LIGHTNOVELONLINE Operation Sugar II
It was going to be difficult to extract Sugar and Monet under these circumstances, not with Black Maria present. A battle between the two of us would get attention that I didn't want.
I had two options: one was to stay here and keep an eye on them, and the other was to go to my father's room to see what was happening. Big Mom working with my father? Although I haven't been to the outside world, I haven't heard him speak kindly of the other Yonko ever for them to suddenly become allies.
"What should I do?" I asked for advice.
"I really want to know what they're planning. Two Yonkos working together might be too much, even for Veyron," Marigold stated with concern.
"I still think darling can win, but since they've gone as far as to unite, there may be more at play than just them. They intend to use us to take darling down, and they'll use everything at their disposal to ensure it works," Hancock added.
"Knowing my father, he may not necessarily want to kill him. My father might have another purpose for him," I said, as my father wasn't the type to go to such lengths to lure someone to Onigashima just to kill them. He certainly was never the type to 'lure' he'd always face his foes head-on. If he was using such a method with Dracule Veyron, there had to be something else underlay.
"I think it's best if we wait for Black Maria to leave Sugar alone so we can make our move. There's no use trying to decipher their plan if we can't stop it. We're just toys," Sandersonia suggested, "Let's recover ourselves first, then we can try and aid little brother, remember... he's coming here for us. The best assistance we can give him is to not be as powerless as we are now".
"Sandersonia is right," both sisters agreed, and so did I. I was sure they would start looking for me soon, as I was the one who had the three of them, and I wouldn't be able to remain hidden for much longer.
"Then let's stay—" I began, but then I heard footsteps approaching from the corridor. "Someone's coming!"
I quickly removed some wooden planks and jumped inside a division between floors. The person approaching the door was another member of the Tobiroppo, Page One. He entered the room without hesitation, only to find Black Maria in a rather revealing display.
"You bastard! How many times do I have to tell you to knock on the door first!" she cursed loudly.
"Black Maria, we're being summoned," Page One said, covering his eyes and speaking nonchalantly. It was clear he didn't want to witness what was happening in that room.
"Tch, ruining my fun... can't you wait half an hour?"
"Sure, do whatever you want but mind the consequences. Have you seen Yamato?"
"No, why? Is the little girl in trouble?"
"Not for now. We're looking for her. The negotiations are about to begin, and we need those three 'toys' to 'convince' him. In any case, just hurry up. All the Tobiroppo need to be present. Big Mom didn't come alone, and at the end of the day, this alliance is just temporary."
Page One completed his task and left the room, and I knew better than to ignore him. Black Maria, too, understood the situation.
"That little bastard... I don't want to get scolded, so we'll see each other in a bit, Sugar~," Black Maria purred.
She licked Sugar's trembling cheek before dressing back into her kimono and leaving, closing the door behind her, leaving behind a sobbing duo. I heard her footsteps above my head. This was our chance!
"Oden, now!"
**
**
The North Blue, Germa Kingdom.
"Do you have everything you need?"
"I apologize for the inconvenience, Judge, but this is a precarious situation."
In one of the massive rooms of the enormous castle, a blonde woman with a cat mask and white attire sat in front of a massive projection created by a Den Den Mushi. She removed the mask and her coat, getting ready for a meeting. Standing beside her was a tall man with long blonde hair and armour, and behind him were two individuals.
One was a pink-haired young woman, and the other was a red-haired young man, both dressed in unique attire that depicted them as novelty.
Stussy had been conducting business, primarily selling her master's new invention, the air combustion engine. Her most important 'client' was none other than one of the world's geniuses, Vinsmoke Judge, one of the people responsible for her 'creation' and a scientific powerhouse associated with the World Government.
One of the most notable characteristics of this kingdom was its mobility, but that was a story for another time. Presently, a chaotic situation was unfolding. On the table next to her was a Den Den Mushi, and connected to it was a person crucial to her.
"Master, we're going to be connected shortly."
"Okay."
'Master?' Judge frowned upon hearing the unusual term, and even the young man in red appeared irritated. As for the woman, she calmly analyzed the situation.
If possible, Stussy would have preferred to conduct this conversation in private. However, given the circumstances, there was no time to make preparations. On one end of the line was her master, Veyron, who was currently situated in the besieged Kingdom of Dressrosa, waiting for her. On his shoulder was a toy.
After a few seconds, the call finally connected, and the Den Den Mushi projected what appeared to be a meeting room. Sitting in the centre of this room was someone who took Judge by surprise.
'Yonko Kaido...!'
And he wasn't alone.
'King the Wildfire, Queen the Plague, and Jack the Drought!' Judge realized their identities one by one, behind him there were even more, his display looked like an act of power.
"Father..." the red-haired boy whispered, intending to ask something.
"Shh!" Judge hushed his son. They needed to listen attentively. He realized that something significant was about to happen.
...
"It hasn't been long, Empress," the strongest creature on the other side greeted her lazily, a can of booze in his hand. Queen, the corpulent one, even waved his hand continually as if trying to get her attention, but a disgusted Stussy completely ignored him.
"Indeed, Kaido. Could I know why you wish to have a meeting with me and my darling together? have you thought about my proposal?"
It was no secret that everyone in the underworld considered the Empress of the Pleasure District and the Emperor of the Black Market a 'couple' after a certain incident during a meeting at Gran Tesoro. When Kaido requested the meeting, he did so unexpectedly, wanting both of them to be present.
What Kaido didn't know was that, in reality, Stussy represented both of them. Veyron only made a show of his presence when necessary. The young man couldn't be bothered to handle the paperwork.
"I didn't even think about that sh*tty proposal. I'm not one to beat around the bush. Where is he?"
"I'm here, Kaido..."
Veyron's voice came from the Den Den Mushi, grabbing everyone's attention. He had been listening.
"So, the little rat finally shows himself. Why don't you make an appearance, Lightning God?"
"..."
Those left in shock this time included Judge and his children. They had no idea that the 'Lightning God' and the 'Emperor of the Black Market' were the same person.
One was a menace who repeatedly defied the World Government, even going so far as to destroy the City of Justice, Enies Lobby. He also had one of the highest bounties in the world. The other was an underworld broker who had been selling cutting-edge technology for the last four years, technology that typically only the World Government could afford due to their vast budget and connections to Dr. Vegapunk.
Upon being exposed, Veyron didn't flinch. He had expected this moment, just as Stussy, who already had contacts (like Judge) aware of her position as a member of CP0, knew her day would come. But they couldn't care less.
"I hope you didn't call me just to waste my time with trivialities," the young man stated, eliciting growls and howls from Kaido's side. Who dared to speak to their captain like that? Only the other four Emperors and the 'oddity' known as Dracule Veyron.
"Kids these days are quite audacious. They quickly forget their past when they were nothing, while I was already at the top. Of course, I'm not calling you for trivial matters. I'm calling you to threaten you. You're clever, so you should have realized that by now~ I have something that you want".
"I already know you have three people important to me. You've made a massive mistake."
"What are you going to do about it? If you have a problem, come to me, and we'll sort it out personally~" Kaido hiccuped and challenged.
"That's exactly what I'm going to do. Destroying Enies Lobby set an example for the Marines and the World Government not to mess with me. It seems it's time I set an example for the pirates as well. Thanks for postulating Wano," Veyron snickered.
BAAAANGG!!
"I'm looking forward to that, Kiddo!"
Stussy, Judge and the scientist's children were flabbergasted to see the 'negotiations' turn into a battle of words, with blatant insults, threats, and confrontations between two Emperors who, had they been face to face, would surely have resorted to violence.
...
"Mamamama~ That's why we never allowed you to do the talking, Kaido!~"
!!!
The room's atmosphere shifted as Big Mom entered the screen, leaving everyone, including Veyron, momentarily stunned. Veyron had anticipated this moment from the instant Aokiji mentioned Jack's involvement with Charlotte Cracker and Charlotte Smoothie. However, he hadn't expected Big Mom to venture all the way to Onigashima.
"There's no need to scare the boy, Kaido. You see, 'Lightning God,' we're in dire need of energy, and you have exactly what we need. But this subscription of yours and meddling in our business, mamama~ that's not how things work around here. You're too new to this game to be imposing rules. You're undoubtedly powerful, but don't think for a second that everyone in the seas fears you, brat!"
The negotiation had shifted into a declaration of intent. Kaido had confirmed that he possessed something crucial to Veyron, and he intended to leverage it to the fullest. It was no longer a fair exchange; Kaido was determined to ensure Veyron never left Onigashima alive.
However, Veyron had his own plans.
"You two better stop wasting my time. Tell me what you want—place and time. I'll be there."
Judge gulped, realizing that Veyron was a force to be reckoned with, the young man was lawless. To the side, Ichiji snorted, and Reiju couldn't help but giggle, their thoughts known only to themselves.
"Worororo! I like straightforward lads like you the most. Then come to Onigashima in Wano in two days. You're as fast as lightning, so this shouldn't be a problem for you, right...?~ Bring an air combustion engine, the original schematics of the machine, and your pitiful self. Hand all of that over, and you can get your girls back. If you don't come on time, then I guess you'll find their heads on sticks."
"Don't worry, Kaido, Linlin... I'll be there. Expect me, not even a second late. We will have a lot of fun together."
The transmission ended, and by that time, Judge was already sweating bullets. 'What did I just hear? A war between Dracule Veyron and two Yonkos!? Stussy's master is the Lightning God?! Does Vegapunk know about this...?'
He had too many questions that needed answers, but Stussy was already packing up her things. She never expected things to escalate like this. Her master was going to fight two Yonkos!
She knew for a fact that he wouldn't make any concessions. He wouldn't hand over an air combustion engine, schematics, or anything else. It was going to be an all-out war, and she was worried.
"I'm currently in the North Blue. Is there anything I can do to help you?!"
"Don't worry, Stussy. You've done enough. Leave it to me."
"Master, you can't go by yourself! PLEASE DON'T GO BY YOURSELF! It's not just going to be the two of them; I assure you of that! It's a trap!" Funny enough she was not worried that Veyron would fight against two Yonkos, she believed in his capacity to flee the scene if things turned awry.
But the way things looked, Kaido and Big Mom looked so confident that there surely were other cards under the table that weren't shown during the meeting.
Contrary to what she believed, Veyron had already considered the possibility. From the moment he learned that Kaido and Big Mom were colluding, he knew.
"Don't worry. Kaido isn't the only one with friends. I have a few people owing me favours, I wonder if I should use them?~"
"…"
"Kasha~"