章節 150: Chapter 150: A Surprising Turn

"No way! Anyone else, but not Black Maria!" Kaido, who had been silent for a long while, suddenly erupted with emotion.

Kuke turned his head slightly, casting an indifferent glance towards Kaido.

"You can choose anyone else from the Beasts Pirates. Take whoever you want." Kaido strained to lift his neck as he spoke.

King, who stood by, was stunned.

He found it hard to accept his boss's words.

Just a moment ago, Kaido had told him that if Kuke chose him, he should agree to join. Now, Kuke had chosen Black Maria, and Kaido refused. Why?

I'm your right-hand man, your All-Star! King thought. And Black Maria is just one of the Tobi Roppo! If it's about strength, there's no comparison. I've also been with you from the very beginning!

Kuke looked at Kaido, surprised.

Such an intense reaction. Could it be?

Kuke turned his gaze towards Black Maria, asking, "Are you Kaido's wife?"

Yamato was Kaido's daughter. That was a fact that was 100% certain. But as for Yamato's mother? She had never appeared in the original storyline. It certainly wasn't Black Maria, who was only seventeen. But Kuke did recall some speculation, a theory that Black Maria and Kaido might have a relationship that went beyond boss and subordinate.

So he asked.

If that was the case, Kaido's strong reaction would make perfect sense.

Shing!

Everyone's eyes turned towards Kaido, including the Beasts Pirates.

They hadn't known about this either. Could it be true?

"Does Kaido really have a wife?" News King Morgans, who had taken advantage of the lull in the fight, led a group of reporters closer for a better shot.

They were already amazed by the quick defeat of the Beasts Pirates by the The Sun and Moon Pirates. And now, hearing Kuke's voice, Morgans was even more astounded.

This was a scoop—a huge scoop that no one else in the world knew about.

Feeling the weight of all those stares, Kaido's expression turned unnatural.

"Yeah," Kaido gritted his teeth, deciding to just go for it.

He admitted it. He figured that Kuke, being an Emperor of the Sea, wouldn't stoop so low as to take another man's wife, would he?

Kuke gave Kaido a look of utter disdain.

"You're almost fifty, and you've got your eyes on a girl who hasn't even come of age? You really have no shame, do you?"

"It's not true," Black Maria suddenly spoke up.

"What?" The Beasts Pirates were now too curious to be scared, their eyes wide, ears perked.

This was the juiciest gossip. Their boss had just admitted it, but now Black Maria was denying it? What was really going on here?

Having his claim denied by the person involved left Kaido feeling even more awkward.

"Explain yourself," Kuke demanded, his gaze flicking between Kaido and Black Maria.

Their sizes do match well enough, Kuke thought.

And Black Maria—though not yet an adult—had a natural allure, an exotic kind of charm that would be a fatal attraction for most men. She wore a Wano-style off-shoulder kimono, her long, golden hair styled elegantly, a pair of bright red horns adorning her head, and a knife used as a hairpin.

She had an unusual appeal, a mature air.

No wonder Kaido had his eyes on her. Kuke wasn't surprised in the least.

"I'm not his wife. I'm just an officer of the Beasts Pirates," Black Maria said, her brows knitted slightly as she looked at Kaido.

Kaido had been her captain.

He was, in her eyes, the strongest and most invincible man.

But now, looking at the battered Kaido, his image had taken a huge hit.

And in Black Maria's heart, the strongest, most invincible, and most commanding figure was now Kuke.

Especially after Kuke had invited her not once, but twice.

That had left an impression.

"I had already planned to tell you about this next year," Kaido explained.

"Scram."

With a flick of his hand, Kuke released a blast of energy.

The force hammered Kaido's raised arm, sending him rolling across the ground several times before he managed to stabilize himself.

"You think you can just reserve someone's wife ahead of time? You've got some nerve."

Kuke had thought there might be some genuine emotional entanglement between them. But was this it?

Even if there had been, Kuke wouldn't have hesitated to take her away. And since there wasn't, he had even less reason to hold back.

In terms of combat power, Black Maria was among the top-ranking women in the seas, and he wasn't about to miss out.

"The last time, you refused me. I don't like women who say 'no' to me twice," Kuke said, looking at Black Maria.

For now, he was using softer methods.

Later, it would be a lot more forceful.

"Kuke, why are you so determined to take me?" Black Maria's heart trembled slightly.

She found herself entranced by Kuke's domineering approach.

"Because I want you."

Kaido, standing at a distance, watched this unfold with bloodshot eyes, feeling a sense of frustration that had no outlet.

King, standing not far away, opened his mouth as though wanting to say something comforting to his boss. But then he remembered what had just happened, and he looked away, pretending not to notice anything.

"I'm willing to follow you. Take me instead of Black Maria. I'm stronger than her and more talented," Jack, loyal to Kaido, was willing to sacrifice everything to keep his boss's future bride safe.

"You've certainly got loyalty to your captain," Shakky said, looking at Jack in surprise.

She had assumed he was nothing but a useless brute. She hadn't expected this level of dedication.

"Come on, I'm Jack! I have the Ancient Zoan Mammoth form. I'm only sixteen. In the future, I will definitely…" Jack began to introduce himself confidently.

He was the best newcomer among the Beasts Pirates.

"Shakky, make him shut up." Kuke didn't even spare Jack a glance.

Shakky kicked a stone that hit Jack square in the mouth.

"Kid, you're too full of yourself. You think you're worthy of joining us?" Shakky said, looking at Jack in exasperation.

Where did this kid get his confidence?

"You are now the 16th official member of the The Sun and Moon Pirates," Kuke announced, addressing Black Maria.

Black Maria smiled gracefully, exuding charm as she bowed slightly. "Captain, I am now at your service."

Black Maria shone brightly in that moment.

Very close to perfect acceptance.

Kuke figured that if she spent some time aboard the Radiant Eclipse, fully integrating with the crew, she would soon be a core part of the The Sun and Moon Pirates.

Combatant and Geisha: Black Maria [Spider-Spider Fruit, Ancient Zoan Model, Girsang Rose Wolf Spider Form. Bounty: 280 million. Power Level: 31,568].

Kaido watched, his eyes closing in resignation.

Who was it who told me that as a man, you must have boundaries? That you should at least wait until she's of age?

Well, now she was nearly of age. And just like that, she was gone.

She belonged to Kuke now.

Even if there was a chance to get her back someday, what would be the point?

"Both Black Maria and Yamato have joined Kuke," Kaido said, struggling to keep himself upright. Today was the darkest day of his life.

"My wife and daughter—both taken by Kuke. I couldn't protect either of them." Kaido sounded more defeated than ever.

News King Morgans trembled with excitement as he captured the scene.

He knew.

He was about to blow up the world again.

Couple that with the incredibly short time in which the fight had been decided—it was all headline material.

"Surpassing the World Government's news agency might not be impossible after all," Morgans thought, his eyes burning as he looked at Kuke.

Ever since Kuke had arrived, there had been no shortage of major news events on the seas.

And his news agency had profited the most.

"Take as many pictures as you can!" Morgans urged his subordinates.

"Boss, should we tweak the story a little? The content we have is explosive, but a lot of people might want to see Kuke take a fall. Should we…" one of his subordinates suggested quietly.

Smack!

Morgans slapped the subordinate so hard he flew a few feet.

"Idiot! Our stories must always favor the The Sun and Moon Pirates! Got it?"

After chastising his underling, Morgans glanced toward Stussy, who had noticed the commotion.

They were both underworld emperors, and Stussy knew Morgans well.

He would do anything to create big news—even fabricate stories.

She had allowed him to cover the events, but with the condition that he must not harm the The Sun and Moon Pirates with his stories. From the very moment they'd arrived in Wano, Stussy had made sure Morgans had a Vivre Card, ensuring she could locate him at any time.

It was as if she held his life in her hands.

And even without that threat, Morgans had no intention of doing anything foolish.

This was just the Beasts Pirates.

Soon, there would be Big Mom, and Whitebeard.

Thinking of this, Morgans understood that there were plenty of major news events involving the The Sun and Moon Pirates to come. He wouldn't dare risk his future coverage by offending them.

If he could get the exclusive scoop every time, he'd gladly let his life be held hostage.

________________________________