Emergency Reinforcements! (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

North Blue, a certain sea area.

Giant snails separated, transforming into massive ships that cut through the water.

On the backs of these snails were small structures, with a luxurious palace built on the largest snail in the center.

Inside the palace courtyard, Roa lay leisurely on a lounge chair, basking in the sun, attended by several beautiful maids.

With each breath, a large amount of black energy was drawn into his body.

"This is the life."

Roa stretched comfortably, feeling no discomfort in body or soul.

Life, indeed, should be lived comfortably.

As he was contemplating this, dark clouds suddenly rolled in across the sky, and large raindrops began to fall.

Even outside the Grand Line, the weather at sea was notoriously unpredictable.

"So inconsiderate, can't you see I'm enjoying myself?"

Horns sprouted on Roa's forehead. "Disperse!"

The dense dark clouds vanished in an instant, replaced by brilliant sunshine and a clear, cloudless sky.

For the next few weeks, this small patch of sea would experience no rain.

Roa had created a small drought here.

What a shame it was at sea.

Still, even so, some were amazed by this.

Doflamingo, who was silently running laps with weights not far away, couldn't help but curse inwardly.

He's so unreasonable.

It's one thing to be able to twist people's minds at will, but to control the weather so easily!

This made his Combination Fruit seem rather dull.

"What are you looking around for now?"

His head was once again met with an unforgiving blow.

Doflamingo staggered forward, baring his teeth, not daring to look back, only gritting his teeth and vowing in his heart.

Bullet, you bastard, just you wait!

"You seem unconvinced?"

Bullet walked up to Doflamingo, looking down at him with his height advantage.

"N-no."

Doflamingo turned his face slightly, trying to keep his voice calm.

"Today's physical training ends here,"

Bullet's smile was full of malice. "It's time to teach you how to fight!"

Doflamingo looked up, bewildered.

How to fight?

How could he teach this—

"Here it comes!"

A fist the size of a sandbag swung directly at him.

Doflamingo's nose immediately started bleeding.

Is this how you teach?

Bullet, you bastard, just you wait!

Meanwhile, Roa watched their roughhousing with an almost maternal smile. "They have such a good relationship."

Boys, their bonds are forged through playful scuffles.

Speaking of which, the black energy emanating from Doflamingo smelled quite good.

"Boss!"

Judge rushed over.

He looked thinner than a few days ago, with dark circles under his eyes, clearly having pulled several all-nighters.

Despite looking exhausted, his spirit was high.

"The modifications are complete!"

He declared, "In about a month and a half, the first batch of artificial human soldiers will be ready for cultivation! Compared to the original design, their physical capabilities are about a fifth weaker, their lifespan is significantly reduced, and they can only live for ten years at most."

"Excellent, Judge!"

Roa praised Judge with a smile, then said, "New labor and troops are about to be in place. Shouldn't we start building a new arsenal? And don't neglect the research on combat suits and cyborgs you mentioned."

Judge yawned and nodded without hesitation, "I'll start preparing right away!"

"Whoa! No rush, sharpening the axe doesn't delay woodcutting!"

Roa said earnestly, "Go rest first. Look at your dark circles."

He wasn't some heartless capitalist, how could he bear to overwork his chief scientist?

"Go get a few hours of sleep before working."

"Boss!"

Judge was deeply moved, his eyes even glistening with tears, "You care about me so much! I understand! I'll go sleep for four hours right now!"

"Yes, that's good. You need to learn to balance work and rest."

Roa looked like a child who could be taught.

"Yes!"

Judge stood straighter than Bullet.

"Boss, you have a phone call!"

Just then, Dylan walked over holding a ringing Den Den Mushi.

"What does Brother Kaido want with me?"

Roa casually took the Den Den Mushi and answered.

Only Kaido in the whole world had his contact information, so this call must be from Big Mom.

That's what Roa thought, but...

"Is that Lord Roa!"

The voice on the other end wasn't Brother Kaido's. It was unfamiliar, filled with anxiety and fear.

"Oh?"

Roa raised an eyebrow. "Is that one of Brother Kaido's subordinates? Could it be that my most respected elder brother is in trouble?"

The person on the other end clearly paused, then quickly said, "Yes, Lord Roa, we've been attacked by the Marines! Brother Kaido was captured by that bastard Iron Fist Garp!"

Huh?

Iron Fist Garp?

Roa was a little surprised.

How did Brother Kaido provoke the Marines?

Given the World Government's usual indifference to the New World, there was no reason for them to suddenly trouble him.

"Please, Lord Roa, you must save Boss Kaido! The Marines came for you! Iron Fist Garp wanted to find out your whereabouts from Boss Kaido!"

The person on the other end said, "Until he was defeated and captured, Boss Kaido didn't say a word!

"Before he was defeated, Boss Kaido told us this number and asked us to seek your help!"

Wow, Brother Kaido, you really... I'm crying.

Good brother!

So I was dragged into this?

The World Government is really persistent about me. Honestly, it's a bit off-putting.

I just got rid of a bunch of Celestial Dragons. Isn't cleaning up those useless people who only drive up the price of rice a good thing for you?

Vindictive, narrow-minded, you brought this upon yourselves. Just wait!

However, Brother Kaido, you've really given me a difficult problem.

If you were truly a good brother, wouldn't you bear it alone and not bother me? You even gave my number to your subordinates.

Should I go save you?

Hero Garp, a true monster. Although I can fly and escape easily, getting beaten up wouldn't be pleasant.

On the other hand, Brother Kaido is my close friend, the honorary vice president of the company, and we just said we'd watch each other's backs not long ago.

This is really troubling.

As if sensing Roa's hesitation, the person on the other end quickly said, "Of course, we won't let you go for nothing! We're willing to give you all the treasures we've collected over the years! Including an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit!"

Oh?

While it wasn't much, this did tip the scales.

"Hey, what are you talking about!"

Roa said earnestly, "Brother Kaido is my sworn brother. If he's in trouble, of course I'll help!"

"So, where are you?"