One Piece: Investing In Whitebeard At The Start.

After hearing Doflamingo's words, Vane didn't respond. Instead, he pressed his right index finger against the round table.

An invisible shockwave rippled out, traveling from his fingertip into the table. The surface trembled, the vibrations intensifying. Plates clattered, fruits and vegetables spilled, and wine sloshed over the edges, spraying across the floor.

After a full minute, Vane finally stopped.

"This kind of power is just like that monster on the Moby Dick. What would happen if it punched me in the palace?"

Doflamingo asked with a grin, glancing at Vane.

Vane replied flatly, "I would crush you."

And it was true. Dressrosa's Wind Palace wasn't particularly large, and the building materials were relatively old. It couldn't withstand that kind of Quake force—but then again, no normal structure could.

Except maybe those made from gold.

"Such monstrous strength!"

Doflamingo gestured to Baby 5, who had been waiting by the door. She stepped forward, cautiously beginning to tidy the wreckage of the round table.

Vane asked, "Do you have a Devil Fruit?"

"Devil Fruit?" Doflamingo raised an eyebrow.

"Yes."

He opened his mouth, about to ask what Vane wanted it for, but stopped. Everyone had their secrets—and prying into them wasn't Doflamingo's style.

"I happen to have one."

As the king of the underworld, Doflamingo had access to more Devil Fruits than most Yonko. Trading them was part of his empire. Even the most useless fruits fetched a starting price of 100 million Berries on the black market. The most valuable—like the Ope Ope no Mi—were priceless. Trafalgar Law currently held that one.

Vane said, "Name your price. I'll pay."

Doflamingo turned to Baby 5. "Bring me the black box."

"Yes, Doflamingo-sama."

Soon, she returned with a heavy case, which she placed in front of him.

Doflamingo opened it with a smirk. "An unknown Devil Fruit. If you want to know its ability, either feed it to someone or check the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia."

Vane wasn't interested in the specifics. He wanted it for the [Investment System].

"How much?"

Doflamingo chuckled. "Take it. Consider it a gift, from one friend to another."

"A gift?"

"Exactly."

Vane didn't argue. "Then I'll gladly accept."

There was no reason to refuse free power.

In truth, Vane was already considering making Doflamingo one of his subordinates. He'd be a powerful asset—but winning him over wouldn't be easy. Doflamingo wasn't just feared, he was respected. Even Beast Kaido was cautious around him. To command someone like that, Vane would need a status equal to a Yonko.

A true Emperor of the Sea.

It wasn't just about personal strength. A Pirate Emperor controlled massive territories, commanded fleets of subordinate pirate crews, and could wage war against the World Government itself. Whitebeard alone had dozens of allied crews under his command—and tens of thousands would answer his call.

A Devil Fruit was merely the beginning of this new alliance.

It was a matter of mutual interest.

After staying at Doflamingo's palace for about an hour, Vane left.

By nine in the evening, he returned to his hotel.

Esdeath arrived shortly after, holding a transponder snail that looked stern and focused.

Katakuri.

Vane immediately recognized the expression. The snail perfectly mirrored its speaker's appearance and mood.

Esdeath said, "That guy you spoke with the other day? He said he's arriving soon."

"Already?"

Vane took the call.

"Katakuri?"

"It's me," the cold voice confirmed. "Is Smoothie unharmed? You didn't touch her, did you?"

"Relax. I'm not interested in your sister."

"You'd better not be."

There was anger in his tone—controlled, but barely. It hinted at something deeper.

"Are you already here?" Vane asked.

"We'll arrive by noon tomorrow."

"What about Big Mom? Is she coming?"

"No. This is something we can handle ourselves."

"That's a relief."

If Big Mom had come in person, things would have been more complicated. But without her, Vane wasn't worried.

"What's so reassuring?" Katakuri asked, sensing something was off.

"How many of you are coming?" Vane asked.

"Five."

"Did you bring your Devil Fruits?"

"Of course."

But in truth, they hadn't.

"Four Devil Fruits," Vane said smoothly.

"Don't worry. I won't forget you."

"Where are we meeting?"

"The east coast. It's more open there."

The east coast was an ideal battleground. Vane suspected they hadn't brought the Devil Fruits—they were counting on sheer force. They believed Vane only had Kalifa with him.

They didn't know she was just one of several.

Five elite members from Big Mom's crew against a small, unknown pirate group. From their perspective, it would be an easy win. Once Smoothie was freed, Capture Vane, give him to the marines—that was the plan.

But Vane had figured them out.

He wasn't afraid. Big Mom wasn't here, and that was the key.

Just be cautious.

Vane smiled. "See you tomorrow, Katakuri."

"See you tomorrow."

Katakuri's voice was frosty. If Vane had seen him at that moment, he would have witnessed the man impale a massive Sea King with his trident—lifting it effortlessly with one arm.

Katakuri was already venting his fury.

The call ended.

Night fell, moonlight broke through the clouds, and the stars glittered above.

Esdeath stayed by his side.

A beautiful night.

Tomorrow would be interesting.

Vane was already planning how to use Katakuri and the others as leverage to extort Big Mom.

---

Become patrons....80+ Chapters are available on the platform.

patreon.com/Zphyr_