MTLNOVEL Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Joker, You Really Are a Crafty Little man!
It wasn't that the Five Elders were unaware of Lucas's growing threat. The strange abilities and tactics he employed were more than enough to raise alarm among them. However, the World Government and Marines had been embroiled in too many issues recently. They simply didn't have the time or resources to deal with Lucas.
On top of that, eight centuries of ruling the world had bred an arrogance within them. With the Celestial Dragons' national treasure and Imu backing them, they didn't perceive Lucas as a genuine threat.
They couldn't have been more wrong. Lucas wasn't just another up-and-coming pirate like the ones they had crushed in the past. This was a monster—one capable of toppling their entire world order.
After some careful deliberation, the Five Elders decided on a course of action: they would send the ace of the Cipher Pols to the New World. If Kaido could be retrieved, they would bring him back. If not, they'd release him to create chaos and destabilize Lucas's influence.
Dressrosa
In Dressrosa, Doflamingo rushed to make contact, his Den Den Mushi clutched tightly in his hand as he spoke to one of the Four Emperors.
On Cake Island, Big Mom let out a blood-curdling laugh, her wide, toothy grin stretching unnervingly as she addressed the Den Den Mushi in front of her.
Big Mom: "Mamamamama! Clown of the underworld, what do you want with Mama?"
Doflamingo chuckled darkly, his tone low and calculated. "Mama, I'm here to propose a little cooperation. The Beasts Pirates are heading to Wano to rescue Kaido. I hope you'll consider attacking the Whitebeard Pirates' territory while they're distracted."
Big Mom's laughter echoed eerily through the receiver. "Oh? And why would I do that? The Beasts Pirates going to Wano to save Kaido has nothing to do with me. Why would I offend another Pirate Emperor for him?"
Doflamingo's tone grew serious. "Because Lucas—the leader of the Whitebeard Pirates and for a Pirate Emperor like you—is too great a threat. Kaido, the so-called 'Strongest Creature in the World,' was defeated and captured by Lucas in a one-on-one battle."
Big Mom snorted, unimpressed. "So what? The title of 'Strongest Creature' just passed to someone else. What's that got to do with me?"
Doflamingo pressed on. "It does matter. Today, he captured Kaido. Tomorrow, he could be at Cake Island, coming for you. He's your enemy, too."
Big Mom's laughter turned into a furious roar. "Joker, are you threatening Mama? Who do you think I am?!"
Doflamingo flinched but quickly recovered. "Don't misunderstand, Mama. I'm simply pointing out the danger he poses. Don't you think his threat is too great to ignore? He possesses abilities akin to the legendary pirates—three powers in one. And…" His voice dropped to a whisper, "no one knows where his limits are. What if he keeps getting stronger?"
Big Mom dismissed the idea with a scoff. "Don't be ridiculous! Joker, humans have limits. If people could get stronger without limit, the powerhouses in this world would've started an arms race long ago."
Since becoming one of the Four Emperors, Big Mom hadn't left Cake Island much. Her children handled all the pirate activities, while she lounged on the island like a content, lazy queen.
Why did she dare live this way?
Because she knew that after a certain point, increasing strength was nearly impossible. If it weren't, the other Pirate Emperors and Marine Admirals would be constantly training, striving to outmatch each other. But they weren't—because they couldn't.
Big Mom chuckled darkly. "I know Lucas. His abilities are impressive, sure. But after a certain point, quantity loses meaning. No matter how many powers you have, you can only use so many at once."
Her own power, derived from the Soul-Soul Fruit, allowed her to control elements like thunder and flame. But to her, the Devil Fruit was just an enhancement—her true strength came from her formidable body and Haki. Even without the Soul-Soul Fruit, she could still stand as a Pirate Emperor, a berserker unmatched on the seas.
Back in Dressrosa, Doflamingo's face darkened. His plan to make Big Mom see Lucas as a threat had failed. But as a seasoned player in the underground world, Doflamingo always had a backup plan.
With a sly grin, he moved on to Plan B.
Doflamingo: "Since Lucas doesn't seem to worry you, perhaps his territory will pique your interest. You know, the current situation is very favorable for you."
Big Mom's interest was piqued. "Oh? Do go on."
Doflamingo: "Lucas beat Kaido badly. Once Kaido escapes, he'll want revenge. Kaido might not be strong enough to take down Lucas alone, but with your help, it'll be a different story."
Big Mom's laughter roared through the Den Den Mushi. "You want me to team up with Kaido to take down Lucas?"
Doflamingo's grin widened. "Exactly. Kaido will do the heavy lifting, and all you have to do is support him. While they're occupied, you'll be free to snatch up whatever benefits you like from Lucas's territory."
Big Mom cackled. "Now that's how you ask for a favor. You should've said that from the start! I'll forgive you this time, but don't let it happen again!"
Doflamingo chuckled apologetically, though inwardly he cursed her as a madwoman. 'This crazy hag is obviously afraid of Lucas but refuses to admit it. All for the sake of her ego.' He bit back his irritation and continued.
Big Mom's voice turned cold. "But words alone won't convince me to send troops."
Doflamingo gritted his teeth. 'This woman wants it both ways—plundering Whitebeard's territory and making us pay for it. Outrageous!'
After a brief pause, Doflamingo's mind sparked with another idea.
Doflamingo: "Mama, I heard Fish-Man Island used to be your territory. But now, it's under Lucas's protection."
Big Mom's tone darkened. "Yes! Fish-Man Island flew my flag to deter pirates. But without my permission, they switched allegiance to Lucas. I'll settle the score with them eventually."
Seeing an opening, Doflamingo dropped another bombshell.
Doflamingo: "Mama, you've been funding Caesar's research into human gigantification, right?"
Big Mom's laugh turned sly. "That's right! I know Caesar works for you. Are you trying to use him to threaten me?"
Doflamingo: "Not at all. But you should know—Caesar is in Lucas's hands now. If you don't show your strength soon, Lucas might just ignore you altogether."
Big Mom fell silent, her expression unreadable.
Doflamingo seized the opportunity to press harder. "Without Kaido to oppose Lucas, how will you reclaim what's yours? But if you release Kaido and let him challenge Lucas, you'll have the best of both worlds."
Big Mom's laughter erupted once more. "Well, well! Joker, you really are a crafty little man! Fine, I'll send troops."
Punk Hazard
Lucas had stayed on Punk Hazard for half a month. With the help of hundreds of his clones, he had finally absorbed all the biological knowledge from the island's research facilities.
He summoned Caesar Clown.
Lucas: "Caesar, have you completed the task I assigned you?"
Caesar's face twisted in embarrassment. "Lord Lucas, you must understand—scientific research takes time."
Lucas sighed, his disappointment clear. "I overestimated you. Your skills really can't compare to Vegapunk's."
Caesar's face flushed with humiliation, though inwardly, he fumed. 'If you're so capable, why don't you do it yourself?!'
Lucas remained indifferent. "Fine. Continue working on perfecting the artificial Devil Fruits. I'll handle the other two tasks myself."
While perfecting the artificial Devil Fruits required extensive biological research that Lucas wasn't ready for yet, he had already devised solutions for the SMILE-induced diseases and the restoration of human gigantification.
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi rang.
Buru Buru Buru!
Lucas answered, and Marco's voice crackled through.
Marco: "The Beasts Pirates' fleet has approached Wano. They'll land on Onigashima soon. I'll lead our forces to confront them, so I may not have time to call you again. Just wanted to give you a heads-up."
Lucas responded calmly. "Got it. Do what you must. Don't worry."
He hung up the phone, created three Shadow Clones, and ordered them to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport to Kaido's location.
Onigashima
Marco hung up his Den Den Mushi, glancing at the bound Kaido of the Beasts before preparing to confront the incoming Beasts Pirates.
Suddenly, three versions of Lucas appeared beside Kaido, startling Marco.
Marco: "You…?"
His face was a mask of astonishment. 'Why are there three Lucases here all of a sudden?!'
One of the clones stepped forward.
Lucas Clone: "These are my clones. I left them here as backup."
Another clone added, "Leave Kaido to us. You focus on leading our forces into battle."
The third clone smiled slightly. "You need more combat experience, Marco. This battle is a perfect opportunity for that. And don't tell anyone I'm here."
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