Chapter 86: Isn

Kizaru hoped his brother would consider their friendship and not make things too difficult for him next—calling him “big brother” so warmly, would you grant me this favor, Barzab Seven?

Seven drew the sword hanging at his waist.

“Technically, I should grant you and the Five Elders face—but I despise more than anything being called a commoner.”

Countless reasons exist, but Seven took only one.

Thanks to Saint Elaine’s full cooperation, without it, Seven’s next move would have been outright kidnapping a World Noble.

Now, it is forced retaliation.

The difference may seem slight, but the nature is entirely different.

Kidnapping voluntarily is an act of defiance against the World Government; forced retaliation upholds the dignity of the Emperor of the Sea. As a pirate with a bounty of three billion, Barzab Seven has his pride too.

But in speed, Seven was insufficient to capture Pig Elaine under Kizaru’s eyes, so he called upon Mihawk for aid.

Seeing Mihawk descend from midair, Kizaru’s face was filled with helplessness.

“A flying great swordsman—how terrifying.”

Regarding Mihawk’s ability to fly without consuming a Devil Fruit, the Marines have many theories: some say bloodline factors, others say racial Tianfu ...

No consensus has ever been reached.

With two great swordsmen united, Kizaru could only hope that Admiral Garp would arrive soon. Until then, he had to give it his all.

“Yasakani no Magatama.”

Countless blinding light orbs, dense as a curtain of rain, blanketed the front indiscriminately, aiming only to delay Barzab Seven and Mihawk for a moment.

Seven instantly flashed into midair, reaching forward toward Elaine Saint, who was shielded by his family guards and CP agents.

The Imperial Tool: Water Dragon Possession can control all bodily fluids, including blood—perfect for dealing with a World Noble who lacks Armament Haki.

Just as Kizaru prepared to unleash his full power to stop the attackers, he heard a cry from behind.

“Saint Elaine, what’s wrong?”

“Saint Elaine!”

Kizaru turned to see Elaine’s face purple-red, as if all his blood was rushing to his head, blood gushing from his nostrils, eye sockets, and mouth.

Clearly, he wouldn’t survive much longer.

At that moment, Seven’s voice rang out.

“If you don’t want him to die, hand him over quickly. You have ten seconds.”

“Ten.”

“Nine.”

Witnessing this bizarre scene, Kizaru sighed heavily. Continuing the fight, Barzab Seven wouldn’t capture Elaine Saint anytime soon.

But if Elaine Saint bled out, the consequences would be far worse than mission failure.

Mission failure might mean a pay cut and a scolding from Admiral Kizaru: “Kizaru, are you slacking off again?”

But if Elaine Saint died, the impact would be enormous—the entire Marine organization, including Admiral Kizaru, would be held accountable by the World Government.

Accountability was minor; cutting the Marine budget was deadly. The World Government controlled the Marines’ lifeline by approving their funding.

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

“Fine.” Kizaru raised his hands.

Barzab Seven did not kill Elaine Saint outright—he clearly intended to use him as leverage again to demand ransom from the World Government.

What a greedy bastard.

With such brazenness, Barzab Seven, don’t you fear the World Government’s retaliation afterward? Or do you believe they’ll act like last time?

Seeing this, Seven strolled casually up to Elaine, slashed two quick cuts that severed the guards and agents trying to resist into eight pieces, then turned back with a faint smile.

“Go notify the Five Elders already?”

The news that Saint Elaine had been kidnapped by Barzab Seven on Sabaody Archipelago spread like wings, climbing through Marine Headquarters’ hierarchy straight to Mary Geoise.

Mary Geoise, the Holy Land.

Inside the spacious, bright palace, the Five Elders arranged themselves in order.

The Five Elders

Satan Saint rubbed his temples: “Just now, Saint Elaine was kidnapped again by Barzab Seven. We must eliminate Barzab Seven and the Morning Star Pirates as soon as possible.”

Wochuli Saint took over.

“Is there some hidden truth here?”

The other three Elders exchanged glances, then Nasu Shourou Saint, who held the first-generation Ghost Cutter, spoke.

“Ask him what he truly wants.”

Wochuli Saint pulled out a Den Den Mushi and, the moment he dialed, roared loudly.

“Barzab Seven, what do you want?!”

The Den Den Mushi blinked helplessly.

“I’m sorry to contact you all this way again—Kizaru is here. Why don’t you ask him?”

Soon after, a familiar voice sounded.

“It went like this... ABA ABA... then Saint Elaine ordered me to kill Barzab Seven...”

Satan Saint snatched the phone and roared.

“He ordered you, and you obeyed?”

The Den Den Mushi spoke meekly.

“Saint Elaine insisted I kill Barzab Seven. I couldn’t ignore a World Noble’s order—and I hadn’t even moved when Mihawk arrived.”

“Also, Barzab Seven seems to possess an extremely strange attack method...”

The Den Den Mushi’s tone shifted again.

“Hey, Marine Admiral, don’t say things like that right in front of me.”

After a pause, the Den Den Mushi spoke softly.

“Your Excellencies the Five Elders, I’m just a small-time pirate who wants to sail the seas with my crew, seeking adventure.”

Our Morning Star Pirates have never attacked Mary Geoise, never intruded into the Flower Chamber, never rebelled against the World Government—have I ever kidnapped other World Nobles?

I haven’t.

Yet I, a quiet, law-abiding pirate, have been targeted repeatedly by Saint Elaine—even to the point of the Marine Admirals being sent to kill me.”

“Isn’t this bullying an honest man?!”

Seeing Barzab Seven grow increasingly outrageous, even hinting at which Elder might be involved, Satan Saint quickly cut him off.

“Barzab Seven, state your terms.”

The Den Den Mushi smiled faintly.

“Your Excellency, you’re a man of action.”

“I’m not greedy—first, three Devil Fruits. But don’t try to fool me with trash ones like last time.”

“When I get angry, even I’m scared.”

“The Morning Star Pirates are heading to the New World. Consider this your sponsorship of an ally.”

“Second, bring me the giants Oimo and Kasi who guard the World Government’s gate. Also, I quite like Saint Elaine’s yacht—I’ll take it.”

“That’s all my demands.”

“We’re friends, after all. If you ever need something done discreetly, just pay a small fee—I’m happy to help.”

Satan Saint fell silent for a long while, then forced out one sentence.

“Deal. Tell Kizaru to make two trips.”

“Of course.”

Sabaody Archipelago, in front of the Slave Auction House.

After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Seven turned to Kizaru beside him: “Admiral Kizaru, you heard the Five Elders. Could you please make two trips?”

Kizaru wore a sly, lewd expression.

“Barzab Seven, you’re truly you.”

Twice he extorted the World Government—and the Five Elders agreed. It was astonishing; no pirate in years had ever done this.

Though the situation was strange, Kizaru decided the best course now was to hurry to Mary Geoise, retrieve the ransom, and rescue Saint Elaine.

Then, we’ll see how the World Government decides.

Watching Kizaru vanish into light, Seven picked up the bloodstained pass and turned to Mihawk.

“Mihawk-san, let’s wait at the dock.”

Mid-flight, Mihawk hesitated, then asked softly: “Are you truly planning to cooperate with the Five Elders?”

“Why not?” Seven smiled broadly.

“Before we fully break ties, we can do mutually beneficial things. The World Government is rich—why not take their money?”

“Mutually beneficial?” Mihawk raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. We win twice.”

Mihawk pondered those words repeatedly, only understanding “we win twice” upon reaching the dock.

No wonder you’re the captain.

Impel Down Gate.

Impel Down Gate

Watching Admiral Garp lead the Marine fleet away, Shiryu stood atop the gate, a mad grin on his lips.

Just now, while escorting prisoners with Admiral Garp, Shilu overheard—

Captain Barzab Seven kidnapped a Celestial Dragon at Sabaody Archipelago and demanded a ransom from the World Government; the World Government specifically ordered the Marines to successfully rescue the Celestial Dragon, then carry out the Holy War Decree to annihilate the Morning Star Pirates.

The Marine fleet assigned to carry out the Holy War Decree includes at least two Great General-level forces: Kizaru and Garp, and Akainu, still stationed at Marineford, is almost certain to deploy as well.

“The long-sought token of loyalty has arrived.”

So insane, yet so captivating.

Shilu turned and returned to his quarters, packed lightly, slung his sword Leiyu at his waist, shouldered his satchel, and headed for the Marine prison ship bound for Impel Down.

A passing guard greeted him: “Officer, are you preparing for leave?”

Shilu bit down on a cigar and smiled faintly.

“Yes, I’m on leave.”