Chapter 86: Isn't This Bullying an Honest Man?

Kizaru hoped his younger brother would consider their friendship and not put him in too difficult a position; he had called him "big brother" so intimately. "Will you give me this favor, Barzab?"

Saint Saint Saiwen drew the sword hanging at his waist.

"Technically, I should give you and the Five Elders a favor, but, I have always hated being called a lowly commoner."

There were a thousand reasons, but Saint Saint Saiwen took only one.

Thanks to Saint Elaine's great cooperation; without Saint Elaine's cooperation, Saint Saint Saiwen's next move would undoubtedly be actively kidnapping a Celestial Dragon.

But now, it was a forced counterattack.

The difference might not be great, but the nature was completely different.

Actively kidnapping was provoking the World Government; forced counterattack was upholding the dignity of the Emperor of the Seas. As a pirate with a bounty of three billion, he, Barzab, also needed to save face, didn't he?

However, in terms of speed, Saint Saint Saiwen was not yet enough to capture Pig Elaine alive under Kizaru's eyes, so he called Mihawk to assist.

Seeing Mihawk descend from the half-sky, Kizaru's face was full of helplessness.

"A Great Swordsman who can fly, how terrifying."

Regarding the fact that Mihawk had not eaten a Devil Fruit yet mastered the ability to fly, there were many speculations within the Marines; some said bloodline factors, some said racial talents...

To this day, no unified conclusion had been reached.

With two Great Swordsmen gathered, Kizaru could only hope that Vice Admiral Garp could arrive soon to support. Before that, he could only do his utmost.

"Yasaka Magatama."

Countless dazzling light bullets, densely packed like a rain curtain, covered the front indiscriminately, only hoping to delay Barzab and Mihawk for a while.

Saint Saint Saiwen flashed instantly to the half-sky, reached his hand forward, towards Saint Elaine who was protected behind by family guards and CP agents.

The Imperial Tool Water Dragon possessed the ability to control all liquids within a living creature's body, including blood; it was most suitable for dealing with Celestial Dragon Pigs who didn't even have Armament Haki.

Kizaru was just about to go all out to block the incoming enemy when he suddenly heard an exclamation from behind.

"Saint Elaine, my lord, what is wrong with you?"

"Saint Elaine, my lord!"

Kizaru turned back to look and saw Saint Elaine's face was purple-red, as if all the blood in his body was gathering towards his brain; his nostrils, eye sockets, and mouth were even bleeding like a gushing stream.

Obviously, he wouldn't be able to live happily much longer.

At this moment, Saint Saint Saiwen's voice sounded.

"If you don't want him to die, hand him over quickly; you only have ten seconds to consider, okay?"

"Ten."

"Nine."

Witnessing such a bizarre scene, Kizaru's face grew serious as he sighed; continuing to fight, Barzab wouldn't be able to capture Saint Elaine alive for a while.

But Saint Elaine would bleed to death; this was far more serious than mission failure.

Mission failure meant at most stopping the salary, then getting scolded by Sengoku: "Borsalino, you guy, did you slack off again?"

But if Saint Elaine died, the impact caused would be huge; the entire Marines, including Fleet Admiral Sengoku, would be held accountable by the World Government.

Accountability was a minor matter; cutting the Marines' military budget was deadly. The World Government formally approved the military budget, holding the Marines' lifeline.

Between mission failure and saving Saint Elaine's life, Kizaru chose the latter.

"Fine." Kizaru raised his hands.

Barzab did not directly kill Saint Elaine; he was obviously preparing to use this as a bargaining chip again to demand ransom from the World Government.

What a greedy guy.

So bold and unafraid, Barzab, don't you fear the World Government's retaliation afterwards? Or do you insist the World Government will be the same as last time?

Seeing this, Saint Saint Saiwen swaggered up to Elaine, casually cut the guards and agents who tried to resist into eight pieces with two slashes, then turned his head back and smiled slightly.

"Hurry up and notify the Five Elders, huh?"

The news that Saint Elaine was kidnapped by Barzab in Sabaody Archipelago spread like wings, reported layer by layer through the Marine Headquarters, straight to the Red Line.

Holy Land Mary Geoise, the Red Line.

Inside the spacious and bright palace, the Five Elders arranged their poses one by one.

The Five Elders

Saint Saturn rubbed his brow: "Just now, Saint Elaine was kidnapped by Barzab again; we must eliminate Barzab and the Morning Star Pirates as soon as possible."

Saint Jaygarcia Saturn took over the words.

"Is there some hidden story in this?"

The other three Five Elders exchanged glances, and finally Saint Natsusurou, who held the Shusui, spoke.

"Ask him what he actually wants to do."

Saint Jaygarcia Saturn took out a Den Den Mushi, and the moment it connected, he immediately shouted fiercely.

"Barzab, what exactly do you want to do!"

The Den Den Mushi blinked its eyes helplessly.

"I'm sorry to contact everyone this way again; Borsalino is here, why don't you ask him?"

Not long after, a familiar voice sounded.

"The situation is like this... Aba Aba... then, Saint Elaine ordered me to kill Barzab..."

Saint Saturn snatched the words and roared.

"He ordered, so you execute?"

The Den Den Mushi spoke in a aggrieved manner.

"Saint Elaine insisted I kill Barzab; I cannot disobey a Celestial Dragon's order, and I didn't even have time to act... Mihawk arrived."

"Also, Barzab seems to possess a very bizarre attack method..."

The Den Den Mushi's tone changed again.

"Hey, Admiral, don't say such things in front of me."

Pausing for a moment, the Den Den Mushi spoke in a low, eerie voice.

"My lords, the Five Elders, a small pirate like me only wishes to sail with my crew, ride the wind and waves, and adventure on the Grand Line.

Our Morning Star Pirates have neither attacked the Holy Land of Mary Geoise nor trespassed into the Flower Chamber, nor have we resisted the World Government. Have I ever kidnapped any other Celestial Dragons?

I have not.

A pirate as honest and upright as me has been targeted by Saint Elaine time and again, to the point where they are willing to dispatch an Admiral to kill me.

Isn't this bullying an honest man!"

Seeing Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen speaking more and more outrageously, even hinting at revealing which lord was involved, Saint Saturn hurriedly interrupted.

"Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen, state your conditions."

The Den Den Mushi smiled slightly.

"My lords, the Five Elders, you are straightforward people."

"As for me, I am not greedy. First, give me three Devil Fruits, but please, do not try to fool me with trash Devil Fruits like last time."

"When I get angry, even I am afraid of myself."

"The Morning Star Pirates are preparing to head to the New World; consider all of this as your sponsorship of an ally."

"Second, bring over the giants Oimo and Kashi who guard the gate for the World Government. Also, I quite like Saint Elaine's yacht; I shall accept it for now."

"These are my only demands."

"We are all friends, after all. In the future, if you have matters you cannot handle openly, just pay a small reward, and I will be happy to serve."

Saint Saturn fell silent for a while, then squeezed out a sentence.

"Deal. Tell Borsalino to run two errands."

"As you wish."

Sabaody Archipelago, in front of the slave auction house.

Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Saint Saint Saiwen looked at the Huang Yuan beside him: "Admiral Borsalino, you heard the Five Elders' words. Thank you for running two errands."

The Huang Yuan wore a sly, disheveled expression.

"Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen, truly, it is only you."

Extorting the World Government twice, and the Five Elders actually agreed; it was truly astonishing, as it seemed no pirate had ever done so in all these years.

Although the situation was somewhat suspicious, the Huang Yuan felt the best course of action now was to hurry to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise to retrieve the ransom and redeem Saint Elaine.

By then, we shall see how the World Government decides.

Watching the Huang Yuan vanish into light, Saint Saint Saiwen picked up the blood-soaked pass and looked at Mihawk.

"Mihawk-san, let us go to the shipyard and wait."

During the flight, Mihawk hesitated repeatedly before asking softly, "Are you truly preparing to cooperate with the Five Elders?"

"Why not?" Saint Saint Saiwen said with a beaming smile.

"Before we completely tear up our relationship, we can absolutely do some win-win things. The World Government is so wealthy; it is a waste not to earn money when it is available."

"Win-win?" Mihawk raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, meaning we win twice."

Mihawk kept pondering this sentence until he arrived at the shipyard, when he finally understood what "we win twice" meant.

Truly, it is only you, Captain.

Impel Down Main Gate.

Impel Down Main Gate

Watching Vice Admiral Garp, the Marine Hero, lead the Marine fleet away, Yuzhi Xiliu stood atop the city gate, a mad smile playing on his lips.

Just now, while accompanying Vice Admiral Garp to escort prisoners, Yuzhi Xiliu accidentally overheard—

Captain Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen kidnapped a Celestial Dragon in the Sabaody Archipelago and demanded a ransom from the World Government. The World Government has specifically ordered the Marines to execute a Buster Call and annihilate the Morning Star Pirates after successfully rescuing the Celestial Dragon.

The Marine fleet executing this Buster Call will include at least two Admiral-level powers, Borsalino and Garp, and Akainu of Marineford will very likely also mobilize.

"The proof of loyalty I have long dreamed of has arrived."

So mad, and yet so fascinating.

Yuzhi Xiliu turned and returned to his quarters, packed lightly, strapped his sword Lei Yu to his waist, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and headed toward the Impel Down-exclusive warship.

A passing guard greeted him: "Sir, are you preparing for leave?"

Yuzhi Xiliu, a cigar in his mouth, smiled slightly.

"Yes, it is a holiday."