Hearing this, Big Mom nodded with satisfaction.
She looked at Ron, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"In that case, let's begin as soon as possible. I can't wait to experience the power of a Three-Devil Fruit User!"
Ron nodded, turned and signaled his subordinates to carry away the boxes filled with Belly, then looked at everyone.
"In that case, please wait on the island for a day or two. The Devil Fruit will be completed soon!"
Immediately after, Ron turned to look at Enel standing nearby and instructed.
"Enel, take good care of our distinguished guests. Don't let our important clients go hungry. Remember, this concerns the reputation of our Eternal Kingdom."
Upon hearing this, Enel immediately straightened his back, placed his right fist over his chest in a standard at-ease position, his face full of solemn expression.
"Yes! Vice Captain Ron! I will definitely complete the mission successfully!"
Ron was puzzled about who Enel had learned this from, but still nodded with satisfaction.
However, just as he turned to leave and had taken a few steps, a deep voice suddenly came from behind.
"Wait."
Ron stopped and looked back to see Katakuri standing not far away, his gaze profound.
His body suddenly began to change, a sticky mochi-like substance appearing on the surface of his skin.
Then, a heavy box slowly separated from his body.
Katakuri casually tossed the box, which flew steadily toward Ron and was quickly caught by Izo who stood nearby.
"This is ten billion Belly." Katakuri's voice was calm yet firm, as if stating the most ordinary matter.
"I want Kaido's Devil Fruit ability."
Upon hearing this, Ron raised an eyebrow slightly, a peculiar expression crossing his face.
He clearly hadn't expected Katakuri to make such a request at this moment, but only a fool would turn down money delivered to their doorstep.
However, he quickly regained his composure with a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips.
"Oh? Interesting. Then let's wait together. I'll finish as soon as possible."
After speaking, he turned to Nami beside him, who immediately understood his intention.
In a flash, she transformed into a Dragon, her scales shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight.
With a low roar, she gently swung her tail, lifting Ron onto her back before soaring straight into the sky and disappearing from everyone's sight.
This scene left the members of the Big Mom Pirates utterly stunned.
They stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they had just witnessed, their gazes fixed on the direction where Ron and Nami had vanished, unable to recover for a long time.
"That guy… actually turned Kaido's ability into a mount?" Perospero muttered to himself, his tone filled with disbelief.
His eyes held both shock and a trace of hidden apprehension.
"MAMAMAMAMA!" Big Mom suddenly burst into laughter, her voice dripping with mockery.
"If Kaido saw this, he'd probably die of anger! The ability of a mighty Yonko, reduced to a mount—MAMAMAMAMA!"
The others nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Though Katakuri remained silent, a complex emotion flickered in his eyes.
He lowered his head to look at his own hand, as if lost in thought.
"Still, it must be said, Ron's strength is truly unfathomable," Perospero remarked, stroking his chin with a tone of admiration.
"To so effortlessly harness Kaido's ability and even repurpose it as a mount—that's not something just anyone can do."
"Hmph, so what?" Big Mom snorted disdainfully. "No matter how strong he is, he's still just a junior. I'm one of the Yonko—do you think I'd be afraid of him?"
Meanwhile, Enel had already begun his duties as host.
He clapped his hands, and a group of attendants in white uniforms emerged from all directions, carrying an array of delicacies and fine wines, which they neatly arranged before the Big Mom Pirates.
"Honored guests, please enjoy yourselves," Enel said with a slight bow, a respectful smile on his face.
"This is specially prepared cuisine from our Eternal Kingdom, guaranteed to satisfy you."
Big Mom glanced at the spread of food, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.
She casually grabbed a massive cake and took a big bite, cream dripping from the corner of her mouth.
She paid it no mind, instead relishing the taste with evident enjoyment.
"Not bad, the flavor is quite good," Big Mom nodded, her tone carrying a note of approval. "That Ron kid certainly knows how to live well."
The others also began to dig into the feast, and the atmosphere gradually grew more relaxed.
However, Katakuri remained standing in place, his gaze deep and distant as if lost in thought.
"Katakuri, why aren't you eating?" Perospero approached him and asked quietly.Katakuri shook his head calmly.
"I'm not hungry. Besides, I have a feeling this deal isn't as simple as it seems."
"Oh? What have you noticed?" Perospero frowned, his tone tinged with caution.
Instead of answering directly, Katakuri lowered his voice and said, "Ron's goal probably isn't just money. His choice of my blood might have another purpose."
Hearing this, Perospero's expression shifted slightly.
He glanced around and whispered, "Are you saying he might have ulterior motives?"
Katakuri nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"No matter what, we need to be careful. Ron is not a simple man."
Perospero fell silent for a moment before nodding. "You're right. I'll remind the others to stay vigilant."
....
Meanwhile, Ron had returned to the core laboratory of the Eternal Kingdom.
He stood before the massive experiment table, holding Katakuri's blood sample in his hand, his gaze flickering with complex emotions.
"Katakuri's Observation Haki... truly extraordinary," Ron murmured to himself, a hint of excitement in his tone.
"With this, I won't have to worry about Observation Haki anymore."
He turned to Nami beside him and smiled faintly.
"Nami, don't worry about rescuing your companions. I have my own plans."
Nami transformed into her human form and smiled.
"Yes, I understands. But, Ron-san what should we do next?"
A profound look flashed in Ron's eyes.
"Next, we wait for the fruit to be completed. Then, we can begin the next phase of our plan."