These Artificial Devil Fruits looked exactly the same, with no discernible differences between them.
"They look quite similar to the fruit Vegapunk made, just with some color variations. Caesar's technology is clearly lacking; everything he produces is defective," Yamato thought to herself.
Jack stepped forward, picking up one of the fruits to examine it. After staring at it for a while, he couldn't make heads or tails of the strange patterns, so he simply tossed it back into the crate. He wasn't worried about being cheated; Doflamingo wouldn't have the nerve to pull a fast one on the Beasts Pirates.
"These one thousand Artificial Devil Fruits offered as samples are a token of my sincerity," Doflamingo said with a confident smile. Though he was a pirate, he was first and foremost a businessman who understood exactly how to handle a high-profile transaction for the best results.
Jack thought for a moment before asking, "How many Ability Users can these fruits actually create?"
"That is hard for me to say. You will find out the ratio once you take them back and test them," Doflamingo replied, dodging the direct question. He had already explained the risks beforehand, and he would eventually need Jack to report the trial results back to him.
Hearing Doflamingo's non-answer, Jack said nothing more. He turned his gaze toward Yamato. "Do you have anything to add?"
Yamato was a bit surprised that Jack went out of his way to consult her. She laughed and gave his massive arm a hearty slap. "You're quite attentive, aren't you, Jack?"
Yamato's slap instantly soured Jack's decent mood. "She hits so hard every time; I seriously suspect she's doing it on purpose!" he grumbled internally. Haruko, standing nearby, noticed the exchange, her eyes flickering with amusement.
At that moment, Yamato looked at Doflamingo. Her previously casual gaze shifted, becoming significantly sharper. "Joker, you've done quite a lot—playing the pirate, acting as a king, and collaborating with our crew. Tell me, do you also want to bring violence and war to the entire world, just like the man in my family?"
As she spoke, Yamato stopped suppressing her Haki. Her golden haori began to flutter as if caught in a gale, and a terrifying pressure radiated from her body. Everyone present felt an invisible weight descend upon their shoulders.
"This is..." The expressions of the Donquixote executives changed instantly, cold sweat breaking out on their foreheads.
Even Doflamingo felt the power, feeling as if the very air around him was being squeezed tight.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Suddenly, the wine glasses on the nearby dining table shattered one after another, sending shards of glass flying across the floor. Jack frowned but remained silent. Doflamingo's officers were stunned, their faces filled with horror. Was this just the pressure of her Haki?
"Fuffuffu, of course. That is exactly why we are collaborating, isn't it?" Doflamingo admitted directly.
"It can't be that simple. Don't you have a deeper motive behind all this?" Yamato asked, her golden eyes practically glowing.
Meeting her gaze, Doflamingo felt the pressure increase even further. However, his smirk remained fixed as he continued to smile. "I do, but that is my personal ambition. It's better left unsaid for now."
"Oh? You're quite an honest person. Since it's your ambition, I won't pry any further," Yamato said with a faint smile, immediately withdrawing her Haki.
Everyone in the room felt a wave of relief as the tension lifted. However, when they looked at Yamato again, their eyes were filled with a new sense of awe and genuine fear. This was the Onihime, a being with a bounty exceeding
1,869,000,000
Berries.
"That would be for the best; otherwise, I would be quite troubled," Doflamingo said. His gaze toward Yamato had changed significantly; it was now filled with deep wariness. Under the pressure of her Haki just now, he had felt a genuine sense of crisis, as if he were being targeted by a peerless beast. Had he felt any true killing intent, he would have retreated to a safe distance immediately.
"Thanks for the hospitality, Joker," Yamato said with a wave of her hand, turning to walk away. Haruko bowed slightly to Doflamingo before following after her.
"Joker, I'll be taking the goods now," Jack added, nodding to Doflamingo and signaling his subordinates to carry the crates.
Just as Yamato and Jack were about to exit the palace, Yamato suddenly stopped. She turned around and locked eyes with Doflamingo.
"What is it?" Doflamingo asked, sensing the change in the air.
"Joker, ambition needs strength to support it. Do you really think your strength is enough to support your dreams?" Yamato's eyes suddenly turned cold and ruthless.
In the next second, countless streaks of red and black lightning erupted as a staggering surge of Conqueror's Haki burst forth, aimed directly at Doflamingo. Everyone was shocked; even Haruko and Jack hadn't expected her to lash out so suddenly.
Doflamingo's expression twisted. Without a second thought, he unleashed his own Conqueror's Haki to clash with hers. In an instant, red and black lightning filled the air above the castle. The two waves of Haki collided violently, causing the remaining plates and bowls on the table to crack.
Under the combined pressure, many people in the castle fainted outright. Even the high-ranking executives were pinned down, unable to move.
"What terrifying Haki! She's a monster!" the executives gasped, their bodies trembling.
"What do you mean by that?" Doflamingo asked through gritted teeth. He didn't understand why she was doing this. Was it a reminder, or a warning? He realized with a sinking feeling that her Haki was far more terrifying than his; it was completely suppressing his own. The strength of one's Conqueror's Haki is tied to their spirit—had her spirit truly reached such a height?
Yamato didn't explain. Instead, she withdrew her power, her eyes returning to their usual casual demeanor. Doflamingo, though annoyed, could only retract his own Haki. His brow furrowed as he wondered what she truly meant. From this brief exchange, he knew her strength was far beyond his imagination.
"Joker, I hope our business can last a long time," Yamato said one last time before finally walking out.
Jack was completely bewildered by the sudden outburst, but he followed her without a word.
"Young Master..." the executives looked at Doflamingo, fearing his reaction.
Doflamingo waved his hand dismissively. "Fuffuffu, I'm fine. She truly is an out-and-out monster. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought one of the Emperors was standing before me."
He realized now that Yamato was indeed giving him a reminder. "What an arrogant fellow," he thought. He hadn't expected to be lectured by a girl. However, he didn't feel angry. On the contrary, the stronger she and the Beasts Pirates were, the more confidence he had in their partnership.
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