22. Negotiation

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"What kind of monster is that guy?! It's only been a few years since he went to sea, and he's already holding his own against Boss Kaido!" 

Queen stared in disbelief at the torn sky and shattered landscape, remnants of the fierce clash of Conqueror's Haki, and felt a creeping sense of doubt.

"This is what they call a monster," King replied, looking skyward. "An existence beyond ordinary men."

After the explosive impact that ripped through the heavens, Onigashima's turbulent floating began to settle, and the island slowly drifted back down toward the sea.

"It's over," King murmured, before taking flight toward the island.

"Hey, you b*****d! Why are you leaving me here!" Queen shouted, grumbling as he watched King fly off. 

This time, King turned back, hooking his winged talons into Queen's shoulders to haul him into the air. Together, they flew toward Onigashima.

As they arrived, they took in the scene before them. The once-familiar base camp now looked like the aftermath of a comet's impact—a massive crater stretching over a kilometer wide, demolished by shockwaves.

In the heart of the destruction, two figures stood face-to-face.

One was Alex, sword in hand, his body covered in bleeding wounds and his breathing labored.

The other was Kaido, seated on the ground, casually gulping down a jug of sake, though a fresh sword scar now marred his lower waist.

"Kaido-sama…" King and Queen stared in shock at the sight of Kaido's injury as they landed at his side, assuming positions on either side of him and glaring at Alex.

"Worororo, I called off the fight. Hanging around me like this… will make me look like I lost."

"No way! Kaido-sama could never lose!" Queen replied instantly, trying to flatter him.

Kaido took another hearty swig, then stood up as if his body bore no injuries at all. Despite the fresh blood trickling from three deep wounds, he appeared unaffected by the battle's toll.

And, in truth, it was so. Despite the fierce exchange, both Kaido and Alex still had much of their strength intact. Though wounded, Kaido's near-mythical endurance and likely the awakening of his fruit ability kept him in peak condition, his body healing as they spoke.

Kaido, confident he could keep fighting and secure a victory if he wished, sized up the situation. But he wasn't a fool.

Pushing the battle further, against someone wielding the Float-Float Fruit's strategic potential, could risk the years of resources he'd built up on Onigashima—without much to gain.

Pirates always operate for profit.

Rising to his full height, Kaido looked at Alex and said, "Alex, that last move… that wasn't the Float-Float Fruit, was it?"

"I knew you'd see through it," Alex replied. "And I'm sure you've already figured out what ability this is."

Alex didn't bother to conceal his Momo-Momo Fruit powers from Kaido, knowing the Yonko's sharp mind. This was the trump card he'd planned to reveal from the beginning.

After all, Alex's journey began as an ordinary jailer. Despite his template talent and the grueling four-and-a-half years of training in the Calm belt, he knew a death match against Kaido would be nearly impossible to win. Kaido was a seasoned force, a monster who had ruled the seas for years.

His decision to face Kaido and the Beasts Pirates alone was for one purpose: negotiation.

To negotiate with a monster and achieve his goals, he needed to increase the weight of his words. Revealing his true power would do just that.

Kaido studied Alex intently, then broke into a booming laugh. "Kid, what did you want to discuss with me before?"

Kaido's keen insight was no illusion, nor was it a reputation built merely on his relentless battles.

He'd changed tactics and increased his speed, quickly recognizing Alex's moves despite never having seen the Momo-Momo Fruit in action. As a former member of the Rocks Pirates, Kaido had certainly heard of the fruit's abilities before.

Although two Devil Fruits in one person seemed incredible, Kaido wasn't fazed. The Grand Line was full of impossibilities, and he took it in stride. However, Alex's combined Float-Float and Momo-Momo Fruit abilities now had his full attention.

The Float-Float Fruit alone posed a strategic headache, forcing Kaido to recognize Alex as a legitimate threat. But adding the Momo-Momo Fruit's power to manipulate the size and speed of objects amplified that threat. Tracking Alex would now be far more difficult.

Originally, Kaido had considered halting the fight when he sensed Alex's mastery over Conqueror's Haki infusion. Now, that decision felt even more justified. Alex's abilities and rapid growth in just a few years warranted a more serious approach.

Finally, Alex laid out his terms.

"The reason I've come to Wanokuni is simple: I intend to kill Kurozumi Orochi and replace him as the country's Shogun."

"After that, you'll need to pull out all interference from your pirate crew in Wanokuni, and you'll follow my rules for any actions taken within its borders."

King's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Alex. "In other words, you're planning to take complete control of Wanokuni."

"That's right," Alex confirmed.

Queen scoffed, raising his voice. "You think that's possible?! We've been here for almost five years!"

Kaido remained silent, but he didn't stop King or Queen from speaking, signaling his agreement with their objections.

The Beasts Pirates originally came to Wanokuni under the influence of Kurozumi Higurashi and her associates. Initially, Kaido had seen Wanokuni as a secure stronghold. But in the five years since his arrival, he'd realized the immense wealth and power this land could offer.

So while he considered Alex's audacious proposal, the benefits of staying in Wanokuni weren't something he would easily surrender.