Three days passed after Kaido's world-shaking declaration. On the sunny balcony of his castle on Punk Hazard, Donquixote Doflamingo lay back in a sofa chair, a newspaper draped over his face as he soaked in the sun.
The last two years had been the most successful of his life. With the alliance between the Beasts and Big Mom Pirates securing his back, Doflamingo's business flourished without opposition. His influence stretched from the New World through Paradise and into the four blues. No one dared to cross him; even the other emperors of the underworld bowed their heads, knowing that behind the "Joker" stood the undisputed ruler of the New World, Kaido of the Beasts. Doflamingo was the king of the dark world, and he knew it.
A knock interrupted his peace. Trebol entered with a masked man in a white suit.
"Doffy, we have a visitor!" Trebol called out.
"Leave us, Trebol," Doflamingo replied without moving or removing the newspaper. The tall, masked man stood silently for a moment before speaking.
"Stop pretending, Doffy. You know why I'm here."
Doflamingo chuckled, sitting up and letting the newspaper slide off to reveal a smug grin. "Fufufufufu... So, who are you representing today?"
"The World Government," the man said firmly. "We need you to transport a massive shipment of food to the Holy Land, Mary Geoise."
Doflamingo burst into a fit of laughter. "Whoa, wait a second! It's only been three days since Kaido's announcement. His fleets probably haven't even reached the four blues yet. Is Mary Geoise already starving?"
The masked agent didn't flinch. "The Revolutionary Army is the problem."
Doflamingo's eyebrows shot up in interest.
"They've fanned the flames," the agent continued. "The news of Kaido's challenge has spread everywhere. Many kingdoms are already trying to withdraw from the World Government. Several shipments of the Heavenly Tribute have already been halted."
"The little kings are finally getting bold, are they?" Doflamingo mused.
The agent leaned in. "Doffy, it's time to pick a side. Support Mary Geoise now, and the Five Elders might consider restoring your family's status as Celestial Dragons."
The smile vanished from Doflamingo's face. The agent, thinking he had finally tempted the warlord, pressed on. "This is your last chance."
"I'll need to think about it," Doflamingo said coldly. "Everything I have right now comes from my ties with Kaido. Betraying him requires... preparation."
"Don't take too long," the agent warned before turning and leaving.
Trebol scurried back in once the man was gone. "Doffy, are we really going to help them? What about Kaido?"
Doflamingo's grin returned. "Fufufufufu! Trebol, do you really think I'm that stupid?"
"Of course not, Young Master! You're our king! So, what's the plan?"
"We do nothing," Doflamingo declared. "Whether it's the Celestial Dragons or Kaido who wins this war, they will both eventually need us to manage the world's undercurrents. We'll sit back and wait for the victor to emerge."
Trebol looked relieved, though he still looked skeptical. "But can Kaido really take down the World Government? They've ruled for eight hundred years."
"Fufufufufu, who knows? We'll just have to watch the show."
Suddenly, a panicked subordinate burst onto the balcony. "Young Master! News from the East Blue! Kaido's forces have made their move!"
Meanwhile, at Marineford, the atmosphere was thick with tension. In the Fleet Admiral's office, Akainu stood facing two CP0 agents, Rob Lucci and Kaku.
Lucci, showing no respect for the Marine's highest office, barked at Akainu. "I'm asking you, Marines—when do you plan to act?"
"Act on what?" Akainu retorted, his voice dripping with icy disdain.
Lucci's face darkened. "Are you going to ignore Kaido? Or are the Marines planning to betray the World Government?"
The room went silent, the air heavy enough to suffocate. Kaku wiped sweat from his brow, but the veteran strategist Tsuru broke the silence with a calm cough.
"Don't misunderstand," Tsuru said. "We aren't refusing to act, but we lack a clear path forward."
Lucci turned to her, his tone slightly more respectful. "What do you mean, Chief of Staff?"
"It's simple math," she explained. "The Marines aren't currently equipped to wage an all-out war against the Beasts Pirates alone. You've seen the intelligence—Kaido's strength has reached a level we can't handle while also dealing with Big Mom and the Revolutionary Army. If the Five Elders want a decisive battle, we'd have to recall every Marine from the four blues and beg Vegapunk for every weapon he has. If you want that order, go get it from the Five Elders."
Lucci was speechless for a moment. He was arrogant, but he wasn't a fool; he knew what fighting an Emperor meant.
"So you'll do nothing?" Lucci hissed.
"We respond to changes as they happen," Tsuru replied. "A proactive strike is impossible right now."
Gritically his teeth, Lucci turned his gaze to Vice-Admiral Garp. "And what about your grandson, Straw Hat Luffy? He just arrived at Fish-Man Island. Are you going to ignore him too, Garp?"
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