Just a few kilometres away from the blood-soaked ruins of Rumble Island, hidden beneath a jagged rock formation that looked like any other barren outcrop, lay one of the New World's most notorious underground black markets.
No name. No sign. No mercy.
Here, anything and anyone could be bought or sold: forbidden weapons, Devil Fruits, rare poisons, stolen ancient artifacts… and people. Marines captured in skirmishes were auctioned off as slaves, their uniforms stripped, pride broken, bodies marked for the highest bidder. Pirates sold their own crewmates for quick berries. Assassins offered contracts. Brokers whispered secrets that could topple kingdoms.
Toku arrived unseen at first, then made himself visible again as he stepped into the dimly lit cavern market. He wore a dark, oversized cloak that swallowed his figure, hood pulled low to obscure Sanji's recognizable face. The spiral brow and blond hair remained hidden.
No one asked questions.
Of course they didn't.
Else it wouldn't be called a black market.
He moved through the crowded stalls like a shadow among shadows. Slavers paraded chained Marines some still in torn uniforms, eyes hollow. Whores were auctioned in cages. Rare fruits and weapons changed hands for absurd sums.
Toku approached the central auction platform where the highest-value items were handled.
He placed the Suna Suna no Mi on the table.
The auctioneer's eyes widened behind his mask.
"One billion berries," Toku said flatly. "Take it or leave it."
The deal was sealed in minutes. No haggling. No questions about origin. A heavy pouch of berries was slid across the table pure, untraceable cash.
Toku pocketed the money.
For a brief moment, regret flickered in his chest. He should have taken Kuzan's Hie Hie no Mi when he killed him. Another powerful Logia would have been useful. But there would be more opportunities.
He turned and left the market without another word.
As he walked back toward the open sea, his mind was already moving ahead.
Impel Down.
He would go there next.
Not to ally with Doflamingo. Not as partners.
As a pawn.
He would free the former Warlord, use his strings, his cunning, his connections to help overthrow the World Government and ultimately the entire world order.
Once Toku had achieved what he wanted, he could decide whether to keep Doflamingo alive… or kill him.
A tool. Nothing more.
Toku pulled the hood lower and vanished once more into invisibility.
The berries were heavy in his pocket.
The shadows were calling.
And the monster wearing Sanji's face was ready to pull more strings, or control the notorious man who pulled them.