The pirates of the Hundred Beasts have been in a state of revelry. As the news in the newspapers spread through the territories they occupied, these pirates began their own feasts, all in celebration of Kaidou's "victory."
Although the newspaper didn't give a clear verdict on the outcome, prior to this, Whitebeard was almost unanimously regarded as the strongest pirate. For a young man like Kaidou to stand against Whitebeard like this was seen by them as tantamount to victory.
Moreover, the impact of this victory reaches beyond this. For example, on an island near the Red Earth Continent, the Hundred Beasts Fruit is negotiating with other merchants over the prices of some products.
Prices are not fixed; they fluctuate with economic changes, rising or falling based on circumstances.
Yet merchants have a common fault; when raw material costs rise, they use this as an excuse to increase product prices, but when prices fall again, they selectively ignore this, never restoring prices to their original state.
The Hundred Beasts Fruit doesn't source all its raw materials solely from the realm of the Hundred Beasts. After gaining fame, they've also developed some high-end products among their middle and low-end range that greatly satisfy some people's vanity.
The price fluctuations are occurring with the raw materials for these products.
Originally, they wouldn't communicate price hikes to the other side. Different sectors in the same industry often have certain connections, and generally, they'll support each other and form a united front.
But in this world, even legal merchants have connections to the Underworld around the world. Due to island environmental issues, transporting and selling certain goods often relies on the Underworld. If one wants to grow strong, one cannot avoid them.
Umit's increase in freight charges, which made Hundred Beasts handle things alone, is still fresh in memory. Previously, they were testing to find a price that the Hundred Beasts could accept.
Not everything can be done alone; the costs would be too high, and human resources insufficient. But today, they changed.
"Mr. Tesoro, those people have given in. They agreed to all the terms we proposed."
Tanaka came through the wall behind Tesoro, holding a stack of documents. The merchants had all signed their names, just waiting for Tesoro's signature.
"Some of them even voluntarily lowered their prices. It's unclear why they suddenly changed their attitude."
"Haven't you read today's newspaper?"
"Not yet. Is there any new news, Mr. Tesoro?"
"Of course, there is. The Hundred Beasts won. No, that's not entirely accurate, but it doesn't matter. Just wait, a lot of troublesome contracts will soon be resolved."
Forces conducting business worldwide often have private armies, and many even employ pirates to attack competitors. Among these, the backing of the Hundred Beasts Fruit is nearly the strongest, aside from the World Government and the Navy.
The battle between Kaidou and Whitebeard further expanded their influence.
This situation is not only reflected in the Hundred Beasts Fruit. Those who want to establish more cooperation are thinking the same, like the Donquixote family.
"Fufufufufu, this gamble paid off this time."
Doflamingo had already begun advancing along the Grand Line, making plans for his upcoming ventures. He hadn't intended to change his old business; his current focus was to integrate with the Grand Line's Underworld.
The strength Kaidou displayed means he has a chance to further increase the success of his plans.
"Trebol, is there still no trace of that stone the Hundred Beasts are looking for?"
"No, Doffy, that thing is too difficult to find. However, we did find the whereabouts of a rather good fruit."
"Then get it first. Let's go little by little."
...
On Fishman Island, the news travels slower than outside. No matter how skilled News Bird is, it doesn't dive, and new updates only arrive when ships pass by Fishman Island.
Now, the situation has changed a bit. Through the Hundred Beasts Fruit - Fishman Mining Division, Neptune and Otohime have new information channels. When those people get off work, someone will bring newspapers back to the Dragon Palace Kingdom.
"Kaidou and Newgate... how did it come to this..."
Among the many people who saw the newspaper, Neptune felt the most conflicted. On one hand, he had a good personal relationship with Whitebeard, and they were considered good friends.
This was also the reason Whitebeard lent him the flag. With the pirate flag of the Whitebeard Pirates, Fishman Island indeed solved many troubles.
However, the pirate flag didn't fundamentally resolve issues. Looking at Fishman Island's development, the help from the Hundred Beasts Fruit was actually greater.
Should these two truly sever ties, choosing Whitebeard would affect Fishman Island's development. Being a king, he knows that's not right, but choosing the Hundred Beasts would betray his friendship with Whitebeard, hence Neptune's dilemma.
"Neptune, wait until there's a real problem to talk about it."
"Otohime, you mean..."
"They haven't completely fallen out yet, have they?"
Relations between pirates are usually complex. One battle doesn't necessarily mean a total split. The Hundred Beasts and BIG MOM also have conflicts and friction, but a fight doesn't stop them from doing business together.
Profits are eternal. If the gains are sufficient, even adversarial relationships can temporarily maintain ties. Both she and Neptune were not decisive enough in such matters. Without facing a new choice, she believed they should temporarily shelve this issue.
Moreover, Whitebeard hasn't interfered much with what the islands using his flag do in private. As long as they don't fly two flags simultaneously, there theoretically won't be significant conflicts.
On the surface, it's not the Hundred Beasts Pirates controlling mining but the Hundred Beasts Fruit.
Thus, this matter was temporarily set aside, and the residents of Fishman Island continued their lives as before.
...
On the opposite side of the ten-thousand-meter-deep sea, in the skies ten thousand meters high, newspapers were also brought up from the Western Heaven Peak.
Sky Islanders weren't as excited as the Blue Sea people, but the former god of Sky Island, now the Sky Island native manager, Gan Fall, looked at the pirate flag hanging at the entrance with many feelings.
Whether on the Grand Line or the regular Four Seas, whether high in the sky or in the deep, silent seas, whether in the heart of Adhering Countries or the turbulent Non-Adhering Countries, this great war made the name of the Hundred Beasts echo around the world.
Compared to the Sea Emperor once lifted by Morgans, this cataclysmic combat power brought people a more fearsome perception. Few believed they could withstand the aftermath of battles between these two monsters.
Compared to the older generation's powerhouses, this kind of emerging talent drew more attention. As a witness to the events, Kaidou also began a new round of celebration feasts on Ghost Island.