Even though Shanks had never seen Saiji before, he instantly recognised the demon standing before him. Covered in a layer of frost armour with long white hair flowing and a hollow in his forehead housing a crystalline hexagonal snowflake, his appearance alone was enough for Shanks to identify him.
"Saiji..."
Shanks emanated a surge of killing intent, which was even more intense than during his battle with Mihawk. He coldly said, "From your tone, it seems you've been waiting for us?"
"Oh? Haven't you been looking for me?" Saiji sat in a chair, surrounded by Shanks' frozen crew members, which explained Shanks' fury and the killing intent radiating from him.
Though Mihawk didn't know who Saiji was, he recognised a demon when he saw one. Humans, whether pirates or marines, shared a common hostility toward demons. Human conflicts paled in comparison to the racial hatred toward demons. Historically, marines and pirates united to fight monsters, such as when they sealed Aatrox.
"Yes, I've been looking for you. It seems you've been aware of me for some time."
Ignoring Shanks' killing intent, Saiji calmly replied, "I once fought alongside Roger. Now, I wake to find that even a kid from his ship is hunting me."
It seemed Saiji had learned a lot since awakening. Shanks responded, "It's been many years since you sealed yourself in ice. The world changes."
"That's one thing I envy about you humans. Despite your short lives, you quickly awaken your potential and grow rapidly. In just twenty years, a kid can become so strong."
Saiji remarked, "But I hope you're not foolish enough to think you can deal with me with just this level of strength?"
Shanks nodded. Saiji's words, though blunt, were valid. Despite being in self-imposed ice recovery for many years, Saiji was a formidable demon far beyond Shanks' current capabilities.
"I'm here to make a deal with you."
"A deal with me?" Saiji chuckled. "Let's hear it."
"About seventeen years from now, a demon lord will emerge in Wano Country. I need information on him and... your assistance."
"Hahahaha!" Saiji laughed heartily. "What makes you think I would help you? I'm a demon. If anything, I'd side with another demon."
"Is that so? If demons were truly united, would you have helped the marines against Aatrox?"
"That was because they were affecting my interests," Saiji replied. "You have no idea what a demon lord represents. Roger clearly failed in teaching you."
Shanks smiled. "Demons, more than anything, pursue their own interests, correct?"
"Interests? What can you offer that would make me help you against a demon lord?"
"The Dark Lord..."
"?!"
Saiji's pupils dilated, seemingly not believing what he heard. Shanks calmly continued, "You and Demon Dragon have been seeking a way to release the Dark Lord, haven't you? I can help."
Even Mihawk was shocked. He frowned at Shanks, not expecting such words. Release the Dark Lord? That was another demon lord! What was Shanks thinking?
"Hahahaha...!" Saiji laughed again. "Do you even know what you're talking about?"
"Of course. I've already uncovered some information about the Dark Lord."
Saiji's smile vanished, his expression turning serious. He looked at Shanks intently. "If you're lying, you'll meet a terrible end."
"I'm serious about this cooperation," Shanks replied.
Seeing Shanks' sincerity, Saiji glanced at Mihawk before huffing. "Very well. Meet me here a year from today. We'll discuss this further then."
Shanks frowned. A whole year? Demons honestly had a different sense of time.
Demons lived for thousands, even tens of thousands of years, making their concept of time vastly different. No human would suggest discussing something a year later.
But since Saiji had spoken, he wasn't inclined to negotiate. After his words, Saiji dissolved into a flurry of snow, vanishing from Shanks' ship.
After Saiji disappeared, Mihawk turned his piercing gaze on Shanks, his tone returning to its initial coldness. "Do you realize what you just said?"
Mihawk's concern was that Shanks intended to cooperate with a major demon, an act intolerable to humanity. While many had partnered with demons for their gain, the scale of Shanks' plan was unprecedented. Releasing the Dark Lord was a grave matter.
But Mihawk believed in Shanks. Their five-day duel allowed Mihawk to gauge Shanks' character. However, aligning with a powerful demon like Saiji was alarming, especially for such a dire purpose.
Saiji was likely a significant demon, and cooperating with him to summon a demon lord was akin to committing a great evil. Only a few, like Kaido, dared to align with demons, and even he was unaware of the true extent of his partner's intentions.