"Worororo, I didn't expect him to just leave like that."
On the other side, Kaido, who was enjoying the banquet and drinking large mouthfuls of wine, also let out his distinctive laughter.
While drinking heartily, he bared his teeth and laughed as he said, "I thought he would open his mouth and seek an alliance! That really was unexpected. Then again, that guy has always been so proud!"
As he spoke, a trace of complexity appeared in his eyes, but it only lasted for a moment before he returned to his rough and bold smile.
"Looks like that old fellow is preparing to rescue Rocks' blood himself. At such an age, he's still indulging in playing house."
Of course, Kaido also knew that what Whitebeard said at the time was serious. He was not rescuing that guy because of Rocks' blood, but because Teach was his son, and that was why he was going to rescue him.
But for some reason, at this moment, his heart carried complexity, melancholy, and a trace of insignificant emotion.
Who would have thought that after so many years had passed, that guy was still the same as ever!
"What a pity! It's really been a long time since I drank together with that guy."
At this time, Ian also walked over.
Looking at Kaido, who was still drinking one barrel after another without stopping, he directly sat down to the side and said in a flat tone: "Now you can say it, right? What did you come to find me for? Just to drink?"
"Worororo, worthy of you! You still found it out."
Having his purpose exposed, Kaido did not mind at all. He continued drinking, wearing a rough smile as he looked at Ian.
At this moment, the drunkenness on his face seemed to disappear, his eyes became more serious, and his tone also turned solemn. "Someone said they saw me at the Sabaody Archipelago, no, it would be more accurate to say they saw a Devil Fruit ability similar to mine!"
As soon as these words fell, Ian understood.
Ian: "..."
That made sense. With the incident at the Sabaody Archipelago spreading, as the original Devil Fruit user, it was not strange for Kaido to be curious.
He even clearly understood what this guy was expecting when he saw the anticipation in the other party's eyes.
He did not hide it. He called out to Gerd, who was drinking together with everyone nearby.
"Gerd."
Gerd: "...?"
Hearing Ian's words, Gerd, who was drinking, put down the wine in her hand with a puzzled expression and turned to look at her new boss.
Then, seeing Ian and the captain of the Beast Pirates beside him, Kaido, she seemed to understand something.
She stood up directly, and then....
"Roar!"
A dragon's roar rang out.
Gerd's massive body directly transformed into a pink giant dragon, coiling in the sky, causing the originally lively banquet to freeze instantly.
Everyone raised their heads to look at that dragon, different from the one that had suddenly appeared before, which was entirely pink.
Of course, things were still fine on the Umbrella Corporation's side.
Although seeing it again was still shocking, they were not like the horrified citizens of the Kingdom of Dressrosa, nor like the incredulous members of the Beasts Pirates.
Go-Governor?
No, that's not the Governor!
This guy is even bigger than the Governor!
Even Kaido himself was shocked by this scene and stood up.
"Worororo, this Beast Form is even bigger than mine!"
But very quickly, he recovered from his shock. His eyes burned with passion as he looked at Ian. "This, this is..."
"Mm."
Although Kaido did not finish his sentence, Ian had already guessed his meaning. He nodded and said directly, "It is indeed an artificial Devil Fruit!"
"So it really is?!"
Hearing Ian's words, Kaido, who had already had some guesses, could not help but have his pupils shrink. Then he once again looked at Ian with blazing and expectant eyes. "Then I..."
"Sorry, I know what you mean, but you can't buy it."
Before Kaido could finish speaking, Ian shook his head and said with a helpless tone, "This artificial Devil Fruit was made by Vegapunk. We can't make it ourselves right now. I only have this one."
"Vegapunk..."
Kaido was stunned for a moment, then sighed in disappointment. He also knew that if what Ian said was true, then he indeed could not buy it.
What a pity...
He had originally planned to build a dragon legion!
At this time, as if sensing something, he turned his head and looked at Gerd, who had already returned to human form and came down.
With an expectant and excited tone, he said: "Worororo, Gerd, right! Want to become my partner? I can let you be the deputy captain of the Beast Pirates."
Ian and Gerd: "..."
Ian looked at Kaido speechlessly.
This guy was like this, and Whitebeard before him was also like this. These two guys came to drink with him under the pretense, but poaching his people was the real goal!
And don't you already have a deputy captain?
But before Ian could say anything, Gerd smiled and looked at Kaido, saying without hesitation: "Sorry, Captain Kaido. I have already sworn, in the name of a warrior, to accept Mr. Ian's employment."
"Is that so? Worororo, that's really a pity."
Although being rejected made Kaido somewhat regretful, he did not dwell on it too much.
He even let out a loud laugh while looking at Ian and his family. "Fine then. Since that's the case, Ian, I'll come find you to drink again next time. I should also head back to accompany my daugh—son!"
As he spoke, just as he was about to transform into a dragon and leave, Ian suddenly extended his hand to stop him.
"Wait a moment!"
Since he had already come, how could they let Kaido just leave like that?
Gerd had not eaten her Devil Fruit for very long and was still not very proficient with her abilities.
Since Kaido had come anyway, with this genuine teacher personally instructing her, Gerd would certainly be able to master her abilities much faster.
And Kaido did not refuse.
After he stated that future purchases of artificial Devil Fruits could enjoy a 20% discount, and promised that if he ever gained the ability to manufacture this kind of artificial Devil Fruit, he would definitely prioritize supplying it to him, Kaido happily accepted.
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