Chapter 160: Kai Denounces the Marines! A Deal with the Five Elders
"Prisoners unharmed!"
When Kai appeared above the main battlefield holding the completely unconscious Kuzan, the clamorous war zone seemed to have been muted. Sudden silence fell across the ice field.
The Marine soldiers, already locked in bitter combat, witnessing that familiar figure held limply in the enemy's hands, felt their last shred of fighting will completely crumble. The clanging sounds of weapons dropping to the ground rose in succession. Only a few commanders and officers still struggled desperately, yet ultimately couldn't reverse the collapsing situation.
"Impossible. This is absolutely impossible. Kuzan-san, how could he lose?"
Gion's beautiful eyes widened, her face filled with unacceptable shock and confusion. That was a Marine Admiral. The Navy's most elite combat force.
However, the cruel reality wouldn't change one bit due to her will.
With Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Clown CP0 defeated one after another, the outcome of the remaining five Vice Admirals' resistance was already determined. It was merely a matter of time.
Just minutes later, Gion, Onigumo, and five other Vice Admirals, bound tightly by heavy Seastone chains, were forced to kneel on Rayquaza's spacious deck, joining the unconscious Sakazuki and Kuzan.
"Huh?"
Kai's gaze fell upon the unconscious, pale-faced Sakazuki. He raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. "Before I left, wasn't he still looking quite spirited? How did he end up this weakened in just a little while?"
"That is, well..." Knowing she'd probably caused trouble, Bonney immediately lowered her small head, fidgeting with her fingers, eyes darting away, not daring to meet Kai's gaze.
Kuma helplessly gave a bitter smile, stepping forward to briefly recount how Bonney had "interrogated" Sakazuki.
After hearing the account, everyone's expressions became extremely animated, their shoulders trembling slightly.
"Pfffft. Hahahaha."
Kai broke the silence first, bursting into delighted laughter. He vigorously ruffled Bonney's pink hair, praising. "You're something else, little Bonney!"
A Marine Admiral coughing up blood from being questioned by a five-year-old. This "glorious achievement" he'd remember forever.
"Nice work, Bonney!"
"You're the best five-year-old ever!"
"Hahahaha."
With Kai leading, no one held back anymore. The deck suddenly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Human tragedies and joys are incompatible. Hearing the pirates' uninhibited laughter and watching the revered Admiral Sakazuki suffer such humiliation, all the captured Marines' eyes blazed with fury. They glared at Kai's group, their humiliation and hatred nearly tearing apart their chests.
"Even Admiral Sakazuki. Damn it all." Gion trembled with rage, her silver teeth nearly grinding to dust.
"Kai!!"
Onigumo suddenly raised his head, his spider-leg-like hair bristling in extreme fury as he roared. "Kill or torture as you wish, but direct it at us. Don't humiliate Sakazuki-san."
Kai looked at them with strange eyes. "Hey, you Marines really don't make sense. Sakazuki brought this on himself with his petty-mindedness. How is that our fault?"
Then he put on an expression of sudden realization, dragging out his words. "Oh, that's right. Your Marines are all sanctimonious hypocrites. So this isn't surprising."
Like igniting a dynamite barrel's fuse. Hearing the evil pirate accuse them of hypocrisy in reverse, the Marine commanders who'd planned to silently face their fate were completely enraged by Kai's shameless reversal. No longer mindful of their captive status, they erupted in angry rebukes.
For a moment, the deck filled with Marine leaders' anguished roars. Accusations like "murder and robbery," "rape and abduction," "massacred towns," "human trafficking," "betrayal." Countless crimes were hurled at Kai.
Kai quietly waited for them to finish venting, then slowly picked up his ear, speaking unhurriedly. "I won't deny your accusations. This sea indeed has countless pirates who commit the evils you mentioned. Even worse, frankly."
"But are your World Government and Marines so clean?"
Kai's gaze turned ice-cold, sweeping across every Marine face showing anger or despair. His momentum suddenly surged.
"The Celestial Dragons kill, rape, traffic humans, and plunder civilians' wealth. What dirty crime haven't they committed? I just want to ask you one question." He paused, articulating each word deliberately. "Do you dare stand out and point to their noses, accusing them even once? Does your precious justice dare fall upon their heads?"
This statement shocked all the captured ordinary Marines, their eyes wide open, staring blankly at the pirate daring to openly denounce the "gods' descendants."
They even doubted their own ears. Did Kai just curse out the Celestial Dragons?
From their first day in the Marines, "Celestial Dragons are inviolable" was etched into their bones like an iron law. They'd never imagined anyone would dare so nakedly and fiercely tear away this disguise.
By comparison, the Vice Admirals' expressions were far more complicated. At their level, claiming ignorance of the World Government's dirty secrets beneath its polished exterior was a form of self-deception. Sabaody Archipelago, where slave trading ran rampant, stood openly beside Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Only their convictions ran deeper than those of ordinary soldiers, as they understood better what "the greater good" meant.
"Will a few sophistic arguments shake our determination to uphold justice?"
Onigumo forcibly suppressed his inner turmoil, responding coldly with a sneer. "Hmph, absolutely ridiculous."
In his and many colleagues' view, even if Celestial Dragons caused problems, could their destructive power compare to lawless pirates scattered across the seas? If necessary, this was the price that must be paid for maintaining greater-scope "justice."
"Uphold justice?"
Kai seemed to hear the most absurd joke in the world. He suddenly bent over, bursting into uncontrollable, crazy laughter, his shoulders shaking violently.
After a long while, clutching his stomach and wiping tears from his eyes, he straightened up. The mockery on his face grew increasingly intense.
"If I remember correctly, some time ago it was revealed that a certain Captain Mouse in the East Sea had colluded with the fishman pirate Arlong to tyrannize the locals, right?"
"And there was a Captain Monka who abused his authority and acted tyrannically in Shells Town in the East Sea. He was captured. But..." He dragged out his words meaningfully, looking at the Vice Admirals whose expressions had shifted. "If former Admiral Zephyr hadn't coincidentally passed by with his training ship, I bet your Marine Headquarters would never have discovered it, right?"
Approaching Gion, he locked her somewhat panicked, beautiful eyes with his sharp gaze. "So I want to ask you. I want to ask all of you."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried piercing power. "Does your Marine internal supervision system actually function properly? Must you wait for some 'imperial inspector' to happen by for surprise inspections before you can complete so-called 'self-correction'?"
"Or do you actually know perfectly well, just accustomed to turning a blind eye?"
"Waiting until the situation spirals out of control, then appearing as 'timely saviors,' 'heroes when all hope is lost'?"
"Is this how your Marines uphold justice?"
This barrage of questions, like demonic whispers, hammered against Gion's defenses. She felt her mind buzz, instantly blanking out.
A thought she'd never dared deeply consider, or had deliberately avoided, suddenly appeared uncontrollably in her mind.
Under the Marines' protection, did true "justice" ever fairly reach every ordinary person?
The moment this thought appeared, it frightened her. Her eyes instantly turned panicked. Subconsciously turning her head away, she avoided Kai's all-seeing gaze, not daring to meet his eyes anymore.
Kai noted her reaction fully, a barely perceptible arc appearing at the corners of his mouth. He slowly straightened, ceasing pressure without continuing further.
Because there was no point. Impacting Gion counted as an unexpected bonus.
Frankly, his earlier statements indeed carried strong sophistic elements, as Doberman suggested. This world wasn't simply black and white. Whether it was the World Government, the Marines, or pirates, all possessed their own shades of gray.
Among pirates were adventurers like Luffy, who pursued freedom. Among the Marines were pillars like Sengoku and Garp upholding their convictions. Even within World Government systems, judges like those on Judicial Island existed who were willing to give Tom opportunities for redemption.
Overall, however, darkness and chaos dominated the pirate community, while the Marines, despite facing many problems, couldn't deny their positive role in maintaining order and protecting civilians.
Of course, none of this concerned Kai, at least not currently.
Time was limited. It was time to claim the victor's spoils.
Kai retrieved a Den Den Mushi and dialed a number with practiced ease.
"Bru bru bru."
Kai didn't wait long before the other end picked up.
"Kai, seems you've won."
A calm, emotionless voice came from the Den Den Mushi. Saint Saturn.
"Five Elders, you're really dishonorable. After all our years of cooperation, you suddenly turn hostile and dispatch armies to exterminate me?"
Kai's words were shocking. On deck, those originally dejected Marine soldiers all simultaneously raised their heads, eyes wide open, staring fixedly at the Den Den Mushi in Kai's hands, as if trying to see through it to the other end.
The Five Elders were calling him? Kai and the World Government's supreme rulers had cooperated for many years?
Suddenly, countless Marine soldiers felt their worldview shattered and haphazardly reassembled. They'd bled and sacrificed on these seas, fought fiercely against pirates, only to discover the government they served had long-term cooperation with this pirate?
They suddenly felt like a husband facing layoffs, coming home to find men's shoes at the door, sighing that the day had finally come. Just as he prepared to discuss it with his wife, he discovered she was sitting properly dressed on the sofa, while heavy breathing sounds came from his son's room. Complete powerlessness.
The Vice Admirals, aware of some inside information, lowered their heads deeply, expressions darkening in shadows. They more or less knew the World Government had unexplainable tacit understandings or deals with certain sea pirates, but having this bloody reality placed so bluntly before them, the pain of trampled convictions remained unbearable.
Facing Kai's accusations, Saturn remained unconcerned. In victory and defeat, victors naturally possessed the right to question.
He simply said coldly. "Everything you've done previously, the government could tolerate to a certain degree. But there's one absolute line. You cannot touch the Poneglyphs."
"This is an absolute taboo. The World Government will pay unimaginable prices to completely erase any criminal daring to glimpse that history."
This warning carried killing intent sufficient to make any New World overlord blanch.
Yet Kai's mouth corners curved with mockery. What couldn't be obtained on the battlefield wouldn't be obtained at the negotiation table. He understood this trick well.
Saturn's color-fierce-but-weak-inside performance was merely trying to preserve face for himself and the World Government after a crushing defeat, giving everyone a dignified exit. If the World Government was truly so powerful, it wouldn't have let God Valley survivors like Whitebeard and Kaido survive to today. It certainly wouldn't have allowed Roger's crew to reach Raftel and find the Great Treasure.
But knowing the World Government's bottom line would work.
Kai ceased arguing and spoke leisurely, throwing out his chips. "Given our previous pleasant cooperation, I'm willing to abandon pursuing Poneglyphs."
The other end fell silent, apparently assessing the truth of his words and hidden intentions.
After a while, Saturn's voice returned, shrewd and calculating. "State your conditions."
Dealing with smart people was easy. Kai's smile deepened, no longer polite. "First, the technology for embedding Seastone into ship hulls."
With this technology, Beast Pirates' vessels could freely traverse the Calm Belt. Although still risking the discovery of sea kings, it would be reduced to acceptable levels, generating incomparable trade income.
"Agreed," Saturn answered almost without hesitation, readily concurring.
Though valuable, this technology wasn't an irreplaceable core secret. Trading it for Kai's promise to abandon Poneglyphs was a worthwhile exchange.
"Second, all research data on artificial Devil Fruits," Kai continued.
Frankly, he couldn't afford to wait much longer. Germa's researchers might eventually grasp the technology after years of study, but independent research couldn't compare to directly copying established techniques for speed and efficiency.
The other end's veins bulged across his forehead. He directly refused. "Impossible. Choose another condition."
Mentioning this stirred uncontrollable rage. The supposedly failed artificial Azure Dragon Fruit wasn't merely the wrong color—this was mockery of the World Government's competence.
Had Vegapunk not proven essential to the higher-priority "Mother Flame" project, he would have immediately executed that scientist for daring to deceive the World Government.
He forcibly suppressed his anger before continuing. "Kai, you should understand this technology's strategic importance. A mere verbal promise to abandon Poneglyphs research isn't sufficient exchange for it."
"Is that so?"
Kai chuckled lightly. "What if I also add two Marine Admirals, five Marine Vice Admirals? Oh, and your loyal dog CP0. Does this chip have enough weight?"
Saying this, he casually waved toward the captive pile. "Come on, guys, say hello."
The humiliated Marine commanders naturally wouldn't cooperate, all averting their heads, gritting their teeth, remaining silent.
Kai didn't care either way. The Five Elders knowing was sufficient.
Indeed, the Den Den Mushi connection fell silent. Saturn had temporarily muted the call.
In the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, within the Power Chamber, Saturn abruptly swung his arm across the desk. Documents scattered across the tea table tumbled to the ground with a harsh crash.
"Damn it. Idiots. A bunch of useless fools."
He could no longer maintain his usual composure. Fury erupted from beneath the surface. "Two Admirals. Five Vice Admirals. Such a force was completely destroyed in a single engagement—captured like children. Utter disgrace. What the hell are the Marines doing?!"
Shepherd Ju Peter spoke with grave authority. "Enough. Raging now accomplishes nothing. Our immediate priority is finalizing the arrangement with Kai."
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro nodded in agreement. "We need to secure their release."
The implications weighed heavily on them all. Admirals were scarce high-tier combat assets. Even the World Government's vast resources couldn't afford to maintain many at this level. Losing two represented a strategic catastrophe for the Marines and the broader World Government infrastructure. By comparison, artificial Devil Fruit technology was merely a secondary concern.
Topman Warcury's voice carried genuine apprehension. "What if Kai obtains the technology and successfully replicates his own fruit? According to current intelligence, it's at minimum a top-tier Mythical Zoan—possibly exceeding the Azure Dragon Fruit in potential."
A shadow flickered across all five faces. This possibility demanded serious consideration.
Conversely, Saturn—having vented his rage—recovered his composure and addressed his colleagues' doubts directly. "Technology is technology. Replicating Devil Fruits remains extraordinarily difficult. Don't forget, Vegapunk spent twenty years and consumed countless resources simply to create one functional artificial Azure Dragon Fruit."
He paused, letting the weight of that fact settle.
"It wasn't purely a technical achievement either. Considerable luck played a role."
"And would we grant that bastard Kai anywhere near that timeline?"
Saturn's mouth curved into a knowing smile. His tone carried the absolute confidence of a master strategist. As the Scientist of the Gods, his understanding of scientific principles far surpassed his colleagues'—he naturally grasped the true magnitude of the difficulty involved.
Most crucially, Vegapunk himself remained firmly under their control. As long as they maintained their grip on the inventor, the World Government would perpetually monopolize the development of cutting-edge technology.
Currently, under their pressure, Vegapunk is devoting his research to replicating Paramecia-type Devil Fruits.
"And who decreed we must provide him with the latest, most comprehensive technical specifications?"
Saturn's eyes gleamed with calculated intent. "We'll update the technical data to reflect only the version from when the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit was first successfully created. As for all subsequent improvements, optimizations, and the critical failure lessons—I believe Kai will need to discover those himself."
Understanding flashed across the faces of the other four Elders. Then, subtle smiles appeared on each of them. They recognized the cold brilliance of what Saturn proposed.
Using ostensibly complete but actually incomplete technical data to recover numerous elite combatants while simultaneously purchasing Kai's temporary cooperation—it was a masterwork of negotiation.
This transaction would prove overwhelmingly favorable to the World Government.
Low, knowing laughter began echoing through the Chamber—the sound of five old men who understood the magnitude of their own cunning.
Tehehehe.