Chapter 33

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

The meeting was presided over by the Meeting King, Branew.

After receiving a call, Admiral Sakazuki clenched his telepathic bug so tightly his fingers turned white, his face pale, sweat pouring uncontrollably from his forehead.

“Alright, I understand.”

After hanging up the telepathic bug, Sakazuki swallowed hard.

“Borsalino.”

“Go immediately to Sabaody Island No. 1, locate and calm Barzab Seven, and ensure Elaine Saint remains alive.”

Vice Admiral Tsuru took over.

“Sakazuki, give us the details.”

Sakazuki took a deep breath, steadying his inner turmoil.

“Barzab Seven, a former member of the Roger Pirates, has kidnapped the Celestial Dragon Elaine Saint on Sabaody Island No. 1 and is demanding a ransom from the World Government.”

At these words, the high-ranking Marines present reacted with varied expressions: how could anyone be this brazen?

Kidnapping a Celestial Dragon?

Even if he succeeded in extorting the World Government, he’d need to live long enough to spend the ransom—were all of Roger’s crew such reckless fools?

“Hahaha.”

Garp laughed until tears streamed down his face: “I told you! That kid’s still alive! Kidnapping a Celestial Dragon, extorting the World Government—hahaha!”

Given the Celestial Dragon’s involvement, Garp had no intention of lifting a finger.

Had the mission been anything else, Garp would’ve launched himself at Barzab Seven and thrown him into Impel Down—this had become one of his lifelong goals.

“Damn Garp!” Sakazuki slammed his fist on the table.

Vice Admiral Tsuru intervened: “Borsalino, go first to calm Barzab Seven. Coordinate with the World Government afterward.”

The World Government, not the Marines, would pay the ransom. The Marines’ role was merely to assist in rescuing the kidnapped Celestial Dragon.

Borsalino rose slowly: “Admiral Sakazuki, I’m only supposed to calm the kidnapper, correct?”

The thought of Barzab Seven’s overwhelming Conqueror’s Haki made his head ache—especially since they had a secret arrangement.

Sakazuki nodded: “If necessary, assist the World Government in arresting Barzab Seven.”

Kidnapping a Celestial Dragon must be crushed utterly—otherwise, pirates across the seas would copy him, and the Marines might as well shut down.

Just station guards around every Celestial Dragon.

In a flash, Borsalino turned into light and sped toward the Sabaody Archipelago.

Arrest him? Impossible.

Two years ago, they couldn’t arrest him.

Two years later, it’s even less likely.

From the fact that Barzab Seven only demanded ransom and didn’t kill the Celestial Dragon, it’s clear he isn’t ready to openly break with the World Government yet.

So how should we let him slip through?

Since learning the truth of the Void Century two years ago, Borsalino had secretly verified part of it—and the results were flawless.

This made his once-clear sense of justice increasingly ambiguous—now it upheld the stability of the current order, yet occasionally stirred terrifying thoughts of overthrowing the World Government and rebuilding a new system.

Because of this, Borsalino had dared not return to the Empty Island for two years, fearing Barzab Seven would seduce him again.

“Little brother, you’ve given me quite the dilemma.”

The vibrating telepathic bug in his pocket pulled Borsalino back to reality.

“Moshi moshi.”

“Big brother, I only want the ransom.”

“Good.” Borsalino relaxed completely.

This mission would be a flawless success—surely the promotion he’d been denied two years ago wouldn’t be suppressed again?

Sabaody Island No. 1.

On the street before the slave auction house, Barzab Seven had cleared away merchants and civilians, leaving only unconscious Marines and CP agents sprawled on the ground.

The two Celestial Dragon guards had been cut into pieces like melons.

Fatty Elaine had already passed out, used by Barzab Seven as a cushion beneath his buttocks—kidnapping this pig of a Celestial Dragon had been a last-minute decision.

What else could he do? The guy was born noble.

And Barzab Seven was broke.

As for the unfortunate couple Tazolo and Stella, Barzab Seven had placed them in a neighboring hotel, to be taken away only after the ransom was paid.

The wait wasn’t long.

When the brilliant light slowly coalesced into Borsalino, Barzab Seven immediately pressed his blade against Elaine’s neck.

“Don’t move, Borsalino.”

Just as Borsalino’s sense of justice was ambiguous, so too was Borsalino himself—Barzab Seven didn’t truly believe in any “cooperation.”

Borsalino raised his hands immediately.

“Kamiwai.”

Barzab Seven had changed so much Borsalino nearly didn’t recognize him: “Barzab Seven, why do you insist on opposing the World Government, man like you?”

Though they had a private agreement, publicly the Marines and pirates remained enemies—surface appearances still mattered.

Barzab Seven shrugged: “I’m poor.”

“Unlike you Marines, who get a fixed salary every month, people like me have to rely on ourselves just to survive.”

Borsalino’s face remained expressionless, but inside he seethed: you’ve got all that gold on the Empty Island, and you’re still crying poverty? Didn’t you spend every last bit of the gold you promised me?

I’ll have to sneak a trip to the Empty Island soon.

While the two chatted, news reporters who had heard the news began secretly taking photos. Barzab Seven subtly turned his body, exposing his profile and chin toward the photographers.

As the saying goes—

A side profile reveals the true god.

No chin shown? A worthless man.

As a pirate, even your wanted poster’s appearance is a bonus!

Such explosive news? Morgan, the CEO of the World Economic News Agency, wouldn’t miss it—especially since the subject was Barzab Seven, his most promising prospect.

Throughout, Borsalino periodically reported the situation to Admiral Sakazuki.

As soon as Borsalino hung up the telepathic bug, Barzab Seven grabbed Fatty Elaine: “Let’s go. We’ll wait on the ship.”

Barzab Seven had no ship—but the Celestial Dragon did.

At the Sabaody Archipelago harbor, aboard a luxury yacht, Barzab Seven casually pulled out iron chains and artistically bound the obese body of Elaine.

“Borsalino, hurry the World Government. You have half an hour. After that, I’ll send him on his way.”

Borsalino cooperatively contacted the Five Elders.

Upon hearing the kidnapper’s demands, the Five Elders fell silent for several breaths: “Borsalino, make two trips.”

Borsalino grimaced: “Fine.”

Speed isn’t always a good thing.

Especially for a slacker like Borsalino, who only wants to coast—whenever emergencies arise, the World Government and Marines always dump the burden on him.

Barzab Seven’s ransom demand was outrageous: five Devil Fruits, five weapons no less than a high-grade sword level.

With the World Government’s wealth accumulated over eight hundred years of ruling the seas, gathering the ransom was effortless.

The only problem: delivering it on time.

“Give me the Five Elders’ contact.”

After receiving the Five Elders’ approval, Borsalino left his contact details and turned into light again, racing toward Mary Geoise.

Barzab Seven dialed the telepathic bug: “Moshi moshi.”

“Barzab Seven,” the telepathic bug mimicked the speaker’s tone: “What exactly do you want?”

“Don’t rush. I’ll explain slowly.”

Barzab Seven planted his foot on Elaine’s back: “First, I sincerely apologize for kidnapping Elaine Saint.”

Mary Geoise, Pangu City.

In the spacious, bright room, the Five Elders exchanged glances: this guy is oddly polite.

“You know I’m poor. This ransom is a hush money—what I’m hushing, I’m sure you understand.”

“Once I receive the ransom, this matter ends. Otherwise, I won’t mind waiting outside Mary Geoise and hunting more Celestial Dragons.”

“You know I can do it.”

With the speed of the Gura Gura no Mi, unless the World Government stations Borsalino to guard Barzab Seven at all times—

Every single Celestial Dragon who dares leave Mary Geoise will be kidnapped and extorted again by Barzab Seven.

The two guards beside Elaine Saint possessed the strength of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral—and still, Barzab Seven cut them into pieces.

“No problem,” said the Five Elder with the mustache.

Barzab Seven took the win and ended the negotiation: “Thank you. That’s all.”