Kaidou fell silent, his mind racing with possibilities. Kaidou knew he truly couldn't trust the world's government. This is merely a ploy to manipulate him for their own ends. As he weighed his options, the air crackled with tension, both parties acutely aware of the stakes at hand.
"So what are you proposing, and what will I gain from all this?" Kaidou's deep voice rumbled through the brig, his imposing figure towering over the CP0 agent before him. Despite being bound by Sea Stone restraints, his eyes burned with curiosity and a hint of defiance.
"I knew you were a smart man, Kaidou," the CP0 agent responded with a smirk, adjusting his suit. "Let me lay it out for you. First and foremost, we will orchestrate your 'escape' from this vessel, along with your crew. It will appear as though you broke free with your own strength, ensuring your reputation remains intact. In addition, we will provide discreet support, resources from the shadows, and other privileges."
As the agent spoke, Kaidou listened intently, his mind racing with possibilities. The prospect of freedom and support from the World Government was enticing, but he remained wary of their true intentions.
"In return," the agent continued, his tone becoming more serious, "we require a simple task. We want you to seize control of Wano Country and secure a steady supply of sea stones for us. Wano is currently in a state of internal conflict, making it ripe for the taking. With our assistance, you'll have the means to establish your dominance."
Kaidou's eyes gleamed with interest at the mention of Wano. He knew of the country's secrets and potential power, but he also understood the challenges that lay ahead.
"And if I refuse?" Kaidou's voice reverberated with a low growl, his muscles tensing beneath the Sea Stone restraints.
The CP0 agent chuckled softly, with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Ah, but why refuse such a generous offer, Kaidou-sama? However, if you were to decline, let's just say your future prospects would be significantly less favorable."
Kaidou gritted his teeth, weighing his options carefully. The allure of Wano and the support of the World Government were tempting, but he couldn't shake the feeling of being manipulated.
The CP0 agent's smile remained cryptic. "Let's just say the World Government has its own interests in Wano. But rest assured, Kaidou, our goals align for the time being."
"And what assurance do I have that you will uphold your end of the bargain?" Kaidou's voice was laced with skepticism as he stared down at the CP0 agent.
The agent's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "Kaidou, you have my word and as a good will we will even let the Lunarian youngster free alongside you . The World Government always honors its agreements. Besides, it's in our best interest to see you succeed."
Kaidou pondered the agent's words carefully. Wano was a land shrouded in mystery, with secrets that even he had yet to uncover. If the World Government was offering him control of such a coveted territory, there had to be a reason.
"Very well," Kaidou finally conceded, his voice resolute. "I accept your proposal. But remember, if you betray me, there will be consequences."
The CP0 agent nodded, his smile never faltering. "Of course, Kaidou. You have my word that the World Government will uphold its end of the bargain."
As the negotiations concluded, Kaidou couldn't shake the feeling that he was stepping into a web of intrigue and deception. But for now, the promise of power and control over Wano was too tempting to resist.
With a nod of acknowledgment, Kaidou fell silent, his mind whirling with thoughts of conquest and power. As the CP0 agent turned to leave, Kaidou's resolve hardened. Whatever path he chose, he would carve out his destiny with his own hands, even if it meant allying with the World Government for the time being.
As the CP leader stepped out of the prison area, two more CP0 agents joined them, their faces concealed behind masks.
"Sir, we have an update regarding the matter of the World Pirates," one of the agents reported. "The mission was a success. Byrnndi World has been captured, and the Cipher Pol team is currently awaiting a fleet to escort the prisoner back to Impel Down."
"Haha, it seems like good news comes in packages," the CP0 leader chuckled. "Fine, then, inform the elders that Kaidou has agreed to our deal. Prepare to sink a few Marine ships to make Kaidou's escape believable. Target those that don't belong to the World Government faction. We can also pin this incident on the remaining Marines. As for the flagship and other battleships, let's set course to where Byrnndi World is being held and escort him to Impel Down after we sort out Kaidou's matter."
The lead CP agent's commands were swiftly executed by his subordinates, who moved with purpose to carry out their orders.
Meanwhile, at the Chain Islands, where Roger and Garp were immersed in an epic duel, it had been more than seven hours since the clash started. Garp and Roger's battle had already sunk the largest island, and they were now clashing on a nearby one. However, on the other end, I was facing a battered and bruised Bullet. He was sweating buckets, and his entire body was covered with a metallic exoskeleton that he had created using the metal he had disassembled. Originally, two hours into the fight, Bullet was still reluctant to use his Devil Fruit powers.
However, as the fight continued and it became increasingly one-sided, even after he went all out with the use of Conqueror's Haki, Bullet chose not to hold back anymore. With the addition of his Devil Fruit powers, he could now match me, and the fight had been raging on for close to five hours now.
"Kid, are you underestimating me? I asked you to bring out your sword." Bullet growled furiously, his towering exoskeleton form now standing close to eight meters tall. He had never felt so humiliated before, especially by someone he considered a mere kid. Realizing that I was a swordsman but had been relying solely on my fists throughout the fight only fueled his anger.
"Haha, Bullet, do you have a death wish? My sword will simply cut you down. You're still not worthy of my sword. Maybe you should try fighting me after a few more years," I mocked, unable to resist taunting my opponent. I knew I had extracted everything Bullet had to offer, and now I was just using him as a good old whetstone. Despite being completely outmatched, I had to commend his resilience for refusing to give up.
"Hey, Buggy, do you still think Bullet is comparable to Rayleigh-san in strength?" I shouted out, addressing the rumor Buggy had spread.
However, Buggy was currently hiding within an empty barrel, unwilling to face me.
"Red-nosed brat, look, your friend Ross is looking for you. It seems like he has a question he wants you to answer," Scopper Gaban taunted Buggy, knowing he was hiding to avoid confrontation.
"Gaban-san, my name is Buggy, that monster is not my friend. Please don't spread false rumors. I already have enough trouble as it is. Do you want to add more weight to my shoulders?" Buggy stuttered from inside the barrel, trying to deflect the attention away from himself.
"Buggy, hiding inside the barrel is of no use. Ross surely has Observation Haki, and he must already know that you're hiding here," Shanks said as he approached and began shaking the barrel, trying to coax Buggy out.
"Get away, Shanks! Why don't you go and play buddy with that monster? I would like to safely live for a few more years. I don't want to attract his attention," Buggy pleaded, his voice trembling with fear. He had no desire to engage in the chaos of battle, preferring to live a quiet and leisurely life. Becoming a member of the Roger Pirates had been a stroke of luck for him, and he lacked the same drive and ambition as Shanks, who sought to follow in their captain's footsteps.
"You little bastard! I am going to kill you today, even if it's the last thing I do!" Bullet bellowed like a crazed madman, his bloodshot eyes reflecting his overwhelming rage. Despite already overextending his stamina, he piled on another layer of exoskeleton and charged toward me with reckless abandon.
"Busoshoku Koka!" Bullet coated his entire gigantic arm with Armament Haki, intending to pummel me into the ground. Unlike him, although exhausted, I still had plenty of stamina left, and my haki remained strong. He was pushing himself forward with sheer battlelust, his determination blinding him to the reality of his dwindling strength.
I could have easily dodged the massive fist aiming at me, but I opted for a straightforward clash. My arms turned pitch black, shimmering in the sunlight, as I prepared to end this farce once and for all.
"Meteor Fist!" My entire fist ignited like burning metal as it collided with Bullet's incoming attack.
"Boom!" The clash sent the massive metallic construct of Bullet hurtling through the air like a cannonball.
"Snap!" Amidst the chaos of battle, the clear and crisp sound of bones breaking echoed across the battlefield. Bullet crashed into a small hill on the island, unable to maintain his Armament haki any longer. Piece by piece, the exoskeleton around him crumbled, revealing the broken and defeated form of Douglas Bullet, the Demon Heir.
His injuries were severe and visible to all who witnessed the aftermath of the battle. His right arm lay completely crushed beneath him, twisted at an unnatural angle. Bruises and lacerations covered his body, evidence of the intense physical trauma he had endured. He lay motionless amidst the rubble, defeated and broken, his once formidable presence reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.
"Huff... Huff... Huff..." I stood panting, my gaze fixed on the spot where the infamous Bullet had crashed. This wasn't the first time he had fallen; it had happened more than a dozen times already. Each time, he rose again like a man possessed, only to be knocked down once more.
So, I kept my guard up, waiting to see if he would rise again to continue the fight. But after a minute passed, there was no visible movement, not even a twitch. Even my Observation Haki detected no signs of him stirring after the last devastating attack.
"Pheeewww....." I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as the realization sank in that victory was finally mine after close to seven hours of nonstop battling.
As the dust settled around the fallen Bullet, the spectators, both Roger Pirates and Marines alike, watched in awe and disbelief. Among them, Shanks and Buggy who emerged from his hiding spot, their eyes wide with amazement at the outcome of the battle.
"Shanks, did you see that?" Buggy exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. "Ross actually did it! He took down Bullet san!"
Shanks nodded, his expression a mixture of pride and astonishment. "I never doubted him for a second; that's my future rival," he replied, a grin spreading across his face. "But to see him defeat Bullet san like that... He truly is something else."
On the side, the Marines the Roger pirates , including Scopper Gaban, exchanged whispers of astonishment and admiration for the young fighter's prowess.
"Did you see the way he fought?" one Marine whispered to another. "He's just a kid, but he took down that pirate from Roger's crew without breaking a sweat!"
"Kid, you sure are a monster," remarked Scopper Gaban, who had now arrived next to the fallen Bullet. "You can already apply the principles of emission at such a tender age. Even I feel scared thinking about what you will grow up to be in the future."
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air as I surveyed the aftermath of the battle. Victory had come after a hard battle, but it was a battle I was willing to fight to prove my strength and resilience in the face of formidable opponents like Bullet.