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"Alex. What's going on here?" Kaido asked, his gaze sweeping the room as he took in the strange surroundings.
Alex met his questioning look with a straightforward reply. "We're extracting Charlotte Linlin's immense physical talent to create a war weapon utilizing her unparalleled physique."
Hearing this simple explanation, Kaido's eyes burned with interest. He could already envision the devastating potential such a weapon would have in war.
"So, you're asking me to come here to extract my talent as well?"
"The more, the better," Alex affirmed with a nod. He reached out to hold a piece of the base's most common alloy—an incredibly rare and advanced material outside the lab. "This," Alex explained, "is the latest innovation destined to revolutionize the future era. It's even more powerful than SMILE."
Alex continued, his tone growing more intense. "This alloy can create mechanical weapons with biological characteristics. It boasts remarkable self-recovery and bonding capabilities." His gaze shifted back to Kaido. "Your legendary regenerative ability makes you the perfect candidate for this. I want to see how this alloy evolves when enhanced with your talent. With your contributions, this cutting-edge technology could reach an entirely new level."
The other scientists in the room couldn't help but focus on Kaido, their minds racing with possibilities. They couldn't ignore the implications of incorporating the "immortality" aspect of Kaido's abilities into their research. Fiery excitement shone in their eyes as they pondered the potential breakthroughs.
Kaido, for his part, had little reason to doubt Alex. After all, Alex had freed him from imprisonment and brought him to the heart of this research base. It seemed unlikely there was any ulterior motive beyond this shared ambition.
After a moment of thought, Kaido cast a glance at Charlotte Linlin's suspended form. Then, with a dismissive wave, he said, "Fine. Let's see what kind of so-called war weapon you can create with my talent."
He added, his voice gruff, "But don't expect me to stick around in this damned place for your experiments."
Kaido crossed his arms, his voice dripping with disdain. "Vegapunk already studied my physical traits extensively. It wasn't some quick job, either—he had to take samples periodically over time."
Alex, unperturbed, smiled faintly. "This will be no different. We'll extract a large amount of your factors just once a year. The rest of the time, you'll have complete freedom to act as you see fit."
Raising an index finger, Alex added, "Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement. Yes, it's inconvenient. But in exchange for your cooperation, I offer you the chance to take part in a grand battle—one that will be etched into the annals of history forever."
Kaido snorted but didn't protest further, tacitly agreeing to Alex's terms.
"Comps. Caesar." Alex turned his attention to the two lead scientists. "Begin extracting and recording his life factors. Then use the Munch-Munch Fruit ability to develop a higher-level morphological memory combination. Push the boundaries."
Comps and Caesar nodded in acknowledgment. While Caesar hesitated slightly under the looming presence of the Four Emperors, the native-born Comps remained composed. He displayed no anger or fear as he regarded Kaido.
For Comps, emotions that could cloud his judgment had long been "swallowed" by his dedication to science. To him, Kaido wasn't an emperor or a force of destruction—he was merely another opportunity to create something extraordinary.
Kaido couldn't help but notice something peculiar about the situation. Comparing him to Vegapunk in his mind, Kaido concluded that they might share the same madness. No—he corrected himself—anyone deeply immersed in science was bound to be a lunatic of some kind.
"Alex, how is my army arranged?" Kaido asked abruptly as they followed Comps toward the equipment.
Alex didn't miss a beat. "The Beasts Pirates have already been defeated. Those who survived have been imprisoned and will serve as resources to strengthen Wanokuni."
He paused before continuing, his tone sharp but matter-of-fact. "As for your former subordinates, only two All-Stars remain. I might consider returning them to you."
Kaido raised an eyebrow and added, "And that girl, Ulti."
Alex's response was curt. "It's not about what you choose—it's about what I allow."
Kaido took Alex's words in stride. As the defeated party, he knew his position. He didn't press further, nor did he show any sign of anger or dissatisfaction. He had simply asked on a whim—if Alex agreed, great; if not, it hardly mattered. While Kaido still carried himself with the arrogance of a king, he had no issue stooping low when faced with Alex's unconventional mix of bribery and conscription.
Yamato, standing nearby, kept a close and watchful eye on Kaido. Her posture was firm, her gaze unwavering.
While it was clear that Kaido wasn't about to cause immediate trouble, Yamato remained cautious, her convictions about her father unshaken. Even if Alex allowed some leniency, Yamato was resolute in maintaining her own attitude toward Kaido.
Alex, meanwhile, understood Yamato's perspective and let her actions stand. There was no need to soften her stance. Kaido, for all his cooperation, still represented a volatile presence. Moreover, Alex's focus wasn't entirely on Kaido. His vision extended far beyond this interaction—toward the aftermath of the summit battle and the tides of the New World.
With two Emperors of the Sea already eliminated, only Whitebeard and the World Government posed significant threats to Wanokuni now. Most others would instead turn their attention to exploiting the remnants of Kaido's fall.
But Alex's ambitions stretched even further. The Ten Thousand Kingdoms Archipelago—Big Mom's territory—was his true target. The World Government, wary of Wanokuni's growing strength and preoccupied with its own challenges, had begun recruiting and bolstering Marine forces to prepare for what lay ahead.
Whitebeard, however, was an entirely different concern.
Alex pondered Whitebeard's inevitable response. The man's personality left little room for uncertainty—he was sure to challenge Alex in some form, even if the specifics remained unclear. A confrontation with the world's strongest man was all but certain.
Yet, the timing of the prophesied ending still left plenty of room for maneuver. With 11 years remaining before the foretold conclusion, Alex had ample opportunity to consolidate power, especially given the looming presence of Whitebeard.
Shortly after the war, Alex received reports from his shadow guard operating on the Grand Line and in the New World. They informed him of another key player entering the fray: Red-Haired Shanks and his crew, the Red-Hair Pirates, were advancing deeper into the New World.
Shanks, a figure shrouded in mystery even in historical accounts, was a man of immense talent. Renowned for his mastery of Conqueror's Haki and swordsmanship, Shanks' capabilities bore a striking resemblance to Alex's own.
Even the advanced technique of using Conqueror's Haki to suppress Observation Haki—a skill Shanks was famous for—was something Alex had independently developed. Their similarities were undeniable, but their approaches diverged.
Alex's interest in Shanks, however, was minimal. Knowing the man's nature, Alex had no intention of forging an alliance or pursuing any form of cooperation.
And maybe, after knowing that Alex has taken away the Sing-Sing Fruit, maybe there will be a big war.