Seven Dark World Kings Are Simply Too Many!
"Dark World King?"
Several oddly shaped figures flashed through Storm's mind—though not all of them were exactly oddly shaped.
Big news, Pleasure District Queen, King of Loan Sharks, Sea Transport King, Old Warehouse Business, Major Undertaker... and Joker, who was recently "removed" from the Shichibukai.
These seven individuals together form the "Seven Kings" of the underworld.
This number of personnel coincidentally matches the number of the Shichibukai.
On the high seas, the title of the Dark World King is not as resounding or awe-inspiring as that of the Shichibukai.
In reality, each Dark World King represents an extremely powerful organization that should not be underestimated.
For example.
Lou Du Feld, the King of Loan Sharks.
Perhaps the world only sees Lou Du Feld as a greedy and money-lending man—which is indeed true.
However, decades ago, Du Feld Field generously funded scientific research projects of the MADS organization.
That's right!
That's the "MADS organization" that brought together a bunch of mad scientists like Vegapunk, Caesar Clown, Queen Thane, and Vinsmoke Gage!
The Dark World King and the World's Number One genius... had a very deep connection at some point in the past.
Storm didn't "hang out" in the underworld much, and he didn't know much about the Dark World King.
He paused for a moment, then looked up at Tesoro.
"What kind of 'Dark World King' are you interested in?"
"Interested? Ah... I am a little bit."
Tesoro was taken aback, and stammered.
"In fact, Lord White Dragon, there's something I've been meaning to tell you..."
"After Donquixote Doflamingo's downfall, I seized the opportunity to take over much of his wealth and resources... In addition, a few guys, led by Lulu Du Feld, also took over a lot of businesses that originally belonged to the Donquixote Family."
A Dark World King has fallen.
The other Dark World King won't just stand by and watch.
They swarmed around like hyenas drawn by the scent of blood, frantically devouring the corpses known as the "Donquixote Family."
This was not unexpected for Storm.
Tesoro continued.
"Actually, I'm not that interested in the underworld. Business there is too chaotic and difficult. All the profitable industries are taken over by those guys like Lou Du Feld, and it's hard to start new businesses..."
"But now that Donquixote Doflamingo has fallen, his former 'arms business' is now vacant... I'm thinking about whether I should take over Donquixote Doflamingo's original business."
"Having the title of 'Dark World King' also makes it easier to expand the scale of my business and ours."
Gran Tesoro is very profitable.
But Tesoro wanted to earn more and more money.
"You can make the decision yourself."
Storm looked calmly at Tesoro and offered a gentle reminder.
"But there are two businesses you absolutely cannot get involved in—drugs and the slave trade."
Generally speaking, Storm is sworn enemies of gambling and drugs.
However, now that he's become a pirate, his moral compass has dropped considerably...
For example, Storm originally had an extreme aversion to gambling.
However, both Issho and Tesoro were recruited by him.
The former is a gambling addict.
The latter is also the behind-the-scenes owner of the World's Number One casino.
Storm couldn't very well interfere with the two men's hobbies and businesses.
But you absolutely mustn't touch poison!
Storm's attitude was firm.
As for the slave trade, Storm also loathed it and simply brought it up as well.
"Yes, Lord White Dragon."
Tesoro said respectfully.
Actually, he didn't usually get involved in either of those businesses.
I won't go into detail about the drug trade.
As for the slave trade...
Tesoro has a traumatic past.
People from all over the world come to Gran Tesoro to gamble. Those who lose everything in this largest entertainment city in the world are forced to work and pay off Tesoro debts.
Although this kind of "unpaid work" isn't much different from slavery... ahem.
As for the others, like certain pirates.
If Tesoro defeats and captures them, these people are often sent to mine by the Gild Tesoro...
For example, the future "Pirate Alliance"...
This Pirate Alliance is actually a "mining organization," which needs to regularly provide Tesoro with a portion of silver ore and a large amount of bounty every month.
To be fair...
Tesoro's "business" is indeed shady.
But in this sea of ugliness, the Gild Tesoro hasn't become so corrupt that Storm can't tolerate it.
After a moment's thought, Storm recalled Donquixote Doflamingo, glanced at Tesoro, and suddenly asked a question.
"Tesoro, are you interested in the 'Shichibukai'?"
"Shichibukai?"
Tesoro was somewhat confused.
"What does Lord White Dragon mean?"
"The Shichibukai are currently 'short of people,' and I'm about to leave the organization."
"That's what Storm said casually."
"After I leave, the Shichibukai will only have five people left: Hawk Eyes Mihawk, Crocodile, Sea Knight Jinbe, Snake Princess Hancock, and Gecko Moria. That means there are still two vacancies."
"Since you're interested in the identity of 'Dark World King,' perhaps you'd also be interested in the identity of 'Shichibukai.'"
Donquixote Doflamingo simultaneously held the dual identities of "Shichibukai" and "Dark World King".
If Tesoro wants to do the same, Storm won't stop him; in fact, he'd be happy to see it happen.
After listening to Storm's words, Tesoro seemed to be deep in thought.
Doflamingo built a vast empire through his abilities, methods, and dual identities, both overt and covert.
It wouldn't be unreasonable for Tesoro to follow Doflamingo's path...
Just as the Gild Tesoro was about to accept Storm's suggestion, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind, and cold sweat broke out on his back.
"Lord White Dragon!"
Tesoro abandoned his ambitions and quickly proved his loyalty.
"Since White Dragon is willing to relinquish his status Shichibukai, of course I will follow closely behind White Dragon!"
Why learn from Doflamingo?
Tesoro wanted to slap himself in the face.
Doflamingo has been "defeated" by White Dragon!
Did he also want to be killed by the White Dragon?
Storm glanced at Tesoro; he had already seen through the other's insincerity.
"I'm not conducting a boring 'loyalty test' on you."
Storm said it quite frankly.
"I am indeed very dissatisfied with the World Government, but your business still needs to continue, and I will need your 'money' to do some things in the future."
"If becoming the 'Dark World King' and Shichibukai's can help you increase your wealth, I not only don't mind, but I can even lend you a hand."
Don't you think 'seven Dark World King's is a bit too many?
Storm has his eye on "Old Bé" – Vegapunk.
This "World's Greatest Brain" has many research projects that require astronomical sums of money and resources.
Storm's accumulated wealth—including the gold in the golden city of Shandora —was ultimately "dead."
Living off one's savings is not Storm's style.
Now Storm has recruited Tesoro, and regardless of his loyalty, he is indeed a super genius at managing business.
Tesoro's money was used to fund Vegapunk's research, thereby expanding Storm's own power and influence...
This is a fairly reliable development path.
That's why Storm said those things.
Tesoro's money is always welcome.
After hearing Storm's words, Tesoro had a series of thoughts running through his mind.
In the dark world, the businesses of the seven kings—now six—are not clearly defined.
In fact.
The norm in business is mutual interdependence; you are in me and I am in you.
In other words...
Tesoro does some of the same businesses as some of the Dark World King, except he hasn't yet crossed paths with them...
Now that he has received White Dragon's promise, can he truly expand his business and achieve great success?
Tesoro licked his lips lightly and reported respectfully.
"Lord White Dragon, actually, I was just about to report to you..."
"The Tea Party in Whole Cake Island invited seven people—six Dark World Kings, and me."
"The Totto Land Tea Party has been held for many years, and when Lu Du Feld and his Tea Party attend, they have a habit of Tea Party up beforehand."
"Basically, at every Totto Land Tea Party, the Dark World King act together."
"Because Donquixote Doflamingo was defeated by you, Lord White Dragon, Big Mom transferred the qualification that originally belonged to Doflamingo to me. In addition, Gran Tesoro is about to arrive in Whole Cake Island..."
"Therefore, the Dark World King intend to meet in advance on my Gran Tesoro."
This is indeed a "coincidence".
The ocean is so vast.
Under normal circumstances, the Dark World King would never meet.
Only major events like the Tea Party of Whole Cake Island could gather all the Dark World King.
"That's quite a coincidence."
Storm nodded slightly and looked calmly at Tesoro.
"How many 'leaders' do you think would be appropriate for the underworld?"
Silently sitting to the side, Yi Xiao awkwardly stroked his Supreme Grade Sword [Black Road Fire Wire].
He had never attended such a high-level "evil meeting" before...
Tesoro didn't notice Yixiao's subtle movements. After thinking for a moment, he didn't answer Storm's question directly, but instead rattled off several names in succession.
"Louis Du Feld, the King of Loan Sharks, had many overlapping and conflicting business dealings with me."
"The Shipping King Umit, controls the maritime transport industry on the Grand Line; the Old Warehouse Business, controls the commodity storage industry on the Grand Line;"
"Cash, logistics, and warehousing—these three aspects of business are crucial for the development of a force."
"Okay, I understand."
Storm nodded.
"The Four Heavenly Kings of the Dark World... How pleasing that sounds!"
First update.
Besides.