Chapter 131: Science Empire
âSeveral months had passed since the collapse of the World Government.
The latter half of the Grand Line, the âNew World,â was where the shockwaves were felt most intensely.
âWeâre at war!! Grab your weapons!!!â
âIf we lose, there is no future!! Win by any means necessary!!!â
âDamn it!! Those bastards⌠they actually did it!!â
Nations across the sea ignited into war, getting swept up in an ever-widening storm of conflict.
Tensions were everywhereâcountless sparks ready to catch. In a sea that had lost its balance, warfare could break out at the drop of a hat.
Some fought out of greed. Others retaliated for what was done to them.
Even good-natured countries found themselves in futile arguments of who started what. In truth, many of these wars were manipulated by third partiesâbut without realizing this, these nations gripped their weapons with righteous fury, and spilled bloodâincluding that of their own people.
To protect what they held dear, they needed âpower.â And so, the people of the New World began seeking it instinctively. As a natural consequence, the underworld flourished.
Massive amounts of âmoneyâ⌠inhumane âweaponsâ⌠the âforcesâ of pirates⌠Everyone sought something different, but no one had the luxury to hesitate anymore.
Syndicates that once lurked in the shadows now operated openly, doing business boldly in the New Worldâand amidst it all, there was an island that had become a hub for âdark science.â
âUgh⌠The stench is as awful as everâŚâ
âThatâs the smell of plants and soil rotted by toxic substances. I heard the poisons are long gone, but the stench still clings, huhâŚâ
A group treads over the decayed soil, advancing deeper into the island.
They all shared a common appearanceâclearly a unitâand though they werenât exactly marching with confidence, they kept moving toward a building while talking about the island. Two grotesque creatures suddenly emerged from the forest into the sky, prompting someone to speak up.
ââŚ! Captain⌠those creaturesâŚâ
âYeah⌠a âdragonâ and a âchimeraâ⌠They were created by Dr. Vegapunk back when this island needed guarding.â
âGurururururur!!!â
âGwoooooooo!!!â
Seeing the mythical creatures battling midair, the man at the front murmured.
Dragonsâscaly beasts with wings, and chimeraâan amalgam of bird wings, a lionâs head, a snake-headed tail⌠Creatures of legend, shaped to everyoneâs imagination, but neither should truly exist. Both were artificially created.
The two monsters noticed the group⌠but the moment they recognized the man leading them, they turned and fled. Fierce as they were, their animal instincts couldnât be denied. The man snorted, clearly unimpressed.
âNo need to be afraid. Once they realize theyâre up against something way stronger than themselves, they run off. No different from any other beast.â
âWell⌠still, even knowing that, just seeing them gave me chills. I didnât think it was even possible to recreate them like that, even if theyâre just imitationsâŚâ
âHmph⌠Compared to the real ones Iâm used to seeing, they donât scare me one bit. Letâs go. We canât keep the real one waiting.â
âYes, sir!!â
The lead man, cigarette between his lips, barked an order. His subordinates followed as they entered a research facility up ahead, their footsteps echoing sharply against the floor.
This used to be a World Government research baseâinfamous as the facility where Dr. Vegapunk, the man with the worldâs greatest mind, led the science division. It was an island where endless experiments on weapons and chemical agents had taken place.
And for this group, it was also a place deeply tied to their past. One of the scientists still conducting research here remained in contact with them. But they hadnât come for that scientistâor the broker who publicly employed them.
The man at the frontâdressed in a red suit and horned red helmetâonly answered to two people.
ââŚIâm back.â
âMuhaha!! So you showed up, Whoâs-Who!!â
â! QueenâŚ!! What the hell are you doing here!?â
One of the two was the Supreme Commander of a pirate crew who wasnât here.
The other was the Vice Commanderâwho was present. Whoâs-Who had returned at his request. But the moment he stepped into a spacious room designed for comfort, he found himself staring at an eyesore of a hulking figure and immediately raised his voice.
Whoâs-Who stood a little over three meters tall. But the man before him exceeded eight metersâa true giant. Both were executives of the Beasts Pirates, one of the Four Emperorsâ crews ruling the New World.
âQueen the Plague, Lead Performer of the Beasts Pirates â Bounty: 1.82 billion berriesâ
âMu~hahaha!! Itâs an experiment for my weapon, of course I had to oversee it myself!! Still as cheeky as ever, huh?â
âWhoâs-Who, Flying Six of the Beasts Pirates â Bounty: 828 million berriesâ
âTch⌠Give me a break⌠Just so you know, I only agreed to this because Nue asked me to.â
âHm~? Youâre one of the Flying Six. Of course youâre supposed to follow the orders of a Lead Performer like me!! Didnât you accept the job knowing that? Muhaha.â
âIf it werenât for Nueâs request, thereâs no way Iâd waste my time helping you with your tasteless weaponry.â
Queen and Whoâs-Who. Queenâs rank was higher, but Whoâs-Who was an ambitious outsider aiming for the Lead Performer seat. He was one of the strongest among the Flying Six and spoke to Queen as an equal, even treating him roughly.
âJust sayingâduring the next âGolden Kaguraâ tournament, Iâll be competing. Better watch what you say unless you want to get challenged.â
âGonna aim for me, huh? Muhaha⌠I donât mind, but if youâre serious about becoming a Lead Performer, better go for that loser King instead. If you fight me, thereâs no going back!â
âHah⌠You never shut up.â
âLook whoâs talkingââHereâs your tea~âĄâ Oh, thanksâhot!!!?â
Queen flashed a confident smirk as he kept up the verbal sparring with Whoâs-Whoâuntil someone handed him a cup of tea from the side. He took a sip without thinking, only to spew it out from the heat. It wasnât an accidentâit was a clear prank. And in this place, only one person would dare play tricks on a top Beasts Pirates executive like Queen.
She had somehow slipped in beside him unnoticed. Queen turned in outrage.
âWhat the hell, Nue-san!?â
âAhahaha!! Gotcha~~!! So? My mysterious science! Tea that feels hot but isnât actually hot at all!! The experiment was a success!!!â
ââŚHuh? Now that you mention it, my tongue doesnât even feel burned⌠Wait, thereâs no way thatâs science!!â
âNo no no! Right now, Iâm the genius cutie scientist Nue-chan!!! The worldâs cutest mystery scientist who spreads fear with incomprehensible science!!!â
She struck a pose right thereâthe highest-ranking person present. Beast Pirates Vice Commander, the one who gave Whoâs-Who his orders: Nue the Sealed Beast. For some reason, she wore a long lab coat and glasses, completing the image of a bizarre pirate-scientist.
Queen and Whoâs-Who both broke into a light sweat at the sight. But they had no choice. With no subordinates aroundâthe rest were waiting in other rooms or outsideâthey had to respond themselves.
ââŚIs that a new outfit?â
âYes!! It is~⥠Iâm also releasing a new album themed around scientists and cyber vibes!! I came here to shoot the cover and the mini-photo bonus book!! So, Whoâs-Who, did you take the pictures?â
âYeah⌠Had my men snap a few. I thought it was just to document the weapon test progressâŚâ
âWell, that too! But I also want to insert images of people suffering from chemical weapons on the inside cover, colophon, and back page!! Gives it a good apocalyptic feel, donât you think?â
âAh, I get it nowâŚâ
âFufun⪠Being both a pirate and an idolâand getting to enjoy it? Itâs the best. Three birds with one stone~⥠Thanks~âĄâ
ââŚâŚâŚâŚâ
Nue flipped through the photos Whoâs-Who handed herâpictures of devastated islands and victims suffering from chemical weaponsâand smiled, twirling her lab coat. Watching her, Whoâs-Who felt a chill of awe.
She had destroyed an entire island just to get a few pictures.
It was a horrific act, possible only because of the overwhelming power she wieldedâand she enjoyed it. Her madness was unrivaled. Though he couldnât fully grasp her idol obsession, Whoâs-Who respected her strength and fearsome presence just like every other crew member. She was one of only two people he truly recognized as being above him.
Thatâs why he aimed to become a âLead Performer.â If he had to bow to someone, it would be only at the very top. So he aimed for the highest position just below the summitâthe strongest rank beneath the apex.
In the Beasts Pirates, rank was proof of strength. No weakling could rise to the top. Those who stood above were all powerful. Strength was essential to gaining position.
In other words, rank was a âmedal.â A badge of honor, proof that the strongest beast had acknowledged your might. The authority that came with it was just a trophy. Understanding this truth as a âbeastâ himself, Whoâs-Who sought merit to claim that rank. Helping Kaido become Pirate King was part of that goal. This mission was no exception.
âShurororo⌠Glad to see someoneâs in a good mood.â
âOh, Caesar. You were here too?â
â!!? W-Well, I mean⌠yeah, I am a gas, so⌠I guess it's true that it's like Iâm not really hereâŚâ
âHaha!! Just kidding!! Did you take that seriously? Even if you turn into gas, I can still see youâ!â
âShu, shurorororo⌠I-I see⌠(Grr⌠Dammit⌠Why the hell is this monster here in my labâŚ!?)â
Then, watching the pleased-looking Nue, a voice nervously called out from the back room. It belonged to the master of this laboratoryâCaesar Clown, a former government scientist and leading authority in weapons of mass destruction.
A man who deceives others to use them as test subjects, conducting inhumane experiments repeatedly, and who calls himself the worldâs greatest scientist while killing countless people. Arrogant and despicable, Caesar is also a Natural Logia-type âGasu Gasu no Miâ user, making him a major figure in the New Worldâbut even he spoke with a submissive tone before the monster now in front of him.
While Whoâs-Who and Queen, also present, were undeniably monstrous compared to Caesar, even they paled in comparison to Nue. Caesar viewed her with a deep, bitter complexityâthis kid was more dangerous and terrifying than any weapon heâd ever seen.
After all, the Beasts Pirates were a major client for Caesar, enabling him to easily acquire test subjects and run experiments in this lawless world. They were also the ones who toppled the World Governmentâthe same regime that once fired him. No matter how afraid or averse he was, he had no choice but to work with them. Caesar rubbed his hands together obsequiously as he approached Nue.
âS-So⌠how did you like the weapon this time?â
âYeah!! It was great!! Just look at these corpses!! It's amazing!! I kinda wish I couldâve seen it live!! As expected of a joint project between Queen and Caesar!!! You both did an incredible job!!!â
âMuhaha!! Hey now, Nue-san, you're praising our genius weapon a bit too much!! (Not that I mind, though obviously Iâm the bigger genius compared to this piece of trash.)â
âShurororoâŚ!! As long as it pleased you, thatâs all that mattersâŚ!! (Iâm clearly the smarter one compared to this fat oaf, though.)â
âYup yup, youâre both geniuses⪠(Though I bet both of you think youâre the real genius.)â
Nue cheerfully praised them for the results of the experiment. This timeâs airborne virus weapon was a collaboration between Queen and Caesarâcombining Queenâs deep expertise in virus tech with Caesarâs twisted creativity. Nue had Whoâs-Who deploy it on an island as a test, resulting in the total destruction of the island. A smashing successâand Nue even got some great photos out of it.
Meanwhile, both scientists looked down on each other, each certain of their own superiorityâbut that was unavoidable. Anyone familiar with the underworld or famous scientists around the world knew that arrogance came standard with the title of "scientist." Queen and Caesar were no exception. And the man Whoâs-Who brought up was also notorious for his villainy.
âHmph⌠If weâre talking weapons, Iâm more curious about Germa. Havenât you made any deals with the Vinsmoke guys, Nue-san?â
âOh yeah, theyâve been getting a lot of buzz lately in the North Blue. Hmm, nothing planned for now, but itâs not like I havenât thought about it⌠Maybe I should?â
â! N-No, no, no! Forget those stuck-up trash heaps! My new poison gas weapon is way betterâŚ!!â
âVinsmoke Judgeâs a damn bastard, Nue-san!! He looks down on everyone who isnât himself!! Youâd be better off trapping the guy and stealing his whole country! Thatâd be a fitting punishmentâmuhaha!!â
âMan, you guys are harsh⌠Who cares about personality? Their cyborg tech looks super interesting⌠and if I donât like them, Iâll just âhandleâ it somehow.â
ââBut that guyâs total scum!!ââ
âLike you two arenât!! You really think you can talk!?â
Unable to hold back, Nue clapped back at Caesar and Queenâs hypocrisy. Of course, she wasnât exactly one to talk either. Pirates and underworld types are, without exception, scumbags. That didnât mean they couldnât throw shadeâit just meant nobody was in a position to judge.
After all, in the world today, it was scumâvillainsâwho were considered justice.
Which is why the evil army âGerma 66,â led by Vinsmoke Judge, also wielded power as a form of justice. Villainy, cowardice, and infamy were badges of honor now.
And Nue, arguably sitting at the top of that evil food chain, had taken interest in Germaâs scientific tech. As a warlord of darkness fighting across the world, the Germa Kingdom had conquered several nations in the North Blue, her homeland, and now waged war against the new government. Though once a member of the World Government, it was still a legitimate nationâled by a royal family: the Vinsmokes.
King Vinsmoke Judge had once been part of an illegal science research team led by Vegapunk himself. A brilliant scientist, he developed artificial and modified humans using Vegapunkâs discovery of the "Lineage Factor." Using that technology, he created his children and his people, securing a fearsome reputation worldwide as a warmonger.
His children were born with metallic skin, fire or electric powers, superhuman strength, and poison resistanceâwithout fear or hesitation. Nations who knew of their true capabilities feared them.
And among Judgeâs children was a certain third sonânow part of the Straw Hat Crewâthat Nue was particularly interested in. That alone made the idea of getting involved quite enticing.
However, it seemed other scientists who knew Judge didnât like him much. Scientists rarely got along in generalâbut Caesar replied with a scowl full of contempt.
âHmph!! That arrogant bastardâs tech isnât all itâs cracked up to beâŚ!! All he did was steal that Punk bastardâs Lineage Factor researchâŚ!!â
âYou did that too though.â
âAAAH!? Look who's talking, you did the same thing!!â
âYeah!? So what!?â
âââSo youâre all just inferior to Vegapunk, then.â
âUgh!! UghghghghghâŚâŚ!!!â
â!! W-Well, I meanâŚâ
Once again, Nue interjected into Caesar and Queenâs petty squabble. Being told they were inferior to Vegapunk made Caesar grind his teeth in frustration, and Queen couldnât bring himself to deny it. That alone was proof of Vegapunkâs overwhelming scientific prowess.
And it wasnât just Caesar and Queen. Nue, too, was no exception, as Whoâs-Who brought up.
ââŚâŚSpeaking of Vegapunk⌠Kaido-san and you, Nue-san⌠I heard you two were once research subjects?â
âOh yeah, that. I used to get captured all the time, so they did a bunch of stuff to me. But I had no idea it was Vegapunk doing it. They ran all these torture-like experiments, drew my blood⌠In the end I got pissed off, went on a rampage and escaped. I didnât even realize back then that it was Punk Hazard.â
Leaning on the desk, Nue answered like she was recalling a faint memory. It was trueâback then, she hadnât realized it. This was a rare gap in Nueâs otherwise terrifying knowledge.
She didnât know what Vegapunk looked like. She didnât even recognize Punk Hazardâs exterior from that time. Thatâs not surprisingâbut for someone like Nue, it was unusual not to know. Youâd expect her to have figured it out.
But in the end, she didnât. She and Kaido just rampaged as usual and fled. The others couldnât grasp the implications of what Nue had just said, but the sheer terror of her and Kaidoâs actions came through loud and clearâespecially to Caesar, who she turned to next.
âââYou were there at the time, right, Caesar? I wonder if you remember us? AhahaâĄâ
â!! N-No, well⌠I was working on a different project back thenâŚâ
âAww, too bad.â
Nue chuckled casually, not looking disappointed in the slightest. Caesar forced a smileâbut he definitely remembered. It was true heâd been working on something else and hadnât been involved in their experiments directly, but their sheer madness had made them infamous even back then.
There were rumorsâneedles couldnât pierce her skin, anesthesia didnât work, and in the end she destroyed all restraints and cages, wreaking havoc and escaping while leaving the lab in ruins. Even from a separate facility, word of their rampage reached him. He also knew about the creations born from that chaosâdragons and chimeras that now patrolled the island.
And Nue was well aware of all of that.
âWell, weâve been doing business with Punk Hazard for a long time nowâtaking in their Numbers and allâbut I still canât stand how they refuse to study me. Being this mysterious is kind of my thing, but⌠Vegapunkâs gonna be mine eventually. After all that, itâd be rude if he didnât cooperate with us, right?â
Nue twirled a puzzle ring between her fingers, a sly smile playing on her lips. For someone who lived by the motto of "being an enigma," the idea of being studied or researched wasnât exactly appealing.
That said, she didnât seem to mind the actual creation itself. Having a creature modeled after her apparently gave her a sense of prestige, like it added to her mystique as a youkai. Even if it was a counterfeit, it still served to raise the value of the original. She understood full well that Vegapunk himself was an incredibly useful asset. Science, after all, was also a form of powerful âstrength.â
And thenâNue glanced toward a certain room with a reinforced, bulletproof glass window from which Caesar had emerged earlier. Through the wide horizontal pane, one could see the room below. Inside wasâ
âAnd then thereâs also the matter of Kuma⥠âSo? Is it done on your end?â
â! ShurorororoâŚ!! Well, thatâs, uh⌠No!! It was simple!! Please, have a lookâHEY!! PX-0!! Get over here!!!â
âââAcknowledged.â
When Nue inquired about the progress, Caesar suddenly burst into a boastful grin and shouted toward the next room. Everyoneâs eyes turned to the hulking figure that stepped through the doorway. The face and form were instantly recognizableâonce a famous figure, now no longer human, but a weapon. Former pirate, now reengineered, his name wasâ
"Former 'Warlord of the Sea' / Former Revolutionary Army Officer: Bartholomew Kuma â Bounty: 296 million Berries"
ââŚâŚâŚâŚâ
âOohâŚâŚ!!â
âWoooow⌠He looks just like his old selfâĄâ
Once feared as a ruthless pirate, Bartholomew Kuma.
But his humanity had long since vanished. Turned into a government weaponâthe "Pacifista"âby Vegapunk, he had taken part in the previous war, been captured by the Beasts Pirates, and brought to Punk Hazard for a specific purpose.
For several months, Caesar had tinkered with himâto modify his internals. And now, his work was complete, something that brought joy not just to Caesar, but to the Beasts Pirates as well.
âShurororororo!!! It took quite some time and effortâbut! For a genius like me, it was nothing!! I rewired the command structure!!! Now he no longer listens to the governmentâonly to me and you guys!!! Want to test it!?â
âOh reallyâŚ? Then Kuma-chan⥠Try getting down on all foursâĄâ
âââAffirmative.â
Riding the wave of Caesarâs prideful declaration, Nue gave a playful orderâand Kuma obediently complied, lowering himself onto all fours. Nue burst into laughter, Queen roared, and Whoâs-Who gave a smug grin.
âAhahaha!!! Amaaaaazing!!! He really follows orders to the letter!!!â
âMuhahahaha!!! Hilarious!! Heâs just like a slave!!â
âTch⌠A former 'Warlord' reduced to this. What a pitiful sight.â
âShurororoâŚ!! I rewrote the command protocolsâŚ!! Heâs no longer a weapon for the government!! Heâs a weapon to crush those who wish for peaceâon behalf of pirates!!!â
âFascinating~âŞâ
Nue genuinely admired Caesarâs handiwork. No matter how small-time he might act, his intellectârotted or notâwas still that of the worldâs second-best scientist. Even if he couldnât measure up to Vegapunk, capturing a weapon and fiddling with it a bit over a few months was no small feat.
...But then again, the fact that it took even someone like Caesar several months to barely alter the command system just proved how utterly abnormal Vegapunk was. Should she be impressed by Vegapunk's genius, or should she praise Caesar for managing even this much? In this case, Nue felt the latter was more appropriate. Thatâs how ridiculous Vegapunkâs science truly was.
âMustâve been tough, huh? The mechanical brain... was it encrypted or something? I donât know the details, but if you even managed to tinker with the A.I., you really are something, Caesar!!â
â!!? W-WhatâŚ?! (What the hell!? How does she even know those terms!?)â
âHuh? Whatâs wrong? Did I say something weird?â
So Nue threw out some random praise, pretending like she knew what she was talking aboutâbut Caesar visibly flinched, as if struck by fear. He looked at her like she was some unfathomable creature. Tilting her head with a mischievous smirk, even Queen and Whoâs-Who found her words unsettling. Queen in particular looked like he didnât even know what to say.
âOi oi⌠Nue-san. You even know scientific stuff?â
ââŚWas she a scientist or something?â
âHmm~ who knows~⪠But maybe now thereâs just a bit more credibility to the title of 'genius mystery girl scientist Nue-chan,' and maybe my mysteriousness has leveled up too?â
The reason Caesar was so shaken by Nueâs words was simple: Why does she know that kind of stuff? Sheâd spoken casuallyâlike she understoodâabout concepts that only someone like Vegapunk would know. Even Caesar had only recently come to understand such terms. For a pirate, even a powerful one like Nue, to be familiar with them was unthinkable. That fear? Exactly what Nue was aiming for.
But in reality, Nue had merely parroted some vague knowledge sheâd picked up long ago, without understanding a thing. As sheâd said herself, she was a pirate. Her knowledge of science wasâaverage at best.
Sure, it was possible she was bluffing, or maybe eavesdropping beforehand⌠but it didnât matter. The effect was real. By uttering things she had no business knowing, Nue only deepened her enigmaâand reveled in the fear it stirred. A single push of her glasses and a cryptic grin was enough to obscure whether she was a scientist or not. That hint of credibility? Exactly what she wanted. It was her ideal image. Content, she returned to the topic at hand.
âWell, enough about me⌠Science, whether itâs from Germa or Vegapunk, is undeniably useful⌠and something weâll be valuing from now on. Caesar, weâll make sure youâre properly compensatedâWhoâs-Who.â
âYeah. âHey, bring it in.â
â!! Ohh, this isâŚ!!!â
At Nueâs snap and call, Whoâs-Who signaled his crew, who had been waiting outside. Dressed in feline-inspired costumes, the crew stepped in carrying a sizable case, which they presented to Caesar. When they opened it, Caesarâs eyes lit upâit was filled with money.
âShurororororo!!! CashâŚ!!! So much of itâŚ!!!â
âââAbout ten billion Berries in total. Take it. It covers⌠letâs see, Kumaâs costs, your new weapon development, the research we inherited from Shiki, your future workâbasically everything, including your reward. I couldnât be bothered with the fine print, so I rounded it up for convenience.â
âMuch obligedâŚ!! You saved my assâŚ!!! You guys really are the best clients everâŚ!!! ShurororororororoâŚ!!!â
Caesar grabbed great handfuls of the money, laughing gleefully while thanking the Beasts Pirates. His face was one of pure delight, already no doubt imagining all the ways he could use itâfor good and ill alike. Nue and the others were well aware of this, and didnât mind.
After all, to the current Beasts Pirates, this amount of money was no big deal. They could collect piles of it by taxing their territories or pillaging random islands. Plenty of subordinates happily offered tributes too. So no one was stingy. Better to pay up than risk Caesar getting scooped up by someone else. It was also a way of keeping him in checkâsomething Nue reminded him of with a sweet yet dangerous smile.
âWeâre giving you this much, so you understand our expectations, donât you? Caesar⪠If you ever betray us⌠weâll show you hellâĄâ
â!!? N-No, Iâd never betray youâŚ!! Sh-ShurororoâŚ!!â
âââGood. Thatâs what I wanted to hearâĄâ
Terror kept him leashed. Caesar fully understood what this money signifiedâthe overwhelming might of the Beasts Pirates, and the fact that Nue had personally come to deliver the message. If he betrayed them despite all this, his life would be forfeit. Heâd be shown hell. The thought alone was enough to terrify.
However, if someone as essential as Caesar were to die, it would cause problems. Thatâs why, at long last, the woman who had remained silent this whole timeâhis secretaryâspoke up, timidly.
ââŚLady Nue. Just so youâre aware, Caesarâs custody isâŚâ
âHmmm~? What is it, Mone-chanâĄ?â
ââŚ!! I-I mean, Caesar is technically under the custody of the Donquixote Family⌠So if possible, weâd like all negotiations and interactions to go through the Young Master⌠Also, regarding your subordinates, the Young Master had a few things to discussââ
Mone had to force herself to stay composed, suppressing her fear to speak calmly. A subordinate of Donquixote Doflamingoâformer Warlord and reigning power of the New Worldâs underworld. As one of his officers, she had been dispatched to monitor Caesar.
The Donquixote Family had been trading with the Beasts Pirates for years. Though they were allies in a sense, their dealings were officially meant to be equal. Ideally, any work given to Caesar should go through the Familyâit would benefit them too. As one of Doflamingoâs âfamily,â Mone was loyal to the cause of making him Pirate King. That meant doing what was best for the Family, even if it meant dealing with monsters like Nue. Mone was no exception.
Butâ
ââŚAre you complaining, by any chance?â
"...!! N-No, but still..."
However, the moment Nue erased her smile and turned predatory eyes on her, Monet's face went pale. In the end, Monet was still just another person who feared them.
Of course, Monet wasnât weak. She was a Logia-type âYuki Yuki no Miâ user. As an officer of the Donquixote Family, she had solid combat strength and had undertaken countless missions. She had courage. She had unwavering loyaltyâwilling to do anything for Doflamingo.
Precisely because of that, she shouldn't be in such a pathetic stateâturning pale, drenched in sweatâjust from being lightly intimidated, even if it was by a Yonko. Yet, no matter how much she scolded herself for it, instinct couldnât be overridden.
"...The Donquixote Family, huh... Look, Monet-chan. It's not like we're trying to ruin you or Mingo or anything like thatâin fact, we were planning to treat you real nicely. But lately, you're just not as profitable, you know?"
"...N-No... That's..."
Even Doflamingo wouldnât be able to avoid fear. No one could fault Monet for being afraid. After all, even if Doflamingo himself were standing here, heâd struggle to provide an answer that would satisfy Nue's probing.
Both Monet and Doflamingo understood what Nue and the Beasts Pirates were thinking. What they had needed until now. Nue smiled again as she spelled it out:
"Itâs precisely because you had a pipeline to the World Government that we valued you. But now that the World Governmentâs collapsed, thereâs not much reason left to keep using your Family as âmiddlemen brokers,â is there?"
"...!! But the SMILE dealings..."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it, I get it. I mean, thereâs still the SMILE trade, and even though the World Governmentâs gone, Mingo still has those black market connections, all thanks to his hard work~⥠Heâs got value as a fighting force too⌠So weâre not looking to break off ties or anything like thatâŞ"
ââDonât worry, okay~âĄâ Nue said sweetly as she stepped close to Monet, bent at the waist, and looked up at her with an adorable smile. But Monetâs fear didnât fade. The sheer pressure from an overwhelming powerhouse made her body stiffen whether she liked it or not.
And what came next made her blood run even colder. The meaning was clear. As long as they were useful, their relationship wouldnât be severed. But that also meantâ
"But you know... if the deals stop being interesting... at that point, weâll just make all of you ours, okay...? Make sure to tell Mingo that for me too~âĄ"
"...!! Yes... Iâll be sure to tell the Young Master...!!"
"Muhahaha!! If Monet-chan joins us, Iâd be thrilled~~~âĄ"
"His former Warlord status means nothing to us. Heâd best remember that."
"Itâs fine, itâs fine~⥠As long as you stay loyal to us, weâll make sure you get to enjoy all the juicy rewards~âĄ"
"...!"
âOnce you're no longer of value... youâre gone.
The Beasts Pirates showed no mercy to anyone. Even business partners theyâd once gotten along withâonce they were deemed useless, theyâd be wiped out without hesitation.
That said, realistically, Doflamingo still had value as a combat asset. Even if the trades dried up, he likely wouldnât be killed outright. Heâd be offered a place under them, just like they did with other pirate groups.
But Doflamingo would never accept that. Nor would the executives of the Family. Kaido and Nue wouldnât tolerate it. It would lead to a clash. Which meant... death.
Theyâd end up like all the other pirates whoâd come to the New World and refused to bow to the Yonko. The Beasts Pirates' methods were well knownâgruesome torture to break the spirit. And if they didnât break, the only outcome left was death.
"...We'll do everything we can to increase the shipment numbers of SMILE from here on."
"Thanks~⥠Weâve had so many new recruits lately, you see. There are tons of eager Waiters out there just dying to get strongerâŞ"
And to avoid that future at all costs, Doflamingo was already moving. His top officers had absolute faith that he would one day become Pirate King. They believed in his strengthâand in their own.
But Monetâhaving seen these monsters with her own eyesâhad come to understand. If it came to a fight, they'd all die.
(There are ways to eliminate enemies you can't defeat... If itâs the Young Master⌠heâll be fine.)
But her loyalty and trust never wavered. She continued to fulfill her duties, convinced that Doflamingo would eventually rise above them all.
The New World as it was nowâor rather, the worldâwas in chaos. There were gaps to exploit, chances to seize power.
Even certain pirates expected to be welcomed into the Family as executive officers someday... And one particular faction that had risen after the war...
âAnd as if by coincidence, Nue seemed to be thinking of that same faction. She glanced at todayâs newspaper through her fashion glasses and let out a sigh.
"...Haaah... That said, I really want to increase the success rate of SMILE just a bit more⌠and improve the quality, too⌠If only I could get my hands on Vegapunk..."
For once, Nue reacted with an oddly bitter smile as she looked at the newspaperâa mixture of amusement and irritation.
But even Queen and Whoâs-Who could vaguely sense the reason. That group mentioned in the paperâtheir rise was undoubtedly an eyesore to the Beasts Pirates.
At the same time, Nue was probably thrilled by the arrival of a formidable new enemyâand maybe, in a way only she understood, she found it... entertaining. Suppressing her laughter, Nue finally muttered:
"To think this guy... would climb this high...!!! Pfft... hehehe... kuh... Ahahahahahaha!!!"
âThe newspaper detailed the rise of a certain pirate.
ââNew World, an undisclosed sea.
That area of the sea⌠was the territory of a certain pirate.
âHey!! Weâve spotted a ship!!â
âA warshipâŚ!! No, itâs a battleship!!â
âFire the cannons!! Get closer to the ship!!! Weâll board them and take them out!!!â
âYEEEAAAHHH!!!â
For pirates who venture into the New World, there are only two real optionsâsubmit to a Yonko for protection, or keep fighting to topple one.
The pirates arriving today chose the latter. They set their sights on the head of a big-name pirate, hoping to rise through the ranks by taking them down.
As soon as they spotted the enemy ship, they closed in. The plan was to approach to cannon rangeâmaybe even close enough to jump aboard and fight directly on deck.
Naval warfare, the dominant method of pirate combat. Itâs no exaggeration to say that those who master it, rule the seas.
ââBut in that very battleâŚ
â!!!?â
âWAAAAAHHHHH!!!?â
âTh-they hit us from that distance!!?â
âIt's in range!?â
âNo, waitâwhat the hell was that firepower!?â
âThe ship's been blown to bitsâŚ!! This is insane⌠if that hits us tooâŚ!!â
âThis is badâŚ!! The next shotâs comingâŚ!!!â
â!!?â
âGYAAAAAAHHHH!!!â
ââIn that battle⌠there was a pirate crew that reigned with overwhelming might.
âââOh⌠just two ships today, huh. Retrieve the sunken treasure before it drifts.â
âAye!! Got it, boss!!!â
ââAny ship approaching those waters was instantly attacked by a battleship and sunk under a barrage of overwhelming firepower.
âYour MajestyâŚ!! The unit defending the harbor has been wiped outâŚ!!â
âKhâŚ!! Do we have no choice but to surrenderâŚ!? To think theyâd ally themselves with those piratesâŚ!!â
ââThat threat extended not only over the seas, but even reached the land.
âââMr. Lindbergh!! The front lines are being pushed back!!â
âAh, geez!! What a pain!! What kind of science are these pirates packing!?â
ââAnd the threat wasn't confined to the New World alone⌠it was spreading even to the South Blue.
Governments worldwide and the Neo World Government forces were struggling, and small-time pirates didnât stand a chance.
Over the past few months, the group's military strength had grown rapidly, rising to prominence as a new force to be reckoned with.
âHowâs todayâs haul?â
âBoss lady!! Weâre on a roll today too!!!â
âThat new weapon we deployed recently packs a crazy punch!!â
âWell, thatâs great to hearââThe Supreme Commanderâll be showing up soon, so make sure to keep partying and keep it down like always.â
âWhoaâŚ!! The Supreme Commanderâs comingâŚ!!â
From a heavily fortified island somewhere in the New World, that pirate crew made their base of operations. The newspapers had this to say:
âââCan you hear me!!? Can you see me!!? My beloved scumbags!!!â
âHeâs here!!! Itâs the Supreme Commander!!!â
ââThat pirate once sailed aboard the legendary pirate Gol D. Rogerâs ship, fighting across the worldâs oceans⌠a legendary crewmate.
âââAre you drinkinâ today too!!?â
âOf course we are, Supreme Commander!!!â
ââA legendary pirate, brother-in-arms to Red-Haired Shanks, who also once sailed on that same ship.
âââYou makinâ bank today too!!?â
âYou bet we are, Supreme Commander!!!â
âItâs all thanks to you!!!â
ââDespite his fearsome legacy, he kept a low profile for nearly twenty years in the East Blue⌠until a few months ago, when a major event occurred. Alongside âStraw Hat Luffy,â he led a mass breakout from Impel Down and joined the war at Marineford, clashing with the Navy Headquarters, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the Yonkoâthe three great powers of the world.
âââYou raisinâ hell like usual today!!?â
âHell yeah, Supreme Commanderď˝ď˝ď˝!!!â
âSupreme Commander!!! Supreme Commander!!!â
ââAlthough they were defeated in the war by the alliance of the Beasts Pirates, Big Mom Pirates, and the Golden Lion Pirates, they successfully pulled off a retreat with help from the Red-Haired Pirates, and established a new base in the New World. With scientific prowess and firepower surpassing even Germa 66, they rapidly expanded their territory.
âââOK, my scumbags!!! Party hard and recharge your energy!!! âŚOh yeah, and weâve got a guest this time!!! A new ally whoâs made a deal with yours truly!!!â
âââMwah-hah-hah-hah!!! Thatâs right!!! Iâm the guest!!! The new evil emperor whoâs forged a dark friendship and sinister deal with the Supreme Commander!!!â
âWoooahâŚ!!!â
ââThen, just a month ago⌠they struck a deal with the evil Black Drum Kingdom, which had been expanding its influence in the South Blue. Using the specialized scientific alloy âWapometal,â they further reinforced their forces and began advancing their power even into the South Blue.
ăThatâs right!!! With a new ally at my side, the strongest scientific power, unmatched charisma, and you lot, my ultimate fighting force!!! With all of youâmy beloved subordinatesâI, the Supreme Commander of the Scientific Empire, shall reign supreme!!! And yeah, Iâve got a sorta alliance with that Shanks guy too!! A new conqueror lighting up the New World in style!!! And the name of that conqueror isâă
ââA terrifying pirate who bends other ruthless pirates to his will with overwhelming charisma, annihilates his enemies through power and science⌠Supreme Commander of the Scientific Empire. The new emperor establishing dominion over the New World!!! That isâ
ăâEmperorâ of the SeaâSupreme Commander of the Buggy Scientific Empire and the Buggy Pirates, âThe Star Clown Buggyâ! Bounty: 2.315 billion berries!!!ă
ăItâs the âEmperorâ!!! The Star Clown Buggy-sama!!! Gya-hah-hah-hah!!!ă
âWOOOOAAAAHHHH!!!â
âSupreme Commander Buggyď˝ď˝ď˝!!!â
âCaptain Buggy!!!â
âBuggy!! Buggy!!â
ââItâs The Star Clown Buggy!!!
âGuh⌠ahahahahahaha!!! I canât⌠no matter how many times I see it, itâs still hilarious!!! It ticks me off a little, but still⌠how the hell did he end up as a Yonkoď˝ď˝ď˝ď˝ď˝ď˝ď˝!!!â
ââYet the girl who truly knows his abilities clutches her stomach laughing as she reads the paper.
But the publicâs faith in him is sky-high. These days, itâs whispered with utter seriousness that the only one who can stand toe-to-toe with âKaido of the Beastsâ or âNue the Phantom Beastâ is none other than Buggyâ.
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