Chapter 99: A Global Press conference!

The name "Honeycomb Rice" was Whitebeard's idea.

The Beehive collective doesn't just refer to Beehive Island but encompasses the Beehive Research Institute and their powerful allies, including Kaido and Whitebeard. To announce the creation of the world's highest-yielding rice, Edie proposed hosting a grand press conference with a live broadcast to gain significant recognition in the scientific community.

The event's venue would naturally be Beehive Island, which required thorough preparations.

First, the world's top media outlet, the "World Economic News," needed to be invited. Additionally, Edie planned to introduce new fertilizers, such as Jinkela, during the conference. Securing an agent for this launch was essential, and he had already identified a suitable candidate.

"I'll need to clean up the pirates on the island and make arrangements for the event," Edie said after the banquet, bidding farewell to Whitebeard before heading back to Beehive Island with Chenlong.

"Bunny."

Back at the institute, Edie sought out Momousagi and issued her detailed instructions. The current policy on Beehive Island permitted pirates to stay if they paid fees and adhered to the rules. However, for the global press conference, a purge was necessary.

"Are you planning to arrest the pirates?" Momousagi asked, her voice edged with justice. "I've wanted to clear them out for a while. These criminals act with restraint on the island but wreak havoc elsewhere."

Edie listened with an amused smile. "It's up to you. Killing them all is fine."

Catching and imprisoning pirates was too resource-intensive, and there were already dozens detained for misconduct—crimes like evading indulgence fees, fighting without authorization, or property damage. These prisoners were kept in a hidden section of the institute, often used for human experimentation.

"Killing them all? That's a bit extreme!" Momousagi's eyes widened. She preferred capturing pirates alive, as the Marines did, to prevent Devil Fruits from being reborn randomly, potentially empowering new threats. Pirates caught alive fetched the full bounty, while dead ones only earned 70%.

"Do as you see fit. By the time of the press conference, I don't want a single pirate crew left on the island."

"Understood."

"Also, reach out to Morgans and invite him to the press conference."

"I'll contact him immediately." Momousagi set to work, coordinating with Edie's permission to command the Earthly Branches. She mobilized [Chou], a clone of Garp, [Weiyang], a clone of Sengoku, and a hundred [Bee Soldiers]—all Rob Lucci clones.

The Bee Soldiers were youthful, with doriki levels around 500, a power rating that made them formidable agents capable of defeating large forces. Additionally, hundreds of ordinary clones patrolled the island, managing indulgence fees, while the institute's maid corps, under Hancock's command, exceeded a hundred members.

Outside the institute, [Chou], [Weiyang], and the Bee Soldiers knelt before Momousagi.

"Lady Heavenly Mother, we await your orders!"

"The island is hosting an important press conference. Drive out the major pirate groups on the island."

She handed them wanted posters of two notorious pirates, each with bounties exceeding 400 million. "The man is the captain of the Eden Pirates; the woman, the leader of the Fairy Pirates. Drive out the rest, but these two must be captured alive."

"Yes, ma'am!" The clones sprang into action.

[Weiyang] and [Chou] targeted the two pirate groups while the Bee Soldiers focused on expelling others. The chosen targets were notorious for heinous crimes, including the Eden Pirates' operation of a brothel supplied by the Fairy Pirates, who captured young women—even slaughtering villages to secure their stock.

"Captain of the Fairy Pirates, 'Female Fairy' Namia, bounty 410 million…" Momousagi murmured, shaking her head at Namia's ruthless record.

Momousagi then called Morgans, who accepted the invitation to the press conference without hesitation.

With Edie's orders complete, she waited as chaos ensued. Pirates initially resisted expulsion but fled once word spread of [Weiyang] and [Chou] obliterating two pirate crews. The bustling port soon saw a mass exodus as pirate ships hurriedly set sail.

"Lord Heavenly Mother, the target has been dealt with."

Weiyang and Chou returned to Momousagi, dragging the unconscious pirate captains behind them, ready to secure them for imprisonment. The rest of the pirate crew had been eradicated.

"Take them to a secure chamber and lock them up. These captains might prove valuable for Edie's research," Momousagi instructed with a curt nod.

"Yes, ma'am!"

The two clones exchanged a brief glance before leading the captives away and securing them in a hidden cell.

Suddenly, the air was filled with the sharp, rhythmic chime of the Den Den Mushi. Momousagi's eyes flickered with surprise as she picked up the receiver. An unexpected voice greeted her.

"Gion!"

A glint of surprise flashed across her eyes. "How did you get this number, Chaton?"

"The Marines have been keeping tabs on Morgans," Chaton's voice crackled with urgency. "I've been worried ever since you—"

"I am no longer a Marine," Momousagi cut him off sharply. "And if you're looking for information about the Hive, you're out of luck!"

Before Chaton could respond, she hung up, her brows knitted with frustration. The fact that Morgans had been surveilled meant that the Marines, and by extension the World Government, were already aware of the press conference. This development required immediate attention.

She exhaled, steeling herself, and started toward Edie to relay the news. Just as she turned, the Den Den Mushi buzzed again, insistent and piercing. Gion picked it up, this time with a trace of impatience.

"Gion, please listen! I'm not seeking intel. I've found a way to help you—"

"I don't need your help," she snapped, her voice rising. "I am content here, and any further contact risks misunderstanding with Edie. This ends now." With finality, she severed the connection and removed the communication device from the receiver. Silence followed, heavy and resolute.

After ensuring there would be no more interruptions, she found Edie and conveyed the news about the surveillance.

Edie listened, a confident smile playing on his lips. "It's of no consequence. Our actions are transparent. Let the World Government watch—they'll know soon enough."

"Are you certain?" Momousagi's tone softened as she clung to his arm, a hint of guilt in her eyes. "I should have been more careful."

"It changes nothing," Edie reassured her. "The whole world will know once the conference begins."

The leaked news of the impending press conference had already begun to ripple through Beehive Island, prompting the expulsion of numerous pirate groups. The World Government's awareness meant that other major global powers were now on high alert, awaiting what was to come.

Speculation grew feverish, and in the weeks that followed, anticipation mounted across seas and continents. What monumental revelation awaited them?

The day of the press conference arrived with a palpable charge in the air. Representatives of powerful factions had assembled, drawn by the intrigue. Among them were five of the six emperors of the underground world:

Morgans, the "King of News," an imposing figure presiding over the largest media empire, sat with an expectant grin. Lu Feld, the "Loan Shark King," known for his iron grip on New World finances, regarded the room with calculating eyes. Gilberson, the shadowy "Hidden Master" of warehousing, stood in quiet contemplation. Umit, the "Shipping King," whose vessels carried supplies for Edie's experiments, sipped a glass of spiced rum. And then, the most enigmatic presence of all, Stussy, the "Queen of the Pleasure District," who arrived unbidden but was met with respectful silence.

Stussy, whose true nature as a CP0 agent and clone of Rocks Pirate member Buckingham Stussy was known only to a select few, surveyed the room with a coy smile. She raised an eyebrow at one of the attendants, a young woman who stood expressionless nearby.

"Are you a clone?" Stussy asked, adding sugar to her coffee with practiced elegance.

"My name is 107," the maid replied without emotion.

Stussy's eyes sparkled with sudden interest. "No name? How impersonal. Perhaps I should give you one—how does 'Maria' sound?"

"Thank you, Miss Stussy, but I am 107."

Amused yet disappointed, Stussy shrugged and turned her attention elsewhere. "Very well. When do I get to meet the illustrious emperor of this Hive? I'm most intrigued by your 'Heavenly Father.'"

"Lord Heavenly Father is occupied with an important guest," 107 replied, bowing before stepping back.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Edie stood facing the wind, the long coat of his white uniform billowing behind him. The sun cast a stark glow on the scene. Kneeling before him was Doflamingo, his trademark grin slightly tempered with reverence.

"Dr. Edie, I am at your service," Doflamingo declared.

"Your recent ventures in North Blue have impressed me," Edie spoke, his voice steady. "I need you to establish a 'Jinkela Fertilizer Company' and distribute this product globally."

Doflamingo's eyes gleamed with anticipation. The gamble he had taken by coming here, crossing the Calm Belt directly to reach Beehive Island without delay, had paid off spectacularly.

"Fufufu… Rest assured, I'll initiate production immediately," Doflamingo said with a smile that promised ambition.

Edie's gaze, cool and penetrating, lingered for a moment. "Share your full plan with me."

Doflamingo wasted no time outlining his strategy, a scheme that would cement his control by first seizing the position of Shichibukai and using it as a springboard to reclaim his ancestral throne in Dressrosa.

"After taking the throne, I will build factories throughout the kingdom," Doflamingo finished.

Edie nodded thoughtfully. Dressrosa under Doflamingo's iron hand would see prosperity, albeit with a darker undercurrent. The factories would provide jobs and stimulate economic growth—far more than the passive reign of King Riku.

"Keep casualties to a minimum. I want this done as peacefully as possible," Edie ordered, a trace of sternness in his voice.

Doflamingo chuckled, his grin widening. "Fufufu, doctor, you are too soft-hearted."

Edie smirked. He knew the cunning future warlord would not cross him. "By the way, I need a music teacher and a dance instructor for my staff."

"King Riku's daughter, Viola, is an accomplished dancer," Doflamingo said, understanding dawning in his eyes.

Edie's smile deepened. "Good. See to it."

"As you wish, Fufufu~."