"Five billion Beli."
Kairos Flint calmly tucked the photo into his portable storage and threw out an astonishing number.
Up to now, he had never redeemed a bounty that high. But considering Morgans' status as the president of the World Economic News Agency, and the massive profits generated from daily newspaper sales, it wasn't a random number. The sheer value Kairos could offer Morgans in a year was immeasurable—perhaps even more than what some entire nations collected in taxes.
"What?!!!"
Morgans was genuinely stunned. Kairos was acting like he'd brought a hog to the slaughterhouse—demanding 5 billion Beli as if it were pocket change.
"Impossible! Just a few photographs, and you want five billion? Absolutely not!" Morgans immediately refused.
After all, if he gave in to that demand, he'd be the one getting fleeced.
But Kairos didn't flinch.
"Morgans, think it through. These photos capture the death of a Celestial Dragon. You're telling me you don't want them?" he said, voice calm and confident.
"If these end up in your papers, your stock will sell out in a heartbeat. That's guaranteed."
"These photos are worth five billion. At the very least. No one else has photos like this—proof that someone killed a Celestial Dragon and lived to tell the tale."
Morgans' reaction was expected—he thought the price was outrageous. After all, no matter how rare a photo was, it seemed insane to pay five billion Beli for one.
Even Whitebeard's bounty was just over five billion. Gol D. Roger's bounty was 5.5 billion. Was Kairos really pricing this on par with the highest bounties in the world?
Morgans almost stormed out.
Yet, deep down, he was tempted.
Kairos was right—this was colossal news. The kind of scoop that would sell out every paper on every island.
"One billion," Morgans finally said through gritted teeth.
"If you're willing to come down to one billion, I'll pay it."
That price would make it the most expensive photo in world history. He felt he was already showing extreme sincerity.
But Kairos just smiled and asked,
"Morgans, how about I pay you one billion Beli—and you go kill three Celestial Dragons and take pictures of their corpses for me?"
Morgans froze.
Three Celestial Dragons? One billion for that?
No way. That was a suicide mission. No one in their right mind would risk becoming a target of the World Government for a few photos.
He got the point loud and clear: his offer was insulting.
"1.5 billion?" Morgans tried, testing the waters.
His profit margins per newspaper were slim. But if big news like this dropped, he could move millions—maybe tens of millions. The sheer population of kingdoms like Alabasta (ten million alone) meant the potential was there. And the World Economic News Agency was the largest of its kind.
A net profit of even 60 Beli per paper could quickly spiral into billions in gains if sales hit the hundred-million mark.
Still, if the cost of acquisition was too high, the risk wouldn't be worth it.
"4.9 billion," Kairos said, reducing the price slightly.
This was the classic business negotiation: he'd start high, Morgans would bargain, and eventually, they'd meet somewhere near the bottom line.
"Only 100 million less? Kairos, you're being stingy," Morgans scoffed.
"Where's your sincerity?"
"Okay, fixed price—4.5 billion," Kairos offered.
"2 billion," Morgans countered.
"Let's be real—it's still just a few photos."
"4.3 billion."
"2.2 billion. My paper will still sell out with or without your photos."
"4 billion."
"Morgans, tell me—if I sell these photos to a rival paper, do you think they'll use this bombshell to dethrone your position as the world's #1?"
That hit a nerve.
Morgans' eyes narrowed. Even in his devil fruit hybrid form, Kairos noticed his anxiety flare up.
"3 billion!"
Morgans regrouped.
"Yes, if another outlet gets your scoop, they could outsell me. But they'll never pay your price. You'll lose out by dealing with them."
A fair point—but Kairos wasn't fully convinced.
"Sounds logical… how about 3.8 billion?"
A slight drop. Enough to show he was willing to deal.
Morgans still wasn't satisfied, though. They continued haggling. Every 100 million shaved off meant a major gain for him.
Eventually, after lengthy back-and-forth…
They settled on 3.5 billion Beli.
"Here's the photo," Kairos said, handing over the images.
Morgans rushed to take them. "You're not worried I'll just take them and not pay you?"
"Go ahead," Kairos smirked.
"If you don't pay, I'll just come back and take everything you own."
The threat wasn't empty—and Morgans knew it.
Kairos had repelled a Navy Admiral and obliterated a Buster Call. The princess of Alabasta, Vivi, now with him, was rumored to be more powerful than Kizaru. The man standing before him had killed a Celestial Dragon and earned the wrath of the World Government.
He wasn't someone you crossed lightly.
If Kairos decided to destroy every office Morgans owned, he probably could.
"You can trust me, Kairos," Morgans chuckled nervously.
"You'll have your money within three days."
He could've sent it sooner, but the news was just too juicy. He wanted to run the headline immediately.
This would be front page—a story to rock the seas.
"Good. For this kind of story, I suggest something like: 'Shocking! Nobles of the World Brutalized on the Chambord Islands!' or maybe 'Twisted Humanity? The Celestial Dragons…' You know, that kind of tabloid energy. Makes people want to read."
Kairos offered the suggestion with a smirk.
Morgans' eyes lit up like saucers.
"That… that's brilliant!"
"Mr. Kairos, ever consider joining the World Economic News Agency? I'll make you my Vice President!"
"Thanks, but no," Kairos said coolly.
"The world's too big. I'd rather explore it."
"Pity," Morgans muttered.
"Well, I've got to run. The money will come soon."
And with that, he vanished.
The moment he was gone…
"3.5 billion Beli!"
"AHHHH!!! WE'RE RICH!!!"
Nami practically exploded with joy. That much money meant she could count until her fingers cramped.
Kairos, meanwhile, remained calm.
To him, money was just a number.
He returned to his room and pulled out two Devil Fruit ability crystals. Time to resume what he'd started earlier.
With a thought, he began the synthesis process.
The black crystals shimmered and slowly merged, drawn to each other. As the process continued, a golden glow emerged—growing stronger with each second.
Though Kairos had rested earlier, the synthesis still drained him rapidly. His physical strength dipped fast.
Finally, it was complete.
In his palm now lay a golden crystal—shining with radiant light.
An epic-level Devil Fruit ability crystal.
He examined the golden text engraved on it:
[Epic: Human-Human Fruit – Mythical Zoan: Uzumaki Naruto Form]
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