"..."
Listening to these bizarre game rules, even Yamato understood that Arceus was joking.
"Father, isn't this cheating? Who heard of the rule where the opponent plays first in rock-paper-scissors?"
Originally, it was a fair game, but just the words "play first" had already broken the balance.
"That's the logic behind lottery tickets; we are the issuers, so the winning ratio can be arranged, and no matter what, we won't lose money.
Overall, prize money is contributed by other ticket buyers.
If the lower limit is even lower, internal personnel could take all the grand prizes, but that's unnecessary; losing credibility isn't good news.
As long as I can find my item, the mere cost in money is insignificant."
Mere money means nothing compared to the Plate or absolute power; Belly is just worthless paper.
"Indeed... but Father, you'll keep your word, right?"
"I've never deceived you. What's up?"
"I've been thinking about how to win rock-paper-scissors even when my hand is forced in first. Maybe someday I'll make it happen."
"Don't bother; unless the opponent wants you to win, it's unrealistic.
Instead of hoping to win when going first, why not consider beating the version of yourself in the mirror."
After ironing out some details, the lottery tickets on Ghost Island began to enter the manufacturing phase, while Tesoro was preparing to build momentum. With the current reputation of Hundred Beasts Fruit, issuing tickets wasn't difficult, but it required contacting the right channels.
Kuzan was still gradually adapting to the situation in Wano Kuni, while Yamato was on vacation during Kaidou's absence, enjoying leisure. Kaidou roamed the Sea freely, acting as he pleased, while his subordinates continued to build their reputation on the Sea.
In this new era of piracy, with pirate numbers surging, the status of the Hundred Beasts wasn't affected but rather forged a new reputation in the baptism of blood.
Jack quickly achieved feats comparable to the original Three Disasters through daily battles.
Although Jack hadn't defeated any super heavyweight opponents outside, the sheer number of his fights exceeded expectations.
Jack's quantitative growth hadn't realized qualitative change, but he accomplished the accumulation of quantity, and the name "Drought Disaster" grew more resounding.
Kaidou was thrilled at his underlings' growth, and ordinary pirates also celebrated for Jack, but on Cake Island, some individuals were notably displeased.
"Snack, you've failed; you actually lost to a newcomer."
"Mom... Mama, I was careless, give me one more chance, please! Just one more opportunity!"
A man with a long nose, slightly overweight with a gourd-like hairstyle on top, was kneeling on the ground, his armored arms now dilapidated, and his outer clothes showed multiple tears, indicating he had just gone through a battle.
He was Charlotte Snack, one of the Four Generals of Sweets, with a bounty of six hundred million Belly.
Not long ago, he was defeated by Urouge, who had intruded into BIG MOM's territory, and now he faced BIG MOM's wrath.
"Snack, do you know that Kaidou's little brat recently gained a fourth disaster? Those newcomers are simply not a match for Kaidou's subordinates.
Even the newly risen Jack can easily defeat Drake, who is of the same Extreme Age as Urouge, and you, as one of the Generals, lost to such a 'newcomer'!"
"It's not that, mama, it's… it's his power, that monk's ability..."
"Enough! Snack, you embarrass me; apart from Bege who chose to join us, no newcomer has been able to pass the first stage these past years, and you've let me down.
From now on, there are no Four Generals, only Three Generals. Snack, you're dismissed."
Kaidou was once Charlotte Linlin's little brother, and even though this little brother had grown powerful, Charlotte Linlin still felt this way.
The once little brother now thrives independently, and his cadres are exceptionally strong.
Originally, her Four Generals outnumbered Kaidou's Three Disasters, but today, Kaidou filled in the fourth disaster, while her fourth General was defeated, which was a humiliation for Charlotte Linlin.
Hence, she decided to take a leaf out of Kaidou's book; if strength isn't sufficient, it would rather leave the high-ranking official position vacant than add it.
Now Snack was no longer fit for the high-level official position; having been defeated, it's time for an honest retreat.
"Mama... I..."
"Snack! Shut up!"
Alarmed by his imminent dismissal, Snack wanted to further explain, but Katakuri interjected.
"Brother Katakuri..."
"Mama, I'll punish Snack for you, but for now, let's focus on dealing with that intruder first."
Charlotte Linlin hadn't lost control yet and was still within manageable limits. If Snack continued to argue, and Charlotte Linlin truly got angry, his situation would likely worsen.
Compared to extracting lifespan or losing a body part as punishment, losing his position was already a light penalty.
"You're right, Cracker, you go, as Katakuri said, eliminate that intruder for me and make him understand the cost of invading."
"Yes, Mama."
Cracker responded, hiding within the biscuit armor he made, then headed toward Urouge.
...
"Karma... Retribution!"
Urouge's arm muscles bulged as he endured numerous attacks from Large Cracker, currently attacking the person in front of him.
However, this punch only hit Cracker's biscuit shield.
As Urouge's moves continued, Cracker not only was unharmed but also manipulated biscuits to give himself more arms, and even the number of weapons mysteriously doubled.
Cracker is a Paramecia-type Bis-Bis Fruit Ability User, the Biscuit Man, with a bounty of 860 million Belly.
Due to his extreme fear of pain, he usually hides within the biscuit warrior he creates, using the biscuit shell to protect his body.
Thus, most people don't know his true face, leading to his wanted poster featuring the biscuit warrior he made.
With the biscuit ability, Cracker was confident to defeat Urouge here.
Unlike Snack, who was defeated by Urouge, Cracker's biscuit shield remained intact to this point.
Ultimately, under Cracker's attacks, Urouge faced a disastrous defeat, fleeing BIG MOM's territory in disgrace.
Meanwhile, on another island, divided in the middle, one side was engulfed in flames while the other featured a bizarre icy landscape.
This was Punk Hazard, also known as Ice and Fire Island, where the Nun and Tiger had now arrived nearby....