Inside the floating palace of the reborn Wokala Kingdom, a secret discussion was taking place. The architecture was a strange fusion of Wano Country's elegant wood and Totto Land's colorful, dessert-themed towers. While the streets below were crowded with celebrating pirates and curious visitors, the palace itself was eerily quiet. Only two people stood in the massive hall—the two figures who controlled the fate of the New World.
They were the Emperors of the Sea: Kaido of the Beasts and "Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin.
As soon as they were alone, Linlin's eyes flashed with a greedy, scarlet light. She didn't waste time on pleasantries. "Hey, Kaido! Don't lie to me. Is the news true? Did you really get your hands on the blueprints for the Ancient Weapon Pluton?"
Kaido let out an arrogant laugh, leaning back with a smirk. "Old hag, use your head! If I actually had the blueprints for Pluton, do you really think I'd bother forming an alliance with you?"
His words were blunt, but they made Linlin pause. She fell into deep thought. To be honest, she didn't fully believe the rumors either. Pluton was a legend, a weapon said to be capable of destroying entire islands in a single shot. If Kaido could build something like that, he wouldn't need a partner to conquer the world. Even their former captain, Rocks, had never managed to get his hands on an Ancient Weapon.
"It seems the Marines and the World Government are terrified of us," Linlin snorted coldly. "They're releasing fake news to sow discord between us. The plan is so obvious it's insulting."
"Exactly," Kaido replied. "Doesn't that just prove we're on the right path, Linlin?"
"Mamamama! You're right. As long as we stand together, nobody on these seas can stop us," she cackled. Then, her expression sharpened. "So, Kaido... when do we set sail for Laugh Tale?"
Kaido noticed the cunning glint in her eyes. He took a long drink from his sake bottle and laughed. "Don't be in such a rush. Now isn't the right time."
Linlin's brow furrowed, her temper starting to flare. "Not the time? I don't want to wait another second!"
"Calm down, you old hag!" Kaido snapped back, his voice echoing through the hall. "Don't forget, to find Laugh Tale, we're still missing two crucial pieces. We need the other Road Poneglyphs. One is held by Red-Haired Shanks, and the other is hidden in Elbaf. I'm confident in our strength, but are you sure we can take on Shanks and the entire Giant Warrior Army at the same time? Even if we win, the Marines and the World Government will just swoop in and finish us off while we're tired."
Linlin's anger simmered down into a frustrated scowl. She knew he was right. Shanks was a massive obstacle on his own, and his ties to the giants of Elbaf made him even more dangerous. To make matters worse, she was currently the most hated person in the land of giants.
"Damn it," she muttered. "If only that brat Lola had married Prince Loki like I planned, Elbaf would be mine by now."
Kaido ignored her grumbling about her daughter's elopement. He took another gulp of wine and smiled. "That's why I wanted to talk to you alone. I have a bold idea."
Linlin's eyes widened. Knowing Kaido, a "bold idea" usually meant something reckless or incredibly manipulative. "Let's hear it then."
"It's simple," Kaido said, wiping his mouth. "I want to use this ceremony to announce to the entire world that we possess two Road Poneglyphs."
Linlin exploded. Her face turned purple with rage. "Are you insane, Kaido?! Why would we tell the world what we have?!"
"Worororo!" Kaido roared with laughter. "Don't get your soul in a twist yet. Let me finish. If you still hate the idea after I explain, we'll drop it."
Linlin took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "I don't care what you say, Kaido. Those stones are the most precious things we own. I won't agree to it."
"I know how precious they are," Kaido said, his tone turning serious. "But look at the world right now. There are four major powers. First, the Marines and the World Government. Second, our alliance. Third, Red-Hair and Elbaf. And fourth, all the little 'rookie' bugs crawling around the sea."
He continued, counting on his fingers. "Among us, only a few are actually qualified to become the Pirate King. We have two stones. Shanks basically has two because of his connection to Elbaf. Then there are the youngsters: Roger's son, Fire Fist Ace, who leads the Whitebeard remnants; and Dragon's son, Straw Hat Luffy. I doubt Dragon cares about the One Piece, but he'll support his kid. And don't forget Blackbeard. He killed Whitebeard, stole his power, and is rapidly taking over his old territory. He's a wild card."
Linlin listened intently. She was starting to see where he was going.
"Our alliance has everyone terrified," Kaido explained. "If we announce we're making a move for Laugh Tale now, we become the target for everyone else. The Marines, the Revolutionaries, and all those bratty pirates will team up to stop us. I'm not afraid of a fight, but I don't want every fool on the sea harassing us every day."
"But," Kaido's eyes gleamed with malice, "if we announce our Poneglyphs—and 'accidentally' leak the news that the other two are with Shanks and the giants—the heat shifts."
Linlin's eyes lit up. A slow, wicked grin spread across her face.
"I see," she whispered. "We lower their guard against us and start a chaotic free-for-all centered on Red-Hair and Elbaf. While they're all killing each other for those stones, we sit back and wait for the perfect moment to strike."
"Exactly," Kaido said. "And don't forget, we have something none of them have: a way to actually read the stones. Let them fight over the ink while we hold the key."
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