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A massive flock of News Coos took flight, soaring over the New World, the Grand Line, and the Four Seas, scattering newspapers detailing the latest shifts in global power.
In the early months of the Sea Calendar, year 1510, the Thunder God Grand Fleet finally returned to its home waters after more than ten days at sea. As they entered their territory, a News Coo circling overhead immediately dumped its satchel of papers onto the fleet below.
Aboard the Kuja ship, Arthur reached out and caught one, scanning the headlines with a casual air.
[SHOCKING: Whitebeard Defeated! The Title of "World's Strongest Man" Changes Hands!]
[The Rise of the New "World's Strongest": Seabury D. Arthur!]
[The Era of the Four Emperors and One Sovereign Officially Begins!]
As expected, with the conclusion of the wars between the Thunder God and Whitebeard, and the Red-Haired and the Beasts, the world's power structure had solidified. The five rulers of the New World were now universally recognized as the Emperors of the Sea. Whether they were civilians, pirates, or even their enemies in the Navy, everyone began to acknowledge these titles as absolute.
"Typical. As if anyone other than Lord Arthur could ever be worthy of such a title," Hancock said proudly, puffing her chest out as if she were the one being honored.
She stole a glance at Arthur beside her, and her fair face instantly flushed crimson. She quickly covered her cheeks with her hands, overcome by a wave of shyness.
..............
Meanwhile, at the Marine Science Research Division...
The facility was a cold landscape of steel machinery, endless glass vats, and rows of high-tech laboratories. Scientists bustled about with arrogant expressions that practically screamed, "I'm better than you."
"Pacifistas? What a monumental waste of resources!"
A figure composed entirely of gas floated in mid-air, shouting in a shrill, mocking voice. He had long, dark purple hair, sheep-like horns on his head, and wore a striped suit—the user of the Gas-Gas Fruit, Caesar Clown.
"Researching SAD to produce SMILEs would make every Marine a Devil Fruit user! It would be ten thousand times more effective than those Pacifistas. That idiot Vegapunk doesn't see the value, but surely you lot aren't as dim-witted as he is?"
"Save it, Caesar. Those are just the scraps Vegapunk-san threw away years ago!" a nearby scientist retorted, his face turning red with anger as he defended his idol.
"Hmph! Then what about my gas weapon, 'Land of Death'? Those cowardly Marines and their pathetic 'compassion'... they're afraid of collateral damage? Don't they realize it could wipe out an entire nation in minutes?"
SLAM!
"Stop making a scene, Caesar."
The door slid open, and a man in an ochre-colored suit and a Justice coat walked in with a slow, swaying gait. It was Vice Admiral Chaton (Tokikake).
"Vice Admiral Chaton? What is the meaning of this?" Caesar demanded, spinning around in fury.
"It's not just about your gas weapons hurting civilians," Chaton said, waving a document in his hand. "You've been kidnapping children for inhumane experiments. You are officially expelled from the Marine Science Division. If you are ever caught experimenting on children again, I will personally arrest you."
"You... what did you say?!"
"Take him out."
Several Marines stepped out from behind Chaton, grabbing Caesar and hauling him toward the exit despite his hysterical screaming.
"Let go of me, you fools! The Marines will regret this! Without my army of ability users, no one will be able to stop Vegapunk's clone army!"
"We'll manage without you. Take him away."
Though Chaton looked rather sleazy—resembling Admiral Kizaru in terms of aesthetics—his reputation among the public was far better. He was a true Marine with a sense of justice who could not tolerate Caesar's cruelty toward children.
Thus, Caesar Clown left the Science Division in a fit of rage, eventually drifting to the Sabaody Archipelago.
"I'll go to the New World and join one of the Emperors... I can't go to Arthur's territory; Vegapunk is already living comfortably there... I need to find a place where I can surpass him!"
Clutching the latest newspaper, Caesar plotted how to swindle research funds to prove his talent was second to none.
..............
At the Donquixote Family's auction house in Sabaody...
"Doffy! Doffy!" Trebol and Diamante, along with other core family members, burst into Doflamingo's office, looking frantic.
"Doffy, the war in the New World is over! The Thunder Emperor has returned to his territory. It doesn't look like he has any intention of hunting down Tesoro or Mad Treasure!"
"We can finally return to Dressrosa!"
"It's over? Fuffuffuffuffu..." Doflamingo leaned back, his hand over his forehead, though his expression remained dark. He scanned the room, which was nearly filled with his subordinates. "Just because Arthur doesn't care about those small fries doesn't mean we're in the clear. The end of the war means the Beasts Pirates have suffered losses. Kaido will be desperate to replenish his army's strength."
"But we haven't collected enough Zoan fruits yet... and Big Mom is currently at her weakest; she'll be looking to expand her forces too!"
Surviving in the cracks between the Emperors required a very specific set of skills. If Doflamingo lost his utility to them, his death warrant would be signed. He was currently suffering a massive headache trying to find a solution to satisfy Kaido. The title of "Warlord" was a joke to him; its only use was providing a legal cover for his underground dealings.
"Then what do we do, Doffy?" Trebol asked, leaning on his cane, looking dazed.
Doflamingo's veins were beginning to throb near his temples. He was on the verge of an explosion when...
The adorable Baby 5 pushed the door open. "Young Master... a man claiming to be the world's greatest scientist wants to see you!"
"The world's greatest scientist?" Doflamingo's anger stalled. The name Vegapunk immediately flashed through his mind—he knew exactly how terrifying that man was. "No... Vegapunk is a cornerstone of the Thunder God Pirates. He'd send an envoy, he wouldn't come here personally."
Curious, Doflamingo decided to see who had the nerve to claim such a title. "Bring him in."
"Shurororororororo! Warlord Doflamingo, I've heard much about you!" Caesar drifted into the room, letting out his bizarre laugh.
"And you are?" Doflamingo's face darkened at the sight of the strange, gaseous man.
"I am the world's greatest scientist, M. Caesar Clown!" Caesar introduced himself with shameless pride.
"State your business," Doflamingo warned, his voice dripping with cold intent. The rest of the Donquixote Family closed in, waiting for the order to kill this self-important intruder.
Caesar, seemingly oblivious to the killing intent, acted with pure arrogance. "I heard your family is the world's largest underground broker. You have ties to the Emperors, the underworld, and various nations. I want to collaborate with the Emperors... and I need you to be the middleman."
"Oh? And why would they want to collaborate with you?" Doflamingo asked, his interest piqued. He had nearly died several times trying to secure ties with Kaido and Big Mom. What could this random man possibly offer?
"I can provide them with the weapon 'Land of Death,' and even... Artificial Devil Fruits!"
Caesar puffed his chest out. Having discovered the raw material "SAD" and successfully creating artificial Zoans, he had conveniently forgotten that he only found it by studying Vegapunk's stolen blueprints.
"What? Artificial Devil Fruits? The 'Land of Death' gas? You... you're C.C.?" Doflamingo stood up abruptly.
He had sold that gas weapon through his underground channels before; it was a legendary "country-killer." He also knew that "C.C." was a notorious figure in the underworld who had conducted giantification experiments on children.
"Fuffuffuffuffu... So it was you, Caesar! Truly a genius scientist!" Doflamingo complimented him with a wide, predatory grin.
"Shurorororororo! Even more of a genius than Vegapunk?"
"Of course! You are a far greater scientist than that old man. Are you interested in partnering with me to sell these weapons and fruits to the Emperors?"
"Shurororororo—!"
After a bout of mutual ego-stroking, the two found themselves in perfect agreement and quickly solidified their partnership.
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