"Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique?"
"Armament Haki EXP Potion?"
Wayne exclaimed in surprise and immediately checked the attributes of the two items.
[Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique]: A unique forging method created by Tang Hao from Douluo Continent. It consists of 81 hammer strikes. When mastered, it can completely eliminate impurities in ores, significantly increasing the quality of forging materials and the weapons produced. In addition, this hammer technique is also a powerful method for training physical strength. Mastery improves one's overall control over physical power.
[Armament Haki Experience Potion]: Grants 1000 points of Armament Haki experience upon use.
Wayne studied the two rewards thoughtfully. The Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique was a godsend. With it, his forging skills would no doubt advance even further. Once mastered, creating a Named Blade might no longer be out of reach.
As for the Armament Haki EXP Potion it was just average. The value of 1000 Life Points was equal to the value of 1000 Haki EXP, so the return wasn't particularly special.
Unless...
The potion could be used on someone other than himself.
After a brief moment of reflection, Wayne already had a plan for how to use it.
"Phew... this hits the spot."
He lit one of the premium Cuban cigars he'd just won. These were even better than the ones he'd taken from Kizaru. A top-tier brand from his previous world Wayne now had a literal ton of them.
"Looks like it's time to upgrade my tastes."
He chuckled to himself. Those 1000 Life Points weren't wasted after all. At the very least, he'd gained some pleasure and indulgence from it.
...
Three days later.
Glug glug...
Wayne set down his forging hammer and picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"Moshi moshi, this is Wayne. What's up?"
"Boss, it's me Lafitte!"
"Oh, Lala! What is it?"
"I told you to stop calling me Lala! Whatever... the thing you asked me to look into, I've got results. Doflamingo is secretly convening several of the underworld's kings for a meeting in Dressrosa. It doesn't look good for you."
Wayne lit another cigar and paused in thought before replying, "Dressrosa, huh. Do you know when the meeting is?"
Lafitte answered, "Roughly three days from now..."
"Got it."
Wayne hung up the Den Den Mushi.
The curling smoke from his cigar veiled his face, lending him an air of mystery. As he blew the smoke away, he muttered, "So taking out Slaive wasn't enough of a warning for you people. You really are this stubborn, huh? Seems I'll need to make a stronger statement."
Dressrosa wasn't far from the City of Freedom. If he traveled alone, he could reach it in under a day.
And that was exactly what Wayne intended to do. He was going to Dressrosa personally to see what this so-called "secret meeting" was about.
He shook his head as he pulled on his coat.
"How ridiculous. They really don't understand the situation, do they? Still trying to come after me?"
Truth be told, ever since acquiring the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Wayne had started to feel the slightest bit... inflated. In the past, even with great strength, he lacked reliable means to take on large groups.
But now, between his upgraded Devil Fruit and Conqueror's Haki, his crowd control and survivability had both skyrocketed.
The next day, after briefing the key figures in the City of Freedom, Wayne transformed into a bolt of lightning and vanished into the sky.
...
At the same time, in Dressrosa
On the royal throne in the palace sat Doflamingo, his short blond hair slicked back, signature sunglasses gleaming coldly.
Beside him stood his top executive, Trebol, also wearing strange glasses and with mucus perpetually dangling from his nose.
"Young master, everyone's been contacted. But Morgans from the World Economy News refuses to get involved. The rest of the kings from the underworld have all agreed to attend... Also, the Golden Emperor, Gild Tesoro, has already arrived."
"Fufufufufu... Of course Tesoro would be the most eager. Makes sense his casino empire relies heavily on the slave trade."
Doflamingo let out his iconic laugh, sounding pleased and unsurprised. His shades concealed his eyes, leaving his true feelings unreadable.
Gild Tesoro, the Golden Emperor wielder of the Paramecia-class Gold-Gold Fruit. He controlled the largest entertainment complex in the world and twenty percent of all Beli in circulation. He had close ties with the Celestial Dragons and worked closely with Doflamingo, from whom he'd originally obtained the Gold-Gold Fruit.
Trebol hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Young master, are we really going to openly oppose Wayne? His strength is... well..."
A flicker of unease passed through Doflamingo's eyes, but he quickly replied, his tone resolute.
"We don't have much of a choice. That guy has a habit of sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. Five years ago, we pushed Slaive into the spotlight to counterbalance him only to have Wayne wipe him out."
"Our feud with him touches the core of our business. Sooner or later, we were bound to clash. True, he's a difficult opponent even I'm not confident I could defeat him. But he's made too many enemies. It's not just me who wants him dead. Once we unite the other bosses... Wayne? He'll be nothing but prey. I don't care if he can go toe-to-toe with Aokiji he's still finished."
Doflamingo's resolve to eliminate Wayne was absolute. He was even willing to ally with other kings of the underworld to get the job done.
There was a good reason behind this Doflamingo's criminal empire depended on the slave trade. Every year, he delivered high-quality slaves to the Celestial Dragons to maintain his privileges. He even supplied "special merchandise" to Yonko like Kaido and Big Mom.
And Wayne's crusade over the years had delivered devastating blows to that business.
Trebol suddenly remembered something. Scratching his ear, he said, "Young master, a few days ago Vergo sent word that Wayne may have acquired a powerful Devil Fruit. He wasn't sure about the ability, but if it's true, his strength might've increased even more..."
Doflamingo's face darkened. Of course he'd heard the rumors. The thought that an already formidable enemy might have grown stronger unsettled him but he remained firm.
"Fufufufufufu... That's exactly why I have to act now. He just got the ability. He hasn't had time to fully master it. If I wait until he does... I might never have the chance again."
His voice dropped to a grim murmur.
"If we still can't take him down this time, I may have to request aid from the Yonko. He's starting to interfere with their business too."
That was Doflamingo's last resort one he hoped he'd never need. Because once he turned to the Yonko for help, it would be a confession of failure proof that he, a king of the underworld and a "partner" of the Yonko, was no longer strong enough to handle his own affairs.
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