from the ship. The one leading them was an old acquaintance.
Senior Agent Guernica.
"This mission, I'm afraid…"
Guernica had a headache.
He could only grit his teeth and carry out the Five Elders' orders. Now, there were two Yonko in the fortress ahead. A slight misstep would lead to their demise.
Fortunately, he had some dealings with Daichi.
Otherwise, he probably wouldn't even be able to enter the Port.
"Let's go!"
Hoenn Fortress, underground secret room.
Kaido and Linlin arrived together.
"Daichi."
"Kaido, Big Mom."
Daichi smiled at the two of them.
"Kaido, I found a special treasure to give you, but I hope you can share this treasure with Big Mom."
"Treasure, share?"
Kaido was a bit confused.
What kind of treasure could be shared?
Kaido grinned. "Wororororo, you said you had a big surprise gift earlier, is it this treasure?"
"Exactly."
Daichi nodded, smiling as he looked at Linlin.
"Kaido, I've heard about your relationship with Big Mom. Although we are currently enemies, I personally hope you can be more harmonious."
"Mamamama~~"
Linlin scoffed. "You're not old, but you know a lot. But Kaido probably didn't tell you how much he owes me!"
"Enough, Linlin!"
Kaido's face stretched considerably, and he picked up a liquor flask, chugging it down.
Feeling guilty, he sulked.
"Hahahaha, Big Mom."
Daichi laughed, playing peacemaker. "Those are all in the past. We need to look to the future. Hearing that you came personally, I specifically prepared a grand gift for you!"
"Hmph, you're much more sensible than Kaido."
Linlin's expression softened considerably.
Daichi glanced at Kaido with pity.
He was almost completely under her thumb.
It's no wonder, it truly was a great favor.
Without the Azure Dragon Fruit given by Linlin, Kaido would certainly not have his current status. It's no exaggeration to say it was a life-changing favor.
Kaido was sullen.
"Stop teasing, just bring it out."
"Alright!"
Daichi stomped his foot, and the ground next to them suddenly rose, revealing a massive red stone in front of the two.
Kaido and Linlin's eyes widened.
Surprise!
A surprise within a surprise!
Daichi casually sat down.
"Do you like this gift?"
"Yes!"
Both nodded vigorously at the same time, their eyes fixed on the red stone. This was what they had always longed for!
A Road Poneglyph!
"Wait!"
Kaido finally came to his senses, furious. "Daichi, are you planning to give a copy of this Road Poneglyph to that old hag?"
"You brat, who are you calling an old hag?!"
Linlin grabbed Kaido's collar, her eyes red. "The gift Daichi gave me, what business is it of yours? Don't yell at him!"
"Linlin, you can't have this!"
Kaido also became anxious.
The Road Poneglyph was the key to becoming the Pirate King. How could such a precious treasure be shared with outsiders?
"This is a treasure of our Beast Pirates!"
"Bastard, this is a gift Daichi gave me! How can something that's been given away be taken back?!"
The two old people started fighting again.
Daichi was speechless.
It's just a stone, is it worth getting red-faced and fighting over?
In a short time, the two Yonko were bruised and swollen. Although they weren't fighting for real, their blows were truly merciless.
"Stop fighting, if you keep fighting, I'll throw this stone into the sea!"
"..."
Both stopped at the same time.
Daichi took out the rubbed copy of the Poneglyph and handed it to Linlin. "Big Mom, I can't give you this stone, only a rubbing. Is that okay?"
"Mamamama, no problem!"
Linlin quickly hugged the rubbing, her face beaming. "You're such a lovely boy. Why don't you come to my place? You can choose any of my daughters."
"Uh, no need."
Daichi chuckled and refused, secretly glancing at Kaido.
Well, he was sulking again.
You don't know the cost of living until you run a household!
What good would being hostile to Linlin do for the Beast Pirates? Uniting to fight the World Government was the way to go.
And the premise of cooperation was an irresistible, grand gift that would make Linlin put aside her prejudices and hostility.
He who eats another's food has a soft mouth. He who takes another's things has a short hand.
With this special gift, he didn't believe Linlin would still have the nerve to harbor animosity towards the Beast Pirates. Pirates also had to uphold righteousness and face.
Moreover, Kaido's words towards Linlin were harsh, but his heart was soft. He spoke fiercely, but he still cared for her.
"Clap!"
Daichi snapped his fingers.
The Road Poneglyph sank underground.
Its concealment was top-notch. Even if someone found this secret room, it would be difficult to discover the Road Poneglyph buried deep underground.
Daichi checked the time and smiled. "Big Mom, I have something else to do. You and Kaido can drink and reminisce here."
Wine and lavish desserts had already been prepared in the secret room, and no one would disturb them. He had to give the two old people some private space.
Currently, the Beast Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates haven't reached the point of forming an alliance, as without external pressure, they are each other's biggest rivals.
But cooperation was still possible.
What Daichi wanted was Totto Land's grain.
Onigashima could rely on Wano Country, but his Hoenn Government had a large number of people to feed, and food was already running low. Totto Land, on the other hand, had a severe surplus of grain.
Especially sugar!
Whether for consumption or industry, large quantities of sugar were needed. This world probably had no place that produced more sugar than Totto Land.
The mutual flow of resources was a necessary condition for development.
At the Fortress plaza, uninvited guests arrived.
"CP0?"
"Why are World Government people here?!"
"Who let them in?!"
The guests frowned.
Being in the underground world, the last people they wanted to deal with were the World Government. However, with the military strength stationed by the Beast Pirates, without permission, CP0 could not have entered the venue.
This meant that CP0's purpose was not to start a war.
"Fufufufu~~"
Doflamingo squatted on a chair, grinning wickedly with great interest.
"Something interesting is about to happen!"
Guernica stepped forward, holding a document issued by the Celestial Dragons. "Our purpose here is to apprehend a Celestial Dragons' slave, the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock!"
"What?!"
The guests were shocked.
The Pirate Empress was a Celestial Dragons' slave?
Guernica said coldly. "Boa Hancock, Sandersonia, Marigold, you three sisters were all once Celestial Dragons' slaves, with the Hoof of the Celestial Dragon branded on your backs!"
Hancock's face turned pale, and endless fear rose within her.
This fear was not just about facing CP0's apprehension, but also the despair of the secret of her past as a slave being exposed.
Although the mark had been erased, the shadow in her heart would not easily disappear.
Just then, Daichi came to Hancock's side, gently put his arm around her shoulder, and comforted her in a low voice.
"Don't panic, I'm here."
"Daichi."
Hancock looked up at Daichi, clutching his clothes tightly with both hands, her body still trembling slightly.
This posture was like a stray dog that had been deeply hurt.
But some things had to be faced eventually.
Daichi looked at Guernica.
Guernica had already explained his intentions when applying for Port entry, otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed them in.
Even if they didn't meet this time, the World Government had other ways. What they wanted was not to reclaim Hancock, but to destroy Hancock.
Simply exposing the fact that Hancock was once a slave would be enough to break her spirit. This woman was not that strong internally.
Once her spirit collapsed, Hancock probably wouldn't even dare to leave her room, let alone become his helper.
And manipulating public opinion was the World Government's forte. In his hometown, he had witnessed more than once the power of public opinion to easily destroy a person!
Without even a chance to defend themselves!
Therefore, if it could be faced, then face it. If the matter of being a slave appeared in the newspapers, that would be truly indefensible.
"Watch your words, CP0!"
Daichi pulled Hancock into his embrace, and under everyone's gaze, a chilling Conqueror's Haki erupted!
"She is my woman!"