Chapter 130: Chapter 131: Smile Factory
"Mr. Chiba, we don't need Devil Fruits of the highest quality right now. Just produce one or two and handle it." Doflamingo looked at Chiba, murmuring to himself, Does this guy really want to make money?
Chiba smiled and replied, "Mr. Dover, our brand has just been established. If we start selling defective products now, all our efforts will go to waste."
"Defective products? I can't sell those."
Doflamingo's frown deepened. After a moment's thought, he said, "Mr. Chiba, we're partners now. Could you pass on some of your Devil Fruit manufacturing techniques to me? I'd be willing to give you 90% of the profits from each Devil Fruit sold."
Chiba shook his head. "No, the technology is my lifeblood. If I hand it over and you kick me out, how would I stay in the game? Mr. Dover, it's best if you just wait."
"Mr. Chiba, it's not that I don't want to wait—I just can't afford to. How about this: we each take a step back. The process of making Devil Fruits is complex. We'll provide the basic materials, and you'll handle the crucial final step. That way, you don't have to worry about a technology leak, and we'll still have Devil Fruits to sell. What do you say?"
Chiba nodded thoughtfully. "That might be acceptable."
Doflamingo's face lit up with satisfaction, but Chiba continued, "Mr. Dover, you promised to give me the research data on the Yellow Dragon model of the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan type. Yet, you haven't provided it."
Doflamingo's smile froze, but he quickly forced a laugh. "Heh, heh... I've been so busy with the colosseum that it slipped my mind."
In truth, Doflamingo hadn't forgotten. He'd been intentionally withholding the Yellow Dragon data, fearing that if he handed it over, Chiba might end their partnership. Especially now, with Chiba refusing to share his technology and dragging his feet on Devil Fruit production, Doflamingo was starting to question Chiba's sincerity in their collaboration.
He even suspected that once he handed over the data, Chiba might abandon him and go solo.
"It doesn't matter if you forgot," Chiba said, smiling. "Now that I've reminded you, will you consider it? Mr. Dover, when you have a moment, could you give me the Yellow Dragon data for the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan type? The body-strengthening potions and elixirs are ready for you, after all."
Doflamingo chuckled. "Mr. Chiba, I've already sent someone to retrieve the Yellow Dragon data. Don't worry; we agreed on this collaboration, didn't we?"
"Bring me the data on the Yellow Dragon model, and then we'll discuss the partnership," Chiba replied lightly. Although he'd tried to steal the information with Cyrus, there had been no news, so he assumed the mission had failed.
For now, his best bet was to obtain the data directly from Doflamingo.
"Mr. Chiba, don't you trust my reputation?"
"Mr. Doflamingo, the word 'trust' coming from you sounds... out of place," Chiba replied mockingly. Trustworthy? Doflamingo?
Doflamingo burst into laughter. "Mr. Chiba, you really are something. Fine, then. Once I get the data, we'll discuss our cooperation. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
As he turned to go, Virgo followed, asking, "Dover, are you really planning to give him the Yellow Dragon data?"
Doflamingo sneered. "As if. We'll give him a fake version."
"But if it's fake, he might see through it."
"That's easy to handle. Just tweak the key data by a small margin—within 0.5% error. With such a tiny discrepancy, even someone as sharp as Chiba won't notice."
"And if he tries to use this data to create the fruit, no matter how skilled he is, he'll never produce a Yellow Dragon model of the Fish-Fish Fruit."
"Heh. Doflamingo isn't so easily fooled. Go to the factory and make the changes right away."
Virgo immediately set off, while Doflamingo's expression grew dark, his eyes cold and calculating. "Damn Chiba... he's not easy to handle. Guarding his secrets so closely, it's going to be tough to get the Devil Fruit technology out of him."
Just as he wasn't willing to hand over the Yellow Dragon data, he doubted Chiba would hand over the Devil Fruit manufacturing process without a fight.
"It seems I'll need to find a way to steal it."
Doflamingo had heard rumors of a Transparent Fruit recently. If he could obtain it, he might have a chance to sneak into Chiba's lab and get the information he needed.
He resolved to acquire the Transparent Fruit.
---
Several days later.
The soldier toy, Cyrus, had been operating in the Smile Factory for days, looking for an opening. He'd managed to gather various research materials on Devil Fruits, but the critical data on the Yellow Dragon model of the Fish-Fish Fruit still eluded him.
In front of him stood a member of the Tontatta Tribe, a tiny person with a large tail, a green hat, and a sewing needle in hand. His eyes were sharp—this was Leo, a leader among the Tontattas.
Leo looked up at Cyrus and said, "Soldier, I just got word that Virgo is coming to the Smile Factory to collect the Green Dragon data for the Fish-Fish Fruit. This is our best chance."
Cyrus's eyes lit up. "That's fantastic! If I can get my hands on that data, I'm sure Monkey D. Chiba will help us defeat Doflamingo. When that happens, your people will be free, and your princess will be rescued."
Leo narrowed his eyes and replied coldly, "I hope you're telling the truth. Otherwise, I won't forgive you."
Cyrus reassured him, "Don't worry. I've also received news that Rebecca won first place in the colosseum and obtained a synthetic Devil Fruit made by Chiba. She even managed to defeat Blackbeard's second-in-command."
"Even if Chiba doesn't help, Rebecca will. She'll stand with us to defeat Doflamingo and liberate Dressrosa. Your people will be free."
"I hope so," Leo replied, before adding, "But Virgo is strong. Getting the data from him won't be easy—we'll need to be fully prepared."
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone