Queen's huge body leapt upward, only to come crashing heavily back down under the force of gravity, kicking up a small cloud of dust.
Even so, relying on brute force, he managed to bounce his way in front of Kaido.
The moment he reached Kaido, Queen immediately spread his arms wide, striking a pose of noble sacrifice.
He looked exactly like a hero preparing to die bravely, ready to sacrifice his life to protect Kaido.
"Boss, hurry and leave! I'll hold them off here!"
Queen shouted at the top of his lungs.
His fat face was filled with an expression of "facing death without fear."
To make the performance even more convincing, he deliberately struck what he believed was a handsome pose, puffing out his round belly, raising his head, and forcing a fake look of determination into his eyes.
However, the scene fell into an eerie silence.
Everyone, including Kaido, who had just joined, stared at this living joke as if they were looking at an idiot.
Their gazes contained surprise, disdain, helplessness, and several other emotions all mixed together.
Marco could not help covering his forehead, gently pressing his fingers against it as though trying to ease his embarrassment.
The corner of Vista's mouth twitched.
The slight trembling of his facial muscles showed that he was desperately holding back laughter.
Even Jozu, who was usually serious, turned his face away, unable to keep watching Queen's ridiculous performance.
"Shut up, fool."
Kaido's voice was deep and powerful.
He slapped Queen on his shiny forehead, producing a crisp sound like someone striking an old bronze gong.
"The Beasts Pirates… no longer exist from this day onward."
Kaido's voice was calm, but it carried unquestionable firmness.
A complicated light flickered in his eyes—both a decisive break from the past and expectations for the future.
Hearing Kaido's words, Queen instantly froze in place like a statue under a petrification spell.
His sunglasses fell to the ground with a clack and shattered into several pieces.
His already small eyes now opened wide and round like bronze bells, filled with shock and confusion.
"B-Boss… don't tell me…"
Queen's voice trembled slightly, as though he could not believe what he had just heard.
"I have already joined the Eternal Divine Kingdom," Kaido said slowly, his voice steady and solemn.
A complicated expression flashed through his dragon eyes—nostalgia for the past, firmness toward his new choice—but he quickly returned to his calm expression.
"You can leave whenever you want. But if you want to follow me…"
Kaido pointed one thick finger straight at Ron.
"You'll have to ask that kid first."
The air froze at that moment.
For three seconds, the entire battlefield was as silent as a dead graveyard.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the storm to arrive.
"Boss Ron—!!!"
Queen suddenly let out a shrill wail, his voice practically piercing the clouds.
With agility completely mismatched to his size, he lunged toward Ron like a crazed wild boar.
With a thud, he dropped heavily to his knees.
The sound of his knees hitting the ground was especially clear across the silent battlefield.
Queen clung tightly to Ron's leg as if he had grabbed the last straw that could save his life.
His fat face rubbed back and forth against Ron's white coat, the greasy feeling almost seeming to seep into the fabric.
At that moment, he looked just like a fat cat begging for food—only this "fat cat" had an urgent and fawning look in its eyes.
"Let me join the Eternal Divine Kingdom too!"
Queen cried out with tears in his voice, as though the words were arrows fired from a fully drawn bow.
His voice was filled with uncontrollable urgency and longing.
At this moment, he stood on the edge of life and death, and the Eternal Divine Kingdom was his only lifeline.
Tears poured down his face like a broken dam, and snot flowed uncontrollably, smearing across his face.
He looked both pitiful and ridiculous!
Yet right now, he cared nothing for his image. His entire focus was on begging to join the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
"My scientific technology can absolutely help the Divine Kingdom crush the Navy!"
As Queen spoke, he waved his arms with great effort, trying to convey his determination through his gestures.
"Cyborgs, plague bullets, cloning technology… I can contribute all of it!"
His eyes revealed fanaticism and obsession.
These advanced technologies were the sharpest weapons in his hands, just waiting to serve the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
The more excited he became, the more he suddenly raised his head. His already tiny eyes now burned with a fanatical light like flames.
"As long as you're willing… I can even steal Vegapunk's laboratory blueprints!"
His voice trembled slightly with excitement.
"I've been coveting that old man's inventions for ages! Every time I think of those incredible inventions, my heart itches like it's being scratched by a cat. I can't wait to take them for myself and contribute to the Divine Kingdom's great cause!"
Ron lowered his head slightly and looked at Queen, who was acting like a complete clown.
His eyes narrowed a little.
To be honest, Queen's performance was far too exaggerated.
His over-the-top expressions and gestures made people want to cover their faces.
However, it had to be admitted that the technologies he mentioned did indeed contain tremendous value.
For example, those battle suits would look incredibly cool when worn.
"Get up."
Ron lightly shook his leg, trying to shake off this piece of "sticky candy" clinging tightly to him.
His voice was calm and steady, as though he had not been affected by Queen's emotions at all.
"Your application… I'll consider it." Ron spoke slowly, each word leaving no room for argument.
Hearing this, Queen immediately stopped crying and broke into a smile.
The speed of his expression change was truly astonishing.
A moment ago, he had been crying pitifully with tears streaming down his face. Now, he had already put on a flattering smile.
He quickly climbed to his feet, his movements swift and practiced, as though he had rehearsed this kind of transformation countless times.
Then he carefully moved closer to Ron and began fawningly brushing off nonexistent dust from Ron's clothes, saying nonstop, "Hehe, I knew Lord Ron was the wisest! From today on, you're my new boss!"
That flattering appearance made people feel both amused and helpless.
Whitebeard, watching this living joke's brilliant performance from the side, could not help laughing aloud.
Then, under everyone's gaze, Ron signed a contract with Queen.
The contents of the contract were roughly the same as Kaido's.
The first clause clearly stated that he must act according to the interests of the Divine Kingdom.
That clause was like an invisible shackle, firmly binding Queen to the Eternal Divine Kingdom.