---
When he yelled this sentence, Luffy also wore a solemn expression.
Because he clearly knew how powerful the old man in front of him was.
This understanding was further reinforced by Kahn's repeated displays of strength.
Luffy and the others gained a clearer understanding of their own capabilities, affirming that they were not opponents just moments ago.
Otherwise, given Luffy's character, admitting defeat directly would have been absolutely impossible.
Kahn, too, was taken aback upon hearing these words.
Didn't the individuals in front of him keep up with the news?
However, soon Kahn frowned.
Had this guy just referred to him as an old man?
Couldn't he be more polite?
Beside Luffy, Nami who saw his expession, and the others shed tears.
"Didn't I tell you not to provoke him?" Usopp and Nami exclaimed simultaneously.
Zoro and Sanji both wore solemn expressions.
As for Robin, her feelings were complex.
Kahn had let her go before, allowing her to join the Straw Hat Pirates.
She had found an opportunity to integrate into this group during their adventures.
Despite feeling a sense of belonging, she hadn't fully integrated into the crew.
Moreover, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, which intensified today.
Aokiji's appearance reminded her once again that her identity could bring disaster in the near future.
Staying with the Straw Hat Pirates might lead to calamity.
Additionally, she had not officially joined the crew.
Kahn didn't immediately answer Luffy's question; instead, he turned his head and looked at Aokiji.
"Wait a minute; the old man will deal with these guys first!"
"Lieutenant General Kahn, please feel free!"
Kahn smiled upon hearing this, then walked towards Luffy and the others.
"It's over, he's here," Usopp said immediately.
Nami shared the same expression.
However, what concerned her the most was her money.
As for Zoro and Sanji, they prepared to attack.
"You two, the old man thinks it's better if you don't make a move. You should be well aware that the cost of the old man's actions is relatively high, generally not less than 100 million Baileys. So, think carefully before making a move. Is your money enough?"
The faces of the two froze.
The first two times, they were witnesses to Kahn demanding payment.
Each shot cost more than 100 million.
Especially Zoro, who shamefully paid the tuition fees the last time.
It was infuriating.
Both of them were furious, but they didn't dare make any moves.
Kahn's strength was well known to them.
"Hey! Let me ask you, where is Ace?" Luffy inquired again.
"Why would the old man tell you? Also, can't you be a bit more respectful?" Kahn's words were nonchalant, and simultaneously, a powerful force emanated from him.
The potent aura pressed down on Luffy.
Almost instantly, Luffy's expression changed.
But his gaze remained firm.
"You're still so naive. It seems the lessons I taught you in the previous two encounters weren't enough for you to learn to be smarter?"
"Please tell me what happened to Ace?" Luffy persisted.
Kahn frowned; this time, the kid seemed different!
He appeared very confident; was it an illusion?
"What qualifications do you have to ask this old man? I don't know what it means!"
"I have money!"
Kahn was stunned, then looked at Luffy with amazement.
"This kid, can't be that his mind is messed up. Bah! Is he enlightened? Very good!"
Kahn admired Luffy a lot.
Should he say that he was indeed the future One Piece?
The idea was strange, but he liked it.
Now Kahn admired people he could discuss money with the most.
Everyone present, including Aokiji, had black lines on their faces.
Even Nami, standing beside Luffy, had eyes that were already burning.
Almost instantly, her "dominant look and arrogance" erupted directly.
"You idiot, how could you say that?"
"But as long as he has money, doesn't he have no problems?" Luffy affirmed.
After the previous two incidents, Luffy understood one thing: the vice admiral in front of him only accepted money.
This was almost confirmed through their heavy losses.
The first two times, they had no money, and they were basically beaten to a pulp.
This time, they had money, so they shouldn't be afraid!
Nami nearly strangled Luffy; her other hand covered his mouth.
"Shut up!"
Then she looked apologetically at Kahn.
"Lieutenant General Kahn! Don't listen to this guy; he's talking nonsense. We have no money! We really have no money!" Nami almost cried.
"Nami, isn't our money with you? Why is there no money? Is it missing?" Luffy broke free and said, his tone even a little nervous.
Nami was furious.
"Miss Nami, as a crew member, how could you treat your captain like this? It's so ignorant," Kahn said.
Everyone was completely speechless.
"Come on, be obedient; let go of your captain. He's the grandson of my friend."
Nami and the others found it somewhat unbelievable.
Zoro and Sanji frowned.
Luffy's life experience wasn't very clear to them.
But they remembered what Aokiji had said before.
It seemed he also knew Luffy's grandfather.
This made several people present very curious about Luffy's life experience.
Seeing Nami still not letting go of Luffy, Kahn frowned.
"Nami, have you lost your nerve? Didn't you hear what the old man said?"
Kahn no longer called her Miss Nami.
Just kidding; the future One Piece had finally gotten the hang of it.
How could Kahn allow other people to ruin it?
Kahn even felt the need to cultivate this kid's money-making ability.
It would be best if he had the idea of making money; just pay up when you meet him.
Only such leeks were high-quality leeks in Kahn's eyes.
Nami froze.
Clearly, because of the money issue, she seemed to have forgotten how formidable the Vice Admiral in front of her was.
Finally, she let go of Luffy.
But her eyes were still warning him.
Kahn nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good, very good. As expected of the old guy's grandson. Tell me, how much money do you have?"
"We are very rich! There is a lot of gold now," Luffy said directly.
Kahn's smile became even brighter.
Everyone in the Straw Hats looked at Luffy with murderous eyes.
Kahn frowned.
How much is a lot of gold?
If he remembered correctly, the gold that the Straw Hats had obtained on Sky Island was worth 300 million Baileys.
Kahn felt that if it was only 300 million Baileys' worth of gold, the Luffy in front of him was still very unqualified.
He felt the need to broaden the horizons of the person in front of him.
Such leeks could thrive.
"I don't know, but Nami said it's about 1.5 billion Baileys," Luffy said directly.
Kahn's eyes lit up.
"Very good, there is progress!"
(End of this chapter)