Hearing that conclusion, Xu simply shrugged.
"That's right. Take a closer look at where he's standing."
Aokiji turned back to the screen. The moment his eyes focused, his pupils shrank.
"He's… at the very center of the island!"
Xu nodded.
"Exactly. The core of the island. That's where the central tree is located. Almost every root across the island converges there."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"From that point, he can monitor everyone's movements."
Aokiji and the others drew in a sharp breath.
"This kid… he's terrifying."
Xu twitched at the comment, amused.
That phrasing again?
Before anyone could say more, a figure crept quietly toward Kaiji's position.
"Oh? Looks like we're about to see what he can really do."
All eyes turned to the screen.
After all, anyone Xu personally favored was bound to be extraordinary.
At that moment, Kaiji stood with his back against the massive tree, arms crossed. His right hand tapped lightly against his left arm, then suddenly stopped.
His half-closed eyes opened.
A sharp glint flashed within them.
"My friend, since you're here… why keep hiding?"
He did not even look toward the bushes.
Instead, he lifted his foot and stomped lightly on the ground.
A strange ripple spread outward.
Crack!
From beneath the earth, several wooden spears burst upward without warning.
The hidden man's pupils shrank.
"Damn it!"
He rolled out of the bushes in a panic, barely avoiding a fatal strike. Even so, his right leg was slashed open, blood dripping steadily onto the ground.
Kaiji remained leaning against the tree, a faint smile on his lips.
"See? If you'd just come out on your own, none of that would've happened."
The man snorted coldly, glaring at him.
"You were trying to kill me just now, weren't you?"
Though phrased as a question, his tone carried certainty.
Kaiji shrugged casually.
"A hunter doesn't refuse prey that walks right up to him."
"You've got a death wish!"
The man charged forward, gripping a massive axe.
This time, Kaiji did not use his Devil Fruit ability. Instead, he met him head-on, fists colliding with raw force.
Xu raised an eyebrow as he watched.
"Tina, give me this man's information."
Tina quickly pulled a file from the stack beside her. After scanning it, she let out a small sound of confusion.
"Hm? This is strange…"
Xu glanced at her.
"What is it?"
She looked back down at the file.
"Fleet Admiral Xu, his name is Punk J. Junior. But… according to the records, he's from Wano."
Xu frowned.
"Someone from Wano with a name like that? That doesn't add up. Anything else? Who recommended him for the draft?"
Tina shook her head, then flipped to another page.
"No additional background… wait, I found the recommender."
Her voice paused slightly.
"It's the Shogun of Wano… Orochi Kurozumi."
Understanding dawned instantly in Xu's eyes.
If it was Orochi, then everything made sense.
After all, Orochi was nothing more than a pawn under Kaido.
So that means…
Xu's gaze turned cold.
This man is one of the Beasts Pirates.
He leaned slightly toward Tina.
"Can we contact individual participants?"
Tina blinked, then nodded.
"Of course. One moment, Fleet Admiral."
She quickly brought over a miniature Den Den Mushi.
"The ten numbers here correspond to the ten contestants."
Xu nodded and dialed Kaiji's number without hesitation.
On the battlefield, Kaiji suddenly felt the Den Den Mushi at his waist vibrating.
He glanced at the charging Junior, then kicked him away without effort before answering.
"Hello. This had better be important, or I might get annoyed."
Then he picked up the call.
In the distance, Junior had already stopped moving.
After all, he was an undercover agent. If a superior was calling, he had to obey.
"Kaiji. This is Xu."
Kaiji froze for a moment.
He clearly hadn't expected that.
He straightened immediately.
"Fleet Admiral Xu! My apologies, I didn't realize it was you!"
Xu raised a brow, slightly puzzled by the sudden politeness, but set it aside.
"Kaiji. The man you're facing is Punk Junior."
His voice turned firm.
"I want you to kill him."
"...What?"
Kaiji blinked, stunned. His gaze shifted toward Junior, who was now trembling slightly in the distance.
Though confused, Kaiji suppressed his questions.
"If that's your order, Fleet Admiral, I will carry it out."
Xu smiled faintly.
"You're not going to ask why?"
Kaiji shook his head.
"I trust your judgment. If you've decided it, then it must be the right call."
Xu's expression stiffened for a second.
So he's a loyalist.
"I'm satisfied with your attitude. Then listen carefully."
His voice lowered.
"The man in front of you is a pirate sent by Kaido, Governor of the Beasts Pirates."
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Aokiji and Tina stared in shock.
What kind of twist is this?
But Xu offered no further explanation. There was no simple way to explain it anyway.
"That's all. I'll leave the rest to you."
The call ended.
Kaiji lowered the Den Den Mushi slowly, his expression turning serious as he looked at Junior, who was now drenched in cold sweat.
That reaction alone told him everything.
"I understand, Fleet Admiral."
His voice was calm, but resolute.
"I won't disappoint you."
From afar, Xu watched the screen, eyes fixed on Kaiji.
"Go on… show me your power."