A Call with the Golden Emperor

The Underworld of the New World.

Rumors of Doflamingo, Kiberson, and Dragunov Pikeclow joining forces to deal with Dongye Huanglong have sent ripples of shock through the Underworld.

However, the King of Loan Sharks, Du Felder, and the Sea Transport King, Umit, were content to watch from the sidelines, unwilling to get involved.

They were all businessmen who believed in "harmony brings wealth" and wouldn't dare provoke a madman like Dongye Huanglong, who would even dare to kill Celestial Dragons.

Especially not a group of ruthless individuals who could use the Paw-Paw Fruit's abilities to appear before you at any moment.

In a luxurious private room on a bustling, neon-lit pleasure street, a woman with short, golden hair and a lady's hat lit a cigarette and gently blew out a smoke ring.

"The Doctor is actually working under this kind of madman?"

Stussy, the Pleasure District Queen, murmured softly, a hint of helpless resignation in her tone.

As a multi-spy who also served as a CP0 agent, she was now tasked with both covering for Vegapunk and completing the World Government's mission to deal with Dongye Huanglong.

For the past two days, the Five Elders had instructed her to assist Doflamingo in facilitating this joint plan by the Underworld against Dongye Huanglong.

The goal was to completely cut off Dongye Huanglong's access to various rare resources in the Underworld.

This would indirectly slow down Vegapunk's research progress.

"Let's see how to achieve a balance..."

Stussy's delicate, cherry-red lips curved into a faint smile. She would undoubtedly handle the Five Elders' mission with Vegapunk, the creator's interests, in mind.

"I hope to meet you soon, and I hope I can help the Doctor successfully break free from the World Government's control."

Stussy lightly tossed away Dongye Huanglong's Bounty Poster. As a clone, she also wanted to meet this strongest Experiment Subject.

On the Gran Tesoro.

In a secret room, a man swirled a glass of red wine, crossed his legs, and held a Den Den Mushi in his hand, with a second, anti-eavesdropping white Den Den Mushi beside him.

"I was looking for you, and I didn't expect you to come knocking on my door yourself."

Golden Emperor Tesoro grinned with interest. He admired the man who had killed a Celestial Dragon.

But now, he wouldn't give up the Gran Tesoro to fight the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. There was no good end to that, and he was currently enjoying the supreme wealth and power he held.

However, he was quite willing to fund Dongye Huanglong in causing trouble for the Celestial Dragons.

"Tesoro, let's get straight to the point. I know about what's on your back and about Stella. You are destined to cooperate with me to take down the Celestial Dragons."

Dongye Huanglong's voice slowly came through the Den Den Mushi, and the words instantly silenced Tesoro.

Tesoro's face was filled with killing intent. He hadn't expected Dongye Huanglong to know his deepest secret.

"Don't worry, I'm not foolish enough to expose your secret. Perhaps we can start with a secret cooperation.

You provide us with funds and various resources, and when we have enough power, you can decide if you want to personally take revenge on the Celestial Dragons."

Dongye Huanglong said calmly, but these words had completely grasped Tesoro.

This former Celestial Dragon slave had no other choice.

If the Celestial Dragons found out that Tesoro was their former slave, they would surely take everything from him.

They wouldn't be like now, giving him the status of a king of a member state and a little face out of consideration for his money.

"How did you know?"

Tesoro asked coldly. Back then, he had even killed the subordinate who had helped him clear the slave brand on his back.

Logically, no one should know.

If he could, he would want to kill Dongye Huanglong, this informant, right now.

"I can see a bit of the past. You have no secrets in front of me, Tesoro. Don't overthink it."

Dongye Huanglong said with a light laugh. Based on his recent spars with Kuma, he knew his strength was no less than that of awakened ability users like Doflamingo and Tesoro.

He had enough strength to talk to Tesoro face-to-face, which was why this conversation was happening.

"Hmph! Speak, how much do you want!"

Tesoro suppressed his displeasure and said coldly. He suddenly wished that Doflamingo's alliance could defeat Dongye Huanglong, so he would have one less threat.

"I'm not short on money either. I have plenty of gold. As I said, I want you to collect various rare materials and capture various ability users for me, and assist me in dealing with some people when necessary."

Dongye Huanglong said with a smile. He knew Tesoro wasn't lacking in money and often executed bounty criminals on the Gran Tesoro as entertainment.

It would be too wasteful to just execute some ability user criminals like that.

It would be better to send them to Vegapunk here as experimental subjects.

For Zoan ability users, their bloodline factors would be extracted to create perfect artificial Zoan Devil Fruits.

For Paramecia ability users, their bloodline factors would be extracted to create the Seraphim's Paramecia Green Blood.

As for Logia-types, there weren't many of them on this sea.

"...Fine. Don't bother me unnecessarily in the future, and don't blackmail me!"

Tesoro said coldly. He had initially admired this guy who had killed a Celestial Dragon, but now that Dongye Huanglong knew his secret as a Celestial Dragon slave and was blackmailing him into cooperation.

This thought made Tesoro murderous, but since even the World Government couldn't find Dongye Huanglong's whereabouts, he could only cooperate with this guy.

"Don't worry, I consider you my ally. Perhaps you'll thank me later for giving you the chance and courage to take down a Celestial Dragon!"

Dongye Huanglong grinned, speaking to the ambitious man who had forgotten his original intentions.

He intended to reawaken Tesoro's humiliation from his days as a slave, as well as his hatred for Stella's death.

Even though Tesoro was now the world's richest man, enjoying privileges almost on par with the Celestial Dragons.

Those experiences and hatred would not disappear.

Most importantly, Dongye Huanglong had his sights set on Tesoro's Paramecia Gold-Gold Fruit ability and that other Paramecia ability, the Lucky Fruit.

He had to find a way to obtain both of these abilities; his Seraphim army could not be without them.

"Doflamingo is planning to join forces with other Underworld Emperors to deal with you. Be careful when you come to pick up the goods," Tesoro said coldly. He couldn't reveal his cooperation with Dongye Huanglong right now, as it would be no different than exposing his identity as a former Celestial Dragon slave.

After all, Dongye Huanglong's act of killing Celestial Dragons was extremely heinous, and the World Government was currently searching for him all over the world.

"I know. I'll deal with Doflamingo soon. You can also get a piece of the pie then, snatching his territory and business."

Dongye Huanglong said dismissively. Doflamingo would fall into his hands sooner or later; he'd let him frolic for a few more days.

Right now, this guy would probably even join forces with the World Government and Marine Admirals to deal with him.

Therefore, he shouldn't go to Dressrosa to join the fun recently. After the heat died down in a few months, he would launch a surprise attack on Dressrosa.

He would let Doflamingo know that he had truly provoked a madman.