"I've decided to shut down Stark Industries' weapons division, effective immediately!"
A shocking announcement came through the live television broadcast.
Tony Stark had decided to close the weapons development department of his corporation!
In front of the TV, a man frowned slightly.
"Qin, this is the opportunity you were talking about?"
A mountain of a man sat there, a cigar clenched between his teeth.
Kingpin!
Wilson Fisk!
Forty percent of crime in the United States could be traced back to him.
"That's right. This is the opportunity," Qin Xiao replied calmly.
"Last time, I already told you—Tony Stark would go missing in Afghanistan.
At that time, Stark Industries' stock only dipped slightly. Compared to now, it was insignificant.
As of today, everything I predicted has come true.
Starting tomorrow, Stark Industries' stock will drop by at least forty percent.
Unless Tony Stark finds a product to replace the profits from weapons sales, the stock will continue to fall.
Right now is the best moment to acquire shares in Stark Industries.
The share ratio I want—you need to secure it for me."
Kingpin nodded.
"Before I agree to your terms, I have one question."
"What is it?"
"I've received some intel.
The one who went to rescue Stark this time… was the Punisher.
And the Punisher seems to be working for you.
You knew Stark would be in trouble, yet you also hired someone to save him.
Could it be that you were the mastermind behind his kidnapping?"
Kingpin asked the question that concerned him most.
Qin Xiao glanced at him and let out a soft chuckle.
"Your intelligence network is even stronger than I expected.
But this matter has nothing to do with me. I simply had advance knowledge.
As for who was behind Tony Stark's kidnapping—he'll figure it out himself soon enough.
All you need to do is wait for the final outcome."
"Not you? Good. That puts me at ease."
Kingpin's expression remained calm, but his eyes revealed anticipation.
"I agree to your terms. My traders will handle the acquisition of Stark Industries shares for you.
Now then, as for what you promised me… it's time you deliver, isn't it?"
"Of course. This was a transaction from the beginning."
As Qin Xiao spoke, ripples suddenly spread across his abdomen.
Then, to Kingpin's astonishment, Qin Xiao reached his hand directly into the rippling space.
Kingpin's gaze turned wary.
Plop—
A faint sound came from within the ripple.
When Qin Xiao withdrew his hand, he was holding something strange.
An unusual color.
A bizarre shape.
"A Devil Fruit?" Kingpin blurted out instinctively.
"That's right. This is a Devil Fruit," Qin Xiao replied evenly.
Kingpin's expression turned serious.
"There's been a rumor spreading throughout Hell's Kitchen recently—
'An Eastern Devil has set its sights on Satan's territory.'
It seems you truly are the earthly agent of an Eastern devil.
And now, you're using these devil-crafted fruits to gradually erode Satan's domain."
As the king of the underworld, Kingpin firmly believed in the existence of devils.
Because he knew things others didn't.
For example, a flaming skeleton—the Ghost Rider—had once roamed the human world.
That man was the agent of a certain devil.
And Qin Xiao… represented an Eastern devil.
The Eastern devils were attempting to invade the Western world.
Devil Fruits were the means by which they granted power to ordinary people.
Qin Xiao's expression didn't change in the slightest upon hearing this.
In fact, these rumors were deliberately spread by him.
All of this was simply to facilitate the "trade" of Devil Fruits.
"My identity is none of your concern," Qin Xiao said calmly.
"There's only one thing you need to consider—whether you're going to eat this Devil Fruit."
He placed the fruit in front of Kingpin and looked at him quietly.
"What kind of power will this Devil Fruit grant me?"
Kingpin stared at the oddly colored and strangely shaped fruit, asking the question he cared about most.
He knew about devils—and the dangers behind them.
But he wasn't afraid.
That flaming skull had once outmaneuvered a Western devil and left it powerless.
If that man could do it…
Then he, Kingpin, could do it too.
Power—I'll take it.
Control me?
Not a chance!
Qin Xiao had no idea what Kingpin was thinking—and even if he did, he wouldn't care.
"This Devil Fruit is called the Bomb-Bomb Fruit."