"Brother Cracker!"
The cheerful shout cut through the tension of the landing. Charlotte Pudding, having dismounted from the back of the golden dragon, beamed with unadulterated joy as she looked at the towering figure waiting on the dock. Her eyes sparkled, ignoring the terrifying reputation of the man before her.
Charlotte Cracker, one of the fearsome Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates, had been wearing a mask of severe stoicism as the Beasts Pirates approached. However, the moment he saw his favorite younger sister, the hard lines of his face softened. A gentle, almost unrecognizable smile broke through his rugged beard.
He leaped down from the bow of his ship, his heavy biscuit armor clanking against the stone of the dock, and walked toward the golden dragon.
"Pudding!" Cracker laughed, his voice rough but affectionate. "You little rascal. It looks like you're doing well with the Beasts Pirates, aren't you? You haven't lost any weight."
In front of the man known to the world as the "Thousand Arms," Pudding showed absolutely no fear. She radiated happiness, relieved to see family in these foreign waters.
Witnessing this surprisingly wholesome reunion, Basil Hawkins descended from the bow of his own ship. His expression remained unreadable as he adjusted his cuffs and approached the other significant figure who had arrived by dragon.
"Miss Reiju," Hawkins said calmly, inclining his head slightly. "Hello."
"Hello to you too, Captain Hawkins," Reiju replied.
Her tone was polite, but professional. The month of intense training on the hellish island had bridged the gap between them, removing the initial estrangement between the Germa royalty and the North Blue magician. Reiju nodded to him, then cast a sharp, calculating glance toward Cracker and the Big Mom Pirates' ship docked nearby.
She turned back to Hawkins, her expression turning serious. "Captain Hawkins, I won't waste any more time with pleasantries. You need to know where you are standing."
She gestured to the sprawling landmass around them, where construction crews were already hard at work.
"The island beneath your feet is known as the Vodka Kingdom," Reiju explained, her voice lowered. "It was once the homeland of Lord Kaido himself. Years ago, it was destroyed by war and poverty, leaving only ruins. However, Lord Kaido has chosen this specific location to be the hallowed ground for a historic event."
Hawkins listened intently, his analytical mind already processing the data.
"This will be the future alliance grounds for the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates," Reiju declared, dropping the bombshell with casual efficiency. "Our objective is to rebuild this island within a single month. Your mission is singular and absolute: protect the reconstruction efforts of this kingdom and eliminate any obstacle that dares to interfere."
For a brief second, the stoic mask Basil Hawkins wore cracked. A storm of shock surged in his heart.
The Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates have actually allied?
The cards had hinted at chaos, but this was beyond prediction. Two of the Four Emperors, the supreme rulers of the New World, were joining forces. If this news leaked before they were ready, the balance of the world would be shattered instantly.
Meanwhile, in a different sector of the New World, deep within the Beasts Pirates' territory.
The setting was a unique geological formation—a triangular sea area bordered by three massive volcanic islands. The natural layout created a perfect, defensible fortress in the middle of the ocean.
Currently, the calm waters between the islands were crowded with warships. The flags of three of the world's most dangerous organizations fluttered in the wind: the Beasts Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and the Donquixote Family.
Much like the Vodka Kingdom, these three islands were undergoing a radical transformation. The air was filled with the sounds of industry—hammers striking steel, saws cutting timber, and the shouting of orders. To maintain absolute secrecy, no ordinary laborers were used. The workforce was comprised entirely of the Vinsmoke Family's clone soldiers, Big Mom's animated Chess Soldiers, and specialized Homies created by the Soul-Soul Fruit.
Because of the strategic importance of this project, the heavyweights of the underworld and the New World had gathered in person.
Representing the Beasts Pirates were the All-Stars King the Conflagration and Queen the Plague, alongside the scientists Caesar Clown and Vinsmoke Judge.
Representing the Big Mom Pirates was the eldest son, Charlotte Perospero, accompanied by his powerful siblings: Daifuku, Oven, and Smoothie.
Representing the Donquixote Family was the "Heavenly Yaksha" himself, Doflamingo, flanked by his elite officers: Trebol, Diamante, and Pica.
Although Doflamingo was technically the host of the underworld market, his position here was precarious. Surrounded by the top commanders of two Yonko crews, the "Joker" clearly had little political leverage. The only ones with the true authority to make decisions were King and Perospero.
Standing on the rocky coastline of the central island, King looked out at the three landmasses. His black suit and mask hid his expression, but his eyes were cold and sharp as he addressed the group.
"I won't say anything extra," King said, his voice deep and commanding. "You were all involved in surveying and selecting these three islands. You shouldn't have any objections to the location, right?"
Charlotte Perospero, holding his candy cane staff, licked his lips with a long, grotesque tongue. "Perorin~ Of course, no objections," he chuckled. "This location is most suitable. Hidden, defensible, and rich in geothermal energy."
Perospero turned his gaze toward the Warlord. "And you, Joker?"
Feeling the weight of the stares, Doflamingo let out his signature laugh, though the veins on his forehead pulsed slightly. "Fufufufufu! I have no objections either. It's a magnificent stage."
"Very good," King said crisply. "Then let's proceed as discussed."
King gestured to the three islands, laying out the grand strategy.
"From today onwards, we will rename this cluster 'Weapon Island.' It will be specifically responsible for manufacturing weapons for our three factions and housing our advanced factories. We have measured the landmasses; there is no significant difference in surface area, so we don't need to argue over territory."
King pointed to the island they were standing on. "This island, Island Number One, belongs to the Beasts Pirates. The island to the right, Island Number Two, belongs to the Big Mom Pirates. And the island to the left, Island Number Three, belongs to the Donquixote Family."
Perospero and Doflamingo nodded in agreement. The subordinates standing behind them remained silent, knowing they were not qualified to speak in this circle of monsters.
King turned his attention fully to Doflamingo. "Doflamingo. Big Brother Kaido said that you are the best at business and logistics. Therefore, although these three islands nominally belong to our three separate parties, the specific construction plans and architectural management will be based on your opinions."
This statement surprised everyone. The executives of the Donquixote Family looked at their captain in astonishment, while Perospero raised an eyebrow.
Doflamingo grinned, a genuine sense of relief and pride washing over him. To be trusted with the management of such a project by Kaido himself was a massive validation of his utility. Trebol and Diamante shivered with excitement behind him; their Young Master had gained the approval of two Emperors.
"That is truly wonderful," Doflamingo said, his grin widening. "I am grateful for Lord Kaido's trust in me. I will ensure the infrastructure is flawless."
King nodded in satisfaction, then pivoted to address the three scientists.
"Queen. Caesar. Judge."
The three men, who had once worked together in the rogue research group MADS, looked at the All-Star.
"These three islands are massive," King continued. "Big Brother's philosophy is that we shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket. Therefore, the three of you will establish separate branch laboratories on these three islands. Since we are cooperating, we won't take advantage of you."
King broke down the assignment. "Caesar, since you and Doffy already have a working relationship, your branch laboratory will be established on Island Number Three. Judge, your lab will be on Island Number Two, under the Big Mom banner. Queen, your lab will be here on Island Number One."
King paused, emphasizing the financial terms. "As for the construction budget, the Beasts Pirates will cover all initial costs. However, after the initial phase, it is as the saying goes: whoever needs it, pays for it. Are there any problems?"
"I have no problem," Queen said, puffing on his cigar with an indifferent look. "Just make sure the lab has enough power."
Caesar and Judge quickly voiced their agreement. They were getting state-of-the-art facilities funded by an Emperor; they had no reason to complain.
Perospero certainly had no objections. In this entire cooperative scheme, the Big Mom Pirates actually had the lowest demands. His mother, Linlin, cared only about the Gigantification experiments and the political alliance with Kaido. She didn't care about the details of weapon manufacturing or the cost of laboratories. As long as the alliance bound the Beasts and Big Mom together, she was satisfied.
As for Doflamingo, he was content. This was originally the Beasts' business; he was effectively the manager and the frontman. He was investing his technology and management skills in exchange for protection and profit.
"Alright," King said, moving to the final point. "Finally, there is the matter of security. Since these islands belong to all three of us, all three of us must contribute to their defense."
"The Beasts Pirates will dispatch five divisions," King announced. "Three of those divisions will be responsible for protecting the Seastone transport routes from Wano, and two will be permanently stationed here on the islands."
Hearing this, Doflamingo calculated his resources and made a quick decision. "In that case, the task of transporting the finished weapons out to the black market will be handed over to the Donquixote Family. We have the shipping routes."
King nodded. "Agreed."
Seeing that the roles were being distributed, Perospero, who had come prepared, gestured to his siblings.
"Then, the transport of other raw materials—besides the Seastone—will be handled by my brothers, Daifuku and Oven," Perospero said, his tongue darting out again. "In addition, Smoothie will be stationed permanently on this island, responsible for protecting the overall safety of the tri-island cluster."
"I have no problem with that," King replied.
On the surface, it seemed unfair. The Big Mom Pirates were taking on a significant logistical burden. However, everyone present knew the truth: in the vast sea, Seastone was an absolute hard currency, far more valuable than gold. By controlling the Seastone supply, the Beasts Pirates held the leverage.
"Alright," King said, clapping his hands once to signal the end of the meeting. "Since we have reached a consensus, it is time to work. We must rebuild these three islands immediately."
King looked toward the horizon, his eyes narrowing as he referenced the intelligence report Doflamingo had provided earlier.
"According to Doffy's intel, the Marines are currently paralyzed. Admirals Aokiji and Akainu are fighting a duel to the death for the position of Fleet Admiral on Punk Hazard. A winner won't be decided anytime soon. Even once a winner emerges, the internal structure of the Marines will be unstable for months."
King's voice dropped an octave, filled with icy determination.
"This gives us a window of opportunity. We have exactly one month. In one month, I want to see these three islands officially operational. We will build our arsenal while the Marines destroy themselves."
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