Central Tower, Nineteenth Floor, Reception Room 2.
"Fufufufu~ I hear you've struck big deals with both the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates. You must have reaped quite a harvest, eh?" Doflamingo chuckled sinisterly, his feet propped on the coffee table.
"All I know is that their appetites are enormous," Aeridar rolled his eyes, annoyed.
Three days prior, Aeridar had finalized a deal with the Big Mom Pirates for two hundred doses of SS Agent, along with a large quantity of firearms, weapons, and the Clifford Kingdom's famous desserts.
Of course, the Big Mom Pirates also initially demanded a thousand doses of SS Agent. Aeridar could only conclude that they truly were a Yonko crew, with terrifyingly vast appetites.
"Two Yonko-recognized neutral zones, fufufufu~ You've truly hit the jackpot," Doflamingo's tone held a hint of envy.
Although the Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates had never caused trouble in Dressrosa's underground port, they had never formally recognized it as a neutral zone. Such recognition was invaluable, something money alone couldn't buy.
"SS Agent... such a remarkable item. Aeridar-san, how much would it take for you to sell me the formula?" Tesoro, who had been quietly seated beside them, suddenly asked, his fingers stroking the golden ring on his middle finger, a smile playing on his lips.
As Tesoro's words fell, a hush fell over the room. Aeridar, Oliver, and Doflamingo all stared at Tesoro with odd expressions.
Aeridar glanced at Tesoro, then turned to Doflamingo, saying, "Hey, Doffy, did you bring this guy here because you want me to kill him?"
Tesoro's previously smiling face immediately stiffened.
"Fufufufu~ Don't mind him, it's just a joke," Doflamingo chuckled menacingly, giving Tesoro a cold stare.
A joke? How could he sell something so lucrative? It would earn back any amount of money, and through it, he could trade for things money couldn't buy.
Its usefulness even surpassed that of mere cash.
It was just like the artificial Devil Fruits in Doflamingo's hands later on; there was no way he would sell Caesar. If not for the significant mutual benefits, Doflamingo would have already cut ties with the guy.
"Hahahaha~ Aeridar-san, please don't take offense. When I see something good, I just want to buy it. This agent is truly incredible. My apologies, please forgive my rashness." Tesoro suddenly burst into laughter, immediately apologizing to Aeridar and praising the potency of the SS Agent.
The smile returned to his face as if Aeridar's words hadn't bothered him at all. Although Tesoro believed money could buy anything, it was clear that the man before him was not lacking in funds; his wealth was terrifyingly immense, certainly no less than his own.
"You have a good eye," Aeridar raised an eyebrow. No wonder Doflamingo had so many collaborations with him. Being able to adapt and yield when necessary, he indeed had the potential to be a good merchant.
"Speaking of which, my visit today is to discuss a collaboration with Aeridar-san," Tesoro said, looking at Aeridar with a sincere smile.
"Heh, what kind of collaboration could we possibly have?" Aeridar sneered, "Are you planning to package all your entertainment cities and give them to me, or do you want to work under me?"
"Why not? If Aeridar-san wishes for them, they are all yours," Tesoro spread his hands, an indifferent expression on his face, as if he genuinely intended to package and give all his entertainment cities worldwide to Aeridar.
Aeridar, Doflamingo, and the silent Oliver beside them couldn't help but widen their eyes. This guy actually had such guts. Was he planning to stake his entire fortune?
As far as Aeridar and Doflamingo knew, not counting smaller entertainment venues and casinos, this guy owned at least twenty large-scale entertainment cities worldwide, each raking in massive profits daily.
"Alright, tell me, how do you want to collaborate?" Aeridar stopped with the probing questions and asked directly. Regardless of whether the other party was being truthful, at least the sincerity was there.
"I've hired renowned shipwrights, and utilizing my abilities, I've constructed a colossal ship, ten thousand meters long, with a town on it—an entertainment city. I've named it Gran Tesoro, and it should be completed by July this year," Tesoro said excitedly. "I want to invite you to collaborate. I'll need your connections in the underworld and across the New World, Doflamingo and Aeridar-san. If the plan succeeds, we can control a portion of the world's Berries, at least ten percent or more."
Doflamingo possessed connections and influence with the World Government, the underworld, various kingdoms, and numerous monster-level pirates in the New World.
Aeridar, on the other hand, commanded the world's largest entertainment city, countless connections gained through the SS Agent, and even the recognition of neutral zones from the Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates, giving him a voice in the New World no less significant than Doflamingo's.
If one wished to successfully establish a worldwide entertainment city in the New World without Aeridar's consent, it would absolutely fail, becoming nothing more than a target for countless pirates to plunder.
"Tesoro, if you want to control over ten percent of the world's Berries without the involvement of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, you're dreaming. Furthermore, by opening such a massive entertainment city in the New World, are you trying to steal my business?" Aeridar's eyes narrowed, a mocking expression on his face, dangerous glints in his eyes, and a faint, almost imperceptible aura of killing intent radiating from him.
"As long as Aeridar-san agrees, the World Government and Celestial Dragons will naturally be handled by me," Tesoro said, his tone heavy when he spoke the words "Celestial Dragons," but then continued, "While I don't want to say this, it will indeed take some of your business, but the position of the Palace Entertainment City is irreplaceable by Gran Tesoro."
"After all, Gran Tesoro is just an entertainment city and a place for artist performances, while Aeridar-san possesses exquisite tourist attractions, the finest gourmet desserts, and specifically sells high-quality armaments and SS Agents. Perhaps in the future, there will be even more potent agents, and those bigshots will still flock to you."
"Even if your status as a Warlord prevents these illicit businesses from being openly conducted, your business won't diminish too much. Moreover, once Gran Tesoro is established and controls at least ten percent of the world's Berries, your income will only increase, not decrease."
In fact, if one could control over ten percent of the world's Berries, the Clifford Kingdom's political standing would soar, to the point where even the World Government wouldn't dare interfere arbitrarily.
Even if they knew about Aeridar's various illegal businesses, and even if they had sufficient evidence, as long as Aeridar wasn't overthrown, the World Government and the Marines would absolutely not dare to act.
Because by simply disrupting the Berry's financial system and causing a drastic devaluation, the world would descend into chaos within a certain range, leading to countless families, merchants, and nations going bankrupt.
This deterrence would be even more potent than a Yonko.
This is also why, in the original story, Gran Tesoro was an "absolute sanctuary" that the World Government couldn't casually touch, and why they recognized Gran Tesoro's independence as a nation and a demilitarized zone.
Money still holds immense power.
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