After settling matters with Teach, Caesar told him to return to Whole Cake Island that night and stay with Doc Q and Van Augur to avoid raising suspicions from Shanks and the others.
Seeing that it was already past two in the morning, Caesar turned to Linlin.
"Linlin, we still need to visit Perospero and settle the issues with Redfield and Kuzan. Why don't you go rest first?"
Linlin didn't fuss and nodded.
Suddenly, she leaned in and pecked Caesar on the cheek.
Just as Caesar's thoughts began to wander and he reached out to pull her back, Linlin let out a silvery laugh and darted away like the wind.
"Hmph, Linlin, you're like a restless woman in winter—begging for a lesson. Just wait till I'm done with these busy days, heh…"
Caesar glanced up at the night sky and headed toward the underground prison cells on the west side of Sweet Island.
The underground cell was unusually lively at the moment.
Perospero and Daifuku were rubbing their temples in frustration as they watched Redfield causing a ruckus inside the cage.
The cage now had two new additions, bringing the total to four—enough for a round of mahjong.
As time passed, Redfield's Life Force grew weaker, making him insane.
"Gyahahaha! Listen up, brats! I'm your captain, Redfield! You have to follow my orders. First mission—eliminate the two monsters outside the door!"
"Shut up, you old bastard! Hey! Bring me my hammer—I'll smash his damn head in!"
Beside them, Gin, his body wrapped in bandages, glared at the incessantly chattering Redfield with a dark expression.
The third and fourth prisoners were Kuzan, still unconscious, and the heavily injured Moria, half-awake and unable to sleep due to Redfield's noise.
The massive Moria occupied half the cell space.
"Kishishishi, cough cough... Are you really Redfield? You look like a madman, nothing like the dignified Red Count. How disappointing... Ugh, damn Ben Beckman, he promised to send me to the hospital... It hurts so much, I'm dying..."
Moria's enormous body dominated the cell.
Having used his Shadow Doppelganger to absorb most of Hawkeye's injuries onto himself, he now lacked even the strength to move.
Redfield's face was covered in wrinkles, his expression haggard.
Already severely wounded, he was now tightly bound with Sea Stone.
Daifuku's haphazard tying technique left much to be desired, cutting off blood flow to Redfield's brain and leaving him dizzy and deranged for hours.
"BORORORO! What a lively bunch! Still so energetic this late at night? Not bad at all!"
Caesar chuckled as he descended the basement stairs, carrying two large barrels of alcohol.
The spacious basement stretched dozens of meters long and thirty meters high, containing only a few cells typically used to temporarily hold captives caught by Katakuri.
"Father! What brings you here?"
Perospero and Daifuku quickly stood up, appearing somewhat nervous.
"Hehe, came to deal with these prisoners. Why aren't you two at the banquet? No need to guard here—they're just some weaklings locked up with Sea Stone."
Caesar handed the alcohol barrels to Perospero and Daifuku.
Licking his lips, Perospero smiled faintly.
"Can't be careless, Father. This is the famous Red Count after all. Even bound with Sea Stone, we don't dare approach him recklessly."
"Red Count? Borororo! Don't overestimate him—he is just an old man past his prime. Open the cell, let them out."
Inside the cell, Gin immediately perked up, sitting straight and fixing an intense gaze on Caesar.
"Caesar!"
The corner of Caesar's mouth twisted into a mocking smile.
"Gin, I remember you acting mighty arrogant earlier—calling yourself 'old man' in my face and boasting about becoming a God-level Member of my Beast God Pirates. Borororo! And how did that work out? Getting beaten by a half-dead old man? What an embarrassment."
As Daifuku opened the cell, Gin—the only one can move—stepped out first.
He approached Caesar, meeting his gaze without fear, and stated frankly.
"You're right. Right now, I'm nothing but trash! I won't deny that. Before this, I roamed the New World, killing and growing stronger, thinking I'd reached the top after crushing several overrated pirates with hundred-million bounties. But today... I finally saw the true gap between me and top-tier fighters like you." Gin walked up to the large wine barrel and lifted the lid.
A strong alcoholic smell hit him, making him frown involuntarily.
"What kind of wine is this? Why is it so strong?"
Daifuku glanced at the yellowish-orange liquid and couldn't help his eyelids twitching.
Exchanging a look with Perospero, they both saw the same speechlessness in each other's eyes.
"Cough, this is the strongest liquor in Totto Land. The name isn't important—want to try some?" Daifuku brought over several large cups.
Gin scooped a cupful, hesitantly eyeing the thick liquid inside.
After a long pause, he finally gulped it down.
Gulp, gulp.
After downing the entire cup, Gin's face instantly turned beet red, steam practically rising from his head.
"Whew... that's strong." Gin exhaled a hot breath, feeling like he hadn't drunk alcohol but a whole cup of chili oil.
"Borororo! Arrogant brat! Talking to me while drinking? You think I won't smash your face in, you bastard?"
Caesar raised his massive fist, flexing slightly, causing the surrounding air to distort.
The people nearby immediately felt a suffocating pressure.
Gin grinned and, to Caesar's surprise, walked right up to him before dropping to one knee with a thud.
"Captain Caesar! Please let me join your Beast God Pirates! Though my current strength isn't enough to be a pillar of the crew, nor worthy of the God-level crew, I swear I'll reach that goal someday—and even surpass the other God-level members... surpass you!"
Though kneeling, Gin's defiant gaze burned with ambition, showing no trace of fear.
It was clear this wasn't mere submission to strength.
Caesar paused, then threw his head back and laughed heartily.
Bam!
Caesar grabbed a massive barrel of liquor, flicked a few drops of his blood into it, and shoved it toward Gin.
"BORORORO! You've got six months. If you don't reach God-level by then, I'll kill you myself! Now, drink this whole barrel, and you're officially one of my Shadow Guards."
"Six months? Hahaha, I'll make it happen—just watch me, Caesar!"
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