"Fufufufufu! This is absolutely hilarious! Kaido's daughter turns out to be Michael's rabid fangirl, and she even ran into Michael while running away from home..."
After compiling intelligence from various sources, Doflamingo laughed so hard in his stronghold that he kept slapping the table.
Though he had witnessed Kaido's daughter's condition back on Thunder God Island, he never expected things would escalate to this level.
"Doffy~ What's so funny?" Trebol sidled up to him. "Share it with me too!"
"Trebol! How many times must I tell you! Don't suddenly get so close!"
Doflamingo barely dodged Trebol's dripping mucus in the nick of time.
Clearing his throat, he composed himself and asked seriously.
"How are the profits in the Pleasure District lately?"
"Quite excellent! Especially with the increased traffic from Fishman Island and Dressrosa, we're seeing at least 30% higher profits than before."
"Thirty percent... not enough!" Doflamingo remained unsatisfied. "Don't forget we still have investments to make in the Beasts Pirates!"
"But Doffy, this is already our current limit... If you really want more, perhaps we could... target the Pleasure District's customers themselves?"
"I never want to hear such dangerous suggestions from you again, Trebol." Doflamingo immediately frowned.
"Michael knows everything about my Pleasure District operations. The only reason he hasn't taken action is because I mostly play by the rules. Gambling and prostitution can't be completely banned."
"But human trafficking is Michael's primary target... He's clearly been trying to warn me lately, just hasn't found the right leverage yet."
Trebol shuddered slightly at the mention of the winged man, an unusual display of fear crossing his face.
"However... Trebol, you did give me an idea." A smug smile suddenly appeared on Doflamingo's lips.
"If I want greater profits... why not approach Michael directly to propose cooperation with Fishman Island?"
"Wha- wouldn't that be walking right into the lion's den? Doffy!"
"Isn't that perfect?" Doflamingo sank deeper into his sofa.
"He wants leverage, so I'll deliver it to him on a silver platter... That way he'll trust me more..."
"And what I truly desire might just fall into my hands."
...
"Rayleigh, why has the Beasts Pirates been constantly purchasing intelligence about Michael and SWORD Special Forces personnel lately?" Gaban stroked his chin while reviewing recent reports.
"What are they planning?"
"It's understandable you wouldn't know, having been away from headquarters."
Seated behind his expansive desk, Rayleigh—one of Cross Guild's top leaders—had nearly shed all traces of his pirate demeanor, increasingly resembling a seasoned executive.
"Kaido's daughter has recently caused quite the stir, it was quite a big news."
"Big news? What big news?" Gaban's eyes instantly gleamed with excitement, his black sunglasses unable to hide it.
"Quick, quick, it's been too long since we've had any entertainment on these seas."
"This entertainment will absolutely exceed your expectations." Rayleigh looked at his old comrade's expression and revealed a long-absent smile.
"Kaido's daughter, Yamato, after escaping from the Beast Pirates, declared herself 'Angel D. Yamato'..."
"Pfft!"
The alcohol Gaban had just sipped sprayed out instantly.
"Angel? D? If I remember correctly, that surname belongs to..."
"Exactly, it's Michael's surname. This girl is Michael's die-hard fan—so devoted she even changed her surname to Angel." Rayleigh shook his head with a chuckle.
"But you know how Michael is about poaching—he's downright obsessive."
"That's true. These past years, he's either been poaching someone or on his way to poach someone." Gaban nodded in deep agreement.
"So he publicly claimed that Yamato was a 'mistake from his youth' and that she really is his daughter."
"...Wait, my brain's a little scrambled. I understand every word you're saying, but when you put them together, I just can't make sense of it." Gaban shook his head, checking if he was drunk—but no.
"According to records, Kaido's daughter is sixteen this year, and Michael is only thirty, right?"
"That's the truth, but when the man himself acknowledges it... what can you do?"
Rayleigh spread his hands in a show of helplessness.
In the One Piece World, where long-lived and short-lived races coexisted in a chaotic mix, there were no laws about legal ages or such...
Because they were meaningless.
And for most of the World Government's rule, society had been in constant upheaval—everyone lived day by day, never knowing if they'd see tomorrow.
Who would care about such things?
So at most, Michael's actions would become gossip for a while...
"Tsk tsk tsk, so Kaido must absolutely despise Michael now, huh?"
"What do you think Kaido's been spending all those extra Berries lately—buying intel on Michael at several times, even ten times the usual price—for? Planning to merge their crews?"
"Hah, so that means we're making a killing?"
"To be precise, Shakky's making a killing." Rayleigh shrugged.
"Don't forget, we split intel profits fifty-fifty with her."
"Oh, right!" Gaban nodded. "How's Shakky been lately? Still hasn't left Amazon Lily?"
"Shakky's quite busy these days... with such a troublesome empress to look after."
...
"I don't care! I don't care, I don't care! I want to return to Marine HQ right now!"
Boa Hancock sat on her throne.
At nineteen, she had fully blossomed into the spitting image of the "Pirate Empress" from the original story.
Except, she bore no Celestial Dragon slave mark and over her Amazon Lily attire, she wore the Justice cloak of a Marine officer.
Currently, Hancock was throwing a tantrum at Shakky and Gloriossa standing before her.
"This is a critical time for the Marine's performance evaluations… The Marines at the 'Empress' branch are counting on you to lead them to an outstanding branch rating."
"…Tch, I get it."
Hancock sighed, then waved at Sandersonia and Marigold, who had grown into beautiful young women, before turning to walk with her sisters toward her palace.
Shakky and Gloriossa didn't find anything unusual about this.
Since ascending the throne, Hancock had proven to be an excellent empress.
Though she occasionally threw minor tantrums, she quickly regained her composure.
But this time, her "composure" lasted from noon until evening.
It was only then that Shakky and Gloriossa rushed into the empress's palace, only to find it completely empty.
"That little brat… She really couldn't hold back anymore!"
"What can we do? That's her most admired Michael, after all."
****
Meanwhile, on the Calm Belt…
A small vessel pulled by a sea serpent was making its way forward.
Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged helpless glances.
Hancock stood solemnly at the bow, staring in the direction of Marine Headquarters.
"I was here first…"
"How dare that woman named Yamato cut in line!"
"Even if Michael wants a daughter, I should be the first in line!"
"Doesn't this Yamato have her own father!?"
-----------------------------
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