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The year is 1508 in the Sea Circle Calendar.
The Fire Festival is drawing near, and Wanokuni is bustling with preparations to ensure its success.
This year's festival, however, marks a significant change. No longer just a domestic celebration, it now carries echoes of events like Big Mom's infamous annual tea parties. Taking advantage of this pivotal moment, Alex has extended invitations to forces across the New World, transforming the festival into a grand external spectacle.
This move is more than a mere show of strength and heritage; it's a calculated step toward solidifying Wanokuni's influence within the New World. Much like Big Mom's tea parties, the Fire Festival aims to create a network of alliances and extend Wanokuni's reach, radiating its power outward.
As preparations intensified across Wanokuni's townships—particularly in the bustling Flower Capital—shadow guards began distributing invitations to prominent figures and organizations scattered throughout the New World. The significance of this event quickly became apparent: it was destined to be the most talked-about gathering in the New World for months to come.
Some even speculated that this annual Fire Festival might soon rival Big Mom's tea party in importance, a prospect that fueled whispers across the seas. Many couldn't help but note the trend: two Yonko carving out yearly traditions to consolidate their influence and reap the rewards of their power.
From an outsider's perspective, Wanokuni's Fire Festival seemed more vibrant and multifaceted than Big Mom's tea parties. Yet, beneath the surface, deeper motives lay at work.
While the specific difference between Alex's invitations and Big Mom's might be debatable, one thing was certain: Wanokuni's growing prominence in the New World, especially in recent years, was impossible to ignore. The enormous profits tied to its rise had not escaped the notice of underground leaders who had begun working with the island nation.
More importantly, this was the first formal invitation from the young Yonko Alex himself. Such an invitation signified more than just an event—it symbolized recognition. For most, rejecting it was unthinkable.
Thus, much like Big Mom's tea parties, powerful underground leaders began making preparations to attend this unmissable occasion. Still, not everyone greeted the invitations with enthusiasm.
On Whole Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin's furious roar echoed through her castle.
"That b*****d! Does he think he can insult me like this? Burn that invitation immediately!"
"Yes, Mama!" her subordinates answered, scrambling to follow her orders.
Elsewhere, certain groups regarded the invitation with solemn deliberation.
In the North Blue, inside a mansion adorned with the unmistakable symbol of the Donquixote Family, a long table was surrounded by over a dozen family members engaged in a tense meeting. At its center, Doflamingo sat at the head, fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished wood.
Holding an invitation bearing the seal of Wanokuni, he scanned its contents once more. After a long pause, he let out a slow, deep breath.
"It seems," Doflamingo said, a sly grin spreading across his face, "we've caught the attention of one of the biggest players in the New World."
Hearing this, most of the family members seated at the long table were stunned. Rosinante, in particular, immediately fixed his gaze on the invitation letter.
"Is it really from that Shogun, Dover?" exclaimed Diamante, his tall, lanky frame tensing with surprise. "The Fire Festival?"
Though they hadn't yet ventured into the New World, the family had gathered enough intelligence from their North Blue sources to be aware of the major power dynamics at play. It wasn't lost on them that this was the inaugural external Fire Festival hosted by Four Emperors Alex—a momentous occasion in its own right.
"But isn't that invitation only meant for the big players in the New World?" asked Pika, "Why would one of those letters end up here in North Blue?"
At this, Trebol stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Could it be that he has some ulterior motive for us? Just like Big Mom," he speculated, his tone growing uneasy. "Plenty of people are forced into becoming that monster's subordinates just by attending her tea parties!"
"Hey, hey, Dover! How about we just pretend we never got it? Let's not go!" Trebol exclaimed, his nasally voice rising as he waved his arms for emphasis.
Having lived as a self-styled "emperor" of North Blue for years, Trebol wasn't eager to gamble their position and security by involving themselves with one of the Yonko. His words found an echo among the family.
"Yeah, young master, what Trebol said makes sense," agreed Señor Pink, nodding grimly. "It'd be safer if we steer clear of this one."
Despite their dominance in North Blue, the Donquixote Family knew they were small players compared to the towering influence of the Four Emperors. Receiving an invitation alongside the great powers of the New World seemed far too coincidental. To many, it reeked of hidden dangers. Who would believe such an invitation came without strings attached?
As Trebol's concerns began spreading among the other family members, more voices joined in to urge Doflamingo to reconsider. Yet, throughout it all, Doflamingo remained silent, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as he mulled over the situation.
This was something Alex hadn't foreseen. To him, extending an invitation was a gesture of respect and inclusion. But for the cautious and calculating Donquixote Family, the unexpected gesture felt more like a looming threat.
Finally, after several tense minutes, Doflamingo broke his silence. His voice was calm, yet resolute. "No. This is already a done deal."
He glanced around the room, meeting the worried eyes of his subordinates before continuing. "Think of this as Big Mom's tea party. You all know what happens if you refuse her invitation, don't you?"
The room grew even quieter as the implications sank in.
"True, Alex's reach might not fully extend to North Blue just yet," Doflamingo conceded, "but make no mistake—rejecting this invitation would deal a serious blow to our business. The moment our refusal reaches his ears, our future prospects will crumble."
He paused, leaning forward slightly. "Our ultimate goal isn't to stay confined to North Blue. Refusing this invitation would slam the door shut on our entry into the New World. That's not a price I'm willing to pay."
His words cut through the lingering doubt like a blade, but Doflamingo wasn't finished. "Besides," he added with a sharp grin, "Alex isn't as unreasonable as Big Mom. He doesn't demand an arm and a leg for loyalty. His forces haven't even surpassed ten ships yet. There are plenty of bigger names in the New World than us. Perhaps this is just a matter of convenience—maybe we're simply the most useful party in North Blue right now."
He let his words hang in the air before delivering his final point. "And don't forget, this festival will be crawling with New World powerhouses. If nothing else, this is a golden opportunity to build the connections we've been lacking."
Doflamingo's confidence seemed to lift the room's tension. As his subordinates digested his reasoning, the earlier anxiety gave way to enthusiasm. They began nodding, their spirits reignited by the prospect of seizing this opportunity.
Seeing the shift in mood, Doflamingo leaned back, issuing his orders with his trademark grin. "Prepare one of our finest treasures. If we're going to meet a big name like Alex, we need to bring a gift that'll leave an impression. Let's make sure it's something that can secure us a deal worth our while."