In the various islands of the New World, the leaders of different underground industries entered the rooms prepared in advance and, at the designated time, simultaneously picked up their Radio Snails. Soon, several projections appeared in front of them.
One by one, slightly blurry figures appeared on the screen. They were the kings of various fields in the New World Underground World. In recent years, the underground world has also undergone a major reshuffle, and they are the victors in those overt and covert battles.
The organ trafficking and assassination group, no matter what, held a place in the underground world. Such a force being suddenly wiped out caused a significant stir in the underground world, drawing the attention of these industry giants.
Each of them had five screens in front of them, encompassing most businesses in the underground world.
Loan Shark King - Du Feld
Now still just a middle-aged man, although showing obvious signs of gaining weight.
His main business is loan sharking, and he holds control over the currency circulation in the Dark World; almost all New World's exchanges have his shadow behind them, and his influence is widespread in casinos too.
Big News Morgans, president of the World Economic News Agency, Albatross form ability user of Bird-Bird Fruit, his main business is gathering various news and publishing newspapers, controlling various intelligence in the New World, and he enjoys creating big news.
Always seen in the form of a bird person, leading some to suspect he's an albatross that ate the Human-Human Fruit, rather than a person who ate the Albatross Fruit.
Stussy, Queen of Joy Street, the only woman here whose real age is a mystery; no one knows exactly how old she is. She's the controller of the New World's Red Light District, with some legitimate entertainment businesses connected to her as well.
However, her identity is not simple as she is also an agent of the World Government, and considerable information comes to the World Government through her.
Pirates tend to reveal some information in bed, and several pirates are also lovers of her girls.
Sea Transport King, Deep Sea Umit, without his signature big beard yet, looking quite spirited. He is the controller of the maritime transport industry in the New World underground business, having the most widespread business distribution.
Nearly all New World pirates can't do without his business, as he holds several secret sea currents to more securely deliver goods to their destination, though not cheaply.
Warehouse Industry Owner, Stealth Master Jibson, whose beard is still black this year. He is closely linked with Umit's business — one stores goods while the other transports them. The products in the warehouse are largely contraband, essentially part of the smuggling operation.
Even some of the things Kaidou recently purchased were found here.
Big Hand Funeral Director - Dorag Piekro, a young assassin newly entered into the field. The assassin profession is quite unique; he can't be too famous, as it alerts enemies, yet he can't lack reputation to find business.
However, he has now shifted to taking business orders. Although he always carries his scythe, he seldom gets involved directly.
The disappearance of the organ trafficking and assassination group made him the biggest beneficiary. Medical equipment companies related to the World Government took over the organ transplant business, and the assassination business was seized by him.
Not long ago, he even saw a big contract — a mission to assassinate Kaidou, issued by the remnants of the organ trafficking assassination group.
Though the headquarters was wiped out, there are still other outposts outside. The organization hasn't completely disappeared and continues existing elsewhere, but without its leader and original protections, it's no longer a significant force.
The reason why Kaidou attacked the organ trafficking assassination group is unclear to them. Today it's possible to target the organ trafficking and assassination group, and tomorrow it could be other powers.
Even if they have protective forces behind them, it doesn't mean the other side wouldn't dare act. Even if they seek revenge for the sake of face afterward, what use is it if they're already dead?
These people, if united, though unable to threaten a great pirate head-on, could certainly cause significant trouble for him.
Each pirate has their territory, and if they wish to avoid frequent conflicts, finding these middlemen is the best method.
United, they could cut off the import routes for an island in the New World. Pirates can't operate through legitimate business channels after all.
However, it offers no benefit for businessmen like them to do such a thing unless there's no other option.
"Morgans, why exactly did Kaidou do this? You can't possibly know nothing at all?"
They were all sly foxes with no need for embellishments. They were well-aware of Morgan's reputation; although his news was sensationally written, they didn't believe a single word of it except the names.
Yet he surely held genuine information; with everyone gathered here, there was no need to hide it.
"What if I say the news this time is true?"
"This is no time for jokes..." Piekro shifted his position, worried that if the Hundred Beasts really wiped out that organization over such a bizarre reason, his own business, being quite similar, might be next.
Kaidou is not one of the older pirates of the New World; he hasn't been in the New World for long. He qualifies as a "newcomer" among New World pirates, yet he has already demonstrated formidable combat strength, both he and his subordinates.
The pets of an ordinary pirate crew are usually priced under 1000 Belly, but even the pets of the Hundred Beasts Pirates are worth 5000 Belly, according to Piekro's thoughts.
However, if that thought spread, he'd likely be on the Hundred Beasts' next must-kill list.
"Unfortunately... I also don't know why Kaidou did this."
"Morgans, you scoundrel!" Hearing Morgans gasp for a while before saying he didn't know, Piekro felt an impulse to pluck him bald.
"Don't be so impatient. Didn't you receive news from Linlin?" The only female voice chimed in, as Stussy spoke unhurriedly.
"What news?"
"Tea party news, if you haven't received it yet, it should arrive soon." She had relatively good personal relations with Charlotte Linlin, so she received the news a bit earlier.
Charlotte Linlin's tea parties were held irregularly every year, and these underground world leaders were the main invitees. They had already attended several of BIG MOM's own weddings.
"Has she married again?"
"No, this time it's related to Kaidou that you all are concerned about. The Hundred Beasts are also on the invitation list."
Speaking of this, Stussy's tone grew significantly more solemn. Understanding the purpose of this tea party was one of her tasks.