"This is already the seventh batch this week…" The newcomer Rocksdar recorded the gift list, dumbfounded.
Beckman calmly lit a freshly arrived cigar, smoke curling up in the sunset: "It seems we won't need to bring supplies when we go out to sea anymore."
Shanks took a bitter gulp of the newly presented fine wine, suddenly noticing a line of small text printed on the bottle's label:
"Please say 'Give me some Face' before drinking for better flavor."
"These people are truly…" He shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, only to see Beckman already directing the crew to unpack and inspect the goods. The other party's people even specifically took out their phones, earnestly filming:
"Family, we have successfully fed the Face-Face Fruit user! The Four Emperors are too kind; he didn't make things difficult for us. Success!"
"...."
...
The sea breeze grew stronger, the Red Force's main sail billowed, and the scarred skull flag flapped in the wind.
Shanks stood at the bow, gazing at the sunset gradually sinking below the horizon, and suddenly felt that perhaps this absurd misunderstanding had unexpectedly become the most powerful deterrent weapon.
The balance of the sea… became stronger!
"Captain." Beckman had appeared beside him at some point, the last rays of sunset reflecting in his glasses, "Should we change course? Going to any island now…"
"Will we receive king-like reception?" Shanks finished his sentence, then burst into laughter, "Then let's go to the most troublesome place—it's time to let certain people know that 'Face'… is sometimes more effective than Conqueror's Haki."
The Red Force cut through the crimson sea, heading towards the distant horizon, and behind them, on the tribute merchant ship, the Captain was excitedly shouting into his phone:
"Red Hair-sama has accepted the gift! Quickly inform the chairman to prepare for a live broadcast! Our merchant guild is going to get rich!"
On the vast sea, the "Face-Face Fruit" was gradually becoming a legend.
....
Mary Geoise, Power Hall.
The twilight afterglow slanted through the stained-glass windows, casting five elongated shadows on the pristine marble floor.
The air was thick with suppressed fury, even the CP0 agents standing in the corner unconsciously held their breath.
"Bang!"
Gin slammed his palm onto the gem-encrusted conference table, shattering it. Splintered wood grazed Saturn's cheek, leaving a small streak of blood.
"Kaido, that madman!" His roar made the crystal chandelier tremble slightly, "What 'Face-Face Fruit,' what 'Gorosei bowing their heads'—how dare he spread such absurd rumors?!"
Saturn slowly wiped away the blood bead from his face, a dangerous red light flickering in his eyes: "The Marine should act. Send Kizaru to Onigashima, and use 'Ame no Murakumo' to permanently stitch that foul mouth shut."
"Are you insane?" Jupiter's scepter struck the ground heavily, "Waging war on the New World now, will Whitebeard and the Big Mom Pirates just stand by?!" His grim gaze swept over everyone, "Don't forget, the Revolutionary Army is recruiting!"
Mercury toyed with the pocket watch in his hand, then let out a cold laugh: "Have you all forgotten… we still have an ace up our sleeve?"
Four gazes simultaneously focused on him.
"How the Marineford War was fought…" He snapped his pocket watch shut, "That's how we'll fight Kaido."
Saturn suddenly understood: "You mean… another 'honor of kings' tournament?"
"Exactly."
The long-bearded Gorosei slowly stroked his beard: "He must be completely silenced…" A glint flashed in his eyes, "Since he cares so much about 'Face'…"
"Then let him completely 'lose face'!" The bald Gorosei sneered, finishing the sentence.
The Gorosei's ultimate sanction plan was confirmed: host the second "honor of kings" tournament!
Soon,
The Mary Geoise World Government official TikTok account, a meticulously edited short video instantly exploded across the entire network:
In the center of the screen, the Gorosei sat side by side before the Empty Throne. The blonde Gorosei held the latest foldable smartphone and announced in a majestic and deep voice:
"Kaido, get online!"
The camera switched, displaying a formal challenge letter with gilded edges:
"honor of kings · Apex Showdown"
Stakes:
1. If Kaido loses, he must hand over all subsequent content of the "Pirate King" novel!
2. And permanently close his live stream!
At this point, the video suddenly inserted a chaotic montage: repeated playback of Kaido's exaggerated expressions from previous live streams, with the caption: "You think you can win?"
Finally, the screen froze on the Gorosei's collective reflection as they pushed up their glasses, and subtitles appeared:
"Tomorrow night at 8 PM, see you in honor of kings Canyon."
The video went viral. No one expected the Gorosei's response to be so swift; it seemed they were also following Kaido's live stream.
At the same time, Kaido also saw the video,
"Kurolo LOLO!!"
Kaido smashed half a wall with his club. The Gorosei's video was still looping on the projection screen. He grabbed his phone:
"Those old geezers think I'd accept such a childish challenge?" A dangerous red light flashed in his eyes, then he replied in the comments section below the video: "I close my live stream if I lose? What about you guys if you lose, huh?"
Soon, one of the Gorosei replied:
"Gorosei: We cannot lose."
"Latest reply!"
"Quick, look at the World Government account!"
Indeed, the Gorosei's account instantly replied with a short video:
In the video, the bald Gorosei was maintaining a famous sword, saying without lifting his head: "Lose? That word is not in the World Government's dictionary."
Kaido also responded. The video screen shook violently as Kaido, transformed into his Azure Dragon form, soared into the sky, holding his spiked club. He smashed the phone with one blow. As the phone flew, Kaido's roar could be heard:
"Get lost!"
At the summit of Onigashima, winds howled. Kaido, holding a half-empty sake gourd, grinned at the camera, his dragon scale tattoos gleaming coldly under the Moonlight.
"Gorosei…" Kaido tilted his head back and took a swig of sake, the liquid dripping down his chin as his Adam's apple bobbed, "You old geezers, do you really think I'm some small-time pirate who can be easily manipulated?"
"honor of kings tournament?" He suddenly erupted in rage, his Conqueror's Haki shaking the camera violently, "I am a Four Emperors! You say fight, and I fight?!"
Kaido's expression suddenly turned playful. He leaned closer to the camera and lowered his voice: "But…", imitating Red Hair's tone, "If you're willing to say—"
Special effects subtitles appeared: "Please give us some Face."
"Like this…" Kaido deliberately pinched his voice to imitate Red Hair, "Maybe if I'm in a good mood, I'll really play a couple of rounds with you? Ugyagyagyagya!"
Returning to the main camera, Kaido had reverted to his arrogant self: "But are you worthy?!" He suddenly flared up, smashing a nearby boulder with his spiked club, "On this sea, everyone knows that the only one who can make me, Kaido, give face, is Red-Haired Shanks!"
....
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