"Click."
Accompanied by the sound of the Space Gate opening, Zishu returned from the deep underground to the surface.
After three consecutive deadly battles, maintaining the state of "Destruction" while fighting, the massive drain on stamina was inevitable.
Especially when he used Giant Soldier's Hand together with the Multiplication Devil Fruit to trigger large-scale spatial collapse, such consumption could easily drain all his stamina in a single strike.
But still…
"At least… It's resolved." Back on the surface, Zishu murmured softly.
Only at this moment did he notice that the cave walls, already hollowed out before, were now completely shattered, riddled with cracks everywhere.
Clearly, even though the battle had taken place underground, its intensity had still been transmitted to the surface. Because of this, Zishu could now see the distant sea through the cracks and holes in the cave.
At this moment, the light illuminating the sea was gradually shifting westward.
The sun that had long hung in the sky… had begun to descend.
Zishu knew that it would eventually sink beneath the sea.
…
Several Days Later, Dinosaur Island
"Captain Hanafuda… are we really taking all of it?"
Watching as treasure was being moved out of the secret chamber on Dinosaur Island under Hanafuda's orders and loaded onto ships, one of his subordinates hesitated.
After all, this treasure was worth over 10 billion, it was the entirety of Hanafuda's accumulated wealth over the years, nearly comparable to the treasury of a small kingdom.
"Hm?" In front of him, Hanafuda's pupils instantly narrowed into fierce vertical slits.
"Are you questioning my orders?"
"N-No, sir! I wouldn't dare! I just… I was wondering where we're sending it…" The subordinate quickly corrected himself.
"Where it's going is none of your concern." Hanafuda said calmly.
"We'll be staying in Wano Country for quite some time. I have a secure location prepared to store this treasure."
Just then…
"Burururu… Burururu…"
A Den Den Mushi rang nearby. The subordinate let out a sigh of relief and quickly handed it over.
"Captain Hanafuda, it's a call from 'Plague' Queen!"
Hearing this, Hanafuda snorted before picking up the call.
From the other side of the Den Den Mushi came a somewhat flippant voice:
"Yo, Mr. Hanafuda. I heard you fought that Cracker guy from Big Mom's crew this time, so? Are you satisfied with the modifications I made earlier?"
From his tone alone, it was clear that as Kaido's friend, Hanafuda held a high position within the Beast Pirates.
"Very satisfactory." Hanafuda clenched his fist lightly and replied.
Immediately, exaggerated cheering came from the other end: "Great! As long as you're happy!"
But soon after, the voice turned serious.
"Captain Hanafuda, I heard from Big Brother Kaido, you're heading back to Wano Country for a while?"
"That's right." Hanafuda remained concise.
"That's perfect timing. Big Brother Kaido has something important to discuss with you, it's about that guy, Caesar Clown…"
At this point, Queen's tone grew slightly annoyed.
"That guy's Artificial Devil Fruit technology seems to have made a breakthrough. And although he's still with the SSG, it looks like he's already contacted JOKER. They'll probably discuss cooperation soon. That guy… as usual, has no integrity as a scientist."
Said the man who freely conducted human experiments himself.
"In short, those Zoan Devil Fruits in your 'Treasure Vault' might soon come in handy. So Big Brother Kaido asked me to personally inform you, get here as soon as possible!"
After finishing, faint muttering could still be heard from the other side of the Den Den Mushi: "Spending that much treasure to invest in that trash technology… what terrible judgment. My modifications are clearly the best…"
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Hanafuda's lips.
He naturally understood what Queen meant.
Caesar Clown, the second-in-command of the Marine SSG, the Hundred Beasts' Plague Queen, the world-renowned Vegapunk, and the leader of Germa 66, Vinsmoke Judge, these famous scientists had once all been members of the same research team.
Their research paths diverged, so they couldn't stand each other.
But that wasn't important.
What mattered was, "The Treasure Vault… I understand."
He grinned.
"I'll be there soon."
…
At the Same Time, Totto Land
Cake Island, inside the huge Cake City castle.
"Mamama, Cracker really said that?" BIG MOM's massive body sat upon an elegant chair, with Zeus and Prometheus floating beside her.
"Yes, Mama." Standing before her and reporting was a man carrying a long sword shaped like an ice cream cone.
He was the "Minister of Gelato" of Totto Land, Charlotte Moscato.
"Big Brother Cracker reported that the 'Major Undertaker' has agreed to cooperate and will present Zishu's head after some time."
"Some… time?"
Immediately, BIG MOM's dangerous voice followed:
"He should know that such an answer won't satisfy me, right?"
"And… why didn't he come to see me personally?"
Clearly, BIG MOM was not satisfied with such a vague statement; what she wanted was a specific timeframe, preferably Zishu's head delivered immediately. Moscato, one of the rare members of the Charlotte Family with a strong sense of justice, quickly explained on his elder brother's behalf:
"Mama, this matter also involves the Hundred Beasts. Because of that, Elder Brother Cracker fought Hanafuda, who came to negotiate on behalf of the Hundred Beasts, and was seriously injured. Elder Brother Perospero and Elder Brother Katakuri have both confirmed it, his injuries are so severe that even the Biscuit Soldiers he usually creates for patrol have become much weaker."
"But Elder Brother Cracker is willing to guarantee with 60 years of his lifespan that during this year's 'Birthday Tea Party,' you will definitely see Zishu as you wish!"
Only after hearing this did the red bloodshot veins in BIG MOM's eyes slightly recede, her mood seemingly improving. Perhaps it was because she knew Cracker didn't have the courage to defy her, nor would he dare to stake 60 years of his lifespan lightly.
Perhaps it was because Moscato mentioned Kaido, making her realize the difficulty of this matter.
Or perhaps it was simply because,
"A Tea Party… how exciting!" BIG MOM let out her signature gleeful laughter: "Using the head of 'Zishu,' one of the Twelve Zodiac, as a gift, Drug Peclo's idea is indeed not bad, mamama!"
The two Homies floating beside her quickly chimed in:
"Yes, yes, Mama! The atmosphere will definitely become lively!"
The usual music of Cake Island began to play, as if it too was looking forward to the next Tea Party.
But clearly, whether it was BIG MOM, the Homies, or anyone out on the sea… None of them could have imagined as to just how "lively" that upcoming Tea Party would truly be.
(End of Chapter)
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