Chapter 199: Angry Whitebeard Pirates
"...An invitation from the Whitebeard Pirates?"
The perfect work was produced in batches, and the artificial Zoan, Phantom Beast species, Azure Dragon form, and the bloodline factor of Bartholomew Kuma stored in the Warhead Island Experimental Base were studied. The liquid with Paramecia and Paw-Paw Fruit abilities was ready for mass production.
In addition to his own Devil Fruit, Kahn, who turns all perfect works into double-fruit users, gained the abilities of the Paramecia-type Paw-Paw Fruit.
After hearing Carina's words, he, buried in his work, paused slightly but didn't even glance at the invitation card. He continued his work with his head down.
He scoffed, "Tear it up. Give them a message: I like Princess Shirahoshi very much, and I want her as my maid."
"Taking Shirahoshi without asking? The 'Cross Family' will secretly protect the Ryugu Kingdom to ensure that the sovereignty of the Dragon Palace Kingdom remains with Neptune's descendants or others chosen by Uputon."
"If Neptune isn't happy, or if Whitebeard wants to defend his brother, the 'Cross Family' will be ready."
This year marked the beginning of troubled times, and Kahn had no time to waste on the remnants of the old era.
If Nami hadn't changed her fate on her own and developed a deep hatred for Jinbei, Kahn wouldn't mind being more courteous, presenting the "Cross Family" flag to Fish-Man Island and becoming its secret backer.
After Whitebeard passed away and the Whitebeard Pirates retreated from their dominant position in the New World, the "Cross Family" naturally became the new backers of Fish-Man Island.
But now, before Nami kills Jinbei, Kahn would only show limited goodwill to Neptune, ensuring that the Ryugu Kingdom remained under Neptune's lineage.
After Nami kills Jinbei, Kahn plans to extend his goodwill further, making Fish-Man Island a "subsidiary territory of the Cross Family."
For Kahn, time was of the essence.
The New World was destined to be the stage where the Child of Destiny would rise to the top.
After entering the New World, the Child of Destiny, bearing the fate of saving the world, would grow at an unprecedented rate, defying reason and logic.
A month ago, he had only just mastered Conqueror's Haki, but after a battle, his Haki could evolve into its most advanced form.
If the battle was as significant as a global war, his Conqueror's Haki might even reach its ultimate level, and his Devil Fruit could awaken, boosting his overall strength from the level of a high-ranking officer with a 500 million berry bounty to one of the strongest individuals standing at the peak of the world.
As the liberator leading the charge, the Child of Destiny's strength would be overwhelmingly exaggerated.
Even if he didn't desire to stand at the top, the world, fate, and the era itself would push him to that peak.
Once the Child of Destiny stood at the summit, the villain opposing fate—his final opponent—would emerge, initiating their plan to serve as his ultimate challenge.
Defeating this final villain would grant him the title of the brave dragon-slayer.
If you lose to the final boss, then the dragon wins, and the world and the era will continue to wait, spending time until new Children of Destiny and liberation fighters are born.
Now, before Luffy climbs to the highest peak in the world, only a few top-level battles remain.
In other words, the mysterious Imu, who has lived for 800 years and is the true ruler of the World Government, will soon reveal himself.
A massive war that will sweep the world is inevitable.
In order to become the strongest player in this colossal conflict and to have the confidence to stay in control, Kahn is racing against time, unwilling to waste even a second on Whitebeard.
Even if the Whitebeard Pirates do declare war on the "Cross Family," Kahn wouldn't be concerned.
Just as the original Summit War didn't require Fleet Admiral Sengoku's intervention, with Akainu almost killing Whitebeard alone, this would be no different.
Dealing with Whitebeard, who is now 74 years old, and Boa Hancock, who has stood at the world's summit in recent years, would only be easier than Akainu's efforts back then.
As long as Hancock holds Whitebeard back, Monet and the other girls, along with their perfect creations, plus an overwhelming number of artificial Zoan users, will easily crush the Whitebeard Pirates. It would be a walk in the park.
So, it's fine if Whitebeard doesn't act impulsively.
But if he dares to start a war with the "Cross Family," Kahn, in the midst of these chaotic times, wouldn't hesitate to let the world see just how much power the "Cross Family" has quietly built over the years.
"I understand, Master."
Carina didn't feel ashamed or surprised by Kahn's dismissive attitude toward the world's strongest man. Instead, she nodded in agreement, her expression showing deep approval.
At 20 years old, Carina was no longer the young girl from her early teens.
From a young age, she had aspired to be more than just a pretty face—she wanted to be a top executive.
Now, as a Logia-type Dark-Dark Fruit user with access to the underground base at any time, Carina was one of the few maids who fully understood the Master's strength and the depth of the family's power.
Like Robin and Monet, Carina was a rational person with a strong interest in gathering information.
Well-versed in the world's affairs, Carina knew that the "Cross Family" was unique among the Five Emperors.
The reason the Whitebeard Pirates still held the title of the world's strongest pirate crew wasn't because Kahn couldn't defeat Whitebeard. It was because Kahn had no interest in fighting a man who was past his prime.
That title of "world's strongest" was not something Kahn coveted.
So, Carina had the Perfect Five teleport her to Amazon Lily, where she delivered Kahn's reply to Robin and Hancock, his trusted lieutenants.
While Law and Hancock might offer opinions on trivial matters, when it came to significant issues, they, as devoted maids and loyal companions, would unconditionally follow the Master's orders.
As a result, Hancock, who served as the second-in-command of the "Cross Family" in the outside world, rejected Whitebeard's invitation on Kahn's behalf. She relayed his exact words to the envoy, ensuring Whitebeard would hear them.
This move did not sit well with the Whitebeard Pirates.
In fact, from the perspective of Whitebeard's crew, it was as if Hancock had personally slapped them.
As the strongest pirate group in the world and one of the only surviving pirate crews from the legendary era, apart from the "Big Mom Pirates," they saw most other pirate groups as beneath them.
Even Charlotte Linlin and Kaido would show respect to any invitation sent by Whitebeard.
But now, Cross Kahn—who, although a powerful figure in the pirate world, was still a junior—had shown blatant disrespect by not giving Whitebeard any consideration.
The Whitebeard Pirates, used to enjoy the prestige of being the world's strongest crew and the superiority of being unchallenged, were furious. They immediately wanted to send their forces to attack the "Cross Family" and teach Kahn and his crew a harsh lesson.
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