"I've decided to shut down Stark Enterprises' weapons division, effective immediately!"
A shocking announcement came over live television.
Tony Stark had decided to close his group's weapons R&D department!
In front of the TV, someone's brow tightened.
"Qin, is this the opening you promised?"
A mountain of a man was chewing on a cigar.
Kingpin!
Wilson Fisk!
Forty percent of Country M's crime could be traced back to him.
"That's right — this is the chance to act. Like I told you before, Tony Stark would disappear in Afghanistan. Back then Stark Industries' stock dipped a little, but compared to now it was nothing. Everything I predicted has come true so far. Stark Industries' shares will fall at least forty points tomorrow. As long as Tony Stark can't find something to replace weapons sales for profit, Stark's stock will keep falling. Now is the best time to take the company's shares. I need a certain percentage — you'll make it happen."
Qin Xiao answered Kingpin's question. Kingpin nodded.
"Before I agree to your terms, I have one doubt."
"What doubt?"
"I've got some intelligence. The one going to rescue Stark is the Punisher. And the Punisher appears to be working for you! You knew Stark would be in trouble and you hired someone to rescue him. You were the mastermind behind Tony Stark's capture, weren't you?"
Kingpin asked the question he cared about most.
Qin Xiao glanced at Kingpin and let out a light laugh. "Seems your intelligence network is stronger than I thought. But this matter has nothing to do with me. I only learned some information in advance. The people behind Tony Stark's kidnapping will be uncovered soon. Just wait and you'll get the final answer."
"You're not the one? Then I can be at ease. I accept your terms. My traders will buy the Stark shares for you. In return, you'll give me what you promised, right?"
Kingpin's face was calm, but his eyes were full of expectation.
"Of course — this is a trade. The Devil Fruit matched to you has already been prepared."
When Qin Xiao finished speaking, a ripple appeared in his abdomen. He calmly thrust his hand into the rippling area.
Kingpin watched Qin Xiao's action with wary eyes.
"Gurgle—"
There was a quiet sound from the ripple. Qin Xiao pulled a strange object into his hand.
A strange color.
An unusual shape.
"Devil Fruit?" Kingpin blurted out without thinking.
"That's right — it's a Devil Fruit," Qin Xiao said evenly.
Kingpin's expression turned serious. "There's a rumor going around Hell's Kitchen lately: 'the Eastern Devil has set its sights on Satan's domain.' Looks like you really are the earthly envoy of the Eastern Devil. And now, you're using this fruit to steadily eat away at Satan's domain."
As kingpin of the underworld, he had long believed in demons — he knew things others didn't. For example, a flaming skull (Ghost Rider) once ran rampant in the human world. That man had been an envoy of a demon faction. And Qin Xiao represented an Eastern demon. The Eastern demons wanted to invade the Western world, and Devil Fruits were the means by which Eastern demons bestowed power on ordinary people.
Qin Xiao's expression didn't change at Kingpin's words. In fact, this was exactly the rumor he had deliberately leaked. All of this was solely to "trade" the Devil Fruit.
"My identity is none of your business. The only thing you need to consider is this: will you eat this Devil Fruit?"
Qin Xiao put the Devil Fruit in front of Kingpin and watched him calmly.
"What kind of power will this fruit give me?" Kingpin asked, staring at the fruit's abnormal color and shape. He knew of demons and the dangers behind them. But he wasn't afraid. The flaming skull had once stood up to Western demons and even stalled them. If that guy could do it, so could Kingpin. Power — he wanted it. Try to enslave him? No way.
Qin Xiao didn't know Kingpin's thoughts — and he didn't care.
"This fruit is called the Bomb Fruit."