The clown mask fell into contemplative silence.
He naturally knew Kai was spouting nonsense, but he had to accept the way out that Kai was offering him.
Otherwise, the mission might truly fail.
Given the personality this guy Kai had displayed, he really could kick them out without hesitation.
"I need to consult my superiors." The clown mask compromised reluctantly.
"Please go ahead!" Kai smiled and picked up the wine glass on the table for a leisurely sip.
He was clear in his heart that the Five Elders would most likely compromise.
His outrageous demands were merely modest requests for the World Government, which controlled most of this world's vast resources.
Moreover, the money spent would eventually be used by the Beast Pirates anyway.
When that time came, they could naturally recover it through heavenly tribute and other means.
It was just a matter of saving face.
They couldn't really send the Navy to wage war on Wano Country and declare: "Open up, free trade!"
Before long, the clown mask returned from his phone call and looked deeply at Kai.
"Your demands... the Five Elders have agreed."
Victory.
Kai was satisfied and made his additional request: "I want those failed products from the ancient giant experiments."
"Fine, but they won't be cheap. 200 million berries per person."
The clown mask wasn't surprised. This government experiment wasn't top secret, so it was normal for the Beast Pirates to know about it.
Perfect timing. They also wanted to get rid of those failed test subjects.
Those giants were not only enormous eaters but also particularly combative, often making a complete mess of the experimental facilities.
But killing them outright would be somewhat wasteful. They were products that had significant resources invested in them. Being able to exchange them for some funds now was naturally ideal.
"100 million berries per person." Kai held up one finger, speaking decisively: "No bargaining. Don't think about fooling me. Their strength is decent, but their flaws are equally obvious."
He was buying them just to fill out the Beast Pirates' mid-level combat power.
Giving 100 million was only because he'd just thoroughly fleeced the World Government.
The clown mask thought for a moment: "No problem."
Before the clown mask could breathe a sigh of relief, Kai spoke again: "I have one more request."
The clown mask frowned: "Kai, don't push your luck."
Although selling those failed products was a win-win, there was still the element of Kai taking advantage to coerce them.
"Don't be hasty. This is the last one. Don't worry, it's nothing remarkable."
Kai's tone became grave: "Vegapunk used our captain's blood to extract lineage factors and created a failed Devil Fruit, right? I want that one. Consider it a gift for our cooperation."
How does he know!
This is top secret!
The clown mask's pupils dilated in shock.
That Vegapunk had researched artificial Devil Fruits was classified intelligence that even some CP0 agents didn't know.
If he weren't high-ranking CP0, even he wouldn't know.
There's a traitor in the laboratory!
This was his first reaction.
No wonder the Beast Pirates seemed to anticipate their every move and weren't worried about them walking away from the negotiation.
Everything made perfect sense now. All the pieces fit together.
The clown mask composed himself: "I want to know why. As you said, it's a failed product."
"That's an insult! An insult to my most respected captain!"
Kai's face contorted with fury: "I absolutely won't allow a fruit made from Kaido-san's blood to remain outside!"
"Wait, I need to confirm this." The clown mask hurriedly left the room.
At Punk Hazard, Naval Science Unit Research Base...
A man answered the phone.
He was short in stature, but his head was over seven meters tall.
Vegapunk, the genius scientist, the man called "possessing the world's greatest brain."
"What? An artificial Devil Fruit based on Kaido's lineage factor?"
Vegapunk pondered briefly, then retrieved information about that fruit from his massive brain database.
"Yes, that happened. It was a failed product. I threw it in storage twenty years ago." Vegapunk's eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke without hesitation.
"Understood, thank you, Dr. Vegapunk."
On the other end, the clown mask hung up, thought briefly, then dialed another number.
This time, one of Vegapunk's assistants at the research base answered.
"Yes, that really is a failed product. After the Dr. Vegapunk created it, he threw it straight into storage without even glancing at it."
"What? Find it? Someone wants it? Who's so desperate they'd want a failed product?"
"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked. I'll go find it right away."
The man on the other end was sweating profusely, apologizing repeatedly.
After reprimanding Vegapunk's assistant, the clown mask realized it was time to reorganize the research base.
A mere assistant daring to inquire about intelligence from him.
He could imagine how poor the personnel's security awareness was at the research base!
The clown mask mentally drafted a reorganization plan and turned back to face Kai.
"We agree to your demands. The fruit and giants will be traded to you along with the seastone ore."
"No problem."
Kai readily agreed.
With the deal complete, the three CP0 agents left directly, ignoring Kai's dinner invitation.
This negotiation could hardly be called pleasant for them.
After the three figures completely disappeared, a huge smile bloomed on Kai's face.
Excellent, truly excellent.
That artificial Azure Dragon fruit was a failure to the perfectionist Vegapunk.
Because the color was wrong. Kaido was azure, while that fruit was pink.
But aside from that, all the abilities the Azure Dragon fruit possessed, that Pink Dragon fruit had as well!
Seeing Kai's smile, Komurasaki also smiled warmly.
"What are you smiling about?" Kai asked curiously.
"When Lord Kai is happy, I'm happy."
This was Komurasaki's response.
"Komurasaki, you really know how to make people happy."
Kai lifted Komurasaki's fair chin and pressed his lips to hers.
"Lord Kai, I'm being sincere... mm..."
Komurasaki gradually leaned back.
After venting his excitement, Kai's rationality returned to his brain.
He still needed to report the results of this transaction.
Naturally, Kai's improvisation gave Kaido a big surprise.
"Wororororo! Failed products of the ancient giant clan? I'll take whatever comes my way!"
The war with the Charlotte Family had exposed the Beast Pirates' shortage of mid-level officers.
Kaido was having a headache about this, since mid-level officers weren't cannon fodder pirates. Such people couldn't appear out of thin air.
Unexpectedly, just one transaction with the World Government had helped him alleviate this problem.
Also...
"A fruit created by Vegapunk with the same abilities as me?"
Kaido was silent for a moment. The sound of glugging alcohol came through the Den Den Mushi.
Kai guessed he was reminiscing about his youthful days. Kaido and King had first met in Vegapunk's laboratory.
After a while, Kaido's bold voice came through.
"Since you're the one who secured it, I'll leave it to you to distribute. Consider it a reward for this negotiation."
How generous, Kaido-san.
Although Kaido was cunning and treacherous, treating human life like grass, he really had nothing but praise for his subordinates.
Jack was defeated... he didn't blame him. Ulti challenged him... he didn't care and even smoothed things over.