Shanks had been stirred into battle lust by the war between Kaido and Whitebeard.
However such a simple provocation tactic was completely useless against Mihawk.
One hand held a beer.
His eyes remained fixed on the direction of Whitebeard and Kaido.
Eating your food.
Drinking your alcohol.
Yet still refusing to pay attention to you.
Even Shanks was left speechless at that attitude.
"Forget it."
Shaking his head slightly Shanks' gaze landed on Renji nearby.
"Compared to Kaido and Whitebeard…"
"I'm more curious about this Renji."
"Does it really work?"
Far away from the battlefield a lone ship floated across the sea.
Everyone aboard held binoculars aimed toward the battlefield.
It was none other than Doflamingo's group.
"Doffy, is this really worth it?"
This time, when Kaido declared war against Whitebeard, Doflamingo directly supplied Kaido with nearly one hundred Artificial Devil Fruits.
Combined with the ones Kaido had already purchased earlier Kaido now possessed over two hundred Artificial Devil Fruits in total!
Even though most of them were Zoan-types they were still genuine power-enhancing treasures!
"Of course."
Doflamingo revealed his signature grin.
To him this deal was far from a loss.
"No matter whether Kaido wins or loses…"
"The reputation of Artificial Devil Fruits will completely explode because of this war."
"And that…"
"Is my real plan."
Kaido paid fifty million Beli for each Artificial Devil Fruit purchased from Doflamingo.
That was only because Doflamingo needed Kaido's protection and because Kaido himself had invested heavily into Doflamingo's business.
Otherwise, there was no way the price would be that cheap.
After all Artificial Devil Fruits were basically no different from artificial diamonds.
Aside from being man-made they were virtually identical to real Devil Fruits!
If one absolutely had to point out a difference it was that Artificial Devil Fruits could not reach the level of Devil Fruit Awakening.
But Did that really matter?
No one even knew exactly how many Devil Fruits existed across the seas.
And among all those users how many could truly achieve Awakening?
"As long as the world witnesses the power of Artificial Devil Fruits…"
"Do you still think this investment isn't worth it?"
"So that's your plan."
The other members of the Donquixote Family finally showed expressions of realization as they looked at Doflamingo.
A genuine Devil Fruit sold for at least two hundred million Beli and even then, they were priceless treasures with no guaranteed supply.
The price of Artificial Devil Fruits could easily be sold for at least one hundred million Beli!
As long as the Artificial Devil Fruits displayed overwhelming power during this war—
The doubled profits over time would quickly recover the losses from this investment.
The main reason Doflamingo had freely gifted nearly one hundred Artificial Devil Fruits to Kaido was to push Kaido's Artificial Devil Fruit Army to a level terrifying enough to shake the world!
More than two hundred Devil Fruit users that alone was enough to make anyone tremble in fear!
And with that People's desire to purchase Artificial Devil Fruits would naturally skyrocket.
"Move out!"
On the battlefield the war had already entered its most intense stage.
Nearly one hundred thousand combatants fighting ship-to-ship across the sea combined with endless artillery bombardments had transformed the entire ocean into a blazing warzone.
Originally Kaido's Beasts Pirates held the advantage in numbers.
Yet despite that the battle had somehow turned into a fierce back-and-forth struggle.
Seeing this situation King frowned slightly.
At this moment, Kaido was fully engaged in battle against Whitebeard.
Naturally command of the Beasts Pirates had fallen into King's hands.
"Artificial Devil Fruit Army, advance!"
Following King's order a ship emerged from the rear of the Beasts Pirates' fleet.
The vessel itself was not particularly large.
But the aura coming from it made everyone deeply uncomfortable.
That near-materialized sense of destruction caused everyone present to look toward it.
Even the Whitebeard Pirates in the middle of battle became serious as they stared in that direction.
[You picked up one Armament Haki Comprehension Experience!]
"What is that?"
At this moment, Renji was currently engaged in a boarding battle.
He had already led more than a hundred men onto an enemy ship.
Yet even he was drawn toward that mysterious vessel.
"ROAR!"
"SCREEECH!"
"BUZZZ!"
Suddenly various animal cries erupted from the ship.
Different sounds mixed together chaotic and terrifying.
"Zoan Devil Fruit users?"
Very quickly, sharp-eyed fighters noticed the people aboard the ship.
Every single one of them had already transformed into beast forms.
At a rough estimate there were at least two hundred people aboard!
"How is that possible?!"
Even Renji revealed a shocked expression at this scene.
Although many of the people he usually encountered were Devil Fruit users Renji understood something very clearly.
Even that was only because the environment around him was different.
In reality the ratio of people to Devil Fruits in this world was close to one in a million.
The same ratio as Conqueror's Haki users.
There was absolutely no way Kaido could naturally recruit this many Devil Fruit users.
Even if he truly had enough money to buy them there still were not that many Devil Fruits circulating throughout the world!
"This is…"
Inside Sengoku's small ship the moment he saw Kaido's Artificial Devil Fruit Army appear, his entire face filled with disbelief.
"It was probably created by that bastard Caesar."
Garp spoke from beside him.
During these past few days the person the Marines had researched the most was Renji.
They had already attributed Renji's Tremor Fruit and Glint-Glint Fruit abilities to Caesar's Artificial Devil Fruit research.
Although they had wanted to interfere with the situation in Dressrosa Kaido's protection, combined with the Marines' current inability to enter the New World, had forced them to abandon the idea.
Even so after discussing the matter for so long even Garp had remembered the name Caesar.
"As expected."
Sengoku nodded.
A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
"These Artificial Devil Fruits…"
"I'm afraid they'll become the foundation of future warfare."
As the Fleet Admiral of the Marines Sengoku immediately understood their value.
Artificial Devil Fruits provided immediate boosts in strength.
And they could be mass-produced.
The only thing required was money.
For the major powers of the world this was practically the most worthwhile deal imaginable.
"So this is your confidence, Kaido?"
After seeing the Artificial Devil Fruit Army even Big Mom revealed a shocked expression.
In order to find suitable Devil Fruits for her children she had expended enormous effort over the years.
She had even sacrificed her pride and reputation because of it.
Yet Kaido had somehow gathered such a massive number of Devil Fruit users so easily.
How could Big Mom not feel irritated?
"An Artificial Devil Fruit Army…"
Big Mom muttered softly to herself.
A look of contemplation and desire appeared on her face.
"Zoan Devil Fruits aren't bad either…"
"After all, eating meat is a very enjoyable thing."
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