The sea breeze continued to howl across the desolate landscape, kicking up thick clouds of dust from the ravaged ground and battering the three men standing amidst the wreckage. The air tasted of salt and spent Haki.
Roger's fingers unconsciously brushed against the hilt of his famous sword, Ace, out of pure muscle memory. He tried to force his Haki to flare up one more time, but a searing pain from deep within his chest told him clearly that his body had finally reached its absolute breaking point.
One more move, and even if this Marine monster did not strike again, his terminal illness and the internal injuries from their clash would tear him apart from the inside out. He was a man running on the very last fumes of his soul.
Rayleigh's condition was slightly better than his captain's, but he was also at the very end of his tether, his breathing ragged and uneven. Those eyes, usually so calm and filled with wisdom, were fixed unblinkingly on Kane as his mind raced to calculate even a one-in-ten-thousand chance of helping the Captain break out of this encirclement.
Step, step, step.
Kane slowly walked toward the two of them, his black boots crunching on the loose gravel and making a crisp, rhythmic sound in the heavy silence. Just ten meters away from the two legends, Kane suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Clink.
To their absolute astonishment, Kane actually sheathed tensa zangetsu back into its scabbard. That terrifying killing intent and the oppressive weight of his Haki vanished instantly like a receding tide, leaving only the natural sounds of the wind.
Kane reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of flattened cigarettes. He took one out with practiced ease, put it between his lips, and lit it with a small flame.
Phew—
A cloud of gray smoke slowly drifted out of his mouth, blurring the sharp lines of his cold, handsome face.
I am done fighting for today.
Kane flicked a bit of ash onto the cracked ground, his tone as casual as a common worker who had just finished a long shift at the docks.
If we keep going, you will definitely die, and I will end up losing money. I, Kane, never do business that involves high investment and low returns.
...Huh?
Roger and Rayleigh were both completely stunned, their expressions frozen in a look of total bewilderment. Even the Pirate King and the Dark King, men who had traversed the most dangerous seas and survived countless storms, felt their brains stall at this moment.
One second ago, every single move this man made was lethal, as if he would not stop until they were both ground into fine dust. How did he suddenly start calculating financial accounts in the blink of an eye?
Is this Marine... really in a normal or healthy state of mind?
Roger.
Kane held his cigarette between two fingers and pointed it at the Pirate King slumped on the ground. The killing intent was entirely gone, replaced by the sharp, calculating shrewdness of a merchant.
Since you are clearly about to die anyway, why don't the two of us do some business together?
Roger blinked several times, a strange and wary expression appearing on his heroic face. Business? What could you possibly want? The coordinates to Laugh Tale? Or perhaps the hidden truth of the Void Century?
If it is for those things, you can just keep fighting, Rayleigh interjected coldly, tightening his grip on his sword once more. We will not reveal a single word about those secrets even if we die right here.
No, no, no, please do not misunderstand me.
Kane wagged his finger back and forth and interrupted them with a look of genuine disdain. He looked like they had just offered him a pile of trash.
I have absolutely no interest in the junk Joy Boy left behind, nor do I have any sense of loyalty to that World Government which is clearly destined to be overthrown eventually.
To a man like me, those ethereal histories and ancient secrets are far less practical than the Berries currently sitting in my pocket.
Roger and Rayleigh glanced at each other, both seeing the same deep bewilderment reflected in the other's eyes. Was he simply greedy? Or just vulgar?
But how could a powerhouse of this legendary level be such a shallow person? It didn't make any sense.
Then what is it that you actually want from me? Roger asked in a deep, gravelly voice, his tone carrying a hint of genuine inquiry.
Kane took a deep, slow drag of his cigarette and exhaled the smoke into the wind, his gaze becoming profound and distant.
You are going to die, Roger. We both know that very well.
If you do not die by my hand on this island today, you will die in a few short months, tormented and bedridden by your illness. The era that belongs to you is destined to end this year no matter what happens here.
His voice was very light, yet it struck deep into the core of Roger's heart like a physical blow.
Since you are going to die anyway, why not make your death a bit more valuable for the future?
Roger's pupils suddenly constricted as he listened. Kane's voice took on a hint of devilish, irresistible temptation.
Your reputation, your identity, and the title of Pirate King... these are the greatest treasures you have accumulated in your life. To die silently of an illness on some deserted island where nobody can see you.
Don't you think... that is a bit too much of a waste for a man like you?
Use your life as my personal stepping stone, Roger.
Kane opened his arms wide as if he were embracing a brand-new era of his own making, his face finally showing his unmasked ambition.
I need an achievement that is significant enough to shake the entire world to its core. After a world-shattering and tragic battle, I, Marine Captain Kane, successfully arrested you.
I will become the hero who personally ended the reign of the Pirate King. I will get everything I want: fame, status, power, and the supreme glory that comes with it.
You... Rayleigh trembled with a sudden rage, about to curse this Marine for his incredible shamelessness.
But Kane's next words caused both of their hearts to stop beating for a second.
And in exchange for your cooperation—
Kane's gaze became sharper and more focused than it had ever been before.
I will use all of my future power and resources as a marine hero to personally ensure the safety of your child and the rest of your lover's life.
Portgas D. Rouge.
And the unborn child currently in her womb, the future... Portgas D. Ace.
Boom!
The impact of those specific names on Roger was a hundred times greater than the Getsuga Tenshō from before. It felt as if his heart had been seized by an icy hand.
You... how do you know those names?!
Roger's pupils shrank to tiny pinpricks, and his weakened body actually sprang up into a standing position due to the extreme shock!
Portgas D. Rouge. And the unborn child, Ace.
That was Roger's very last concern in this entire world, an absolute secret he would risk everything to hide from the Marines! Except for him and the most core members of his ship, it was supposed to be impossible for any outsider to know about them.
This Marine... who on earth is he really?!
There are no walls in this world that do not leak air, Mr. Roger, Kane replied calmly, unfazed by the outburst. The World Government already suspects you have a bloodline remaining somewhere. After you die, the CP Organization will turn the South Blue upside down. Every woman related to you and every infant born recently will be purged without mercy.
You should know better than I do that those mad dogs are more than capable of doing it.
Roger's face instantly turned as pale as paper. He knew, of course, that the World Government would rather kill a thousand innocent people than let one potential threat slip through their fingers—that was exactly their style.
How can you possibly guarantee that you can protect them?
Beside him, Rayleigh gritted his teeth and questioned Kane in a raspy, desperate voice. But his hand holding the sword had already loosened its grip. It was even trembling slightly.
Because he knew this might be the only real way out for Roger's family.
Because I am currently the master of the G-5 Branch. Because I am about to step onto the peak of power by riding the massive achievement of arresting the Pirate King.
Kane spread his hands, a playful and dark curve hooking the corner of his mouth.
As long as Roger cooperates and plays this scene with me, letting me become the hero who ends the old era, I will have more than enough power and resources to hide that mother and son under my wings.
A new identity, a fortune that can never be squandered, and a peaceful future that will never be disturbed by anyone. I can even train your child to be the most outstanding Marine the world has ever seen.
Kane's smile took on a hint of pure mischief.
The son of the Pirate King becoming a famous marine hero, don't you think... that is quite interesting?
As for you, Pluton Rayleigh. Kane's gaze turned toward the swordsman. Three years ago at the Edd War, Roger spared my life. Consider that debt settled today. I will act as if I did not see you here. You can go anywhere you want.
Rayleigh fell into a deep silence. He looked at his Captain, then at this unfathomable and dangerous young man standing before him.
Absurd. All of this was far too absurd to be real.
A Marine, after defeating the Pirate King, not only did not finish them off but instead negotiated terms for a world-deceiving spectacle.
This guy... what is he really after in the long run? Just fame and status? No, Rayleigh felt that his schemes were likely far larger and darker than that.
Why should I... believe a single word you say? Roger's voice regained a trace of his natural composure.
You have no other choice.
Kane's answer was crisp and clean as he stubbed out his finished cigarette against his palm.
You can only gamble. You have to gamble that the credibility of this scumbag Marine is a bit more noble than those sanctimonious scumbags in the World Government.
...
Roger fell silent for a long time. A very long time passed.
Haha... Hahaha... Hahāhahāhahā!
Roger suddenly burst into a world-shaking laugh, laughing so hard that tears actually came out of his eyes. He laughed at his own naivety, at the absurdity of fate, and even more at this Marine who was more lawless than all the pirates in the world combined!
Good!
He stopped laughing, a final, brilliant light erupting in his eyes.
I promise you!
Roger propped himself up on his knees and used his very last bit of strength to stand up unsteadily on the reef. He sheathed the famous sword Ace and threw it to Rayleigh behind him without even looking back.
Then, he held out his hands, putting them together and offering them directly to Kane. This gesture signified a total surrender. It also signified the final conclusion of a devil's contract.
Then it is a deal.
Roger grinned, revealing a row of blood-stained white teeth.
My life, my reputation, my everything—it is all yours to use. But, kid, if you ever dare break this contract... I will crawl my way out of hell and tear you to shreds!
Kane looked at those hands that had once stirred the winds and clouds of the entire world, the smile on his face as bright as the midday sun. He took out a pair of pre-prepared Sea Stone handcuffs from his waist.
Click.
With a crisp sound, the cuffs locked away the king who had dominated an entire era of the sea.
Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Roger. Welcome to being... the most important stepping stone in my script.
[Ding!]
At that very moment, an unprecedented system notification rang out in Kane's mind.
[Detected that the Host's actions have caused an irreversible epic deviation of the world line!]
[Subversion Factor Determination: MAX!]
[Influence Factor Determination: MAX!]
[Deceiving the World for Personal Gain: Through a private deal, you have stolen the supreme glory of Arresting the Pirate King, deceiving the entire world and the World Government!]
[Nurturing the Enemy to Enhance One's Importance: Privately releasing the legendary criminal Pluton Rayleigh!]
[Causality Reversal: Destining the future Pirate King's son to be a Marine, severely damaging the original world line!]
[Comprehensive settlement in progress...]
[Congratulations to the Host! Discipline points: 1,000,000!]
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