One Piece: The Strongest Creature

"Xixixixi... Well, this is a surprise. I didn't expect someone as important as you to call me personally."

When Doflamingo, far away in the Kingdom of Dressrosa, received a call from Monkey D. Dragon, he couldn't help but smirk and make a teasing remark.

It had been some time since the three sworn brothers were defeated, and Doflamingo was well aware that they had ended up as prisoners. So, a call from Monkey D. Dragon didn't really shock him.

"Joker, I need Cross Kahn's contact information," Dragon said directly, skipping any pleasantries.

Doflamingo wasn't actually someone Dragon would normally call directly; as the Revolutionary Army's leader, Dragon typically sent Sabo, his second-in-command, to handle dealings in Dressrosa when they needed weapons or medical supplies. But today, Dragon had come himself for his son, his chief of staff, and their mutual ally.

Still, Dragon's tone made it clear he didn't hold Doflamingo in high regard. For someone of Dragon's power and influence, Doflamingo was just another New World player—not much different from the rest of the "trash fish" around.

The title of Warlord of the Sea meant little to Dragon, especially compared to Doflamingo's self-styled role as the underworld king of Dressrosa. If he didn't need something urgently, Dragon wouldn't even have bothered speaking to him.

"Hehehe... for our big customer? A small request like this is no problem at all," Doflamingo replied, unfazed by Dragon's condescension. He knew well enough his standing here, so he simply gave Dragon Cross Kahn's Den Den Mushi number.

"Blu, blu... blu, blu..."

Not long after, at an underground facility on Amazon Lily, Cross Kahn was busy with his research on lineage factors and the replication of Devil Fruits, especially focused on the Artificial Zoan fruits. Hearing his Den Den Mushi ring, Kahn put his work aside, recognizing this wasn't a casual call—very few people had his direct contact information.

"Dragon… first time speaking, Cross Kahn. I am Monkey D. Dragon."

As Kahn picked up, the Den Den Mushi morphed into Dragon's stern expression, even mimicking the tattoos across his face as he introduced himself in a low, serious tone.

"The leader of the Revolutionary Army?" Kahn grinned with mild amusement and asked, feigning innocence. "You, who are always so busy trying to overthrow the World Government, calling me personally—what might you need from me?"

"Cross Kahn, I'll get straight to the point," Dragon replied bluntly. "What will it take for you to release my son?"

Hearing Dragon's direct, almost demanding tone, Kahn's grin faded, replaced with a steely look in his eyes. "So then... what are you prepared to offer to buy back your son—and the lives of his sworn brothers—from me, the world's richest man?"

Kahn's words left Monkey D. Dragon speechless.

Yes.

The man on the other end of the line had been the wealthiest person in the world for over a decade. The Cross Family had a vast empire spanning weapons, pharmaceuticals, and entertainment. For them, berries were just numbers.

By contrast, Dragon's Revolutionary Army couldn't even buy weapons directly from the black market. They were forced to rely on the Cross Family, rushing to Dressrosa for supplies.

Could he really buy Luffy's freedom with money? And if so, what kind of debt would he owe?

These thoughts made Dragon's confidence waver. His earlier arrogance on the call was all but extinguished as he realized he had to hand over control. "What do you want?" he asked.

"Hmph, smart of you," Kahn replied, satisfied that Dragon had backed down without trying to buy his way out. "I'm looking for something specific. There are four Road Poneglyphs in this world. Three are accounted for: with Charlotte Linlin, on Zou's elephant, and in my possession."

He paused, then continued, "The fourth Road Poneglyph was once on Fish-Man Island, but it's been missing for years. If you can find it and deliver it to me, then I'll release your son and his sworn brothers."

As he spoke, Kahn's gaze drifted to a table nearby, where a row of pulsing objects lay. On closer inspection, they were human hearts, beating rhythmically.

For those who crossed Kahn, fate was sealed. Their hearts were his leverage.

Initially, Kahn had intended to dispose of Luffy and his brothers, but the thought of combining the Artificial Mythical Zoan—Nika Form—with the replicated Op-Op Fruit held irresistible potential. Such a combination would secure the Cross Family's power over the world, so he spared the brothers.

Now that he'd obtained Luffy's lineage factor, the boy's value was nearly depleted. However, if Dragon brought him the fourth Road Poneglyph, Kahn would consider letting them go. Of course, he'd implant a failsafe, much like he did with Kaido.

No one could underestimate the unpredictability of "children of destiny," so he held their hearts as a final measure.

"Understood," Dragon replied, shaken by Kahn's terms but determined to maintain composure.

As Dragon listened, an idea dawned on him: Nico Robin, Ohara's last survivor and now Cross Family's third-in-command, could mean Kahn intended to become the Pirate King himself.

The thought stirred him but then sparked a new strategy. If Kahn's rise distracted the World Government, maybe the Revolutionary Army could capitalize on it. With this in mind, Dragon suppressed his shock and replied calmly.

Across the Den Den Mushi, Kahn, despite his natural Observation Haki, couldn't read Dragon's thoughts, but if he could, he'd be laughing.

The irony was rich. Both men had similar schemes.

One aimed to let the other become Pirate King, drawing the World Government's fury. The other hoped Dragon's son would do the same, taking on the wrath of the Government—and even Imu—buying time for his own plans.

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