Chapter 1329 - 40: Navy Headquarters

Chapter 1329: Chapter 40: Navy Headquarters

Su Xiao opens Cracker’s Treasure Box and finds not only a Devil Fruit but also a scroll of [Fragment of the Grandmaster’s Power (1/10)].

He had previously acquired fragments of the Grandmaster’s Power, though its use remains uncertain. To date, he has gathered [Grandmaster’s Power (3/10)].

The harvest from Cracker’s Treasure Box more than compensates for the previous black chieftain treasure box’s yield; the haul of 10 Soul Crystal (Large) alone is a major profit, not to mention the Devil Fruit and Grandmaster’s Power.

Su Xiao looks at the Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit in his hand, knowing it would be highly sought after in Reincarnation Paradise, with many large adventure groups willing to pay a high price for it.

Yet Su Xiao has a different idea; compared to contractors within Reincarnation Paradise, there is an even bigger buyer—someone who would certainly be eager to acquire it.

That person is Charlotte Lingling. The Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit was originally Cracker’s ability; even without considering the fruit’s combat strength, its functionality is irreplaceable for the Big Mom Pirate Group.

80% of the islands in the Totlan Sea Area are composed of various foods, including islands formed from cheese, nuts, and chocolate.

Perhaps due to Big Mom’s fondness for sweets, buildings on these islands are constructed from food, with over 95% consisting of highly durable biscuit frameworks.

The origins of these biscuits need no explanation—they were created with Charlotte Cracker’s Devil Fruit abilities.

In the event of Cracker’s death, the biscuits produced by his fruit abilities remain, but constructing new buildings or renovating requires Cracker’s abilities.

Big Mom crafted her domain out of a love for sweets? Not entirely. The biscuits, chocolates, and creams that make up the buildings were also manufactured by Devil Fruit Users, meaning they serve as food, building materials, and weapons.

If rebellion erupts in All Nations, Charlotte Lingling could easily quell it by deploying a few children to suppress civilian uprisings.

In other words, Charlotte Lingling will do whatever it takes to reclaim the Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit. If someone else consumes it, they would control all biscuits in the Totlan Sea Area after proper development.

Su Xiao faces a dilemma: if he presents the Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit to Charlotte Lingling, would she go berserk? A Big Mom in Berserk State renders negotiation impossible.

Su Xiao lies down in bed and falls asleep while contemplating.

Several hours later.

Knock, knock, knock...

A faint knocking is heard, and Su Xiao’s eyes open. He doesn’t enter deep sleep while in a Derivative World.

The door opens to reveal Sugar in a white sling dress.

"The Young Master asked me to tell you that it’s time to move out."

"Oh."

Bang, the door shuts, causing Sugar to flinch and tighten her little fists in irritation, though she doesn’t dare provoke Su Xiao.

Sugar fears some people most, among them the vicious-looking Jack. She witnessed the battle between Su Xiao and Jack days ago, making her much more restrained in Su Xiao’s presence, no longer daring to say things like ’I hate this guy.’

Half an hour later, a large pink ship departs Dressrosa. The bow resembles a flamingo wearing sunglasses, or perhaps the entire ship looks like one massive flamingo—it’s Doflamingo’s vessel. On the sea, this ship represents Doflamingo.

In this negotiation, only Doflamingo and Pika from the Donquixote Family are present. Pika’s imposing presence stands behind Doflamingo unless he speaks.

Additionally, over 200 elite pirates accompany them, all fiercely loyal to Doflamingo. It’s their presence among other pirates that stabilizes the warfront.

Su Xiao sits on the deck maintaining his Dragon Slash, while Bubu Wang wanders curiously about the ship, soon nudging Su Xiao’s side.

"Woof."

Bubu Wang’s dog-face humorously implies: "Doflamingo’s ship sure is flamboyant, what with this bright pink color, tsk tsk tsk."

"Perhaps, it’s personal preference."

Su Xiao somewhat doubts Doflamingo’s taste—flamingos are fine, but as Bubu Wang noted, the entirely pink color pushes boundaries.

The flamboyant pink ship hasn’t ventured far when a cake-shaped ship approaches; it’s Katakuri’s.

The two ships coast parallel on the sea as Su Xiao sheaths Dragon Slash and looks toward the other vessel, where Katakuri stands by the rail.

As their gazes meet, Katakuri instantly shifts his eyes, struggling to suppress his killing intent.

"Fufufufu, Charlotte Katakuri, you must be disappointed Dressrosa hasn’t sunk."

Doflamingo likewise disdains Katakuri; after such prolonged conflict, mutual distaste is natural.

"No, I’m more disappointed I couldn’t twist your head off."

"Is that so? Then you’ll just have to keep being disappointed."

As Doflamingo speaks, pirates behind him raise matchlock guns, prompting Katakuri’s pirates to do the same—each side distrusts the other, and absent negotiations, lead bullets would fly.

Doflamingo motions for his pirates to stand down, and Katakuri does likewise.

Their stare lasts several seconds before they instruct their crews to set sail; the two opposing ships navigate the seas.

Seagulls flutter by as the grand vessels cut through waves, bound for the Rest Sea Area.

...

The first half of The Great Route, at Marineford Island.

Marineford nearly sits at the world’s center, bearing extraordinary significance—it represents Justice in the civilian psyche.

Several dark green warships moor at the ring-shaped port, where a regiment of navy garbed in white uniforms stands straight.

The Navy Headquarters situates atop Marineford Island, the epicenter of naval authority. Presently, within the Fleet Admiral’s office.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha feeds a confidential document to a goat, with discernible keywords appearing: ’Yitemia Plan,’ ’Weapon Design,’ ’Netherworld King,’ ’De Lei.’

The snow-white goat munches on the document as knocking sounds at the door.

"Come in."

Sengoku, sporting braided moustaches, speaks with a hint of fatigue in his voice.

An envoy enters, saluting smartly before stepping into the room.

"Admiral, we’ve received intelligence from the CP Department—Four Emperors Charlotte Lingling and Red Hair both departed their domains for the Rest Sea Area.

Donquixote Doflamingo, along with Charlotte Katakuri, also set off for the Rest Sea Area... that’s all."

The naval messager salutes again and hands over a document.

Sengoku briefly skims it.

"A reconciliation? You thought Big Mom could uproot that nuisance—dismissed."

Sengoku tosses the document and signals the naval envoy to leave.