Half a month later, Kuri, Oden Castle.
Under the gloomy sky, this once-glorious castle was now shrouded in a grim, murderous atmosphere. Inside the castle hall, candle flames flickered, casting the mottled walls into shifting light and shadow. Several men in white suits, led by members of the Beasts Pirates, walked forward at a measured pace. They wore uniform white masks, their steps in perfect unison, appearing extraordinarily mysterious.
"Mr. Kaido, I am here on behalf of the World Government to complete the transaction," the lead CP0 agent gave a slight bow, his voice emerging from behind the mask with a mechanical coldness. He raised his hand gently, and two subordinates behind him immediately stepped forward, each holding an exquisite box and a stack of yellowed papers.
"This is the Zoan Type, Ancient Model: Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Saber-Toothed Tiger," the agent pointed to the box in his left subordinate's hand, inside which lay a strange fruit covered in spiral patterns. Then he pointed to the documents in his right subordinate's hand: "And the training methods for the Rokushiki and Seimei Kikan you requested."
"Wororororo..." Kaido's massive frame shifted in the shadows as he emitted his signature laugh. He casually waved his hand, and two pirates immediately stepped forward to take the items. "The World Government's sincerity, I have received it."
"Then, about our future cooperation..." the CP0 agent began cautiously.
"Cooperation?" Kaido's laughter cut off abruptly, a dangerous glint flashing in his draconic eyes. "What are you? You think you're qualified to discuss deals with me?"
Before the words had fully settled, a terrifying wave of Haoshoku Haki surged through the entire hall like a tide. The CP0 agents were struck as if by lightning. The leading man staggered back several steps, his face beneath the mask instantly turning deathly pale.
The candle flames in the hall flickered violently as if about to be snuffed out at any moment. The air was thick with a suffocating pressure. The CP0 agents forced themselves to stand straight, yet they could still feel their knees trembling.
Kaido's tall figure cast a huge shadow in the candlelight, completely enveloping the agents. "If you want to discuss cooperation with me, you're not qualified. Let those five old fossils talk to me," Kaido said bluntly.
Hearing Kaido's words, the lead masked man paused as if in thought. After a while, he finally nodded and then produced a red Den Den Mushi from behind him. Kaido looked at the Den Den Mushi with some surprise. He hadn't expected a mere Den Den Mushi to remain conscious under his Haoshoku Haki. It seemed the World Government did have some tricks up its sleeve.
Buru buru buru buru...
Soon, the Den Den Mushi was connected.
The Den Den Mushi's eyes suddenly widened, emitting an eerie red light. Kaido leaned sideways on his throne, his thick fingers lightly tapping the armrest, a playful smile hanging at the corner of his mouth.
"This call is connected. It seems you intend to become an enemy of the World Government, Kaido," a hoarse, low voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, like a whisper from a demon crawling out from the depths of hell.
Kaido raised an eyebrow slightly, pulling his lips into a ferocious grin. "Wororororo... If it isn't Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense? I'm surprised your old bones haven't been buried yet."
The Den Den Mushi's expression instantly darkened, the very air around it seeming to solidify. "Kaido, I have no interest in playing word games with a pirate like you. State your terms. But remember—the price for toying with the World Government is not something you can bear."
Kaido threw his head back and laughed, his laughter shaking the hall's candle flames violently, causing the wall hangings to clatter softly. "Don't be so serious, Saturn. Let me think... the last time we met was at God Valley..."
"Silence!" the Den Den Mushi cut in sharply, its voice carrying an indisputable authority. "Even if you are now entrenched in Wano Country, in the eyes of the World Government, you are nothing more than a slightly larger insect. Do not test my patience."
Kaido's smile vanished instantly, a dangerous red light flashing in his eyes. The temperature in the entire hall seemed to drop. "Wororororo! Then come and try it! I'll be waiting for you in Wano Country to 'erase' me. If you don't have the guts, you're nothing but a complete coward!"
The Den Den Mushi fell into a long silence, only the candle flames making faint pika sounds in the heavy air. After a long while, Saturn's voice sounded again, carrying a hint of compromise. "State your terms, Kaido."
"That's more like it, Saturn. Since this is a transaction, both parties should treat each other as equals. Trying to put on airs in front of me... you're not qualified," Kaido stated bluntly.
This time, the Den Den Mushi remained silent, seemingly waiting for him to continue.
"You want seastone? No problem. I can even trade you the majority of the seastone produced in Wano Country. However, the price will be 30% higher than the original. Moreover, during the annual transaction, your World Government will need to provide an additional ten Zoan-type Devil Fruits to offset part of the cash payment. Also, the research equipment my subordinate Queen needs will be your responsibility to transport," Kaido laid out all his terms in one breath.
A deathly silence fell over the hall. Only the sound of Kaido's fingers tapping the armrest echoed in the spacious room. A full three minutes passed before the Den Den Mushi spoke again. "The price is acceptable. But the Devil Fruits... at most two."
Kaido's finger suddenly stopped tapping. A cold light flashed in his eyes as his entire aura abruptly intensified. "Five. Not one less. Wano Country's seastone has the highest purity in the world. I'm not worried about finding buyers."
"Three Ordinary Zoans. That is my bottom line," Saturn's voice was icy and biting, each word seeming squeezed from between his teeth. "And they must be Ordinary Models. Ancient and Mythical Zoans are not part of this transaction."
Kaido narrowed his eyes, then suddenly grinned, revealing his white fangs. "Deal. But the items on the equipment list... not a single screw can be missing."
"Agreed," Saturn replied curtly. Then his tone shifted, carrying a warning. "But remember, the World Government has never recognized your rule over Wano Country. The Kozuki clan is the..."
"Wororororo!" Kaido waved his hand impatiently, his massive palm stirring up a gust of wind. "Say whatever you want, old fossil. As long as you deliver the goods on time, nothing else matters."
The Den Den Mushi's expression twisted into a snarl, its voice becoming distorted. "Kaido, don't think this transaction means anything. If I discover you making any suspicious moves..."
"Enough!" Kaido suddenly slammed the armrest. The tremendous force made the entire hall shake, dust sifting down from the walls. "The deal is done. Now get lost!"
The Den Den Mushi's eyes instantly lost their light, its head slumping limply. The CP0 agents swiftly put away the Den Den Mushi and, bowing their heads, hurried toward the door without daring to breathe loudly. Their figures soon disappeared into the shadows of the corridor, leaving only Kaido sitting on his throne, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
***
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