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Events were unfolding across the globe, and the Naval Headquarters was no exception.
The key difference was that within the Marine Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku had access to information far beyond what the world gleaned from the Flame Festival.
Seeking a moment of solitude to avoid the relentless demands of his position, Sengoku retrieved the Den Den Mushi that had been vibrating in his pocket.
As expected, it didn't take long for the Den Den Mushi to ring again.
He answered, and a familiar voice came through.
The caller's voice softened, confirming the signal: "It's me."
Relieved, Sengoku responded warmly. "Rosinante, how are you? It's been a while since I last heard from you, and I've been worried."
On the other end, Corazon tightened his grip on the receiver, the warmth in Sengoku's tone making his chest ache with gratitude. "I've been keeping a low profile," he explained. "Recently, I attended the Wanokuni Fire Festival alongside Doflamingo and four of his cadres."
The Fire Festival—the event dominating the world's attention. Sengoku had already read countless reports on it, from the celebrations to Wanokuni's powerful forces. The emergence of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, hidden for a century, in the hands of an exceptionally talented girl stood out in particular.
Each time Sengoku reviewed these reports, he felt an ache of regret. Such talented individuals, armed with such formidable abilities—why did they never choose the path of justice and the Marines?
Corazon's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "What I wanted to report is this: Doflamingo has involved himself in dealings among the Four Emperors."
Sengoku's expression grew serious. This wasn't new information—thanks to intelligence from the World Government, he already knew Doflamingo had traded the Snow-Snow Fruit to secure a position in a larger scheme. Still, the details were shrouded in secrecy, and Sengoku had been awaiting a detailed report.
"What Doflamingo is involved in is monumental. It's the kind of operation that could reshape the entire power structure of the New World!"
Sengoku leaned forward, his voice sharp. "Explain."
Ensuring no one was eavesdropping, Corazon continued, "Doflamingo is managing the trade and transportation of man-made Devil Fruits produced in Wanokuni. The first batch will be delivered to Kaido in six months."
Sengoku froze. The tea he hadn't yet swallowed sprayed across his desk as he recoiled in shock. He quickly grabbed the Den Den Mushi, his voice incredulous. "Are you certain of this?!"
"It's true. This came directly from Doflamingo after his return. I haven't seen these man-made Devil Fruits myself, but there's no reason to doubt their existence."
Sengoku took a moment to process the revelation, his mind racing. When he finally spoke, his tone was measured. "How much do you know about these man-made Devil Fruits?"
"They seem to be Zoan-types, but they come with side effects. That's all I've been able to confirm so far."
Rosinante paused before offering his own suggestion. "Doflamingo plans to personally oversee the delivery of the first batch. I can trace his route and have the Marines intercept it."
"No," Sengoku interrupted firmly. "The risk is too great."
Even if Doflamingo's route was exposed, the Marines had consistently struggled to pin him down, no matter how meticulously they planned. His cunning and resourcefulness were unmatched.
More importantly, Rosinante himself would face grave danger if his cover was blown during the operation. And this was only the first shipment. Rushing into action now could jeopardize future opportunities.
Rosinante waited in silence, sensing Sengoku's internal deliberations.
Finally, Sengoku spoke again. "Maintain your current position. Report to me the exact time and location of the delivery when the moment comes. We'll work through Kaido's network—we already have agents embedded in his organization."
"The priority right now is gathering more intelligence on these man-made Devil Fruits. Find out what they are, how they work, and what their true capabilities are. Understood?"
Rosinante gave a quiet, firm acknowledgment. Before hanging up, Sengoku added a final instruction. "Be careful, Rosinante. Your safety is the most important."
The Den Den Mushi clicked off in Sengoku's hand, and he leaned back in his chair.
Rubbing his temples to ease the growing headache, Sengoku swiftly retrieved a Den Den Mushi linked directly to the top brass. The urgency of the situation demanded immediate action. Once connected, he began relaying the alarming details to the Five Elders.
As Sengoku outlined the situation, the Elders listened carefully. The revelation of a dedicated industrial chain for producing man-made Devil Fruits was not something to be taken lightly.
True to form, the World Government's interest was piqued. If such a development signified the dawn of a new era, it warranted close monitoring. However, before taking a stance, they decided it would be prudent to let the Beasts Pirates continue as the primary test subjects.
If the results proved satisfactory—acceptable efficiency and tolerable side effects—the World Government would not hesitate to involve themselves in the industry.
After all, the World Government had long been one of Wanokuni's key buyers, particularly for weapons and processed Seastone products. The morality of trading with pirates had never been a barrier as long as it served their interests.
Meanwhile, Kaido remained blissfully unaware that the secret of his man-made Devil Fruit operation had been leaked.
At the Beasts Pirates' base on a remote island in the New World, chaos reigned. Inside the fortress, Kaido's thunderous roars echoed through the halls as he struggled to contain his fury.
"That damn Alex! That's MY son! When did that brat become HIS?!" Kaido's voice bellowed, shaking the very walls.
"And Yamato! My blood runs through that brat's veins, and yet she insists on fighting ME to stand at Alex's side?!"
The table in front of him splintered into pieces under the force of Kaido's fist, reduced to rubble in his rage.
The cause of Kaido's latest outburst stemmed from his failure to claim Yamato's loyalty after learning she had obtained the legendary Rumble-Rumble Fruit. He had tried and failed to negotiate with Alex, leaving him to stew in frustration.
But far away in Wanokuni, Alex remained unfazed by Kaido's tantrums. The days of fearing Kaido were long gone. In both strength and status, Alex now stood above the so-called "Strongest Creature."
Moreover, Alex held a commanding position in the SMILE industry chain, giving him leverage that Kaido could not easily challenge. Kaido's anger, therefore, became little more than a display of impotent fury.
"Good work," Alex said warmly, ruffling Yamato's snow-white hair.
Yamato grinned, content with the praise. "Like I'd ever leave your side because of that old drunk!"
She leaned into his hand, enjoying the moment of affection. For her, Alex had become the most important figure in her life, eclipsing her father entirely.
Her feelings had solidified long ago, but Kaido's actions had only strengthened her resolve. The final straw had been Kaido's attempt to treat her as nothing more than a bargaining chip during a heated Den Den Mushi call with Alex—a call Yamato had overheard in its entirety.
In that moment, any lingering attachment she might have felt toward her father had vanished. Under Alex's guidance, Yamato had found both strength and purpose.