"As expected of the resourceful Marshal Sengoku," Kaito said with a smirk, his tone half-mocking. "This is about where I expected things to end up."
Sengoku's eyebrow twitched. Though it was technically a compliment, something about the man's grin made him want to punch him straight through the Den Den Mushi.
Taking a steadying breath, Sengoku forced himself to speak evenly. "Let's continue from where we left off. Five billion Berries is too much. Four billion—final offer."
Kaito leaned back lazily, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Sorry, but I've already entrusted the negotiations to my wife. If you can handle her, then sure—take it up with her. Whether it's four billion or two billion depends entirely on how that goes."
He passed the phone-bug to Kaguya, giving her a small, knowing glance. After more than a decade together in the shinobi world, she could read him instantly.
"After all this talk, can I finally start cooking my seafood fried rice?" Shakky called out from behind the counter.
"Oh—sorry, Kaito! I got caught up in your conversation," she said cheerfully. "I'll get to it right away."
Without the faintest hint of embarrassment, she turned and walked back into the kitchen.
Kaito turned to the older man nearby and smiled. "Rayleigh, huh? The right hand of the Pirate King himself—the Dark King, Roger's vice-captain?"
Rayleigh chuckled as he poured himself a glass of wine. "You flatter me. Those days are long gone. Now I'm just a washed-up old man making a living coating ships in Sabaody Archipelago."
Kaito nodded in mock sympathy. "True. You do look like someone who's earned his rest."
Then his tone shifted, just slightly. "Tell me, though—what's your name again? I don't recall hearing of anyone who could negotiate with a Marine Fleet Admiral and walk away alive. Especially not someone who can make Sengoku lose his composure like that. You must have something he really wants."
Kaito grinned, his voice turning razor-sharp. "Because, old man, Akainu is in my hands."
Rayleigh froze mid-sip. "Akainu? The Marine Admiral? How could that be?"
"What else could I do?" Kaito said casually, leaning on the bar. "He came after me for revenge after I killed his nephew. He got caught. Simple as that."
Rayleigh's pupils shrank. The glass in his hand trembled slightly. "You're saying… Akainu is in your custody right now? When did this happen? Why isn't it all over the news?"
"An hour ago," Kaito replied smoothly. "In Water Seven. Sengoku sent five Vice Admirals to back him up. Akainu led the charge himself."
Shakky walked out just then, balancing a steaming plate. "Here, eat this first," she said, setting down the fried rice. Her gaze flicked toward Kaguya, who was still deep in negotiation through the phone-bug.
"You're really letting your wife handle that?" she asked, incredulous.
"Of course," Kaito said easily. "Whatever she earns is her pocket money. If she pushes for more, good for her. If not, well—less is fine too."
"Pocket… money?" Rayleigh and Shakky both twitched.
Inwardly, Shakky sighed. His wife negotiates billions, and he calls it pocket money? She gave Rayleigh a long look that practically screamed, why can't you spoil me like that?
"You really dote on her," she said at last.
Rayleigh coughed and hid behind his wine glass. "It's… impressive."
For a while, the bar filled only with the quiet clinking of Kaito's chopsticks and the muffled argument of Kaguya and the Marines through the line.
Inside the Den Den Mushi, Kaguya's calm voice echoed: "Four billion? That's your limit? Ridiculous. Ten billion. No less."
Sengoku's voice came back sharp. "We Marines can't possibly pay that much! Four billion is already generous—show some mercy!"
"Ten billion," Kaguya repeated flatly. "Anything less, and the deal's off."
"Ten billion?" Sengoku snapped. "Do you have any idea what ten billion Berries means?"
"I don't know," she said simply. "But if you don't pay, we'll just tear up the ticket."
Sengoku groaned. "Four point five billion. Final offer!"
"Ten billion," Kaguya sang back, voice smooth as steel.
The back-and-forth continued for fifteen long minutes until Sengoku and Tsuru were visibly exhausted, their patience shredded by Kaguya's relentless bargaining.
"Enough!" Sengoku barked. "Put your husband back on! We're done talking to you!"
"No need," Kaguya replied lightly. "Kaito trusts me to handle this."
"Seven billion!" Sengoku finally shouted. "Seven billion Berries and not a coin more! Otherwise, we'll treat Akainu as a lost cause and promote a replacement!"
Kaguya glanced over at Kaito, who gave a faint nod. "Fine. Seven billion it is."
Sengoku froze. "Wait—what did you just say?"
"I said we accept seven billion," she repeated sweetly.
"Good! Excellent! Then it's settled! I'll personally lead the team to deliver it in a week!" Sengoku growled, slamming the receiver shut.
Kaguya let out a soft laugh. "See, Kaito-kun? Seven billion. That's two billion more than expected!"
Kaito chuckled. "You handled that perfectly. Once the money's in, we'll take some time off and enjoy the island."
"Then I'll rest for now," Kaguya said, her tone shifting into the private code they alone understood.
Kaito nodded. "Go ahead."
Her form shimmered, turning into a stream of light that merged seamlessly into his body.
Rayleigh's eyes widened. "That… ability… incredible."
"I've seen plenty of strange powers in my day," Shakky added softly, "but nothing quite like that. Is she a Devil Fruit user?"
Kaito smiled faintly. "Something like that."
He left it at that, and they knew better than to press him.
"You'd better stay sharp," Rayleigh warned. "Marine Headquarters is only a few hours from here. If Sengoku's giving you a week, he's buying time to gather forces."
"I know," Kaito replied calmly, setting his empty plate aside. "But strategy means nothing against absolute power."
He tossed a few Berries onto the counter for the meal, gave a polite nod, and walked out into the street, the late afternoon sun glinting off his cloak.
When his presence finally faded from sight, Shakky exhaled a long stream of smoke. Her casual demeanor melted away into something far more serious.
"What do you think of him?" she asked quietly.
Rayleigh didn't answer right away.
"His character—I already have a read on that," she continued. "I'm asking about his strength."
Rayleigh swirled the wine in his glass, watching it tremble faintly. "I can't see through him," he said finally.
Shakky's eyes widened. "Can't see through? Even you?"
Rayleigh nodded slowly. "Even me."
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