We've met Mr. 1 before. He looks very imposing. You can definitely tell he's a powerful person!"
"And you... you're so handsome! With your fair and tender skin, you don't seem like a formidable fighter. I can only say that you're really bad at pretending to be Mr. 1. It's way too fake!"
Miss Wednesday said firmly.
???
Kai was baffled. He had considered many reasons for his cover being blown, but this wasn't one of them.
Wait, is there a rule that strong people can't be handsome? What's going on here?
Miss Wednesday's judgment was really something else.
Kai asked calmly, "So you think I'm not strong enough to be Mr. 1?"
"Exactly!"
"In that case..."
With a "swish," Kai vanished from sight.
"Huh? Where did he go?" The two were stunned. One moment he was there, and the next, he was gone.
Before they could react, they felt a tap on their shoulders from behind.
"So... what now? Do you think I have the strength?"
!!!∑(°Д°ノ)ノ
The voice was smooth as silk, but it sent chills down their spines. They turned around slowly, their movements robotic.
Kai , who had been below them just moments ago, now stood behind them with a smile.
"How... how is this possible?" Both of them thought in unison.
He had disappeared in the blink of an eye and reappeared behind them without a sound. They were dozens of meters above the ground! This was beyond their comprehension!
At that moment, they were convinced that Kai was indeed Mr. 1. Who else could display such power?
Miss Wednesday, on the other hand, felt a wave of despair. If Mr. 1 was this powerful, how strong must Crocodile be?
Her hope for the Kingdom of Alabasta was fading fast.
Kai wasn't aware of how his display of strength had affected Vivi, but even if he did, it didn't matter—intimidation was the goal!
"Alright, as Mr. 1, I'm ordering you not to harm this whale!"
"But..." Mr. 9 began to protest, but Kai cut him off.
"Why... doesn't what I say matter?"
"No... we won't dare!"
"In that case, you're coming with me to my ship!"
"May I ask, sir, which ship are you talking about?"
"See the guy with the straw hat over there?" Kai Vane pointed at Luffy, who was staring at them blankly.
"I see him, sir. Is there a problem?"
"His head is worth 25 million beli. Do you think there's any issue?"
"Twenty-five million beli?? The one who looks like a fool?"
"Yes, so you get the plan, right?"
"I understand! We'll lure them to Whiskey Peak and capture them all, right? Sir!" Mr. 9 answered eagerly.
"Yes, the boy is teachable!" Kai said with admiration.
"So... let's go!"
Kai led them to the Going Merry.
As for why he didn't just kick them off? Don't get it twisted! Kai just didn't want to damage the ship!
"So... you're with them? You wanted to kill Laboon? You said there was no harm?" Crocus glared at Kai.
"Oh, old man, sorry for the confusion! Let me explain!" Kai Vane's eyes narrowed, and a powerful aura of Conqueror's Haki erupted from him. Vivi and Mr. 9 fainted instantly.
"Conqueror's Haki?"
Crocus was genuinely shocked. He'd thought Kai was just another strong pirate, but this was far beyond what he had anticipated.
"It was just a little demonstration to convince them!"
"Otherwise, if I really intended to harm Laboon, you wouldn't be able to stop me. So I have no reason to lie to you!"
Crocus considered this and realized that Kai was right. With his strength, if he had malicious intentions, Crocus would likely be powerless to stop him!
Recognizing this, Crocus believed Kai's words. Those who can wield Conqueror's Haki are born leaders and don't usually bother with deceit.
No, he just finished fooling those two idiots!
...
"Wow! Old Man Crocus, does that mean you've been here for almost 50 years?"
"Ah~ that's right! But I also ventured out for a while, sailing with Roger and the others!"
"After that, I came back here to be with Laboon again. But as Laboon grew larger, I had to treat him from the inside!"
"So you've been opening these water channels in his body?" Zoro asked, speechless.
"Is it possible that you're actually the one causing him harm instead of him hitting the Red Line by himself?"
"You think you know everything, green algae-head? I'm a doctor, and you're a doctor? Don't question my medical skills!"
m9( `д ́ )!!!!
"Clang!"
Zoro drew his sword again.
"Don't stop me, I'm going to take him down this time..."
"So this whale has been waiting here for his friends for 50 years?" Luffy asked, puzzled.
"That's right! Laboon has been trying to break free from the Red Line to find them, but how could a whale manage to escape from here?"
Crocus sighed as he spoke.
While they chatted, they soon reached an iron gate.
As the gate creaked open, Kai and the crew saw the outside world again.
After some time...
"Huh~" Sanji exhaled slowly.
"In 50 years, they must be long dead, right?"
"Definitely dead!" Zoro added.
"No, actually, I heard that they escaped the Grand Line but forgot their promise and didn't return for Laboon!"
"Ah? They forgot... the promise?" Luffy said blankly.
"How could they be so awful? They made a promise and didn't keep it!" Usopp said angrily.
"So, old man, didn't you tell Laboon the truth?"
"Why would I?"
"I did tell him, but he wouldn't believe it. He keeps trying to break free, and if he keeps this up, he'll die soon!"
Crocus's face showed deep sadness.
At this point, Kai , who had been observing, felt he needed to speak up. After all, he was the one who knew everything. Just as he was about to say something, he caught sight of a sneaky figure out of the corner of his eye...
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Power Stones would be appreciated if you like the story