Golden Lion's Flagship.
"Jihahahaha... I thought that crazy old hag would've finished you off! You're actually alive, how lucky!" Shiki jested with his typical pirate flair, warmly welcoming Doflamingo, who had already taken his leave of the Big Mom Pirates.
Doflamingo set Smoothie down and chuckled, "She's crazy, but not stupid. She understands the weighing of pros and cons, fufufufu~"
Using Golden Lion's flag was effective. Doflamingo guessed that even though Big Mom (and perhaps also Kaido of the Beasts) were now collectively known as Emperors alongside Golden Lion and Whitebeard, seeming to stand on equal footing, both Big Mom and potentially Kaido of the Beasts held immense apprehension towards Golden Lion, who had suppressed them for an entire era. This apprehension even surpassed their fear of Whitebeard and the fallen Pirate King!
Indeed, Golden Lion, Whitebeard, and the Pirate King were the pirate supremes who dominated the previous era. While the Pirate King championed the thrill of adventure and Whitebeard sought the warmth of family, they were destined to ignore those who didn't actively provoke them.
In contrast, Golden Lion, who craved the right to rule, was the primary force that suppressed anyone daring to covet the top pirate position.
Big Mom and other silver medalists of that time hadn't escaped the lessons taught by his powerful Golden Lion Grand Fleet.
To speak bluntly, Golden Lion had deeply instilled fear in Big Mom. Even if Big Mom was a savage and aggressive lunatic who didn't fear Golden Lion, apprehension was inevitable.
For the time being, she also couldn't shake off the shadow of defeat Golden Lion had cast upon her. At the very least, she wouldn't act rashly before seeing a clear path to defeating Golden Lion.
Especially now, with "Big Mom" several months pregnant and nearing delivery, even if she was a born monster who wouldn't be overly weakened, her opponent was Golden Lion! Even the slightest weakening would be enough for the domineering and cunning Golden Lion to find an opening and ruthlessly strike. That's why even a hot-tempered person like her temporarily endured.
"Then she just sent her daughter to you?" Shiki eyed Smoothie a few times, pondering. "The little girl I saw on the wanted posters, her strength seems pretty good. Which daughter of Big Mom are you again?"
Smoothie was slightly nervous. "The fourteenth daughter."
"Right! Jihahahaha... She can really birth a lot of kids!" Shiki boisterously cursed, then sighed in regret. "If only I had thought of her method of developing power earlier, what a shame..."
Shiki didn't continue, his unspoken meaning being "I'm old," but he wouldn't admit it.
"Let's not chat. Let's settle the payment for our last transaction first," Doflamingo patted Smoothie's backside. "My dear, go take a look around the 'Golden Lion's' base. Not everyone gets such an opportunity."
Smoothie calmly left. She had no intention of interfering with Doflamingo's business and knew how to stay true to her role as a woman.
"Devil Fruits are too hard to gather. I only have seven, so I still owe you thirteen," Shiki said, tossing Doflamingo a cigar. He casually leaned against the ship's railing and laughed heartily. "Whatever on this ship catches your eye, feel free to use it as collateral! Jihahahaha..."
Doflamingo lit his cigar and said, "That won't be necessary. You can continue paying in installments! As for this current transaction, what I want isn't Devil Fruits either."
"That's not right! This transaction, are you referring to your backup information?" Shiki tilted his head, squinting. "Your exact words were, 'I actually have backup information that could realize your ambition, with a higher success rate than 'Dyna Rocks' and Dr. Vegapunk. But it's a long process and requires extreme patience. Interested?' Then I asked you, 'What do you want this time?' and you said, 'I want you to fulfill the promise you made to me, and do me a favor.' That's why I appeared in the Big Mom Pirates' territory."
Doflamingo chuckled playfully. "That's right! But that piece of information is only one part of this transaction. Are you really not going to listen to the other parts?"
"Jihahahaha... Alright, alright, what do you want from this transaction?" Shiki didn't dwell on it and asked.
Doflamingo pondered, "One day, if 'Kaido of the Beasts' challenges you, and assuming he's captured by you, notify me. I want to use him for an experiment."
"That stubborn, troublesome guy, why can't he just be killed?" Shiki grumbled. "Alright!"
Doflamingo continued, "I've learned of a wondrous hidden place in the Grand Line. Its exact location is unknown, but it's called 'Merveille.' Many interesting plants and massive animals grow there... I won't go into unnecessary detail; you'll understand its value once you find it. My advice is to find a biology expert before you find it."
Shiki stroked his beard, deep in thought and silent.
"If you find it and deem it worthless, I'll await your wrath," Doflamingo confidently guaranteed, adding, "There's a plant on that island that's key to animal evolution, and another plant that controls these animals' movements. You can probably think of them as Sea Kings on land?"
Shiki's eyebrows twitched upwards, and he burst into laughter. "Jihahahaha..."
"Another matter is that I'm planning to organize fighting tournaments, martial arts tournaments, and other events in the New World," Doflamingo said, tapping the ship's railing. "This includes a Swordsman Tournament! You're the world's greatest swordsman; what swordsman wouldn't want to challenge you? I'll use your reputation to announce that the ultimate winner of the Swordsman Tournament each year will have the right to challenge you. You'll also benefit from this. When they challenge you, it'll also be your chance to recruit them and expand your forces. I believe they can bolster the backbone of your meager forces since the 'Battle of Edd War.'"
Shiki readily agreed. "Good!"
"That's all for now," Doflamingo spread his hands. "Of course! For the events I'm organizing, remember to look after them. My personnel are still very weak, and they can't handle too many trivial troubles."
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