Below the giant screen of the Beasts Colosseum, tucked away inside a luxurious VIP box, two very different figures sat in observation. One was an old acquaintance of the Beasts Pirates: Donquixote Doflamingo. Clad in his signature pink feather coat, he watched the arena with a permanent, sinister smirk. Beside him sat a man who looked like a humanoid bald eagle, dressed in a sharp black suit and a matching top hat. This was "Big News" Morgan, the President of the World Economic Journal and the man who effectively controlled public opinion across the Four Blues and the Grand Line.
Morgans watched with genuine shock as the Beasts Pirates displayed their hoard of Artificial Devil Fruits. He turned to Doflamingo, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "I really didn't expect the Beasts Pirates to actually possess such a reliable supply of Artificial Devil Fruits."
Doflamingo let out a low, dark laugh. "Fufufufufu! It's surprising, sure, but it isn't impossible. You have to remember who is on the payroll now. Queen, Caesar Clown, and Vinsmoke Judge—all three former members of MADS—are working for Kaido. Caesar already had the blueprints for creating these fruits. With all three of those geniuses pooling their resources, it isn't shocking that they've perfected the technology."
"Even so," Morgans replied, adjusting his hat, "actually seeing them lined up like that is quite a sight to behold!"
"Don't get too distracted by the shiny toys, Morgans," Doflamingo countered, his shades reflecting the light from the arena. "You should be more focused on why Kaido wanted to see you in the first place."
Morgans let out a sharp chuckle. "Hmph, I don't need to overthink it. For a man like Kaido, my only real value is the information I carry and the news I spread."
Just then, Kaido's voice boomed over the speakers, announcing that the Colosseum matches would be held every seven days with three Devil Fruits offered as the grand prize. The sheer greed and excitement from the crowd below was palpable, even behind the thick glass of the VIP box.
"That is a massive gesture," Morgans noted, his mind already calculating the headlines. "If my numbers are right, there have only been a little over three hundred documented Devil Fruits found in the history of this sea. Given how generous Kaido is being, the Beasts Pirates will have an army of over a hundred Ability Users in less than a year. The Marines and the World Government are going to have a serious problem on their hands."
Doflamingo glanced at him. "I didn't realize you'd actually read a Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, Morgans."
"Hey, don't underestimate me, Doflamingo! I am the President of the World Economic Journal. I control the flow of information on this sea. I make it my business to know everything."
A sharp knock at the door interrupted their conversation. A guard spoke from the hallway. "Doflamingo-sama, Morgans-sama, Lord Kaido is requesting your presence immediately!"
Morgans, who had been acting calm and collected, visibly tensed up at the summons.
The battles in the Colosseum began with a roar, but neither Doflamingo nor Morgans stayed to watch. They were led by a heavy guard detail through the Flower Capital toward the General's Residence.
"Please, step inside," a guard said, gesturing toward a set of large doors. "Lord Kaido is waiting for you."
They entered a spacious, brightly lit room designed in the traditional Wano style. Kaido was lounging on a massive couch draped in beast skins. Standing quietly beside him was a young girl. The moment Morgans saw the girl, he froze in his tracks. Doflamingo's expression shifted to one of confusion, then realization, and finally, shock.
"Hey, hey, hey... is that who I think it is?" Doflamingo stammered.
Kaido looked over at the girl, whom he called Lily, and gave a rough smile. "What's with the faces? Are you really that surprised? Come, meet her. This is Lily, my personal secretary."
"Interesting... this is way too interesting!" Morgans exclaimed, his journalistic instincts suddenly overriding his fear. "I'm dying to see the look on Stussy's face when she finally meets this child."
Doflamingo's sinister smile returned as he processed the situation. Kaido, however, wasn't interested in small talk.
"Sit down," Kaido commanded, gesturing to the seats. "We have a lot to discuss."
As the two guests took their seats, maids arrived to serve fine wine and local delicacies. Once the room was settled, Kaido turned his attention toward Doflamingo.
"Doffy, the Sea Stone quarries and the Weapons Factories in Wano have been quiet for too long. Now that the business with the Marines is settled, I want you to take over the Sea Stone trade here."
"Fufufufufu! Don't you worry, Kaido-sama. I'm already prepared. That's exactly why I made the trip to Wano this time."
"Good," Kaido grunted. "I won't repeat myself, but you should have heard from Monet that I value the girl, Otama, very highly. You know what that means."
Doflamingo nodded smoothly, showing no hesitation. "Understood, Kaido-sama. It might be a bit of a hassle to work around, but it won't be a problem."
"I'll make one more thing clear," Kaido added, his tone becoming more serious. "The only thing in this country I care about is that child. As for everything else—including the secret techniques Wano uses to process Sea Stone—if you have the skill to take them, they're yours. Do you understand?"
Doflamingo's eyes gleamed behind his glasses. This was an incredible opportunity. "That is excellent news. That makes my job much easier!"
"There's more," Kaido continued. "Wano is too small for my vision. I'm going to keep the quarries here because they can't be moved, but I want the Weapons Factories relocated. Find an island nearby to act as a dedicated manufacturing hub. The wars coming to this sea will be massive, and these few factories won't be able to keep up with the demand."
Doflamingo could feel the weight of Kaido's ambition. "No problem at all. I was actually thinking the same thing. Since you've proposed it, I'll get started right away."
Kaido then shifted his gaze to Morgans, who had been watching the exchange with an amused expression. "Now, it's your turn, Morgans. Do you have any idea why I asked Doffy to bring you here?"
Morgans chuckled. "I can't say I do. But when one of the Four Emperors sends an invitation, I'd be a fool to refuse. I assume you have a major scoop for me."
"Worororo! You might be disappointed then. I do have big news, but I'm not giving it to you today. However, I do have a surprise for you."
"A surprise? From a Yonko? I'm definitely looking forward to that!"
Kaido gave Lily a nod. She stepped forward, carrying two beautifully crafted black wooden boxes. They were decorated with elegant patterns and featured a strange button and a small hollow on the front. She placed one in front of Doflamingo and one in front of Morgans.
"What are these?" Morgans asked, leaning in to inspect the artistic object.
Kaido didn't answer immediately. He leaned back, his eyes fixed on the news mogul. "Tell me, Morgans... I'm very unhappy with the state of the world right now. The people on these seas have no way of knowing what is actually happening. I believe that as a ruler, it is my responsibility to bring true freedom and real news to everyone. Don't you agree?"
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