บท 3: Chapter 3
"I refuse to believe that my defeat was anything more than a fluke," Kaido roared with rage as he struggled against the seastone chains that bound him.
"A fluke?" Kaido's determination was met with derision from Xilan, who mockingly dismissed the pirate's claim.
Xilan sneered contemptuously at Kaido, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he remarked, "You call this a 'fluke'? This is the third time something like this has happened."
Yes, Kaido has suffered three defeats in his storied career thus far.
"Your confidence is admirable, but it is unfounded. You are not my match," Xilan declared haughtily, his voice dripping with contempt. "Little bastard, if you wish to challenge me, you must undergo a decade of training before even attempting to defeat me."
Xilan's confidence was not unfounded; armed with a god-level Devil Fruit and the unparalleled power of Conqueror's Haki, he was more than a match for Kaido. Even if the legendary pirate Roger were to appear, Xilan remained unafraid.
"Hmph...I don't see you being able to keep me locked up forever," Kaido sneered. "It won't be long before I escape and reclaim my freedom."
"That's indeed true," Xilan concurred, his smile laced with a hint of smugness. "However, this time, there is no need for you to try and flee."
Xilan extended his hand and displayed five fingers with a sly smile, saying, "Fifty billion berries is all it takes for me to personally escort you out of here."
"You're deluding yourself," Kaido sneered. "I can escape on my own. Who in their right mind would give you 50 billion berries?"
"Is that a no?" Xilan coolly inquired, "Are you certain you don't want to consider my offer?"
Kaido sneered in contempt, "If you think you can extort me, you're ten years too early. I won't be blackmailed."
Xilan remained unperturbed, stating matter-of-factly, "These 50 billion berries are not solely for your benefit, but for the preservation of the entire Wano Country. Are you truly willing to gamble the fate of your nation for your own pride?"
Kaido scowled, comprehending the implications of Xilan's words. His Wano Country was in danger of being captured by the Marines.
"The loss of Wano Country isn't just a financial blow of 50 billion berries. It's the destruction of the foundation you've built over decades of hard work."
"Don't you see that?" Xilan asked, his cold, calculating gaze fixed on Kaido. the world's "Strongest Creature" seethed with anger, feeling trapped by Xilan's blackmail and Marine's impending attack. He knew that defying the Marines would come at a high cost, but the thought of losing everything he had built was unimaginable.
"You have three minutes to consider your options," Xilan said coolly, his demeanor exuding a sense of ruthlessness. "If you don't pay the 50 billion berries, your kingdom will be forever under Marine control." The threat was clear, and Xilan's aura radiated a destructive force, signaling his willingness to follow through on his ultimatum.
Kaido's rage reached a boiling point as he glared at Xilan. As one of the Four Emperors, he was accustomed to being the one issuing threats, not the other way around. Yet, here he was, being bullied by this supposed "Marine Admiral" in front of him.
"Whoops whoops whoops..." Kaido panted like a cow, a stark contrast to the powerful image he usually presented.
"You still have two minutes to consider your options," Xilan remarked nonchalantly, casually leaning against the wall and checking the time. "Pay up, or say goodbye to your beloved Wano Country forever."
Kaido glared at Xilan with anger and frustration, feeling humiliated by his vulnerable position. He could hardly believe that he, the mighty Kaido, one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, had been reduced to such a state, panting and sweating like a common beast.
Xilan leaned lazily against the wall, his eyes locked onto the time. "You have one more minute to think about it."
"One more minute," Xilan stated calmly, his words carrying an underlying threat. "You know my strength. Your underlings won't be able to stand in my way."
"..."
Kaido remained silent, unable to refute the truth of Xilan's words. His chest heaved as he struggled to regain his composure, his eyes welling up with tears at the thought of being constantly oppressed by Xilan. He knew all too well the devastation that Xilan, armed with the full might of the Marines, could wreak upon Wano, with his forces incapable of standing up to the Admiral's formidable strength.
Kaido's three disasters? It would be okay if they dealt with other people, but against Xilan, the outcome would be a brutal defeat. Kaido had been on the receiving end of Xilan's wrath numerous times throughout his life, and the thought of it filled him with despair.
Although Kaido has 'only' lost three times during his tenure as one of the Four Emperors, if his earlier years were to be taken into consideration, his defeat count would be significantly higher.
During his youth, as a member of the Rocks Pirate crew, Xilan Garp, and Roger worked together to decimate the group, culminating in the death of the captain, Rocks, at the hands of Xilan.
Kaido was left in a state of shock as he witnessed Xilan brutally end the life of his former captain, Rocks, by hammering his head off.
That scene left an indelible mark on his psyche, one that he will never be able to erase.
"Time's up."
Xilan turned to Kaido, awaiting his response with a stoic expression.
"I..."
Kaido's face contorted with indecision as he deliberated for a moment before ultimately offering a counterproposal, "50 billion berries is too high of a price. I can give you up to 10 billion berries at most."
"Ha ha..." Xilan chuckled softly, not showing any signs of anger. "10 billion is too little, others will look down on you, Kaido." He stated, implying that Kaido's reputation and standing would be affected by such a low offer.
Furious, Kaido snapped, "I don't care! 50 billion berries is too much,, I'll give you 15 billion at most..." Kaido stubbornly refused to consider Xilan's demands.
"Don't even think about it. I captured Katakuri before, and Big Mom gave me 7 billion berries for him. Your strength is at least five times greater than Katakuri's; five times seven equals thirty-five. It's just 35 billion berries." Xilan reminded him of the value of his own strength, citing the previous occasion on which he had captured Katakuri and received a payment of 7 billion berries from Big Mom.
...
The two sides argued for over half an hour, both of them nearly smoke-breathing from frustration, before finally settling on a transaction of 25 billion berries. In the end, Xilan untied Kaido himself, laying out a red carpet and playing drums as a show of respect for the freed prisoner. Banners were raised, reading, "Congratulations to Mr. Kaido on his release from prison."
"I didn't expect Kaido to be released from prison as if he were getting married," one person remarked.
Kaido, armed with his mace and surrounded by cheering Marines, walked down the carpet with his massive body.
"We extend our sincerest congratulations to Mr. Kaido on his release from imprisonment.
"We are thrilled to see your successful release!"
"We hope you will consider visiting us again in the future."
...
Kaido's emotions were in turmoil as he watched the Marines revel in his release from prison. The sight of their jubilant celebration left Kaido feeling bewildered, as if the world had turned upside down. He couldn't help but feel that the world was in disarray.
And... consider visiting us again, what the hell is this? Kaido couldn't believe the Marines' words.
"Where is the boat that is meant to transport me?" Kaido inquired with a hint of anger in his voice as he surveyed the empty port.
How was he supposed to return to Wano without a boat?
"I sold all the warships, but you are a dragon, right? Can't you just fly back to Wano on your own?" Xilan asked as he lit up the gold jewels that had just been sent to him by King, containing thousands of boxes.
"I will provide my battleship for your use, Boss." King offered his vessel to Kaido, who accepted the proposal.
"Hold on," Xilan interjected, approaching the two from behind with a sly smile. "I don't mind Kaido borrowing your ship, but King, as a pirate, actually dared to enter the Marine Base. That takes some real audacity."
"Don't mess around, King, as a pirate, entered the Marine Base to pay a large sum of money." Kaido said in a deep tone.
"That's true." Xilan nodded, then looked at the battleship: "I won't embarrass you anymore, just leave the battleship behind, you guys can reach your destination without it anyway."
'It just so happened that there was no boat for us to reach the Naval Headquarters' Xilan thought, and just like this the problem was solved.
—
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