Although Doflamingo had seen the golden island from below, stepping onto it was another experience entirely. The sheer scale of the wealth was staggering. Mountains of gold artifacts were piled among super-ancient ruins, their walls covered in scripts that predated any known history. It was a place beyond legend, and Doflamingo could feel its extraordinary power. He followed a path of gold tiles until he looked up and saw him: Kaido, standing beside a giant golden bell.
Is that the legendary Golden Bell of Shandora? Doflamingo wondered. Wait…
His eyes snapped downward, and his pupils contracted into pinpricks. Beneath the massive bell was a colossal stone slab, square in shape and deep crimson in color. Doflamingo recognized it instantly. It was a Road Poneglyph.
"Fufufufufu… So that's it! That's why you're here!" he whispered to himself, the pieces clicking into place with horrifying clarity.
He finally understood. He understood why Kaido of the Beasts, one of the Four Emperors who ruled the New World, would personally come to the first half of the Grand Line. The city of gold was a prize worthy of a king, but it was nothing compared to this. In front of a guidepost to the Final Island, to Laugh Tale itself, no amount of gold mattered.
With a heart pounding from a mixture of excitement and sheer terror, Doflamingo slowly approached the platform where the Golden Bell rested. He looked up, gazing at the immense figure of Kaido with the utmost respect. Off to the side, a man with long earlobes and a strange array of drums on his back watched him with arrogant curiosity. Doflamingo noted his presence but knew now was not the time for questions.
"Lord Kaido!" he called out, his voice steady despite the adrenaline.
"Hmph. Come up," Kaido grunted.
With the Emperor's permission, Doflamingo leaped onto the high platform, landing gracefully beneath the shadow of the bell. But before he or Kaido could speak, the strange man at Kaido's side voiced his thoughts.
"Is this guy supposed to be strong? Tell me, does he have Conqueror's Haki too?"
The sudden question made Doflamingo pause, his grin tightening slightly. It only made him more curious about who this person was. He knew well that in the Beasts Pirates, only the All-Stars and perhaps a few of the Flying Six were permitted to speak to Kaido with such casualness.
Fortunately, Kaido didn't bother with mysteries. "Let me introduce you. Doffy, this is Eneru. He's a user of a Logia-type Devil Fruit. From this day forward, he is the fourth All-Star of the Beasts Pirates: Thunder Disaster."
Doflamingo's eyes widened. A Logia-type user powerful enough to be made an All-Star? How incredible.
"Fufufufufu… Congratulations, Lord Kaido, on recruiting such a powerful subordinate," Doflamingo said smoothly, sizing up the newcomer. "The Rumble-Rumble Fruit is considered one of the most powerful Devil Fruits in the Logia class. Among the Marine Admirals, only Akainu's Magma-Magma Fruit can rival its destructive power."
Hearing such high praise, Eneru looked quite pleased with himself. However, the mention that someone else's ability was on par with his sparked his interest. "Akainu? The Magma-Magma Fruit? Is he strong?" he asked, a challenge in his voice.
"Fufufufu, he's one of the Three Admirals, the Marine's highest combat power," Doflamingo explained, choosing his words carefully. "On these seas, only a true Emperor, a mighty individual like Lord Kaido, could hope to defeat him."
Kaido gave a slight nod. "He's right, Eneru. With your current strength, you're no match for a Marine Admiral. In fact, you're not even a match for Doffy here. He's one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and even among them, his power is top-tier. He also possesses Conqueror's Haki. But don't get ahead of yourself. With your talent, once you master Haki and combine it with your Devil Fruit, you'll have a fighting chance even against someone like Akainu."
Eneru's eyes gleamed with anticipation, now more eager than ever to master this power called Haki.
"Alright, introductions are over," Kaido said, his tone shifting to business. "Doffy, let's talk. Do you know why I wanted to see you?"
Doflamingo's expression became serious, his usual flamboyant demeanor replaced by a solemn focus. "You wish to see me, Lord Kaido, so there must be something you need me to do. Please, give me my instructions."
"Good. Then I won't waste words. I heard Caesar Clown is in your hands. Hand him over to me."
The world seemed to stop for a moment. Doflamingo's mind raced, and the confident smile on his face faltered, turning ugly. Though he had been prepared to make a significant concession, Kaido's first demand was one of the most difficult he could possibly accept.
"What? Is there a problem?" Kaido's voice was low and dangerous.
Doflamingo's thoughts spun wildly, weighing his options. In the end, there was only one choice. "No… no problem. Since you want him, Lord Kaido, I can hand Caesar over. However, I wonder if you could wait just a little while? Caesar is currently working on a project for me, and once it succeeds, it will be of great benefit to you as well."
Kaido listened, his expression unchanging. "You're talking about the artificial Zoan Devil Fruits, aren't you?"
Instantly, Doflamingo felt a cold dread wash over him. His heart hammered against his ribs. How? How could he know? The SMILE project is my most guarded secret. Besides Caesar and the research staff, almost no one knows. Who leaked this?
Even as a thousand possibilities flew through his mind, he could only force a strained smile. "That's right, Lord Kaido. The artificial Zoan Devil Fruits."
"Alright." Kaido waved a dismissive hand, clearly impatient. "I don't care about your failed experiments. And don't think I'm just taking your property. I'll give you enough benefits to make it worth your while."
Doflamingo was startled. "Benefits?"
"You're a man with connections, Doffy. You must have heard about what's been happening in Wano Country, right?"
Doflamingo nodded, unsure of where this was going. But Kaido's next words made him so excited he almost jumped.
"I'm tired of ruling that country with a fool like Orochi. I'm planning for the Beasts Pirates to take complete control. We will turn Wano into New Onigashima. After that, I will begin preparing to open Wano's borders to the world."
Doflamingo's eyes widened, his sharp mind immediately grasping the implications. He looked at Kaido, breathless with expectation.
"And once the country is open," Kaido continued, "I plan to hand over Wano Country's Sea Prism Stone trade and its weapons factories to you. How does that sound? Are you satisfied?"
Doflamingo stared at Kaido in utter disbelief. "This… Lord Kaido… are you serious?"
"Do you think I need to lie to you?" the Emperor growled.
At that moment, all of Doflamingo's doubts vanished. "Of course not! I believe you completely, Lord Kaido! Fufufufufu… This is truly wonderful!"
He was so ecstatic that he began to laugh uncontrollably. No one in the world understood the value of Sea Prism Stone better than him. It was a resource that could cripple Devil Fruit users and was essential for Marine technology. Controlling its entire supply was like controlling the flow of power itself.
"Lord Kaido, I will send Caesar to you as soon as possible!" Doflamingo declared. "Besides Caesar, is there anything else you need? Compared to Wano's Sea Prism Stone business, a mere scientist like Caesar makes me feel like I'm getting far too much."
Kaido gave him a sideways glance. "Since you're offering, I won't be polite. There are a few other things I need from you."
"Please, just tell me."
"Hmph. First thing… are you familiar with the Vinsmoke Family? I want you to contact their leader. Tell him I heard he has a very excellent daughter. Also, tell him that my 'Flying Six' sounds too awkward. 'Tobi Roppo' sounds much better to the ear…"
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