"[Hobi Hobi no Mi], [SMILEs], [Toy Factory], and... Orochimaru?"
Walking alone on the street, Sasuke softly recited the explosive information he had just obtained from Viola.
-Did you miss a chapter?
Not so.
Several tens of minutes ago, in that same restaurant.
A group of people surrounded Sasuke, ready to make a move.
Yet Sasuke didn't even show any intention of raising a hand.
The pattern in the Sharingan slowly rotated. Everyone, including Viola, fell into an illusion so realistic it could fool anyone.
The Giro Giro no Mi indeed granted Viola information-gathering abilities far beyond the ordinary, but this was different from Observation Haki, which relied on one's own spirit… or something like a 'sixth sense'.
The Devil Fruit gave her just an ability, a tool, but it didn't strengthen her spiritual power.
She would still fall before Conqueror's Haki. Similarly, when facing the Genjutsu created by the Mangekyo Sharingan, no one among this group could stay conscious.
To be honest, after coming to the One Piece World, Sasuke hadn't had many opportunities to use Genjutsu.
Not only because most situations encountered were direct confrontations, but also because most people in those high-level battles had very high physical and spiritual qualities themselves, making it difficult to use Genjutsu to confuse them.
Facing the Five Elders, rather than waiting for Genjutsu to take effect, it was better for him to act himself.
Besides, the man he had trapped in the eternal prison was most skilled at Sharingan's Genjutsu. Just thinking about using a similar method made Sasuke instinctively resistant.
However, if it was for gathering information, the Sharingan was undoubtedly more convenient than a blade.
This round, this round can only be said to be the princess's self-guided journey.
Recalling the explosive information obtained from Viola, Sasuke couldn't help but click his tongue inwardly.
Had to admit, Doflamingo was indeed a character.
A small island nation hiding so many things.
This guy's ambition was not small either.
Of course… what surprised Sasuke even more was hearing the name of that person he had once met in this different world.
Orochimaru.
Recalling that year, standing like a minion amidst the fading lights, powerless to watch Orochimaru and Naruto clash.
But now...
…
"Shurororororo… Orochimaru, I have everything ready here. When can you give me more experimental data?"
A Den Den Mushi with purple-blue long hair simulated Caesar Clown's expression, gesticulating wildly on the table in front of Orochimaru.
"No need to rush, Caesar-kun. Dressrosa will soon meet its end."
"As for the experiment... I believe for a genius scientist like you, Caesar-kun, it can continue anytime. It should pose no difficulty for you."
"Shurororororo! Of course! Then I'll wait for your news!"
It must be said, Orochimaru's insight into human nature was almost an instinct carved into his bones.
Perhaps it wasn't much use when facing simple-minded or strong-willed people like Naruto or Luffy, but once the other party was an ambitious person like Doflamingo or Caesar Clown, his skills became very useful.
Even without past memories, Orochimaru could still, through subconscious actions as a 'former researcher', successfully gain Caesar's favor, even reaching a level of mutual admiration.
Their pursuits didn't conflict at all.
Orochimaru, after 'awakening' in this world, had begun seeking the meaning of his own existence.
On Whole Cake Island, his unique and special body became the trigger, stirring the pursuit of life and evolution that couldn't be suppressed even by amnesia… this was 'benefit'.
Caesar's goal was simpler.
Whether cooperating with Doflamingo or betraying Doflamingo in the original timeline, his fundamental purpose was to produce research results that would shock the world.
He wanted to prove to the whole world that he was never inferior to that big-headed Vegapunk. The title of the world's number one scientist should belong to him, Caesar Clown!
This was for 'fame'.
That's why the two hit it off immediately.
As for how Orochimaru persuaded Caesar to abandon Doflamingo as a shield at this time, that was thanks to Doflamingo overestimating himself and actively stepping into the whirlpool of the Summit War.
When the other party disappeared and the World Government collapsed, Orochimaru understood his opportunity had come.
In the past, the reason Doflamingo could swagger in the underground world was not mainly due to his combat power.
What should really be noted was Doflamingo's skill in perfectly maneuvering between the three forces of Big Mom, Kaido, and the World Government.
But now the World Government's backing was gone, Big Mom had been offended, and Dressrosa's destruction was actually just a matter of time.
With this reason, Caesar, whose loyalty was almost zero, agreed to Orochimaru's proposal without any hesitation.
Furthermore, Orochimaru was not only willing to provide the Cursed Seal as experimental material but even willing to let Caesar directly cut off parts of his own body for research. This also struck a chord in Caesar's little heart.
This guy was indeed a scumbag with no sense of gratitude, but he also had things he cherished.
At least Orochimaru's behavior, plus his recognition of his own scientific research level, was enough to increase Caesar's favorability by +1… though it still wasn't very high.
"By the way, Orochimaru, you said before that our only way out now is to find someone to join."
"Now the Big Mom Pirates have been offended by JOKER, and the Marines can't take us in either. So our target should be the Beasts Pirates-"
Caesar's thinking was simple. Since they were going to cling to a powerful patron, naturally it should be one thick enough.
This was the wisdom from his years of being a turncoat.
"No."
Unexpectedly, Orochimaru negated this idea.
In the room that once belonged to Doflamingo, Orochimaru gently picked up two Marine wanted posters.
"[Desert King] Crocodile," "Gecko Moria."
"Partners that are too powerful aren't suitable for us. Do you still want to continue these days of being watched and controlled?"
"-That's true..."
"Relax, leave everything to me."
"Caesar-kun, you just need to be responsible for the preparation phase of our plan."
"Alright! Then I'll trust you, Orochimaru-yo."
At this point, Caesar seemed to remember something and added.
"Oh, right, don't forget about Sugar. Her Devil Fruit ability is very useful."
"Ah~ Of course."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
The Hobi Hobi no Mi's utility was too great.
Unfortunately, Sugar's loyalty to Doflamingo was far from comparable to Caesar's.
If there was really no other way, Orochimaru was prepared to kill Sugar.
He could also test the possibility of using fruit to capture Devil Fruit's powers.
-This hypothesis was something Caesar had provided him.
Standing on the top floor of the Royal Palace, Orochimaru looked down at all of Dressrosa, his fingers unconsciously brushing over the window.
All of this was just a price paid for research.