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At the banquet table, everyone was drinking and having a good time.
"Finish this cup, and there's another one coming."
Daichi smiled, constantly urging them to drink.
He had the company's start-up capital and the money for his plans, a wonderful development that made him incredibly excited.
As for Caesar.
Keeping him around was not only useless but also annoying. After the Marine blockade ended, Daichi could go to Punk Hazard to catch up with Caesar.
No matter what Big Mom thought, Caesar would ultimately have to go to Punk Hazard. Otherwise, without research facilities, Caesar would have to manually craft equipment, which would take ages. Even Vegapunk relied on the World Government's funding and equipment support.
The happier Daichi drank, the more upset Katakuri and Doflamingo became. Both sides had lost a large sum of Berries, so it was no wonder they weren't in a good mood.
All that money could have been saved!
Even robbery isn't this ruthless!
"Fufufufu~~"
"I'm heading back first."
Doflamingo forced a smile and got up to leave.
His desolate figure made Daichi incredibly worried, fearing that he would jump off the ship the next moment and perform a bankrupt suicide.
It's just 10 billion Berries, is it really that big of a deal?
Daichi looked at Katakuri with annoyance.
"How boring, Brother Katakuri, let's the two of us drink!"
Who's your brother!
Katakuri's face darkened as he stood up.
"My injury hasn't fully healed yet, I'm going to rest."
"You're leaving too?"
Daichi pondered for a moment and stood up.
Without drinking buddies, what's the point of drinking?
However, before leaving, there were some words he had to say.
"Hey, Katakuri!"
Daichi called out to Katakuri, his eyes no longer playful or arrogant, but filled with raw battle intent and anticipation. "Did you know, Conqueror's Haki can also be imbued!"
"I know!"
Katakuri nodded slowly.
Daichi's lips curved upwards, his gaze sharp: "Katakuri, next time we meet, let's have an Advanced Conqueror's Haki showdown!"
Katakuri's pupils constricted.
An Advanced Conqueror's Haki showdown!
As the pillar of Totto Land and the Charlotte family's greatest masterpiece, he naturally knew that Conqueror's Haki could also be imbued.
But only those whose body, mind, and skills have all reached the peak can achieve it. Such individuals are one in a hundred even among the many powerful users of Conqueror's Haki!
In his decades of memory, only a handful of people could do it, including their Mama, Charlotte Big Mom.
These supreme powerhouses all stand at the pinnacle of the world!
And he wasn't ready yet.
Looking at Daichi, who was young but attempting to reach the peak, Katakuri felt his entire body's blood surge, and an unprecedented desire welled up in his heart.
He knew what it was.
It was his long-dormant "ambition"!
As Mama's strongest child, he had always suppressed the desires deep within him, because he knew very well.
The moment he truly mastered Advanced Conqueror's Haki would be the day he challenged Mama and took over the Charlotte family!
He feared the arrival of that day.
But at this moment, facing the invitation from the "newcomer" Daichi, he clearly felt the tide of the era pushing forward, and sensed the mission he carried on his shoulders.
Not just protecting his younger siblings.
But also guarding Totto Land!
"Alright!"
Katakuri walked towards Daichi.
The two passed each other once again.
"Let's meet again at the peak!"
The banquet ended.
Queen Mama Chanter set sail.
"Daichi-sama!"
Caesar lay on the ship's railing, reaching out his arms to Daichi, who was leaving on the shore, his eyes filled with tears of despair.
No!
Don't leave him behind!
"Let's go quickly."
Daichi quickened his pace, muttering to himself.
Sorry, Caesar!
You're too valuable!
Soon, the Groudon hoisted its sails and set off.
The Central Fighting Tournament concluded, and Champion Island was severely damaged, with ruins everywhere, requiring a significant amount of time to repair.
Daichi wanted to take the opportunity to buy some land, but he didn't have that much time to linger. Hachinosu was about to begin construction and was waiting for him to return.
On the top floor of the Groudon, in Daichi's room.
Kikara, holding a stack of letters, nervously pushed the door open: "Daichi-sama, those people have sent more banquet invitations."
"Send them a reply. If they want to talk about anything, they can find me on Hachinosu."
Daichi smiled.
His and Katakuri's reputation had attracted many Underground Emperors to watch the battle, and this fight had successfully achieved its desired effect.
Now those Emperors would have to actively seek him out!
Daichi looked at Kikara with pleasant surprise.
He had no expectations for Kikara's combat ability; her flaws were too great. But what surprised him about the girl was her good education.
Although he didn't understand how, Kikara was indeed educated. While it wasn't clear how impressive it was yet, it was evident she had read many books and could write beautifully.
This was quite rare.
Few of his idiotic subordinates could even read a newspaper!
Daichi was quite interested in Kikara's experiences in Mary Geoise, but considering the tragic plight of slaves, he didn't actively reopen old wounds, waiting until she was no longer afraid to talk about it.
"Has Hajrudin responded?"
"Yes, he said he would gather his companions and go to Hachinosu together."
Kikara replied nervously.
Daichi nodded slightly.
Recruiting subordinates always needed a more formal occasion to showcase his substantial capital. If possible, he wanted to recruit the entire New Giant Warrior Pirates.
Hachinosu would be very suitable for that.
"Go, call Speed over."
"Yes, Daichi-sama."
Kikara breathed a sigh of relief and quickly scurried away.
A moment later, Speed arrived at Daichi's room, her face slightly flushed, awkwardly taking off her clothes.
Daichi frowned.
"Why are you taking off your clothes?"
"Huh?"
A question mark appeared on Speed's forehead.
This lecherous scoundrel called her to his room, wasn't it for that? It wasn't the first time, she was already used to it.
Wait, could it be a new trick?
Speed's eyes were full of disdain.
He only knew how to torment her by relying on his strength, with no romance between a man and a woman. She would just lie on the bed motionless later, and see how this scoundrel would find it exciting!
"Come here."
Daichi waved, took out an exquisite small treasure chest, and smilingly handed it to Speed.
"A gift for you."
"What is this?"
Speed picked up the treasure chest in surprise.
It was diamond-encrusted!
It looked very valuable!
Is it jewelry?
The more Speed looked, the more she liked it, happily giving Daichi a side-eye. This was the first time she had received a gift from Daichi.
This rough man actually had a bit of romance.
Alright, she would cooperate actively later.
"This is the prize from the fighting tournament. Open it and see."
Daichi was also somewhat expectant.
After the fighting tournament, the organizers sent over the champion's prize, which included a golden belt and some money.
And this thing.
A Devil Fruit!
Among his own people, Ulti and Page One already had abilities. Among his other subordinates, only Speed and he had known each other the longest, and she was the most trustworthy.
However, this Devil Fruit should be a Paramecia type, otherwise, it wouldn't have been offered as a prize by the organizers.
The upper and lower limits of Paramecia types are ridiculously wide; it could be very strong or very ordinary. The worst-case scenario is a trash ability like some useless fruit.
"A prize?"
Speed opened the treasure chest, and when she saw the special fruit with spiral patterns inside, she almost shrieked.
A Devil Fruit!
Something she had dreamed of obtaining!
Half a year ago, Doflamingo and the Beast Pirates reached a SMILE deal, but the production was extremely low, and currently, only a few Headliners had gained power.
She also planned to eat a SMILE, even knowing the severe side effects and even becoming a half-human, half-beast monster, she would not regret it.
In this world, power is the greatest guarantee for survival.
Speed looked at Daichi, small pearls of tears welling up in her excited eyes.
"This, is it really for me?"
"Yes, hurry up and eat it."
Daichi smiled and nodded, growing more expectant.
He had also considered letting the sturdy one inside him eat the fruit, but the sturdy one wasn't interested, indicating that the fruit's ability didn't suit him.
"Mmm!!!"
Speed nodded vigorously. Given the opportunity to eat a Devil Fruit, she wouldn't decline for the sake of politeness or anything.
Power must be held in one's own hands.
"Ahem!"
Speed took a bite of the Devil Fruit, devoured it completely in a few mouthfuls, then covered her mouth, her face turning green.
It tasted awful.
Daichi's eyes were burning.
"How do you feel? What's the ability?"
"Whoosh!"
Speed vanished from her spot and instantly sat on Daichi's lap, wrapping her hands around his head.
It was so fast it was like instant movement!
Speed vigorously tossed her short hair, exhaling puffs of hot air, her gaze at Daichi like that of a wild beast.
"Tonight, don't treat me like a human!"
"Huh???"