"What do you mean, old man?!"
Sanji snapped, clearly displeased.
"Do you even know what kind of Marine he is?"
Zeff said anxiously.
"I know,"
Monkey D. Luffy replied.
"He's a Marine Vice Admiral."
Everyone's expressions tightened instantly.
"That's right. And not just any Vice Admiral—one from Headquarters. His strength isn't something you can handle."
"You seem to know quite a bit," Kane said calmly.
Zeff's face grew serious.
"I'll pay for them. Don't arrest them."
"Old man, what are you saying?!" Sanji shot back immediately.
Zeff glanced at him.
"Sanji… this restaurant was built by the two of us."
"You have a share in it."
"Now that you're leaving…"
"Consider it sold to me."
Sanji fell silent.
He understood.
This was Zeff's way of sending him off.
"Good," Kane nodded.
"I like people who talk money."
"Straw Hat's bounty is 30 million."
"Double that—60 million."
"Your ship—50 million."
"Double—100 million."
"Total… 160 million Beli."
Everyone stood there, dumbfounded.
Was this guy really a Marine?
"…Can I take that back?" Zeff asked dryly.
"Are you messing with me?" Kane replied coldly.
Zeff gave a bitter smile.
He was already regretting it.
"Why is our ship included?" Luffy asked.
"Think about it," Kane said.
"If I capture you, your ship gets confiscated."
"That makes it ours."
"So of course it counts."
"Oh… that makes sense!"
Roronoa Zoro and Sanji both had black lines across their faces.
Zoro stayed silent—
But Sanji was starting to question his life choices.
"Hurry up. My patience is limited."
"There's no way we're paying you!" Sanji shouted.
And at the same time—
He attacked.
"Don't—!" Zeff tried to stop him.
Too late.
Sanji's powerful kick—
Did absolutely nothing.
Instead—
Kane caught his leg effortlessly.
Sanji's expression changed instantly.
His strength—
Meant nothing.
Kane's eyes turned cold.
"You really don't know how to respect your elders."
In the next moment—
A terrifying force slammed down.
Sanji was lifted—
Then smashed into the ground.
BOOM!
The floor shattered into a human-shaped crater.
Even the ship's structure beneath became visible.
Sanji coughed up blood.
His face twisted in pain.
"Let go of my cook!!"
"Gum-Gum Pistol!!"
Luffy attacked in fury.
"One-Sword Style: Lion's Song!"
Despite his injuries,
Zoro unleashed his strongest strike.
"Still not learning, huh?"
"I'm not some pushover like Kizaru."
Shave.
Kane vanished—
Dodged Zoro instantly—
And appeared in front of Luffy.
"Gum-Gum Gatling!!"
A barrage of punches rained down.
But—
To Kane—
It was nothing.
He dodged easily.
Then—
Using Sanji as a weapon—
He swung him sideways.
BANG!
Luffy was sent flying.
Kane followed up instantly—
Stepping down on Luffy—
While still holding the heavily injured Sanji.
Neither of them could resist.
"Roar!"
Zoro struck from behind—
But—
Kane's arm turned black.
Armament Haki.
He grabbed
Wado Ichimonji
with his bare hand.
"A sneak attack from behind… isn't something a swordsman should do."
Behind him—
Zoro stood pale, breathing heavily.
His wounds had reopened—
Blood seeping out again.
Kane flicked his arm—
And sent Zoro flying into the wall.
In just moments—
The Straw Hat trio—
Completely defeated.
They were still far too weak—
For someone of Kane's level.
"No money?"
"Then come with me."
"Wait! I'll pay!" Zeff shouted.
His expression was shaken.
This Marine—
Was far stronger than any he'd met on the Grand Line.
He couldn't just watch Sanji—
Get taken away before even setting sail.
Kane smiled.
"Price just went up."
"My services aren't cheap."
"I'm old, you know—taking action isn't easy."
"I'll pay."
"Good. I like that attitude."
"Let's calculate."
"160 million before."
"My 'discounted' service fee—40 million."
"That makes 200 million."
"So you pay…"
"300 million Beli."
Everyone froze.
That's how math works?!
Zeff was stunned.
That was blatant extortion.
"…Wasn't it 200 million?"
Usopp asked.
"Because he included himself too," Zeff said bitterly.
"Am I right… Vice Admiral?"
"Smart."
Kane looked at him approvingly.
Zeff forced a smile.
His bounty—
Had never been revoked.
And someone as money-obsessed as Kane—
Would never let that go.
"He's not even a pirate anymore!" someone protested.
"Yeah!"
"Shut up."
Kane sneered.
"So if you regret killing people, your crimes disappear?"
Silence fell instantly.
"A pirate is a pirate."
"You think quitting erases your sins?"
Zeff—
Was called "Red-Leg" for a reason.
His legs were stained red with blood.
There were no innocent pirates.
Maybe exceptions existed—
But not him.
"…Fine. I agree."
"Can you release them first?"
"Good."
"Go get the money."
Zeff looked deeply at Sanji—
Then turned and left.
Kane released the three.
They glared at him—
But even Luffy didn't attack again.
They understood now.
The gap—
Was overwhelming.
Kane didn't care.
Instead, he smiled.
"Zoro… Sanji…"
"You two better work harder."
"At your current level—"
"You're honestly pathetic."
Both of them stiffened.
"Look at Luffy."
"At least he's worth 30 million."
"And you?"
He sighed dramatically.
"You don't even qualify to be captured."
"As pirates…"
"Aren't you ashamed?"
Their faces froze—
Then turned red with rage.
Kane's words—
Cut deep.
"Angry?"
"Good."
"That means you finally realize…"
"You're weak."
"Then maybe there's still hope."
"As a… vegetable—cough—"
"As a pirate…"
"You should focus on growing stronger."
"I'm not telling you to do evil."
"I'm just saying—"
"You're too weak right now."
"Work harder, alright?"
"Otherwise…"
He grinned.
"Next time I collect you—"
"…it won't even be worth it."