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OPI Chapter 263: A World Negotiates for Survival
🕑 Added 2024-11-19 20:30:13 +0000 UTCWhile Imu was reflecting on Kuzan's battle, a Den-Den Mushi in front of him began to ring. The next moment, the microphone on the back of the Den-Den Mushi automatically flew in front of him.
Warcury's voice reported respectfully: "Lord Imu! It has just been reported that Redfield has found the Devil Fruit he was looking for."
"Hmm?"
For a moment, Imu's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Excellent. He can bring the Devil Fruit. Also rewarded with one billion berries, a pure gold ring and the position of deputy director of Cipher Pol-Aigis-0."
"As you command, Lord Imu!"
The Den-Den Mushi looked down when the call ended.
Imu looked at the Den-Den Mushi with a subtle smile.
The Op-Op Fruit had been his goal for a long time. Although its immediate impact on increasing his combat power would not be overwhelming, its potential was incalculable as it manipulated rules such as space, soul, and life.
"Redfield has done an excellent job. Perhaps, if he weren't so old, I would have considered him for membership in the Oka Shichibukai."
Looking at the Enma sword on a nearby shelf, Imu muttered: "It's time to find a time to meet that person again and make things clear."
Suddenly, the Den-Den Mushi rang again, interrupting Imu's thoughts. He then reached out his hand to summon the receiver with a telekinetic gesture. "What's the matter?"
“I report to you, Lord Imu!” V. Nusjuro replied from the other side. “Kong and Zephyr have submitted a joint report.”
"The prisoner currently being held in Impel Down's 'Eternal Hell' level, Shiki, has submitted a request for surrender. Both ministers consider his strength and abilities to be of immense strategic value. They believe that if accepted, this could greatly increase the overall power of the Air Force."
"Shiki actually bowed his head?" Imu was surprised. "What did he ask for?"
Shiki is a rebellious and even shameless guy.
Ever since he rejected the olive branch thrown to him by the World Government, he has been wearing a 'pet collar' and locked up in the 'Eternal Hell' at the bottom of Impel Down.
Only when he needs to use his ability to give the Air Force Headquarters warships the ability to float will he be taken out for a ride and see the rare sunlight.
"Lord Imu, Shiki has three requests."
“First, he wants his head healed so that he can regain his health to its peak. Second, he demands that the slave collar be removed and that he be granted freedom. And third, he demands to be made a Marshal of the Air Force.”
"He has even proposed a one-on-one duel against the current air force marshal. If he wins, the position will be his; if he loses, he agrees to serve as a general under him."
Imu was silent for a moment.
Although Zephyr has recovered thanks to Dr. Kureha, Imu doesn't think it's safe to let him face Shiki who has regained his health. And the position of Marshal is too critical to be left in the hands of a former pirate.
"Tell him that the Air Force Marshal has nothing to do with him. He can refuse and continue to live in the Eternal Hell."
After a moment of silence, Imu finally spoke out his decision.
"If he agrees, then since he took the initiative to request to join the World Government, the World Government can give him a chance to challenge."
"He can choose between Garp or Edward Newgate as his opponent."
"If he wins, he will be appointed as a general in the air force. But if he loses, he will only get the title of 'Alternate General' and the rank of vice admiral."
"Finally, tell him that if he dares to defect or disobey orders after regaining his freedom, the World Government will not give him a second chance."
“Understood, Lord Imu.” V. Nusjuro replied before hanging up the Den-Den Mushi.
...
Teigu World.
Amidst fractured ice mountains and huge fissures, Kuzan gasped for air. His figure was covered in wounds, and a trickle of blood ran down the corner of his lips.
Above his head, the enormous dragon spun majestically, surrounded by lightning and black clouds.
The key is the seemingly indestructible endless white threads, no matter how he attacks them, they are not affected at all.
As time passes, those threads close like a net, and Kuzan knows that when that moment comes, he will be captured alive.
On the other hand, the Black Marlin, hidden beneath the depths of the ocean, blocked any possible escape route, manipulating enormous tsunamis and water whirlpools to keep Kuzan trapped.
It was clear that both Danger Beasts had a common goal: to capture him alive and use him as a bargaining chip against the World Government.
"Alalala~ Borsalino, Borsalino, I've invited you to dinner many times before. Can you come quickly? I can't hold on any longer."
Kuzan sighed to the sky.
Just at that moment, a ray of golden light broke through the dark clouds, illuminating the scene.
The old dragon suddenly raised his head.
"Are you okay, Kuzan~ These two monsters look so scary~"
A lazy, yet unmistakable voice echoed from the sky.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
In a matter of seconds, an endless shower of golden flashes covered the battlefield.
Borsalino's sudden appearance brought great relief to both Kuzan and the higher-ups of the World Government who were closely following the situation.
After the golden light released by Borsalino dissipated, the thick blanket of black clouds over the East Sea was now torn by countless holes, and the old dragon had fallen into the ocean.
The main reason was that he used most of his fur, which was originally used to protect his body, so that he could catch Kuzan.
The dragon underestimated the power of Borsalino's attack. As thousands of light projectiles struck its massive body, they exploded into fireballs, causing it to roar in pain as it fell from the sky into the ocean.
The huge network of white threads also fell apart and reformed into the fur on the dragon.
“Hey, Kuzan~” A golden light suddenly appeared above the shattered peak of an icy mountain. Borsalino, with his typical relaxed expression, materialized beside Kuzan. “It’s really hard for you to hold on until now~”
“Huh...”
Kuzan exhaled a long breath of cold air.
“Alalala, indeed, I’m really exhausted this time, but we should leave as soon as possible, the old dragon’s strength is no less than Whitebeard.”
“Eh~~ Whitebeard?”
“That’s really scary~~”
Borsalino was shocked after hearing this.
"Yes, yes, so let's go quickly, I want to go back and take a hot bath."
"Good idea~"
Borsalino touched his chin and nodded.
He didn't want to go head-to-head with a monster comparable to Whitebeard.
"I just wanted to invite the Celestial Spirit of Ice to my territory, but now the Celestial Spirit of Light has also arrived."
Suddenly, with a deafening roar, the old dragon emerged from the sea and rose back into the sky.
Although his body now showed some black burn marks, the old dragon's calm tone and lack of hostile posture indicated that he was not truly enraged.
"I recently heard about that girl Guren, who encountered a Celestial Spirit capable of controlling lava. I wonder how many more Celestial Spirits you have in total."
Kuzan and Borsalino looked at each other.
"Why waste time talking, old dragon? Even if they bring another one, what does it matter? Let's join together and finish them off!"
From a distance, the Black Marlin that had emerged from the water cried impatiently towards the old dragon.
"Be quiet, black boy!"
The dragon directed a cold gaze towards the Black Marlin, and those simple words, along with that gaze, were enough for the latter to remember something that made him instantly fall silent.
Borsalino broke the silence, with his characteristic lopsided smile. "Hey, Kuzan, how many generals do we have already?"
Kuzan pretended to think for a moment before replying: "Aaaaah, let me see... There are three generals for each of the armed forces: the navy, the army, and the air force. Counting the marshal of each force who is also a general. Plus there are two honorary generals, how many are there?"
"My math is good, there should be fourteen generals. Of course, you haven't counted Master Zephyr, Minister Tsuru, and Minister Kong yet, right?"
Kuzan slapped his forehead as if it had just dawned on him. "Ah, right, so that makes seventeen. And we still have to include some Cipher Pol agents."
As the two continued to calculate with apparent nonchalance, the old dragon and the Black Marlin remained silent. But in their eyes there was a mixture of surprise and fear.
Almost twenty Celestial Spirit at their level!
Although both of them doubted the veracity of that number, even if it was somewhat exaggerated, the mere fact that the generals of the three armed forces totaled nine was already a cause for concern.
It was then that the Black Marlin finally understood the old dragon's intention: there were reasons to avoid provoking these enemies.
The dragon, for his part, was relieved. Fortunately, his initial intention had only been to capture the intruders.
However, the strength he showed should be enough to attract the attention of the so-called World Government.
With a solemn voice, the old dragon addressed Kuzan and Borsalino: "Two Celestial Spirit from other worlds, I want to negotiate with you on behalf of the creatures of this world."
"I hope you can stop slaughtering the creatures of our world and stop excessively destroying the ecology and environment of our world."
The ancient dragon was not much different from other Super Class Danger Beasts. It had awakened from centuries of slumber due to the great disturbances caused by the Bullet battle.
His main objective was to protect this world and, therefore, ensure his own safety.
As for humans, it can only be said to be incidental.
The old dragon didn't care much if the World Government ended up conquering the human kingdoms.
Although, out of respect for his long history living in these lands, the old dragon would provide protection to the Kingdom of the Gods Islands as much as possible.
