Kaido finally understood. After all these years, this was why Linlin had sought him out. It was all for the Vinsmoke family and Caesar. He knew she coveted their scientific knowledge, particularly Judge's research into human gigantification—a lifelong obsession born from her troubled history with the giants of Elbaf. Their interests overlapped, but their ultimate goals were different.
He let out a deep, rumbling laugh that shook the deck. "Worororo! Linlin, you should stop daydreaming."
The cheerful expression on the Den Den Mushi vanished, replaced by a scowl. "Kaido, are you rejecting me?"
"What do you think?" he retorted.
"Mamamama... then I'll just have to take them myself," her voice dripped with menace. "There's nothing on this sea that I can't snatch away."
"Worororo! Then I'll tell you this, Linlin," Kaido leaned forward, his voice a low growl. "No one on this sea has ever been able to snatch anything from me!"
Boom!
Though they were thousands of miles apart, the sheer force of their wills clashed through the Den Den Mushi. The air grew thick and suffocating. Even Katakuri, a master of his own formidable spirit, felt a drop of cold sweat trace a path down his temple. This was a confrontation between monsters.
Realizing that brute force and threats were getting her nowhere, Linlin changed her tactic. The snail's expression softened slightly. "Hey, Kaido, pirates are supposed to have a sense of loyalty. Don't forget the kindness I showed you back in the day!"
Kaido's grin didn't falter. "That was a long time ago, Linlin. Debts from the past don't mean much in the New World. Only strength does."
The Den Den Mushi fell silent, its brow furrowed in palpable anger. Katakuri watched, his body tense, wondering if his mother would declare all-out war. After a long, tense moment, her voice returned, stripped of its earlier bluster.
"Tell me, Kaido. What are your conditions? What will it take for you to hand them over?"
At that instant, Katakuri saw a distinct shift in Kaido's expression. The brutish emperor was replaced by a cunning predator. "You want to make a deal? It's not impossible."
Before a surprised response could come from the other end, Kaido continued, laying out his terms. "But this deal happens my way. Handing them over is out of the question. Judge's daughter is already one of my designated officers. However, their research... that can be shared. Don't forget, I have Queen as well."
The Den Den Mushi's eyes widened. "I see... but how can I be sure they'll produce what I want?"
"There are no guarantees, Linlin. You know that better than anyone," Kaido said. "But here's my proposal: a joint venture. The Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates will co-fund their research. You can even send your own people to supervise their work. That way, you'll finally be at ease, won't you?"
The snail adopted a thoughtful expression as Linlin mulled over the offer. The silence stretched on before her voice returned, sharp and suspicious. "Hey, Kaido, I don't believe you're that kind-hearted. Tell me. What do you want?"
"Worororo..." The time for games was over. Kaido's grin widened. "Linlin, among your children... there's a girl from the Three-Eyed Tribe, isn't there? Hand her over to me."
This was his true objective. He had already refused an offer from CP9 to acquire Nico Robin, the only person in the world known to be able to read the Poneglyphs. He had a better, more subtle plan. He wanted Charlotte Pudding. Not for her tribe's legendary ability, which lay dormant, but for her Devil Fruit: the Memo-Memo Fruit.
With it, he could simply extract the knowledge of reading the ancient text directly from the mind of Kozuki Sukiyaki, Oden's father, who still lived in hiding within Wano. It was a far cleaner solution than dealing with the famously cunning and untrustworthy "Demon Child" of Ohara.
As soon as the words left Kaido's mouth, Katakuri's expression turned murderous. Linlin's voice on the other end became dangerously cold. "Hey, Kaido. You know the significance of the Three-Eyed Tribe, don't you?"
"Of course I do," Kaido chuckled. "But you need my scientists. Is your daughter not worth the trade?"
"Don't even think about it," Big Mom snapped. "Pudding is not on the table." She wasn't about to give away a potential key to the One Piece.
Katakuri felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had genuinely feared his mother would trade his sister away.
Kaido didn't seem disappointed; he had expected this refusal. "Fine," he said smoothly, pivoting to his counter-offer. "Then let's apply the same terms as our scientific cooperation. I don't need to take your daughter. I just need her to help me with something here in Wano."
The Den Den Mushi was quiet for a moment. "Pudding's third eye hasn't awakened," Linlin said slowly. "She can't help you with the Poneglyphs."
"Worororo, don't worry about that. I'm not interested in her third eye. It's her Devil Fruit ability I need," Kaido explained, a hint of temptation in his voice. "Besides, this little project might end up benefiting you as well."
As the conversation reached its conclusion, Linlin seemed to find no reason to refuse the revised, less costly bargain. "Mamamama... Is that so? Then let's leave it at that for now!"
"Then it's settled!" Kaido declared. With the business concluded, he looked over his shoulder at Katakuri. "Hey, Linlin, you didn't just send your second son over empty-handed, did you?"
Her cheerful, cackling voice returned instantly. "Kaido, I'm not as ungrateful as you! Don't worry, I've prepared a gift. It's the most delicious dessert from Cake Island."
"That's more like it!" Kaido boomed. "In that case, let your son stay here for a few days. It just so happens I can give him some good training. It's a waste to let such outstanding talent go unchallenged."
The Den Den Mushi's expression froze for a second, then broke into an even wider, more cheerful grin.
"Mamamama! Katakuri, did you hear that? The chance for Kaido himself to teach you is a rare one. Don't you dare disgrace the Big Mom Pirates!"
With that, she hung up, leaving a stunned Katakuri alone on the deck with the grinning Emperor of the Beasts.
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse