"You jerk~"
Seeing Sanji's smug face after clearly getting the better end of the deal, Red and the others couldn't help but roll their eyes at him.
Their gazes soon shifted away, landing on the remaining Attribute Seeds laid out on the table.
Although the Dragon Crystal Seed had gotten things off to a great start, the remaining three Attribute Seeds were still a rather tricky problem for everyone.
In the end, it was Red who stepped forward and proposed a plan, deciding the final ownership of the remaining three seeds.
The first was the Ice Crystal Seed, capable of granting Ice-type attributes.
Ice was a fairly common elemental attribute, but after some discussion, everyone aboard the Going Merry unanimously decided that none of them would personally use it.
After all, the crew already had Tony Tony Chopper and Brook, both of whom possessed Ice-related abilities—and even they rarely developed Ice for combat use, let alone the others.
Rather than adding another Ice-type combatant, it would be far more useful as a support ability…
A support ability that could instantly create a continent of ice atop the vast ocean!
That's right!
After thorough discussion, Red and the others decided to give the Ice Crystal Seed to Laboon, who was currently out on a mission.
Even if Laboon's future evolution didn't grant him additional attributes, having Ice alone would allow him to completely dominate all other marine life in the sea!
A creature that could freely move through seawater while instantly freezing an island-sized area of ocean…
That was something even Aokiji couldn't accomplish!
As for the two remaining seeds, after careful consideration, Red handed the Ghost Crystal Seed to Zoro.
Red had noticed something—
Compared to straightforward elemental attributes, Zoro excelled more at digging deep into the essence of an attribute.
Like Dragon-type, Ghost-type was a racial attribute, containing multiple unique traits.
Red believed that with Zoro's talent, he could cultivate Ghost-type power just as he had with Dragon-type—developing it into something entirely his own.
He was absolutely confident in that.
Moreover, Ghost-type power was, in a sense, also the power of "oni."
In the original timeline, Zoro's strongest Oni-infused swordsmanship never truly had a chance to shine due to Red's influence.
Perhaps…
By using the Ghost Crystal Seed, Zoro could rekindle his research into Oni Swordsmanship, fully merging Ghost-type power with his blade.
That left the final seed—the Fighting Crystal Seed, capable of granting Fighting-type attributes.
After lengthy discussion, it was ultimately handed to someone no one had initially expected…
The Straw Hat Pirates' weapons engineering master—
Shipwright Franky!
To be honest, even Franky himself was utterly dumbfounded when he received the Fighting Crystal Seed.
He had never imagined that one day he'd be associated with the Fighting-type attribute.
When he first saw the list of available Attribute Seeds, he hadn't been particularly interested.
In Franky's eyes, he was far better suited to elemental attributes like Fire, Electricity, or even Water—attributes that could be released externally.
So even after the meeting ended, he remained in a daze, unable to snap out of it.
All he remembered was Red patting him on the shoulder when he tried to refuse, speaking earnestly:
"Trust me, Franky!"
"This is absolutely the attribute seed that suits you best!"
"A cyborg paired with martial combat techniques is a powerful and sustainable development path!"
"I don't need you to become Android 17 or 18—just becoming the pirate world's Genos would be more than enough to shock the world!"
Franky had no idea who Androids 17 and 18 were.
But afterward, Red explained a great deal about Genos.
A powerhouse whose entire body—except for his brain—was almost completely mechanized!
Unlike Franky's usual combat style of standing his ground and relying on heavy weapons or brute force in close combat with a steel body…
Genos, as a fellow cyborg, possessed an extremely balanced fighting style.
He could unleash a variety of firearms and artillery for long-range suppression, while also using his incredible speed to engage in dazzling close-quarters combat.
A true artist among mechanical warriors.
Wapol's improved alloy body + refined martial techniques + weapon-powered mechanical dynamics jointly designed by Usopp and Franky…
With this combination, Red believed that even if they reached Egghead Island and met Vegapunk, it would be enough to completely blow his mind.
After all, Luffy's fighting style was too chaotic and unstructured, Robin—enhanced by meditation—was destined for a psychic path, Chopper's future direction was still undecided, Brook had his own swordsmanship, and Usopp and Nami specialized in ranged combat…
By comparison, Franky was the perfect fit for the Fighting-type attribute.
And speaking of Vegapunk…
"I wonder if that 'failed' Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit has been completed yet."
"After all, aside from scale color, it's virtually identical to the genuine Azure Dragon Fruit—a powerful Mythical Zoan!"
"If Zoro could eat that fruit, he wouldn't need to struggle so hard competing with Sanji."
Watching Zoro and Franky as they consumed their Attribute Seeds, Red couldn't help but ponder internally.
Unlike Sanji earlier—perhaps due to differing attributes, or maybe the awakening of Conqueror's Haki—
The two of them were remarkably calm after ingestion.
One was shrouded in an eerie, restrained mist, while the other's body became noticeably more agile, his limbs seeming slightly longer.
Just as everyone focused on Zoro and Franky, eager to hear their thoughts after gaining new attributes…
Little Merry, standing beside the meeting room's whiteboard, suddenly froze.
In the next instant, she vanished from the spot. Moments later, she returned carrying a Den Den Mushi that was loudly ringing.
"Red, it's a call for you!"
"Hm!?"
Annoyed at being interrupted at such a critical moment, Red frowned—but upon seeing the Den Den Mushi, his expression immediately relaxed.
He placed it on the table and picked up the receiver.
In an instant—
The Den Den Mushi's previously dull expression twisted into an exaggerated, arrogant grin.
"Fufufufu~"
"Long time no see, Straw Hat Pirates!"
"Doflamingo?" Red smirked. "It really has been a while."
"So… what's with the sudden call?"
"Weren't you worried about drawing attention and planning to cut ties with us?"
"Fufufufu, whatever do you mean, Red?"
Though Doflamingo's tone remained familiar, his attitude was unusually calm—almost polite.
If his subordinates saw their boss acting so composed, they'd probably be dumbstruck.
But—
Facing a crew that had defeated Admiral Kizaru, even someone as arrogant as Doflamingo couldn't help but lower his stance.
Still, that didn't mean he enjoyed it.
Wasting no time, he cut straight to the point:
"Judging by your tone, Red… you haven't read today's newspaper yet, have you?"
"What a shame. I was hoping to share today's joy with you."
"Fufufufu…"
Doflamingo let out another low laugh.
Red raised an eyebrow.
"Today's paper?" he muttered.
After all, he'd challenged the Elite Four and Champion overnight, cleared the Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee world, and immediately prepared this internal Straw Hat meeting…
He truly hadn't had time to glance at the news.
But then, a flash of realization crossed his eyes.
Perhaps he already knew why Doflamingo had called.
At that moment, Little Merry vanished again and returned with a freshly printed newspaper.
Red spread it open as the crew gathered around.
In the next second, realization dawned on all their faces.
The headline from the World Economy News Paper screamed:
[Shocking! After Months of Silence, the World's Highest Authority Is Provoked Again!!!]
Beneath it, a slightly smaller subheading read:
[A Legend Falls, A New Emperor Rises! Blackbeard Publicly Executes a Celestial Dragon and Escapes Unscathed!]
The article detailed how Blackbeard had successfully killed the Golden Lion, obtained the Float-Float Fruit, seized control of the Black Lion Alliance, and crowned himself its tyrannical new king.
After consolidating his power, his first major act was to lead his forces in an attack on the Delixi Kingdom—where he killed a Celestial Dragon who had recently arrived.
Leaving behind the words:
"Whitebeard dared to do it—so will I, Blackbeard!"
He then departed through the skies.
...
...
"Pretty efficient," Red muttered softly, covering the receiver as he spoke to his crew.
Clearly, under Laboon's rapid travel, Moria's group had reached the waters near Delixi Kingdom and executed the plan flawlessly.
Given Zombie Blackbeard's strength, killing someone in a kingdom that grovelled before Celestial Dragons was child's play.
As for the Black Lion Alliance members in the photos—they were newly created zombies, made from the pirates previously slain by the Straw Hats on Amazon Lily.
Black Lion Alliance corpses + Black Lion Alliance shadows—
This self-sustaining system allowed Moria to create a formidable zombie force.
While none could compare to Zombie Blackbeard, most of these zombie pirates boasted bounties exceeding 100 million Beli!
Such power dramatically amplified the strength of the Thriller Bark Pirates.
As for Blackbeard's flight—it wasn't the Float-Float Fruit at all.
It was Six Powers—Moonwalk!
The zombies flying alongside him were merely tethered by invisible reins, carried aloft by Absalom, who was himself bound to Zombie Blackbeard.
Crude, but effective—perfectly meeting Red's expectations.
"With this, the World Government and Marines are going to be in chaos again."
Red grinned, eyes gleaming.
At that moment, Doflamingo's laughter rang out again:
"Fufufufu…"
"You see now, Red."
"You opened Pandora's box."
"This world is about to enter a brand-new era!"
"Isn't it exhilarating!?"
"Fufufufu… fufufufu~!"
Another Celestial Dragon publicly executed by so-called 'lowly mortals'—Doflamingo's laughter was unhinged with delight.
But that laughter lacked empathy.
Pandora's box?
Sorry, Doflamingo~
If you knew I personally packed what's inside that box, how would you feel?
And what comes next might keep you laughing for days on end.
But their relationship hadn't reached that level of trust yet—so Red kept the truth to himself.
He smiled silently at the Den Den Mushi until the laughter subsided, then asked calmly:
"So… is this why you called?"
"..."
"Of course not."
Perhaps embarrassed by his solo outburst, Doflamingo's grin flattened as he continued:
"I've got a big business proposition for you."
"Have you ever heard of… Artificial Devil Fruits?"
"Hm!?" Red's eyes flashed.
Just when he needed a pillow, one was delivered.
He'd just been thinking about the Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit—and Doflamingo brought it up himself.
In the original timeline, that fruit had essentially been in Doflamingo's possession.
If they could establish cooperation, they might secure it immediately!
Suppressing his excitement, Red feigned mild surprise and interest:
"Artificial Devil Fruits?"
"Those can really be made by humans?"
"And you want to cooperate with us?"
"I don't think the Straw Hat Pirates have resources worthy of partnering with you."
"Don't sell yourself short, Red."
Doflamingo laughed darkly, lowering his voice as if hiding something.
"If I'm not mistaken, after Enies Lobby, you've been hiding inside that island whale, haven't you?"
"Just like last time…"
"Being able to command such a massive and majestic creature—it's truly remarkable."
"My proposal is simple."
"If the Straw Hat Pirates use that island whale to help us transport 'some' test subjects underwater, I can provide you with Artificial Devil Fruits in return."
"Currently, only Zoan-types have succeeded—but if you form a Zoan army, your crew's power would skyrocket."
You sure know how to sell dreams.
Many Straw Hats frowned angrily.
Test subjects…
Easy to say.
They all understood—
Doflamingo was talking about human experimentation!!!
"Red—"
Nami began to speak, but Red raised a finger, stopping her.
He continued smiling politely at the Den Den Mushi.
"It does sound interesting. But unless I see the goods first, I'm not working for free."
"Fufufu, rest assured!"
"We're both smart men—I've prepared plenty of sincerity."
"Oh?" Red smirked. "Then I'll look forward to it."
"In that case, I'll see you in the New World."
"We'll be awaiting the Straw Hats' arrival," Doflamingo chuckled, hanging up.
"Red, we can't do something like that!"
"He'll never use criminals or pirates for his experiments!"
Nami immediately spoke up once the call ended.
Red simply waved his hand calmly.
"Relax. I won't drag everyone into something like that."
"It's just that Doflamingo happens to have something we need."
Leaning back in his chair, Red signaled for the meeting to continue.
Sorry, Doflamingo.
We're actually good people.
And since we're good—and you're bad—
Isn't it only natural for good people to rob bad ones?
(End of Chapter)