"As you wish, Hive Emperor!"
Though Doflamingo responded obediently, his true plan had always been different. Originally, he intended to embed a spy within Dressrosa's palace and gather intelligence before making his move. However, unforeseen events—specifically the Op-Op Fruit incident—had pushed him to accelerate his strategy. He hadn't even had time to deploy agents yet. But this was a minor setback.
If the Hive Emperor mentioned Princess Violet as being proficient in dance, then she must be skilled indeed.
Suddenly, Edie tilted his head upward, his gaze fixated on the sky. Dark clouds had gathered unnoticed, veiling the sun and casting a vast shadow. From within the clouds, a massive figure emerged: the head and claws of an Azure Dragon—Kaido himself.
Doflamingo's eyes widened in shock.
Kaido descended, a low rumble of laughter preceding him. By the time he landed on the rooftop of the research institute, he had shifted to his human form, swaying slightly as though intoxicated.
"Little Guy, what brings you here? Have you brought the money?" Edie asked with a sly smile.
Kaido, his expression tinged with the flush of drunkenness, rolled his shoulders.
"The money's en route; it'll be here in a few hours."
To amass the colossal 60 billion necessary to awaken his mythical dragon Zoan, Kaido had plunged his territories into chaos, collecting protection fees well in advance. The islands under his command were in an uproar as he gathered every last berry.
Edie's smile widened at the mention of money. "How courteous. You could've just sent King with it. Why come here yourself?"
Kaido's brows furrowed slightly. "You're hosting a grand press conference, and I wasn't even invited."
The truth was, Kaido had come not out of interest in the conference but to retrieve a replica of the Blue Dragon Fruit. More importantly, he needed to address his "idiot daughter" Yamato, who had been living in the Hive for over two years without making Edie his son-in-law. The 60 billion was just an added payment to ensure cooperation.
Edie waved a dismissive hand. "The press conference is related to Whitebeard's research commission. He'll be here soon. I expect you to refrain from causing trouble."
Kaido's eyes narrowed. "Whitebeard... that old man is still kicking?"
"Very much so," Edie replied.
The last time Edie met Shanks, he had given Whitebeard three anti-aging pills, a concoction derived from NHCa21—a substance with the miraculous property of mildly extending life. Unlike mythical rejuvenation, it only postponed aging and came with manageable side effects.
Dr. Kureha, the witch of the Drum Kingdom, probably used something similar, so she could still be alive and kicking at the age of more than 130 years old, and she drank alcohol every day without dying.
Kaido cracked a grin. "Oh, giggle... For your sake, I'll let him go this time."
Edie's eyes glimmered with amusement. In his mind, he noted Kaido's potential; once the Blue Dragon Fruit was replicated and fully awakened, Kaido might indeed surpass even Whitebeard.
At that moment, Chenlong, one of Edie's loyal clones, arrived at the rooftop, dropping to one knee. "Sir Heavenly Father, the Big Mom Pirates' ship has been sighted within ten kilometers of the Beehive. Charlotte Linlin is confirmed on board. What are your orders?"
Edie's eyes narrowed. "What does she want?"
The human enlargement experiment… He had no time to deal with that now. He sighed, "Since she's a major sponsor, we can't turn her away. Send Haizhu to greet her."
"Yes, sir," Chenlong said, promptly departing.
Haizhu—a clone of Big Mom herself—would make for an interesting reception.
Doflamingo stood frozen, absorbing the news. Was it truly happening? In one day, he had encountered nearly all the Four Emperors of the sea.
Beehive Island Waters, a Few Kilometers Away
The Pirate Ship Anthem of the Big Mom Pirates cruised the open sea, its wood creaking to the rhythm of a haunting melody. Charlotte Linlin, imposing and formidable, stood at the bow, eyes narrowed as she surveyed the distant island.
A shadow moved swiftly against the blue horizon, drawing closer.
"Mom, we have company!" Katakuri announced, activating his Advanced Observation Haki. His eyes flashed as he glimpsed a vision of what was about to happen mere moments ahead. He stiffened.
In a blur, the shadow closed the distance, covering a kilometer in mere seconds. It came to a sudden stop before the Anthem.
"Mamamama... That bastard Edie, sending my clone to greet me?" Charlotte Linlin's voice thundered with rage. She already knew about Edie's Earthly Branch clones—now, she was face-to-face with one.
Hovering mid-air, Haizhu's dark wings flapped as she looked down on the deck, hands on her hips and a sly smile curving her lips.
"So, this is the great Charlotte Linlin?" she muttered to herself. The sight of her prototype, aged and menacing, made Haizhu's eyes flash with disdain. How unsightly.
Linlin's eyes flared with anger as she took in her young, slender counterpart. Memories of her own youth surged within her—a time when she was still the pride of the Rocks Pirates. Jealousy simmered.
"Little witch!" Linlin roared, summoning a spectral aura. The ghostly visage of her soul spell loomed behind her as she unleashed her power.
"Death or Life!" The command echoed like a decree from the underworld.
Haizhu laughed, unfazed by the sudden surge of soul energy. "Oh, you think that will work on me? I know everything you do," she taunted. Her own soul energy surged outward, enveloping the Anthem in a dark wave.
"Kneel or Life…"
The spell struck like thunder, sparking an eruption of pinkish wisps—manifestations of fear—from the weaker pirates. They fell to their knees, trembling and pleading for mercy.
Katakuri stood tall, sweat glistening on his brow as he resisted the compulsion. Only those with unwavering courage could withstand the soul spell.
Charlotte Linlin's face darkened. "How dare you use my power against my children, you wretched thing!" she spat.
"Jealous?" Haizhu mocked, flicking her long pink hair. "Unlike you, I'm twelve and beautiful."
Rage contorted Linlin's face, turning her into a living embodiment of fury.
A Few Miles Away from Beehive Island
A Marine surveillance ship observed the scene from a cautious distance. An officer peered through a telescope, his face paling as he discerned the unmistakable Anthem.
"Report! The Big Mom Pirates are ten nautical miles out!" a sailor shouted.
The Vice Admiral on board clenched his jaw. "BIG MOM herself? This must be related to Edie's press conference… But why would she come here? Are they planning something against the World Government?"
An aide interrupted his train of thought. "Sir, another sighting—Beasts Pirates' ship approaching from behind, five nautical miles away!"
"Damn it," the Vice Admiral muttered. Fate had cornered him.
"Should we engage, sir?" a lookout asked, panic in his voice.
"No... Maintain distance. Monitor both parties and prepare the black Den Den Mushi for emergency communication."
Suddenly, from the Beasts Pirates' flagship, Jack the Drought growled, "A Marine surveillance ship? Sink it."
One of the younger pirates hesitated. "Sir, it might be commanded by a Vice Admiral—"
"Do you know who I am?" Jack snapped, silencing the protest with a glare.
King, arms crossed and eyes blazing, intervened. "We're here to deliver 60 billion, not fight. Ignore them, Jack."
Reluctantly, Jack backed down.
"Actually, Let's Just get rid of them" King Suddenly Decided
King shifted into his hybrid form, wings unfurling as dark flames wrapped around him. In an instant, he shot into the sky.
The Marine ship erupted in panic as cannons roared. Shells exploded around King, flames licked at the wood and metal. But as the smoke cleared, he emerged, eyes locked on his target, determined to silence them.
Marine Surveillance Ship Encounter
The Marine surveillance ship discovered King in an instant. The Vice Admiral, a seasoned warrior with countless battles behind him, wasted no time drawing his dual swords, their edges gleaming ominously in the sun.
"Fire!" he bellowed, his voice echoing across the deck.
A series of thunderous bangs followed as the warship's deck guns roared, spewing thick smoke into the sea air. The dark cannonballs hurtled through the sky, tearing into the smoke before detonating in a deafening barrage.
Boom!
Over a dozen shells found their mark, erupting into a fiery spectacle followed by a dense cloud of black smoke.
"Hit!" an artilleryman shouted, a gleam of victory in his eyes. "We got one—"
Before he could finish, a dark shadow emerged from the smoke like a vengeful specter. King's eyes were cold and unyielding, undeterred by the assault. His wings, powerful and unfurled, propelled him forward with primal ferocity.
In a heartbeat, King chose his attack—raw, relentless collision.
The Vice Admiral's eyes widened with a sudden realization. King's target wasn't him; it was the ship itself. Desperation surged as he leaped into action, his dual blades slashing down with a force that crackled with Armament Haki.
The blades met King's wings with a metallic clang, but to the Vice Admiral's horror, it felt like striking an impenetrable fortress. His hands stung as the recoil forced blood to seep from his palms.
Impossible… Why is his body so resilient? The thought flashed through his mind. King had withstood the Haki-infused attack effortlessly, as if it were nothing.
It all unfolded in a split second.
King, ignoring the Vice Admiral entirely, barreled through the ship. His wings acted like razors, slicing through the warship's hull as though it were soft clay.
Boom!
The ship groaned under the strain as it split in two, the water eagerly rushing in to claim it. Marines clung desperately to anything they could as the shattered vessel began its descent into the unforgiving sea.
"Hmph, this isn't the place for Marines," King muttered, his voice like distant thunder. He hovered for a moment, surveying the wreckage before rising higher into the sky. His gaze sharpened as he sought out other surveillance ships. If there was one, there would be more.
With the first ship gone, he resolved to eliminate them all.
This is Edie's gift. The thought was brief but certain; the doctor who had awakened him deserved nothing less.
On Beehive Island
Charlotte Linlin finally relented, halting her clash with Haizhu. The battle had proven futile; the young clone's strength matched her own, and the aerial advantage only tilted the scale further in Haizhu's favor.
So, this is the power Edie crafted, Linlin thought, an unfamiliar pang of jealousy striking her pride. The realization gnawed at her—this clone had her looks, her power, and even a touch of youthful vanity. For the first time, she entertained an old desire: to reclaim her youth.
I'll make Edie restore my beauty, no matter what it takes. Yet, she wouldn't dare voice it. How could she, the mighty Big Mom, admit envy of her own creation?
Moments later, the Big Mom Pirates, led by Haizhu, made landfall on Beehive Island and navigated through to the Hive Research Institute.
Not long after, the sea's silence was broken as the Whitebeard Pirates' grand ship reached Rocky Port.
Hive Research Institute, Conference Room
The atmosphere crackled with tension. Three emperors and Edie now gathered, each commanding the room with an aura that spoke of their dominance. Five of the six underground emperors had arrived.
In a corner, Doflamingo leaned back, a smirk on his face as he contemplated his ambitions. The weight of being overshadowed nagged at him—he might be seated at the children's table now, but he vowed that one day, the world would know his name.
At 28, still here... He chuckled darkly. But soon...
"Welcome, everyone," Edie began, the room falling silent as he smiled with the calculated poise of a puppet master. "Let me say a few words before we begin the press conference…"
The tension peaked as all eyes turned to the man who dared to host the world's most feared.