The sea wind howled as Kaido's colossal figure stood on the deck, his black cape flapping wildly. He narrowed his eyes, looking at the middle-aged envoy in opulent robes before him, who was bowing with utmost deference.
"Mr. Kaido, I am here on the King's orders to deliver your reward," the envoy said, his voice trembling slightly, fine beads of sweat on his forehead. At his signal, the two attendants carefully opened the sandalwood boxes they carried.
The moment the first box opened, sunlight struck the bundles of Berries, reflecting a dazzling golden light. The neatly stacked bills emitted the unique scent of money, each bundle carefully tied with a ribbon.
The clasp of the second box made a crisp sound as it opened. Inside lay a single, uniformly dark-colored fruit, its surface covered in mysterious spiral patterns, wrapped in a few yellow leaves—unmistakably a priceless Devil Fruit.
"Wororororo..." Kaido stared at the two boxes, letting out his signature low laugh that echoed across the sea. "It seems that fat pig king doesn't want me visiting his country."
The envoy's face instantly turned ashen. He hurriedly explained, "That's a misunderstanding, Mr. Kaido! His Majesty the King is only concerned that a visit at this time might cause unnecessary trouble." He wiped at the cold sweat that kept forming, his voice growing softer. "After all... if people were to find out this matter is related to our kingdom..."
The cry of a seagull cut across the sky, almost drowning out the envoy's voice amidst the sound of the waves. He took a deep breath and continued, "Please rest assured. Should you have any needs, simply send word, and we will prepare them for you immediately."
Kaido rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his thick fingers moving through his beard. His gaze shifted between the Berries and the Devil Fruit, as if weighing something. After a moment of silence, he issued a direct order. "Call that fat pig. I have words for him."
"Yes, sir! I will contact His Majesty at once!" The envoy, as if granted a pardon, immediately pulled out an exquisite Den Den Mushi from a luxurious silk pocket. His fingers trembled slightly as he quickly dialed the number.
"Purupurupuru..." The Den Den Mushi made its rhythmic ringing sound.
"Hello, Albert, is the matter settled?" The Den Den Mushi instantly transformed into a portly visage—none other than the King of the Kingdom of Lexter. His voice held clear tension and expectation.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Kaido wishes to speak with you." After saying this, Albert immediately held up the Den Den Mushi with both hands, aiming it at Kaido.
"Mr. Kaido, thank you so much for handling this matter," the King's ingratiating voice came through the receiver. "If there is anything you need, you can tell me directly."
"Wororororo!" Kaido suddenly burst into laughter, making the deck tremble faintly. "You've got quite the nerve, daring to trick me!"
The Den Den Mushi's expression instantly contorted, large drops of sweat beading on its forehead. "Th-this... what do you mean, Mr. Kaido...?"
"You never mentioned the Celestial Dragons were involved from the start!" Kaido's voice abruptly turned cold, the surrounding air seeming to freeze solid. "If you don't give me a proper explanation, your country has no need to exist either."
Waves slapped against the ship's hull; a deathly silence fell over the deck. The King on the other end of the line was clearly terrified, his voice changing pitch. "Mr. Kaido, calm down, please! What... what is it you require?"
"It's simple," Kaido extended a thick finger. "More money. An additional two billion Berries, and five more Devil Fruits."
"This... this..." The King's stammering voice came through the Den Den Mushi, one could easily imagine his panicked state.
Kaido interrupted impatiently. "So you don't want to live."
"Mr. Kaido!" the King practically shouted. "The Berries, I'll arrange for them to be sent immediately! It's just... Devil Fruits, such treasures of the sea, are far too rare. Even the treasury of our Kingdom of Lexter only contains two more! We truly don't have any beyond that!"
This unexpected piece of news made a gleam flash in Kaido's eyes. He hadn't expected this extortion attempt to yield such a bonus. He made a decision on the spot. "Then add another one billion Berries. You have until today to get the items to me."
"Very well, Mr. Kaido!" came the King's relieved voice. "I will send someone with the items right away." The Den Den Mushi immediately reverted to its normal state, the call hastily disconnected.
While Kaido was conducting his secret negotiation with the King of Lexter, the pirate fleet led by King and Bullet had already slipped quietly into the Morsk Sea.
On a forgotten little island in these turbulent waters, the sole tavern welcomed several unexpected visitors.
As evening fell, King and Bullet, accompanied by several elite subordinates, pushed open the tavern's creaky wooden door.
The last rays of the setting sun filtered through the door crack, spilling into the dim interior and intertwining with the flickering light of kerosene lamps.
They were met by the strong aroma of rum and raucous laughter.
Gecko Moria was here with his crew, drinking heartily to celebrate the hefty bounty they had just acquired.
The tavern was noisy and packed. Several drunken pirates were gathered around a long table littered with empty bottles and gnawed bones.
"Kishishishi!" Moria raised a wooden mug filled with rum, tilting his head back to drain it in one go. Liquor dripped from his chin onto his open collar. "Listen up, you lot! Tonight, we drink until we drop!"
"The Captain is amazing!" a red-faced pirate shouted, pounding the table, his words slurred from intoxication. "Getting a twenty-million Berry bounty right after setting sail!"
Moria wiped the liquor from the corner of his mouth, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
He slammed the mug down on the table with a loud thump. "What's twenty million? Next time, my bounty will be at least double that!" His bold declaration echoed through the tavern, prompting another round of enthusiastic cheers and clinking mugs from his crew.
Standing by the entrance, King coldly surveyed the reveling pirates. His tall figure cast a long shadow in the dim light, a contemptuous sneer forming beneath his black mask.
He stepped forward, his leather boots making dull thuds on the wooden floorboards, while Bullet leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest.
King walked directly toward Moria, the surrounding uproar seeming irrelevant to him.
A drunken pirate staggered to his feet, blocking his path. "Hey, hey, hey, what's your business? Get lost, don't ruin the Captain's fun." His words were slurred, heavy with the smell of alcohol.
King didn't even glance at the pirate, continuing forward. His voice was low and icy, cutting through the tavern's noise. "Gecko Moria. Come with us. My boss wants to see you."
Moria's laughter died abruptly, his mug frozen in mid-air. The tavern fell silent in an instant.
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