BOOM!!!
Those casually spoken words struck like a thunderbolt, exploding in Stussy's mind!
In that instant, all her pride in her composure, disguises, and cunning shattered into pieces!
Her pupils trembled violently!
It felt as if all the blood in her body reversed its flow at once!
This man... how could he know?!
This was her deepest, darkest secret! An absolute secret known to almost no one within Cipher Pol Aigis Zero! She was a Clone, an illegal creation of Vegapunk and the others!
If this secret were exposed, she would no longer be a noble Cipher Pol Aigis Zero agent, but an "experimental specimen" that could be disposed of at any moment!
Kill him!
She must kill him!
Almost by instinct, killing intent surged in Stussy's eyes. Using her turning motion as cover, she swiftly produced an exquisite lipstick tube from her fingertips—a specially crafted weapon made from highly refined Sea Stone!
"Die!"
A cold glint flashed, swift as lightning, stabbing fiercely toward Kane's throat!
If this were an ordinary Navy Rear Admiral, such a close-range ambush would have resulted in instant death.
However...
Snap.
The Sea Stone lipstick, capable of instantly incapacitating Devil Fruit users, stopped one centimeter away from Kane's Adam's apple.
A large hand had firmly clamped around Stussy's slender wrist.
Immobile!
"What? Angry because I exposed your secret?"
Kane looked down at the astonished Stussy, his tone as casual as if he were flirting.
"This... how is this possible?!"
Stussy's mind was in turmoil. She desperately tried to pull her hand back, but found the other's strength unimaginably powerful.
Having failed her first strike, Stussy didn't retreat. Instead, it ignited her ferocity.
Since one hand was restrained...
Whoosh!
A pair of dark bat wing illusions suddenly materialized behind her—the Zoan-type Bat Fruit ability activated instantly!
Stussy pressed forward, her cherry lips parting as her originally cute canine teeth elongated into sharp fangs gleaming with a cold light.
Without hesitation, she bit toward Kane's neck. Just breaking the skin would be enough to put him to sleep!
"Clang!"
A metallic ringing sound echoed.
Stussy felt as if her teeth had bitten into an indestructible steel plate, the impact numbing her gums.
An invisible, flowing barrier of will had somehow covered Kane's neck.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Feeling the sensation on his neck, Kane didn't get angry. Instead, he showed a mocking smile.
"So passionate? Already eager to give me a hickey when we've just met?"
"This courtship method is a bit too wild, auntie."
That word "auntie" was the final straw.
Just as Stussy prepared to struggle with all her might, an immense, terrifying Conqueror's Haki erupted from Kane with overwhelming force!
BOOM——!
All the glass in the room instantly shattered, expensive wine bottles exploded one after another, and red wine flowed across the floor like blood.
Stussy's mind went completely blank. The suffocating feeling of facing an apex predator made it impossible for her to muster any thought of resistance.
Her legs gave way, and her body slumped uncontrollably.
She knelt on the ground, one wrist still gripped by Kane, her posture humiliating and helpless.
"Impulsiveness won't solve anything."
Kane's other hand pinched Stussy's delicate chin, forcing her to lift her head and meet his unfathomable eyes.
There was no tenderness in his gaze—only a blatant threat.
"The World Government has eliminated countless individuals who knew about the 'Lineage Factor'—a technology powerful enough to overturn the world—just to keep it completely hidden."
"Tell me, if they were to learn that a perfect 'living proof'—namely, you—is still alive and well, and even holds a high position…"
Kane paused, the curve of his lips growing increasingly cruel.
"Who do you think would be the first to be silenced to protect the secret?"
"After all, only the dead can keep secrets forever. Am I right… my dear Clone?"
Stussy's body began to tremble uncontrollably.
It wasn't out of fear of death, but the despair of being completely seen through, of having her fate held firmly in someone else's hands.
She was finished.
From the moment this man uttered the word "Buckingham," she was utterly ruined.
Her greatest secret, her ultimate reliance, had now become the sharpest blade of a guillotine hanging over her head.
And the one holding the rope was this seemingly harmless Navy Rear Admiral standing before her, smiling innocently.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she dared not let them fall.
"What… what do you want?" Stussy's voice was hoarse, tinged with a sob, completely devoid of her earlier composure and allure.
"Glad you asked."
Kane's reply was blunt and crude, filled with undisguised desire and greed.
He released her wrist but kept his grip on her chin, his thumb gently stroking her trembling red lips.
Kane raised two fingers.
"First, starting today, 20% of the Pleasure Quarter's annual revenue—that's 70 billion Berries—will be deposited into the G-5 Branch's secret account. How you balance the books is your problem. I trust someone of your ability won't find it difficult."
Stussy bit her lip, her face pale as she nodded. Seventy billion… it would make life tight, but it was still manageable.
"Second."
Kane leaned closer, his gaze sharpening intensely.
"You, and your intelligence network spread across the world, now belong to me."
"I will be the Pleasure Quarter's… shadow master."
Arrogant, tyrannical, unreasonable.
This was no longer a transaction—it was outright plunder! He was turning Stussy, and the entire Pleasure Quarter, into his private property!
But did Stussy dare refuse?
Staring into those cold eyes, she knew that if she dared utter a single "no," tomorrow's newspaper headline would read: "Shocking! The Queen of the Pleasure Quarter is a Clone!"
"...I agree."
Stussy closed her eyes, two clear tears tracing down her cheeks.
As if her backbone had been ripped out, she collapsed to the ground, utterly subdued.
[Judgment: Ultimate Operation! Extortion on a Scumbag Level Even Among Pirates!]
[Congratulations, Host! Obtained Massive Violation Value: 100,000 Points!]
Hearing the delightful system notification in his mind, especially the "scumbag" evaluation, Kane felt it was like heavenly music.
This trip to the Pleasure Quarter was the right decision!
In high spirits, he plopped down on the luxurious leather sofa stained with red wine and crossed his legs.
Looking at the queen who once stood high above but now appeared pitiful on the floor, Kane issued his first command in a masterful tone.
"Don't kneel; the floor is cold."
"Now, go change your clothes and pour me the finest wine."
"Then, tell me everything you know about the latest movements of all factions in the New World, leaving nothing out."
Stussy wiped her tears and slowly stood up.
She took a deep look at this terrifying man and lowered her proud head.
"Yes... Master."
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