Skypiea.
In the Donquixote Family's battle division, the semi-monthly Tournament was underway.
"Viola, Monet, do your best! If we win first place, we can all hang out together!"
Yamato cupped her hands around her mouth, shouting to the participants.
"Got it, Yamato!"
Viola casually replied while nervously fiddling with the dagger in her hand, the soles of her studded boots tapping lightly. Her sister still hadn't arrived.
That idiot! Monet gripped her twin ice-cold awls tightly, her face blank.
Meanwhile, standing off to the side, the often-overlooked Hiyori Kozuki responded loudly.
"I'll do my best too, Yamato-san!"
"Ah!"
Hearing her name, Yamato finally noticed her little sidekick. She hurried to add—
"You too, Hiyori! Good luck!"
"Mmhm!"
Just then, a familiar voice rang out.
"Viola, I'm here!"
Scarlett came running over, still in her shrine maiden uniform, clearly having no time to change.
"Big Sis!" Viola waved excitedly, the gloom on her face instantly vanishing.
"Yamato-san, please return to the spectators' area!"
Lao G stopped Yamato just as she was about to charge into the battlefield. Turning to the family members about to compete, he announced:
"You have thirty seconds to get ready. For the next thirty minutes, it'll be your time to shine, G!"
"Your companions are your opponents now!"
"Only the top five will be considered victorious!"
"10... 3... 1... Start!"
As soon as the words left his mouth—
Monet lunged forward with a crazed grin, her awls stabbing toward the nearest person. Only she was worthy of serving under Lord Doflamingo!
Hiyori's blade flashed in the sunlight.
Instantly, chaos erupted.
"Vrrrmmmmm!"
The familiar sound caught Yamato's attention. She turned to see Buffalo buzzing toward her and excitedly waved.
"Buffalo! Keep an eye on Monet and the others!"
"Yamato, Pica-san is taking us to the North Blue to pick up our families. Boss said you can come too!"
"Really?!"
Before Buffalo could react, Yamato had already leapt onto his back, making him stagger under her weight.
"Let's go, let's go! Doffy is seriously the best!"
In the excitement of heading out for a new adventure, Yamato completely forgot about her little sisters still battling it out.
...
Wano Country, Onigashima!
"Urororororo! War?"
Receiving the Whitebeard Pirates' declaration of war, Kaido was ecstatic.
He knew well enough about Kozuki Oden's bond with Whitebeard.
Killing Oden was bound to trigger conflict sooner or later.
Still, fighting Whitebeard? Kaido had never backed down before.
But before the fighting, there was work to be done—fortifications to prepare, weapons to build!
Turning to his right, Kaido asked the pudgy man there—
"Queen, how's the new virus coming along?"
"My Plague Bullets are locked and loaded!!!"
Queen brandished the Gatling gun strapped across his shoulders proudly.
On the other side, King spoke up before Kaido could even ask.
"The samurai factions have submitted. Wano's forces are now at our command.
And Kozuki Sukiyaki has been captured in Kuri. He's being brought here to Onigashima."
"Urororororo! Good! We'll use that old fool to christen our banners!"
Kaido laughed with satisfaction, then spun into his dragon form.
His thunderous roar echoed across half of Wano Country.
"Listen up, brats! Prepare for WAR!!!"
"OOHHHHHH!!!"
"WAR!!"
"WAR!!"
Below, the Beastmen Army roared in response, their excitement turning Onigashima into a frenzy of howling demons.
It was like a gathering of apocalyptic dragons and fiends preparing to ravage the world.
...
Green Bit, Northern Dressrosa.
"Father, we're back!"
Ganfu led the Skypiea sightseeing group home, dragging their luggage behind them.
At the entrance, Gancho and the other Tontattas—who had been anxiously waiting—breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Everyone had returned safely.
This Donquixote family giant really hadn't meant them any harm.
Pointing to the glass case Ganfu was carrying, Gancho asked:
"What's that? Is Skypiea really like the stories say?"
"This is the plant His Majesty Doflamingo tasked us with guarding, Father. Here, have a look!"
Ganfu lifted the glass dome, revealing the IQ Grass inside.
Immediately, an odd pheromone spread through the Tontatta Kingdom.
One by one, the tiny people's eyes glazed over, drawn irresistibly toward the plant.
Ganfu quickly replaced the dome, and everyone snapped back to their senses.
"Ganfu, what is this?" Gancho asked, trembling with excitement. His instincts screamed that this plant was vitally important.
"Father, it's called IQ Grass. From now on, it'll be our responsibility."
"You mean... we'll be around it every day?" Not just Gancho—everyone around was wagging their little tails in excitement.
"Exactly."
Ganfu confirmed, then lowered his voice slightly.
"His Majesty Doflamingo is truly kind. He wants to discuss future cooperation with you, Father..."
...
Dressrosa, the land of flowers and passion.
The Lover's Avenue was in full bloom, its streets overflowing with the scent of romance.
"Doffy, what's for dinner tonight?"
Smoothie held a bouquet of fresh flowers, smiling radiantly.
"We're meeting with the Tontatta King and Urouge later. Be ready."
Basking in the sunset glow, Doflamingo lazily replied.
It was a rare moment of peace for him.
Behind him, Urouge, following silently, finally spoke.
"Sir, everything is ready. The Tontatta representatives are in position..."
Just then—
Gulp, gulp!
A Den Den Mushi call came through.
"Kaido-san! I'm almost to the New World."
"Urororororo! Doflamingo! Whitebeard has declared war on me! Send me all the secret drugs you've got!"
Doflamingo's eyes widened.
Wait, what? Was this a new development? Or had Oda forgotten to write about it?
No time to wonder.
He immediately replied—
"Of course! I'd love to personally witness Kaido-san's war!"
"Then get your ass over here!"
Click.
Doflamingo hung up, then turned to Smoothie.
"Smoothie, amuse yourself for a while."
Damn that Whitebeard and Kaido!
Still smiling sweetly, Smoothie crushed the flower stems in her hand with a casual squeeze—her strength inherited from Big Mom—but her voice remained sugary sweet.
"Alright, Doffy. You go take care of business."
Moments later, inside the palace's quiet chamber, Doflamingo sat cross-legged, deep in thought.
In the original timeline, Whitebeard had stormed Marineford because Ace was his son—and the son of an old friend.
It wasn't like he had declared war every time one of his sons died.
Still, there was no point in dwelling on it now.
Whitebeard hadn't been put on life support yet. He was still in his prime.
Conqueror's Haki infusion + the Gura Gura no Mi + peak physical strength...
Kaido, likewise, was in top form.
Conqueror's Haki infusion + boosted durability from the Azure Dragon fruit.
At most, Kaido would be beaten down—but not easily.
If Whitebeard died in this battle...
The New World would fall into Kaido's and Big Mom's hands completely.
And with Doflamingo controlling North Blue and West Blue, the world would be split in half.
He only needed to worry whether the Marines would intervene.
The situation... still wasn't chaotic enough.
An idea flashed across Doflamingo's eyes.
He picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"Mamamamama! Doffy, what's up?"
"Lady Linlin, the gigantification project has made initial progress."
"Mamamamama! Excellent! I can't wait! And how's my Smoothie?"
"Rest assured, Lady Linlin. Smoothie is very reliable."
Doflamingo's voice shifted.
"Also, Kaido-san is about to go to war with the Whitebeard Pirates. Would you be interested in watching the fireworks?"
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg