Arriving at Queen's laboratory, Kai found the increasingly rotund Queen.
He was cursing at a petri dish.
"What? You want me to research Den Den Mushi modifications?"
Looking at Kai shamelessly nodding before him, Queen wanted nothing more than to splash the viral solution he'd just researched right in Kai's face.
He was a world-renowned scientist, the Plague that struck fear into everyone in the New World.
When he acted, it was with viruses that decided the fate of thousands.
And now you want me to research this child's play?
The agricultural machinery and pollution treatment agents I agreed to develop last time already damaged my reputation, damn it!
Queen sneered: "Why don't you go find that bastard Judge? He's the scientist you've been so eager to recruit."
Mind your image, Queen.
Watching Queen acting like he was possessed, Kai almost couldn't hold back his laughter.
The truth was Judge simply couldn't handle everything.
Researching artificial Devil Fruits and improving Raid Suits had already consumed all his time.
But with Queen...
He definitely couldn't tell him the truth.
Kai put on a "sincere" smile and placated: "Judge researches lineage factors... that's his specialty. But when it comes to biological modification technology, how could he compare to your expertise, Queen-san?"
Queen snorted, raising his chin high as he boasted: "Naturally! My biological modification technology is the best in the world!"
In this area, he had absolute confidence, even believing he wasn't inferior to Vegapunk.
Kai thought for a moment but still didn't interrupt Queen's delusions.
It could be said that living in the same era as Vegapunk was both the dream and nightmare of all scientists.
Because no matter what research they pursued, Vegapunk could surpass them with just a little effort.
The birth of the Seraphim was the most powerful proof.
That was the perfect combination of lineage factors and biological modification.
During the creation of the Seraphim, Vegapunk had even simultaneously researched artificial organisms, making inanimate objects consume Devil Fruits, and other highly difficult projects.
Back to the topic.
Kai chuckled lightly: "That's exactly why I need you to participate."
"I refuse!"
Queen didn't even think about it. "I still need to research the latest generation of plague bombs. When my research results come out, this entire sea will tremble before me!"
He was still hoping plague bombs would make him famous worldwide and surpass Kai's bounty.
You're talking a bit big there, Queen.
Kai was speechless.
"Sigh... I was originally planning to let Queen-san make a great contribution, but since that's the case, it seems I can only let Judge show off in front of Kaido-san again."
Kai sighed with feigned regret: "If this continues, I'm afraid the most capable scientist in Kaido-san's eyes will be Judge."
With that, he turned to leave without hesitation, while beginning to count in his mind:
"Stop right there!"
Before he could count to three, Queen shouted loudly: "What do you mean, kid? Explain yourself clearly!"
What did that little conflict between him and Kai matter?
That bastard Judge stealing the spotlight in front of Big Brother Kaido was the real issue!
He was the Beast Pirates' number one scientist!
Indeed, the hatred between peers was naked and raw. A "plan successful" smile flashed across Kai's face, which he immediately concealed before turning back calmly: "I've found a stable and massive new revenue stream for the Beast Pirates... selling Den Den Mushi."
Hearing this, Queen relaxed. He thought it was some major project.
"Kid, do you know how rare wild Den Den Mushi are?"
"Go on, this kind of small job is perfect for Judge. He's suited for this kind of menial work."
As everyone knew, Den Den Mushi could only be captured in the wild, were extremely rare, and couldn't be artificially bred at all.
Kai chuckled lightly: "Are you sure? That's five hundred various Den Den Mushi."
"Only five hundred... wait."
Queen's disdainful smile immediately disappeared. "How many did you say? Five hundred? How many merchant ships did you rob to gather those?"
Even the most ordinary Den Den Mushi sold for 500,000 berries each.
Special function Black and White Den Den Mushi cost millions each and were priceless.
Of course Queen wasn't surprised by this bit of business... mainly because no one could gather so many Den Den Mushi for sale at once.
Merchants who sold Den Den Mushi generally had at most a few dozen even when well-stocked.
Kai wagged his finger and smiled confidently. "They're artificially bred. This is just the first batch."
"Did Judge achieve a breakthrough in this technology?" Besides him, Queen couldn't think of anyone else who could have provided Kai with such advancement.
Just thinking about Judge showing off in front of Big Brother Kaido made Queen's teeth itch with anger.
"No, don't worry about the source for now. Just tell me if you can do it."
"If not, I'll go find Judge. I think this kind of modification work isn't that difficult."
Kai lifted his foot as if to leave, and Queen quickly put on a smiling face to stop him.
"Little brother, don't rush."
Queen laughed as he put his arm around Kai's shoulder: "How could that guy Judge be as knowledgeable as your big brother here?"
"Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll arrange everything perfectly for you."
Queen's mind raced.
If Kai could really provide large quantities of artificially bred Den Den Mushi stably, this wouldn't be a small business anymore!
This would be a massive market worth hundreds of billions of berries!
Best of all, Den Den Mushi were consumables with life cycles... customers would need to keep buying.
This achievement had to belong to him, Queen!
"Excellent."
Kai nodded with satisfaction, then changed his tone, his expression becoming serious: "But I have one requirement."
"Name it." Queen patted his chest confidently.
"I need you to research a special Visual Den Den Mushi."
Kai's gaze was intense. "Besides broadcasting images, it must be able to forcibly control all other Den Den Mushi worldwide to broadcast its content."
The technical difficulty existed but should be manageable.
Vegapunk had created such a Den Den Mushi before, using it to broadcast part of the Void Century's truth to the world.
Queen frowned: "Do you know the technical difficulty involved?"
The signal transmission problem wasn't too big... Den Den Mushi could naturally contact other Den Den Mushi worldwide through their unique communication methods.
But forcible control?
"Sigh, is it really too difficult? I think Vegapunk could definitely do it."
Kai sighed.
"Leave it to me! Just wait and see... I'll show you what the world's number one scientist can do!"
Queen instantly lost his rationality and took on the entire project.
At worst, he'd just leave backdoors in the Beast Pirates' Den Den Mushi.
Kai left satisfied.
Next, it was time to go to Amazon Lily to capture fierce beasts.
The next day.
The Rayquaza set sail again.
However, before departing for Amazon Lily, Kai had a score to settle.
That bird Morgans... if he didn't show up to warn him, he didn't dare imagine what shocking things that bird might write next.
"Set course for Pleasure Quarter!"
Kai ordered.
When it came to who might know information about that bird Morgans, none other than intelligence queen Stussy.
Conveniently, Kai still held leverage over Stussy.
She had no choice but to cooperate with him.