Underworld Emperors*

Disclaimer: (Dont read this if you are a kid)

The Terminal, Red Line

One Piece Underworld was a massive industry that existed in this world hidden in plain sight. Dealing with various nefarious and gray activities they gained massive wealth and influence with their connections with various upper echelons in WG and the Pirates. They were a somewhat neutral party in the war between the pirates and the Government. 

The six underground Emperors were:

1. Stussy("Queen of the Pleasure District"), The undercover agent of WG

2. Drug Peclo("Major Undertaker"), Biggest Narcotics Overlord and Mercenary

3. "Big News" Morgans, journalist and the president of the World Economy News Paper.

4. Giberson, known as "The Concealer", is a veteran warehouseman.

5. "Deep Ocean Current" Umit, a shipping magnate 

6. Du Feld, known as the "God of Fortune", is the "Loan Shark King". He is a member of the Du Feld Conglomerate and the former financer of MADS scientists.

Sofia Sanchez, leading the Syndicate was currently in a virtual meeting with these characters using video den den mushi. Beside her sat the upper echelon of the Syndicate including Zala("The poison spider"), Gild Tesoro("Casino King"), Maria("Raven"), and Daz Bones("The Killer") whose fame has spread to the Grand Lines as fearsome bloodthirsty bounty hunters and crimelords.

Today's topic for discussion was business deals and resolving conflict with Donquixote Doflamingo aka Joker. Two years ago, Sofia was invited to a grand auction where the ultimate attraction was Goru Goru no mi(Gold Gold Fruit). Using it to their advantage Victor told Gild Tesoro to stage a heist, with the help of the elite team they infiltrated the Terminal and stole the devil fruit stealthily. What followed was the Joker's frustration and Gild Tesoro's rise as the Cashino King with him controlling 20% of the world's economy. This matter was not hidden for long and the Syndicate stepped up acting as his backer.

"Gild Tesoro, I always wondered what gave you the courage to act against me. It seems you were hiding behind this b*tch all along." Doflamingo wearing his flamboyant clothes. In reference to his animal theme, the flamingo, his clothes are brightly colored, with his light pink feather coat most distinctly of all a pair of curved, thin white sunglasses.

"Go cry to your daddy! I heard something interesting happened in Dressrossa." Gild Tesoro said with a smirk.

"Bastard!! Do you want to die?" Doflamingo's nerves bulged out in anger but he couldn't refute. Things were not in his hands and he needed help, after entering the Grand Line he was granted the title of Shichibukai which granted him a degree of immunity and protection. He had planned to use manipulation and blackmail to occupy the Dressrossa kingdom as his base of operations but nothing was going according to his plans. Somehow, the Marines got the information that he was planning to hijack the ship carrying the heavenly gold and immediately sent Tsuru and Admiral Kizaru to intercept him on Dressrossa. What followed was a humiliating defeat where he lost two of his key family members, Baby 5 and Sugar were currently kidnapped by an unknown force during the chaos, he suspects CP members were behind it. Both had crazy potential and Suger was especially crucial for his plans to conquer Dressrossa. Thankfully due to his connections, he got away with a slap on the hand and still retained his title as a Warlord but his plans had suffered a huge roadblock.

"Joker, do you dare to come to West Blue? Speak what you want to say else you can leave." Sofia Sanchez said coldly. The West was ruled by the Syndicate from the shadows, it was a fact the WG, Marines, and the Underworld knew by now. Many bounty hunters, devil fruit users, and pirates have joined under their umbrella because of the lucrative pay and display of power in these five years so they quickly became a local powerhouse.

"Gugigigugi! Is the underworld going to see another bloody war, Sofia Sanchez? Mind if we join in." Drug Pecolo asked with interest. "Breaking the taboo of The Terminal, you have already crossed a line, do you see us as fools?"

"The Syndicate will be banned from our networks if you continue this attitude." Giberson who was very drunk chimed in his support. He had previously dealt with the Joker and he owed him a few favours.

"Ridiculous! Do you think you are our leaders Pecolo/Gibson and make decisions on our behalf? " Umit said disapprovingly. As a shipping magnate, he had worked closely with the West Blue for years hence he had connections with Sanchez and Moriarty. 

"Mamigo! Why don't we proceed with the talks, unlike you'll I am very busy!" Morgan calmed down the room. "Sofia Sanchez, the West Blue Underworld has isolated itself in the last five years and we need answers. Why should you get the privileges without any contributions?"

"Five Billion bellies!" Sofia said suddenly causing others to raise some eyebrows. "We're interested in investing it in the Underworld business and improving the connectivity of the Terminal via rails. As for Doflamingo, we all know what your plans were. You never intended to sell the devil fruit, did you? So, we had to take matters into our own hands. Deal with with, we won't apologize or give any compensation."

Doflamingo looked at Sofia angrily, he was planning to put pressure on the Syndicate and gain some benefits but it looked like he underestimated their economic prowess. "You'll regret this Sofia Sanchez and Tesoro. Don't ever enter the Grand Line." He said as he disconnected his call, it doesn't seem like the underworld emperors will be swayed right now. It's not like he's out of options, he still has Ceasar Clown working on Punk Hazard. If he successfully creates artificial devil fruit, he can recover his losses and take his revenge.

"Did he just rage quit?" Daz Bonez muttered causing Zala and Tesoro to burst out in laughter.

"Mamigo! Let's proceed with the business meeting. " Morgan chirped in. Since there was no consensus they'll leave it for both parties to handle. It was a chance to regain underworld influence and earn big bucks if they could cooperate with Syndicate just like he did with the Germa Kingdom.

"I heard some interesting information, the Syndicate has recently built a fleet of metal ships that carry huge amounts of cargo around the West Blue. I am curious how you got hold of such technology?" Stussy said as she looked at Sofia deeply. 

"Yes, it's true. We have gained billions in the shipping business with those vessels. It can carry tons of cargo be it solid or liquid. Tesoro will explain."

"We have gathered a group of engineers working for us and it was their effort that made it possible. The metal cargo ships can carry 10000 20ft metal containers and travel at speeds like the marine warships. Equipped with two Cola Engines, it can safely transport goods in all blues in any weather conditions and most importantly it is equipped with efficient anti-piracy measures. Along with speed, durability, and large capacity, it is also equipped with modern navigation tools." Tesoro gave a sales pitch.

"I am interested in buying the metal cargo ships. We have all heard the rumors of economic growth of the Syndicate, we also want a piece of the pie." Umit said solemnly. Others were also interested, the ship can sail without relying on winds plus the metal ship is more durable. 

"Base model starts at 690 million and the biggest one can cost up to two billion bellies, you need to add a premium if you need adjustments and the average waiting time is around eleven months. Our shipyards are currently busy as the Kano Kingdom has placed a large order. Sailors also need a training of one year to learn how to operate the ships but it's worth the profit you can gain later. Delivery is free of cost." Tesoro gave a price 10x the production cost but the buyers don't need to know that.

Everyone looked shocked after seeing the specs and prices he presented on the screen as the meeting went on. Umit the shipping magnate and Gibson the Warehouse magnate were the ones who were most interested and showed their interest in further negotiations and testing the vessel personally. Stussy was surprised by another piece of information, it seems like the affiliated kingdoms were secretly trading with the Syndicate. Must add to the report.

"We also have another few items we want to auction in Sabaody Auction House," Sofia said as she looked at the six underground emperors. "Those who can help us with the business will get 5-7% of the profit."

Tesoro nodded and presented another slide, "Ladies and gentlemen, these are artificial diamonds and gems that have been grown in labs. It is an exact clone of naturally growing diamonds and no one can distinguish a real one from a fake plus it's more beautiful and shiny." Base Price: 50,000 $

....

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is an automobile created by Blacklight Industries that can drive at the speed of 80 kmph. Designed in a modern look it can replace slow horse-drawn carriages. A status of wealth and luxury that would surely be desired by the wealthy and nobility once they drive it." Base model Price: 1,000,000 $ Premium: Only for selected individuals.

.....

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is broadcast den den mushi where we can spread the news by direct video footage globally. It needs funding for more research and we are looking for investors."

.....

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the best greens in the world cultivated by bio engineering and rarity is off the charts. It can send you to dreamscape in one puff. First trial is free."

Base Price: 90,000 $(Only for Celestrial Dragons)

.....

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a silicone s*x doll with various features built especially for Celestial Dragons. It offers a hyper-realistic silicone skin option that brings a realism factor that no other manufacturers just can touch. These Dolls have a vast collection of products customizable to various degrees. Choose between basic models with any gender/race and customize your own doll."

Base Price: A slave in exchange. (Only for Celestial Dragons)

"This..." Stussy was dumbfounded. 

"..."

"..." Morgan didn't know what to say about the last one.

"It'll sell like hotcakes in the Holy Land" Gu Field commented. "Asking for a friend, can others buy it too?"

"Sick bastard," Stussy said with a scowl. 

"Gugigigugi! Miss Stussy, your job's in danger." Drug Peclo said with a weird laugh causing Stussy's scowl to become deeper with anger. She added him to her 'Must Eliminate list'.

"..." Other trying not to laugh.

****

Mexica, West Blue

A shadowy figure slowly materialized out of thin air with a 'pop' inside the ruins of the ancient civilization. 

"What is this place?" Victor said as he looked around the surroundings. He was standing in front of a huge stone door inside a huge hall that had clearly withstood the test of time with shrubs and overgrowth infesting the ruins. There were four huge headless statues around the hall along with carvings on the walls. In front of him was a huge pyramid-like structure that was shrouded in mist.

Robin has been hunting for poneglyphs for the past few months. After they discovered a directional poneglyph, its coordinates directly pointed to this isolated island in the dangerous inhabited parts of West Blue.

Poneglyphs are massive, cubic steles made of a currently unidentified, indestructible type of stone or that was what he thought until he ran a few tests. The notion that they were indestructible was not entirely correct, poneglyphs were carved out by the hands of expert craftsmen who could use armament haki emission. They were like Graphene on steroids, incredible conductors of heat and electricity without deforming, with proper technology they could potentially serve as data banks and servers for his plans to introduce the most revolutionary technology of the modern world, the World Wide Web aka the Internet.

"Robin!! Where are you?" He shouted loudly but there was no response. Victor activated his Observation Haki and scanned his surroundings when he noticed Robin's white hat lying at a distance. 

"Huhhh! Something feels off!!" He became alert and hurriedly went in that direction. When he arrived his ominous feeling grew stronger when he noticed drops of blood near the hat with clear signs of scuffle. 

He quickly took out a vivre cared from his shadow pouch before flying into the air. Robin must have been in danger during the 5 minutes he took to teleport to her location. Without wasting anymore time he tried to track her down.

A/N: Leave comments and reviews.

MC will get the second DF and set sail after this arc. The DF idea is inspired from a reader's comment ;)