Amidst curiosity and anticipation, a group of figures appeared within the sight of Doflamingo and his companions. Walking at the very front was Lao G along with several subordinates, but the most eye-catching person was the one following closely behind him.
With a single glance, one could not help but notice Jack's tall figure; he stood like an iron tower, and his massive physique alone gave off a heavy sense of oppression. Beside Jack walked an extraordinary woman. She was nearly three meters tall, wearing a golden haori that flowed with her movements. Despite her height, she possessed a very slender figure. Her long, gradient-colored hair was draped casually over her shoulders and sparkled brilliantly under the sun, while her golden eyes were as beautiful as the finest gemstones.
In an instant, many people present were dazed. "So this is the Onihime!"
At first glance, she struck people as young and beautiful—a genuine great beauty—but looking further, one would discover an extraordinary aura about her. Just meeting those golden eyes felt like being stared down by some peerless beast, causing an involuntary heart palpitation in even the most seasoned fighters.
"What a beautiful person," Baby 5, dressed in her maid outfit, exclaimed in wonder.
"Fuffuffu, welcome to my kingdom, Dressrosa," Doflamingo strode forward with an expression of great welcome, his feathered mantle caught in the breeze.
"Joker, is everything ready?" Jack looked at him indifferently, ignoring the pleasantries.
"Of course, everything is prepared. However, let us talk while enjoying a banquet; it's better to do business that way," Doflamingo invited with a wide gesture toward the table.
Jack glanced at Yamato beside him, silently seeking her input.
"Why are you looking at me? You decide. Right now, I'm just your follower," Yamato said with one hand on her hip, giving him plenty of face in front of their business partners.
For once, Jack found her slightly more agreeable. He turned back to Doflamingo and nodded. "Fine, then we'll talk while we eat."
Doflamingo couldn't help but glance toward Yamato again, giving a strange smile. "After you." Although he wanted to strike up a conversation with Yamato immediately, he knew that haste makes waste; he had to take it slow so as not to seem presumptuous.
After they were seated, the banquet began in earnest. Yamato observed Doflamingo and his executive officers. Aside from a few she recognized at a glance, she had to search her memory to place the others.
"That guy in the armor seems to be Pica. His voice is high and shrill, and he's a Stone-Stone Fruit user," Yamato noted. She had a relatively deep impression of this character because the sound of his voice easily made people laugh.
She also remembered there was a little girl—technically an adult, but unable to grow up because of her Devil Fruit power. That girl, Sugar, wasn't here. Doflamingo had likely hidden her away, not wanting outsiders to know about her. After all, her ability was crucial, making her the core figure in managing the "dark side" of Dressrosa.
"Jack, aren't you going to introduce the Young Master of your Beasts Pirates to me and my family? Such a distinguished figure of high status is rarely seen," Doflamingo said with a smile after the banquet started.
"With your intelligence capabilities, do you really need me to state the obvious?" Jack replied, glancing at him. Even if Jack were slow, he could see that Doflamingo wanted to get to know Yamato properly.
"Of course, it's a matter of courtesy," Doflamingo's tone carried a hint of seriousness.
"Hey, Yamato, Joker wants to talk to you about the trade," Jack said. He knew Doflamingo was an important partner, so he gave him the opening.
Yamato rolled her eyes at him, then looked at Doflamingo. "Joker, to what extent can your Artificial Devil Fruits perform?"
"To what extent?" Doflamingo was stunned for a moment, not expecting Yamato to lead with such a direct technical question.
"Even with Artificial Devil Fruits, there will be differences in quality depending on who makes them. Are you clear on the effectiveness of the fruits in your hands?" Yamato asked more specifically.
Doflamingo understood now. He smiled confidently. "My Artificial Devil Fruits can turn people into Zoan-type ability users, but there is also a risk of failure. However, as they are artificial, being able to grant that power at all is already quite a feat. Opportunity always comes with risk, doesn't it?"
"True, opportunity always comes with risk. Never mind. since the one at my home has no objections, risk it is," Yamato said, not bothering to push further. In any case, she wasn't the one eating those low-quality fruits; they were meant for the lower-ranking subordinates to bolster the army's numbers.
Hearing Yamato say this, Doflamingo felt more at ease. Although he had spoken with Kaido over the Transponder Snail, he had still been a bit nervous without confirming the attitude of the family in person. Now, his misgivings were gone.
"Joker, can't your people produce Artificial Devil Fruits that are almost the same as the real ones?" at this moment, Haruko, who had been acting very coldly, spoke up.
Jack also couldn't help but look at Doflamingo, his eyes reflecting the same inquiry.
"Fuffuffu, then I'm afraid I must disappoint you. My people cannot yet achieve that level," Doflamingo directly admitted his lack of capability without a hint of shame. In his view, if the quality wasn't high enough, it could be made up for with sheer quantity. Most importantly, he knew the Beasts Pirates were a trading partner that desperately needed that quantity.
"Joker, your people need to properly improve their scientific level; otherwise, they can't even produce a single high-quality sample," Yamato said with a faint, knowing smile.
Doflamingo smiled back. "I hope for that as well, but it's not that simple. Besides, it won't affect our current trade, will it?"
"That's true. As long as there's an effect, quantity can fill the gap," Yamato nodded. It was exactly what her "Idiot Old Man" believed.
"Fuffuffu, then here's to a happy trade," Doflamingo raised a glass of red wine and drained it in one gulp. Yamato also raised her glass and finished it in one go.
The banquet ended quickly, with most of the talking limited to Doflamingo, Yamato, and Jack. Subsequently, Doflamingo had his men bring out the sample crates. There were five wooden crates in total, filled with the new products.
"This is the first batch to serve as samples; there are a thousand in total," Doflamingo said, opening the first crate to display the goods inside.
Yamato and Jack looked down. Inside were fruits that looked like red apples, but they were covered in strange, unnatural spiral patterns.
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