บท 40: Chapter 40: Deals and threat

The carnival on Shirakawa Island was in full swing. Beneath the festive surface of food, music, and entertainment, powerful pirates and influential institutions had gathered to strike business deals. In the shadows, where the fireworks couldn't reach, the real transactions were being made.

For most pirate crews, conquering resource-rich islands was just the first step. With little to no population to work the land, pirates turned to underworld manufacturing institutions for their labor needs. In exchange, these institutes gave the pirates protection fees or a cut of their profits, avoiding the need to pay any local workforce. It was a mutually beneficial relationship. The pirates got their resources processed, and the institutes got raw materials at a fraction of the cost.

Amid these deals, the Beast Pirates thrived. Their own products- tools, weapons forged from the island's resources—were selling at an all-time high, making the crew and the citizens of Shirakawa Island wealthier than ever. Kaido's vision for the island had become a reality: a hub of power and prosperity.

Inside the grand VIP hotel, Charlotte Katakuri, Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates, walked through the halls with measured steps, his sharp eyes scanning his surroundings. The Beast Pirates' guards flanked him on either side, leading him toward a set of massive gates.

As the gates creaked open, revealing the grand meeting room beyond, a tall man stepped forward to greet him. It was Kaido himself, towering above all others, his presence as imposing as ever.

"Welcome to the Beast Pirates' carnival, Sweet Commander," Kaido rumbled, his deep voice echoing in the hall. "Or should I call you Charlotte Katakuri?"

Katakuri, calm and composed, gave a slight nod. "Thank you for your welcome, Mr. Kaido. You can call me Katakuri." His voice was steady, showing no hint of unease despite being face-to-face with one of the most powerful man in the New World.

At that moment, Katakuri gave a subtle signal to one of his men. The subordinate stepped forward, carrying a finely decorated box. He opened it to reveal a gleaming fruit inside—a Devil Fruit, swirled with strange patterns."My mother, Big Mom, has sent you a gift," Katakuri said.

Kaido's eyes flickered toward the fruit, a brief smirk crossing his lips. "Worororo… She still likes to make people owe her favors, huh? Well, I am already owe her a lot."

Without missing a beat, Kaido gestured to one of his own men, who stepped forward with another box. "Take this as my return gift," Kaido said casually. The box was handed over to Katakuri, who accepted it with a stoic expression.

The exchange of gifts between the two pirate crews was symbolic. While Kaido had no intention of being indebted to Big Mom, the act of exchanging gifts showed mutual respect between the two Yonko crews. It signaled that Kaido saw the Big Mom Pirates as equals—at least for now—and that he had no immediate interest in engaging in conflict with them.

Katakuri remained silent, his sharp observation haki at work, reading the strength and intentions of the pirates around him. There was no malice in the air, but he knew better than to trust appearances alone. Kaido's motives were always layered, and while the carnival was a show of wealth and power, Katakuri could sense there was more going on beneath the surface.

Still, for the moment, the transaction was complete, and peace between the two emperors' crews remained intact. Katakuri's expression never wavered as he accepted Kaido's gift, but in the back of his mind, he remained vigilant, knowing that the balance of power could shift at any time.

As he turned to leave, Kaido's deep laughter echoed through the hall. "Worororo... enjoy the carnival, Katakuri."

Katakuri nodded once before exiting the room with his men. Outside, the sounds of the carnival resumed, but the tension from within the meeting lingered in the air.

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As the night deepened, Shirakawa Island's East City glowed even brighter. The streets were filled with revelers, and the music from various performances echoed through the town. The auction was about to begin, and the atmosphere was thick with anticipation.

Pirates from all over the New World had gathered, some for trade, others for information, but all of them keenly aware of the influence the Beast Pirates held in this region. As they whispered among themselves about the fortunes being made here, they couldn't help but cast envious glances at the island's citizens, whose lives had drastically improved under Kaido's rule.

The arrival of Big Mom's crew had not gone unnoticed. Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire, speculating about the reasons for their visit. Some thought it was a simple business matter. Others suspected that there were deeper alliances forming, alliances that could reshape the balance of power in the New World.

And then there were those who speculated about what kind of treasure or Devil Fruit might appear in the night's auction.

Unbeknownst to the revelers, behind the scenes, Kaido and his officers kept a watchful eye on the proceedings. The carnival might have been a celebration of wealth and power, but it was also a stage for negotiation, manipulation, and silent threats.

As the night rolled on, the true nature of the carnival became clear: beneath the surface of entertainment and food, this was a gathering of power players. And in a world where strength ruled all, the Beast Pirates stood at the top of it all, watching, waiting, and planning their next move.

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