Lei Luo relented. Fine, Kaido gets his captain ego stroked. Stussy wouldn't cause trouble—not with him and Kaido around. Plus… he had plans. A chance to slap a green hat on Whitebeard, the world's strongest man? Oh, baby.
Don't hate the player, hate the game. Blame your girl for being too damn charming, Whitebeard. And for buddying up with Oden? You're begging for this.
Lei Luo's Tengshe pupils narrowed, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. Stussy was a juicy target, and he wasn't one for brute-force pirate flirting. I like my women proactive. Stussy's kryptonite? Berries. And Lei Luo? Swimming in 'em. Nothing says "checkmate" like the world's strongest man's ex serving him on a silver platter. Cue evil transmigrator cackle.
Stussy clocked Kaido and Lei Luo's hushed chat, her eyes flickering with scheming light. She'd seen the papers—knew about the five-billion-Berry Rear Admiral. Pfft, no biggie. In the pirate world, strength talks, and the weak shut up. Rocks' crew was proof: Locks, Whitebeard, and Golden Lion called the shots; everyone else just followed orders.
But Kaido's crew? Weird. Kaido, who joined Rocks at 15 and survived five years until God Valley's collapse, was a beast—especially post-Dragon Fruit, courtesy of Big Mom. A Navy Vice Admiral wouldn't stand a chance. Yet Kaido was consulting this Rear Admiral? Was Kaido going soft, or was Lei Luo packing some serious charm… or power?
Interesting.
Kaido and Lei Luo finished their whisper-fest and strutted back to Stussy and Queen. Stussy raised a brow, all polite charm. "All settled?"
Kaido grinned, dragon teeth gleaming. "Stussy, my Vice Captain and I agree—you're in."
Lei Luo flashed a smile. "Welcome to the Beasts Pirates!"
Stussy's lips curled, and she sauntered over, grabbing Lei Luo's hand with a sultry smirk. "Looking forward to your… care, Vice Captain."
Oh, you sneaky minx. Bypassing the captain to flirt with the VP? Classic Stussy. Kaido didn't bat an eye, but Lei Luo's inner snark meter spiked. Loves her little games, huh?
Kaido turned to Queen, cigar-chomping and chill. "Queen, you in too?"
Queen puffed smoke, shaking his head. "Nah, I'm just here to trick out your ship's weapons."
Kaido's face fell—until Queen grinned. "But… if you've got the Berries you bragged about on the Den Den Mushi, enough to fund my wildest experiments? I could be persuaded."
Lei Luo smirked. "Need to see the receipts?"
Queen's eyes lit up. "Gotta know the Beasts Pirates can back up their big talk, right?"
"Wororororo!" Kaido laughed, all swagger. "Follow me!"
Stussy watched, her smile hiding a vulture's hunger. She was here for the cash too but played it cool. Gotta keep the gold-digging vibes subtle.
They led Queen and Stussy to a ship cabin. Lei Luo nodded at King, who popped open chest after chest—90 billion Berries, glittering like a disco ball supernova. Queen's cigar hit the deck, his jaw following. Stussy's breath hitched, her eyes practically turning into Berry signs as she mentally tallied the haul.
Kaido's come a long way, huh? Stussy thought. No Heavenly Tribute heist, yet he's drowning in cash. What's the scam?
Kaido, smirking at their shock, conveniently forgot his own gold-gawking meltdown in Skypiea. Buncha broke peasants.
"Wororororo! Impressed yet?" he crowed.
Queen relit his cigar, puffing to calm his nerves. "This… all for experiments?"
Kaido nodded. Stussy shot Queen a death glare, like he'd stolen her personal piggy bank.
Lei Luo chimed in. "This? Just the tip of the iceberg. Our captain's promise wasn't hot air—any experiment you want, we fund."
Queen's hands twitched, eyes blazing. "I'm in! Beasts Pirates, let's roll!"
Kaido and Lei Luo fist-bumped, grinning. Queen's brain was a goldmine—combat skills aside, his science would supercharge their crew.
"Welcome aboard!" they cheered.
Stussy bit her lip, greed oozing. What treasure did these lunatics find? She forced a calm smile, hiding her scheming. Play it cool. Find the source, then snag it all. But the thought of Queen burning her Berries on experiments? Heartbreak city.
Her eyes slid to Lei Luo, catching his earlier thirsty glance. Men. So predictable. If she could charm Whitebeard, this young Vice Captain was child's play. Kaido respected him—maybe she could milk Lei Luo for cash and secrets. Why go for the dense dragon when the VP's the key?
Lei Luo didn't have mind-reading powers, but Stussy's sly gaze screamed "plotting." Oh, sweetheart, you're eyeing the wrong prey. He smirked inwardly.
Hunter or hunted? We'll see.