Doflamingo laughed incessantly with his strange cackle:
"Violet, this is perfect… just the right pressure… you're getting better."
"As long as you're pleased, Doffy." Violet replied flatly.
Behind Doflamingo's back, out of his sight, her eyes flickered with conflicting emotions.
She desperately wanted to kill the enemy before her… but she knew she couldn't, even with his back turned.
Perhaps this was another way that cunning bastard Doflamingo was testing her?
Nearby, several executives occasionally glanced her way, only looking away once Violet regained her composure.
"Behehehehe… Doffy, just got word—we caught another mermaid. She's being prepped for shipment to Sabaody Island. Should fetch a good price. And this year's SMILE factory produced more Devil Fruits than last year…" Trebol, short and snot-dripping, reported the family's latest updates to Doflamingo with glee.
"Fuffuffuffuffu… Artificial Devil Fruits, huh? As usual, keep the best for ourselves and sell the rest to Kaido." Doflamingo said with a smile, popping a grape.
"Behehehehe… Got it, Doffy, don't worry." Trebol laughed.
"Fuffuffuffuffu…"
Doflamingo cackled, in high spirits. His hand reached for Violet's, which was massaging him, ready to pull the beautiful woman behind him into the house for a bit of "exercise."
But a shout interrupted. "Donquixote Doflamingo."
"Hm?"
Frowning, Doflamingo's mood soured. He was just getting in the mood, and someone dared to disturb him? Courting death?
Who would even call him by his full name?
He looked up, and his body trembled. "King! Why are you here?"
"What?! One of the Beasts Pirates' All-Stars!" The other family executives tensed.
Violet, massaging Doflamingo, quickly withdrew her hands.
In the sky, King, clad in black armor and helmet, descended slowly, stopping fifty meters above ground, looking down at Doflamingo. "Doflamingo, how many artificial Devil Fruits did you produce this year?"
"Artificial Devil Fruits…" Doflamingo's eyes darted behind his sunglasses. "This year, maybe ten."
"Ten? Not bad. Have them sent to Onigashima immediately, understood?" King said.
His tone was flat, like an order from a superior to a subordinate.
This attitude irked Doflamingo, but he didn't dare offend King, backed by a Yonko. He forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Fuffuffuffuffu… No problem, same price as usual."
"Same price? Doflamingo, are you misunderstanding? I'm not here to trade this time." King smirked.
"Hm?" Doflamingo's face darkened, sitting up straight.
The executives around him placed hands on their weapons.
The atmosphere grew tense.
"King, what do you mean? Is Kaido planning to break our deal and stab us in the back?" Doflamingo asked.
"Doflamingo, starting today, the SMILE factory will supply artificial Devil Fruits to the Beasts Pirates for free every year, understood? This is Kaido's order. Are you defying him?"
"Don't forget, I'm a Shichibukai now…" Doflamingo said, displeased.
"You're saying you're ready to defy Kaido?"
"Damn it! You Beasts Pirates scum, don't get cocky! The Young Master is a Shichibukai, protected by the World Government! You think we're scared of Kaido?" Baby 5 snapped, raising a dozen weapons at King.
As she moved, all executives entered high alert.
"Go back, King. Tell Kaido I won't accept this deal." Doflamingo said firmly.
"Donquixote Doflamingo… seems you've forgotten Kaido's terror—and mine." King said flatly. His wings ignited with fierce flames, turning the sky red for hundreds of meters.
Then, before Doflamingo, King formed hand seals and opened his mouth. "Fire Release: Majestic Flame Annihilation!"
*BOOM!*
A terrifying heat wave surged toward Doflamingo's mansion.
"Damn you! How dare you!" Doflamingo was shocked, not expecting King to attack them alone.
Did he think he was Kaido?
Or that Doflamingo was worthless?
Furious, Doflamingo slammed the ground, holding nothing back.
The ground turned into white threads, surging to protect everyone.
*BOOM!*
Flames crashed against countless threads.
Doflamingo and his crew below couldn't see the sky, only the threads above reddening and melting, their faces livid.
They exchanged glances, scattering to counterattack.
But before they could spread far, another shout came from nearby. "Water Release: Great Explosion Jutsu!"
They turned to see another King, spewing a massive flood toward them!
"How is this possible?!"
"Damn it! King, the Fire Calamity, using water abilities?!"
"We're done!"
"Is this an illusion?"
"Someone tell me what's happening!"
The executives shouted.
Doflamingo tried to block with his threads, but it was too late.
The flood engulfed them.
Most Donquixote Family members were Devil Fruit users, losing combat strength in the water, collapsing limply.
The few remaining couldn't match King, felled with single punches and kicks.
Doflamingo watched, stunned, as two Kings approached slowly, looking down. "Doflamingo, I'll ask once more: are you defying Kaido?"
"Fuffuffuffuffu… King… no wonder you came alone. You've learned new powers from another world… Does Kaido know you have this ability?" Doflamingo, realizing the truth, laughed oddly, his words tinged with bitterness.
Like the Pirate King, mastering wind, lightning, water, fire, and earth.
Such power, in a pirate world full of Devil Fruit abilities, was incredibly versatile and strong.
Doflamingo had long coveted it.
But for over a decade, only a few lucky ones had it, most captured or hidden by Marines.
So, Doflamingo could only dream.
He never expected to see such magical power from King—and worse, to be defeated by it!
Power like an ocean! Too oppressive for ability users like them!
Doflamingo's heart brimmed with bitterness and disappointment.
Violet's eyes beside him glinted strangely.
She most wanted Doflamingo to reject King's demand.
"You think Kaido wouldn't?" King countered.
Doflamingo laughed loudly. "Fuffuffuffuffu… True, it's Kaido! The World Government, Marines, and a newly powered Kaido—this world's getting interesting! Fuffuffuffuffu…"
"!"
King glared at the cackling Doflamingo, slightly annoyed.
(Is this guy ignoring my question?)
"Lightning Release: Chidori Needles!"
King swung his hand irritably, lightning needles piercing Doflamingo, making him tremble from shocks.
"Answer my question, Doflamingo."
"Fuffuffuffuffu… You win, King. I can't fight you like this. I'll send the Devil Fruits to Onigashima." Doflamingo said with an odd laugh, conceding.
"Hmph… A wise choice, Doflamingo."
King finished, flapped his wings, and flew off.
Doflamingo, a Shichibukai feared by many, was like a chick in King's hands, toyed with at will.
Seeing this, Violet's eyes sparkled. (If I could master this power…)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Some time later, in the Naruto World, Shinobi Empire's capital.
Imperial Hashirama, Imperial Naruto, Sasuke, Ninja World Naruto, Ninja World Sasuke, and high-ranking figures like Orochimaru, Sasori, and Amado gathered.
All eyes turned to a dozen oddly patterned fruits on the square table.
"So these are Devil Fruits? They look strange… Most importantly, I sense a weird power attached to them." Hiashi from the Imperial Hyuga Clan couldn't help but say, veins bulging around his eyes.
"Your senses are correct. The power seems tied to souls." Imperial Sasuke's Rinnegan flickered purple.
"So, one ingredient of these so-called Devil Fruits is souls?" Imperial Sasori rubbed his chin.
"Likely, but details need further research. For now, let's see if these fruits are as legendary as claimed." Amado from the Boruto Era said.
"These dozen fruits are the Bear Fruit, Black Panther Fruit, Tiger Fruit, Monkey Fruit, Dog Fruit… Anyone interested can pick one to eat." Imperial Orochimaru licked his lips, chuckling.
The Empire's leaders exchanged glances but stayed silent.
"Fine, Zoan-type fruits alone clearly don't excite anyone here. We need a test subject." Imperial Orochimaru smiled.
"So, who's the guinea pig?" Imperial Tsunade asked.
"These are rare Devil Fruits, not to be taken lightly. I heard they can affect animals too. Ninja animals training in martial arts and Haki face slow progress due to meridian differences. This might boost them significantly. Inuzuka Clan, any thoughts?" Imperial Orochimaru smiled at the Inuzuka Clan representative among the leaders.
"Dr. Orochimaru is absolutely right. I'll contact the family immediately." the Inuzuka Clan leader said, eyes gleaming.
Soon, Ninja World Kiba appeared before everyone with his beloved dog, Akamaru.
"It's you? I thought it'd be this world's Kiba." Orochimaru said, slightly surprised.
"I want to catch up to Big Bro Kiba and serve the Empire, but my current progress makes that tough. Eating a Devil Fruit should be a shortcut." Ninja World Kiba said.
"Woof!" Akamaru, a large dog reaching Kiba's waist, barked.
"It's rare for you to have such an idea. His Majesty and everyone will be proud. So, Inuzuka Kiba, choose your fruit. Bear Fruit, Black Panther Fruit, or this Tiger Fruit." Imperial Orochimaru pointed to the three best fruits.
"Bear symbolizes strength and defense. Panther, speed and agility. Tiger's in between—less strong than Bear, less fast than Panther, but called the king of beasts… I'll take the Tiger Fruit." Ninja World Kiba walked slowly to the Tiger Fruit, picking it up.
"Tiger Fruit, huh? As I expected. Let's start now and witness the wonder of World No. 3's Devil Fruit." Imperial Orochimaru said with anticipation.
The other Empire leaders grew excited, staring intently at Ninja World Kiba and Akamaru beside him.
"Come on, Akamaru! Eat this, and you'll gain great power! Then we'll keep fighting side by side!" Ninja World Kiba solemnly handed the Tiger Fruit to Akamaru's mouth.
"Woof!"
Akamaru barked and swallowed the fruit whole.
Then, his face twisted as if he'd eaten filth, his body hunching, retching repeatedly.
As he retched, Akamaru's body began transforming dramatically at a visible rate.
His body grew larger, his white fur turning orange with black stripes emerging.
His fur thickened, and his four legs became sturdier.
His fangs enlarged, protruding from his mouth, revealing a ferocious beastly form.
"Woof! Roar!"
When Akamaru barked again, his tone had changed.
Ninja World Kiba anxiously rubbed Akamaru's body. "You okay?"
"Woof! Roar!"
Akamaru nuzzled Kiba.
The other Empire leaders' eyes showed slight surprise.
"So this is a Devil Fruit? Truly astonishing…"
"It transformed Akamaru so drastically."
"Based on World No. 3's descriptions, Akamaru should have another transformation form… Kiba, have Akamaru transform. Let's examine him closely." one leader said.
"Alright!" Ninja World Kiba replied, looking at Akamaru.
"Woof! Roar!"
Akamaru barked.
A humming sound came from his mouth.
His body grew again, from a shoulder height of under 1.8 meters to three meters. His fur grew denser, his dog tail lengthened and thickened, a 'King' character appeared on his forehead, and sharp claws emerged on his paws, lightly scratching the stone floor.