At the palace direction, Kaidou and his group had already arrived before the grand palace gates. The resplendent, golden palace stood in stark contrast to the city's dark underground markets, showcasing the kingdom's wealth and power.
Dozens of fully armed guards stood on either side of the palace entrance, clad in gleaming armor and holding sharp spears, yet they appeared insignificant before Kaidou and his companions.
"Mr. Kaidou, welcome to Rexter," said a middle-aged man in lavish clothing standing on the steps, his face wearing a shrewd, merchant-like smile. He gave a slight bow, placing his right hand over his chest in salute. "I am the king's finance minister, Rodrigues. His Majesty has already prepared a banquet in the banquet hall awaiting your arrival."
Kaidou snorted coldly and strode up the steps with large strides. With each step his burly frame took, the stone steps beneath him groaned under the strain. King, Bullet, and Urouge followed closely behind, the three of them vigilantly observing their surroundings. Though the palace guards were fully armed, they still seemed utterly defenseless against these powerful pirates.
After passing through a long corridor, Kaidou finally met the King of Rexter—a portly, middle-aged man with a beaming smile plastered across his face.
The king rose from his throne, enthusiastically spreading his arms wide: "Welcome, welcome! Mr. Kaidou's esteemed presence truly brings honor to our humble kingdom!" His voice was booming and obsequious, the fat on his face bunching up with his smile.
Kaidou ignored the king's pleasantries and got straight to the point: "What do you want with me?" His voice rumbled like thunder through the spacious hall, causing the surrounding candle flames to flicker slightly.
The king's smile stiffened for a moment before quickly returning to its merchant-like shrewdness: "Mr. Kaidou, ever the straightforward one. Actually, I wanted to discuss a business deal with you..."
"A deal? You want to do business with me? Wororororo..." Kaidou let out his trademark laugh, shaking the palace's glass windows. "Are you trying to make me laugh?" So-called business deals only occur between parties of equal strength, and Kaidou could destroy this country whenever he wished. For someone of such unequal power to propose a business deal was completely ridiculous.
"Mr. Kaidou, I know Rexter Kingdom isn't particularly powerful, but we are at least one of the strongest nations in the West Sea, and we're also a member nation of the World Government," the king said, wiping cold sweat from his forehead while forcing himself to maintain composure.
"Oh? Are you trying to threaten me with the World Government?" Kaidou's eyes suddenly turned dangerous, an suffocating pressure beginning to emanate from his entire body.
"No, no, no, Mr. Kaidou! What I meant to say is that Rexter Kingdom does have some influence in the West Sea, especially through our country's underground black market where you can find anything. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come here to purchase supplies," the king hurriedly explained, his voice beginning to tremble. "Since you have needs, Mr. Kaidou, that gives us the premise for doing business."
Kaidou narrowed his eyes, his thick fingers lightly tapping on the armrest of the throne: "Wororororo... Interesting. Go on then. Tell me about this so-called business of yours, and what you can offer me."
The king took a deep breath and organized his thoughts: "Here's the situation, Mr. Kaidou. One year ago, we discovered a mineral-rich island in the waters near the Kingdom of Lexter. At the time, we were preparing to develop the mineral resources on the island. Unfortunately, the Kingdom of Credea from another sea also discovered the island, leading to a minor battle between our two nations. Later, the Kingdom of Credea treacherously enlisted high-ranking officials from the World Government to directly incorporate the island into Credea's territory."
"So, what do you want me to do?" Kaidou asked bluntly.
"I'd like to hire you, Mr. Kaidou, to raid the island as a pirate and kill all the soldiers from the Kingdom of Credea stationed there," the king whispered, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.
"Just kill them?!" Kaidou raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, just eliminate everyone on the island. I'll handle the rest," the king said, rubbing his hands together.
"And what kind of reward are you planning to give me?!" Kaidou's voice carried a hint of amusement.
"Mr. Kaidou, if you can kill everyone on the island, I'm willing to pay you one billion Berries. Additionally, I'll give you a Devil Fruit I obtained by chance," the king said mysteriously.
"Oh? A Devil Fruit?" Kaidou leaned forward slightly, intrigued.
"Indeed. According to our kingdom's Devil Fruit encyclopedia, it's the Paramecia-type Shadow-Shadow Fruit," the king explained.
A glint of interest appeared in Kaidou's eyes: "The Shadow-Shadow Fruit? The one that can manipulate shadows?"
"Exactly," the king nodded. "This fruit's ability is quite powerful—it allows the user to control others' shadows for their own purposes. I believe it would make a fine addition to the collection of someone as strong as you, Mr. Kaidou."
After a moment of contemplation, Kaidou suddenly burst into laughter: "Worororo... Interesting! I'll take this deal. But..." His gaze turned dangerous. "If you dare play any tricks, I won't mind turning this palace into ruins."
Sweat beaded on the king's forehead as he hastily waved his hands: "I wouldn't dare! Rest assured, Mr. Kaidou, we will absolutely honor our agreement."
"Better be." Kaidou turned to leave. "I'll set off tomorrow. Every Credean on that island will disappear. Have my payment ready, Your Majesty."
Watching Kaidou's retreating figure, the king let out a long sigh of relief, a shrewd merchant's smile reappearing on his face. He turned to his finance minister and whispered: "Immediately prepare one billion Berries and that Devil Fruit. Also, notify our informants in Credea to make preparations."
The finance minister hesitated: "Your Majesty, are you sure about this? What if someone discovers our true intentions..."
"Silence!" the king snapped. "This is our only chance. If the plan succeeds, not only will we eliminate Credea's greatest ally, but we'll also use Kaidou to wipe out Credea's main forces. That way, Credea will never threaten Rexter's position again."
At the same time, Kaidou, who had just stepped out of the palace, suddenly halted and said to King, "King, tonight you will infiltrate the royal palace and directly restrain that fat pig. Let's see what they're really planning. I've already used Observation Haki to investigate—there's no one in this country who can threaten you."
King nodded and replied, "Understood, Brother Kaidou. I've already memorized that fat pig's blood."
"Hmm!" Kaidou nodded in acknowledgment.