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There weren't many Devil Fruits that directly enhanced combat abilities, but the Millet-Millet Fruit possessed a unique power: the ability to command absolute loyalty from animals after they consud its dumplings. This effect extended even to SMILE users with animal traits.
Such a fruit had to be entrusted to the most loyal retainers, and there was no better candidate than Nojiko, a child Alex had raised by his side from a young age.
Summoned to a forbidden scientific research area where outsiders were strictly prohibited, the five- or six-year-old Nojiko stood obediently beside Alex and Robin.
Following Alex's instructions, she pressed her hands to her cheeks, pinching and squeezing. Monts later, as if by magic, a small dumpling-like orb erged from her skin, soft and perfectly round.
"Master Alex, does this dumpling already have its abilities?" one of the nearby scientists asked eagerly, leaning in to examine the seemingly ordinary yet extraordinary creation.
Alex nodded. "This is an edible glutinous rice dumpling. Once eaten by an animal or an animal SMILE user, it forces the creature to recognize the dumpling's creator as its master."
To demonstrate, Alex handed the dumpling to the tauren who had consud the bull-based SMILE fruit earlier.
The pirate, who had been aggressive and manic due to his transformation, imdiately cald upon consuming the dumpling. His wild deanor vanished, and he knelt before Nojiko, bowing deeply as though she were his true master.
"Ahahaha! So that's the plan!" Caeser burst into laughter, slapping his knees. "Master Alex, you're planning to plant hidden mines in Kaido's Beast Pirates, aren't you? Just imagining it makes giddy!"
Alex smirked but raised a hand to temper Caeser's excitent. "Not so fast. The loyalty effect of the dumpling fruit only lasts for one month."
He gestured for Nojiko to demonstrate again. This ti, she pressed her arm, squeezing out another dumpling. However, this one was smaller and radiated less energy.
"This," Alex explained, "is the developed 'hidden dumpling'. It retains the sa functionality but has a shorter duration—less than a week. Its real advantage lies in its stealth capability. Once ingested, the dumpling remains dormant in the host's body until Nojiko's voice activates it. Only then will it trigger the loyalty effect."
Alex gently patted Nojiko's head, praising her efforts. "This hidden dumpling is the key to your next task. SMILE fruits won't just be Kaido's weapon in the future. I won't reveal everything now, but you'll see for yourself how pivotal they'll beco."
"Ah, I get it!" Caeser exclaid with mock understanding, and asking for more hidden dumplings from Nojiko.
While Caeser reveled in his imagined glory, the scientists in Wanokuni diligently got to work. Incorporating new elents into the SMILE fruits was a complex challenge, particularly given the intricate coding structure of the lineage factors in artificial Devil Fruits.
Fortunately, the team had solid foundational data from previous experints and could observe the physiological changes in the bull-tauren test subject.
It took a month of rigorous trials and comparative experints, but eventually, the scientists achieved a perfect integration of the hidden dumpling's energy into the SMILE system.
With this breakthrough, the Tontatta Tribe began their work cultivating SMILE fruits in the Fairy Forest of Wanokuni. Their natural aptitude for nurturing plants ensured a remarkable first-year yield, producing dozens of SMILE seeds. As their expertise grew, so would the harvest.
At the sa ti, Alex made his next move. Using a Den Den Mushi, he contacted Kaido, the most significant buyer of these artificial fruits, and transmitted a video of the earlier demonstration.
On the screen, Kaido's imposing face appeared, his sharp eyes narrowing as he watched the footage.
"How does it feel, Kaido?" Alex asked, a sly grin on his face.
"Worororo! I can't wait!"
Kaido's trademark laughter rumbled through the Den Den Mushi.
"The results have already been proven," Alex said calmly. "As for the remaining fruits, they're still in cultivation. I estimate there will be around 18 in total, including the modified tauren. I'll sell the batch to you for one billion Baileys."
"Of course," Kaido agreed without hesitation.
One billion Baileys was no small sum—it was comparable to the Heavenly Tribute fee demanded of a small country. Yet for Kaido, the price was irrelevant. The Beast Legion he envisioned was priceless, and the artificial Devil Fruits were far cheaper than market-standard Zoan fruits, which were already nearly impossible to obtain.
Kaido was well aware of the SMILE fruits' side effects—those who failed to gain powers would be left permanently grinning, stripped of all emotions except joy. But he didn't care. As one of the Four Emperors, his power and influence had already solidified, and these fruits would only make his Beast Pirates stronger.
"How long will it take?" Kaido asked, barely concealing his impatience.
"At least six months," Alex replied with a laugh. "This is only the first batch, after all. You wouldn't want to hand over an immature, half-finished product, would you?"
By Alex's calculations, the first batch of SMILE fruits would mature around 1509 in the Sea Circle Calendar, aligning perfectly with the five-year tiline he had originally projected.
Kaido grunted in acknowledgnt. "Fine. One billion Baileys when you deliver—but when will the funds be transferred?"
"That's no issue," Alex said easily. "This ti, though, there'll be another middleman handling the transaction between us."
Kaido's curiosity was piqued. "A middleman? You're not talking about that Umit guy, are you?"
In previous arms deals between Alex and Kaido, the "Deep Sea Current" Umit had been involved as a logistics operator. Distance and situational challenges often required interdiaries, but Umit was already familiar with their dealings.
"Of course not," Alex replied smoothly. "Even if Umit deals in weapons, there's no comparing that to man-made Devil Fruits. This is a different level entirely."
Kaido grunted again, but he agreed in principle. As the primary buyer, he understood the importance of SMILE fruits and wanted to ensure their growth and transport were protected. "So who's this middleman you've chosen?"
"Donquixote Doflamingo," Alex said, dropping the na casually.
"That brat from North Blue?" Kaido's voice imdiately took on a note of disdain. "You're trusting him to handle this?"
"A man who controls the majority of the underground forces in North Blue isn't without skill," Alex replied, his tone even.
Of course, his thoughts differed slightly from what he told Kaido.
In addition to acknowledging Doflamingo's qualifications and granting him this favor, the most crucial aspect is the significance of his identity: he was a forr Celestial Dragon, and his brother Rosinante was a Marine spy.
With these two factors, Alex can easily leverage Kaido as a springboard to showcase SMILE.
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