In their original expectations, this place should have been either a tense, smoke-filled standoff, with both sides glaring at each other and weapons in hand, ready to erupt into conflict at any moment…
Or it should have been a high-stakes negotiation full of hidden currents and treacherous schemes, where every faction competed in secret and every sentence carried another meaning beneath the surface.
...
And yet, when they truly stepped into the area, the sight before them hit them like a massive shockwave.
They froze on the spot, completely stunned.
The members of the Beasts Pirates were lined up neatly in one long queue.
Their expressions varied, but every one of them had rolled up their sleeves, exposing thick, powerful arms.
Researchers in white coats held professional instruments and worked in an orderly manner, gently yet precisely inserting thin needles into their veins and slowly drawing out precious blood.
And among them, the most eye-catching figure was none other than Kaido himself, captain of the Beasts Pirates.
He stood there like a small mountain, radiating a terrifying presence.
Yet at this moment, he was personally participating in this strange process.
A thick needle had been inserted into his immensely muscular arm, and crimson liquid, vivid as dragon blood, dripped down the tube drop by drop into the transparent test tube placed beside him.
The faint dripping sound was strangely clear.
Meanwhile, their "Mama"—Charlotte Linlin, a figure whose name shook the pirate world—was sitting leisurely off to the side.
Before her was a mountain of exquisite desserts, their colorful appearance forming a sharp contrast with the serious atmosphere around them.
She stuffed her mouth with those sweet, delicious treats, her cheeks bulging, while impatiently waving the little fork in her hand and shouting,
"Hurry up! Next!"
Her sharp voice echoed through the area, making everyone afraid to slack off even for a second.
"Wh-what is going on here?!"
Charlotte Perospero's voice was filled with extreme shock and panic.
His tongue seemed to have suddenly lost its flexibility, tying itself in knots.
The candy cane in his hand, which usually symbolized sweetness and authority, seemed to lose its magic as well. It fell heavily onto the cold floor with a crisp, piercing clack.
Beside him, Charlotte Katakuri was just as stunned by the scene before him.
The soft scarf around his neck moved despite the lack of wind, trembling slightly as if it had sensed the turmoil in its master's heart.
His eyes widened, filled with disbelief he could not hide, and his voice rose unconsciously.
"Mama… you truly joined forces with Kaido?!"
Every word seemed squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying deep suspicion.
Until now, they had still been clinging to a bit of wishful thinking.
They had originally believed that Mama had only compromised temporarily.
Perhaps she had some hidden motive behind it.
Or perhaps she was planning some more complicated scheme, trying to gain greater benefits from this seemingly dangerous cooperation.
But the scene before their eyes was so real it was suffocating, and it struck like a heavy hammer, shattering the last of their fantasies.
It was all true!
Two Emperors who stood at the peak of the pirate world should have been evenly matched rivals, locked in constant competition.
Yet now, they had truly cast aside their past conflicts and grudges, working together to cooperate with the mysterious research of the Eternal Divine Kingdom!
The revelation exploded in their hearts like a bomb, stirring up violent waves.
Just as everyone was still lost in shock and confusion, Big Mom's loud, oppressive voice suddenly rang out.
"Mamamama! What are you all standing around for?!"
With that roar, she slammed the table hard.
The tremendous force made the ground shake violently, and all kinds of laboratory instruments clattered noisily against one another.
Her eyes carried unquestionable authority as she shouted, "All of you, get over here and give blood! No one leaves today until the Devil Fruit encyclopedia is completed! Hurry up!"
Hearing this, her children looked at one another, their faces filled with fear and helplessness.
In this family, Mama's command was like an imperial decree.
No one was allowed to disobey.
Even though their hearts were full of doubt and unease, not a single person dared stand up and resist.
They could only silently walk toward that terrifying blood-drawing area.
And so, an incredibly strange scene quietly unfolded.
The battle-hardened, powerful members of the Charlotte Family walked forward one by one as if pulled by some invisible force.
Their steps were steady and firm, but the complicated emotions in their eyes were impossible to hide.
Then, in neat order, they formed a long line, as if taking part in some solemn yet absurd ritual.
And the content of that ritual was having their blood drawn one after another.
Katakuri stood there, his face expressionless as a sculpture.
He slowly stretched out his thick, powerful arm, the veins beneath his skin clearly visible.
As the needle pierced his skin, the special blood carrying the power of the Mochi-Mochi Fruit flowed slowly into the transparent test tube like a small stream.
Every drop seemed to contain a unique kind of magic, flickering with a strange light beneath the lamps.
Then came Cracker.
He curled his lip slightly, his eyes showing a bit of dissatisfaction and helplessness.
When the needle entered his vein, the blood carrying the power of the Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit was also carefully drawn out.
The researchers focused completely on the procedure, sealing away the precious blood with great care, afraid of wasting even the smallest amount or making the slightest mistake.
"Hey, you Big Mom Pirates really do have a lot of ability users…"
A Gifter from the Beasts Pirates could not help muttering under his breath.
His voice sounded especially abrupt in the quiet space, carrying a mixture of curiosity and admiration.
"Shut up! You think we want this?!"
Charlotte Oven abruptly turned his head and glared fiercely at him.
Blue veins instantly bulged across his forehead, twisting like winding earthworms and revealing the anger and unwillingness surging inside him.
The air around him seemed to grow hotter from his rage.
A group of researchers in white coats were busy beyond belief.
Their foreheads were covered in sweat, which kept sliding down their cheeks and soaking their clothes, though they paid it no attention at all.
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