Chapter 112 Demanding Ransom

“Kaguya, what should we do with these people?”

Nojiko walked forward, still carrying an unconscious Marine Commodore in her hand.

Her gaze swept over the captured officers, her brow furrowing slightly.

Kaguya looked at this group and also felt quite a headache.

He definitely couldn’t kill them; he had Tashigi on his ship, and there was also Hina, whom he wanted to take into his quarters.

If he really killed these Marines, the two women would definitely harbor resentment.

But letting them go just like that would be far too easy on them.

“What do you think… can I use these Marines to get some good things from Marineford?”

Hearing this, the girls all showed mischievous smiles.

Tashigi didn’t have any complaints about Kaguya’s behavior of extorting the Marines.

Although she held onto her sense of justice, she wasn’t pedantic.

These Marines had taken the initiative to come and surround them; it was only right they suffered a bit.

Moreover, Kaguya only intended to exchange them for some supplies, not to take their lives.

Nami was the first to lean in, her eyes sparkling with the light of Berries.

“This is a good deal!”

“Marineford is least lacking in treasures and Devil Fruits!”

“But how should we exchange the prisoners?”

“If we exchange directly with the Marines, another big battle will be unavoidable then.”

Nojiko raised a key question.

Her words left everyone in deep thought, with only the sound of waves hitting the hull remaining on the deck.

“I’ve got it; we can have the Marines send the ransom to Alabasta.”

“Once we receive the ransom, we’ll release the people.”

Kaguya’s proposal made everyone’s eyes light up.

“That’s a good idea!”

Nami clapped her hands excitedly.

“Alabasta is an Affiliated Nation; the Marines wouldn’t dare to make a big scene there.”

“Besides, we have some connection with King Cobra; he should help mediate.”

Robin stroked her chin and said thoughtfully, “However, Marineford might not necessarily agree easily.”

“They have always valued their reputation; publicly buying back prisoners might be seen as weakness.”

“Then it depends on whether they care more about their face or the lives of these elite officers.”

“You guys keep an eye on them first; I’ll go see if there are any seastone cuffs in the warship.”

Kaguya ducked into the cabin and began searching the area where the Marines held prisoners.

Soon, he found several pairs of seastone cuffs and iron chains.

After returning to the deck, Kaguya tied up the unconscious Gumir securely.

Then he locked up two Commodores and four Captains with seastone cuffs.

As for the officers below the rank of Captain, ordinary iron chains were enough; they wouldn’t be able to cause any trouble anyway.

“Kaguya, this is the den den mushi I found.”

Nami walked out of the cabin, holding a bald den den mushi that looked very similar to Gumir.

Kaguya gave the unconscious Gumir two slaps.

The burning pain on his face made Gumir wake up instantly.

When he found himself tied up, a flash of anger crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

The situation before him was already clear; he knew that getting angry at this moment would be futile.

“Awake?”

Kaguya crouched down and used the tip of his blade to lift Gumir’s chin.

“Now, I need you to help me send a message to Marineford.”

Gumir gave a cold snort and turned his face away.

“Pirate, stop dreaming! The Marines will never compromise with you!”

“Mr. Vice Admiral, even if you don’t consider yourself, you should consider the Marines on these dozen or so warships.”

“I am a pirate now; if you refuse to cooperate, I don’t mind letting these soldiers sleep forever in this sea.”

Kaguya’s voice suddenly turned cold, and the tip of the blade lightly grazed Gumir’s neck, leaving a shallow bloodstain.

Gumir’s pupils constricted; he wasn’t afraid of death, but he couldn’t let all these Marines die with him.

Finally, Gumir gritted his teeth and said, “What do you want?”

“Call Sengoku; I have some words to say to him.”

Gumir looked at the den den mushi in Kaguya’s hand and eventually recited a string of phone numbers.

Nami skillfully dialed the number, and the den den mushi quickly took on the image of Sengoku wearing round-rimmed glasses.

“Gumir, is something the matter?”

Sengoku’s voice came from the den den mushi.

“I’m sorry, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I am not Vice Admiral Gumir.”

“I am Kaguya.”

The den den mushi on Sengoku’s end also changed from the original bald image into Kaguya’s likeness.

“Kaguya?!”

Sengoku’s voice suddenly rose an octave, and the den den mushi’s glasses even became a bit crooked.

“How do you have Gumir’s den den mushi! What have you done to Gumir?”

“Don’t worry, Vice Admiral Gumir is safe.”

“I am currently hosting him with great hospitality.”

Saying that, Kaguya held the den den mushi in front of Gumir.

“Mr. Vice Admiral, say a few words to Fleet Admiral Sengoku and let him know you’re safe.”

Gumir was silent for a moment, then finally said somewhat dejectedly.

“Fleet Admiral… we have been defeated…”

Sengoku’s den den mushi instantly widened its eyes, and a flash of shock passed behind the lenses.

After a brief silence, the Fleet Admiral’s voice became exceptionally serious.

“Kaguya! Do you know what you are doing?”

“Of course I know what I’m doing.”

“We were sailing peacefully on the sea when we were suddenly surrounded and attacked by the Marines.”

“I am merely acting in self-defense.”

Kaguya chuckled while picking at his fingernails.

“Fleet Admiral Sengoku, there’s no need to be nervous; these Marines have only suffered some minor injuries and are in no life-threatening danger.”

“After all, I am not some heinous pirate.”

Hearing that the Marines were not in mortal danger, Sengoku’s tone softened slightly, but he remained full of vigilance.

“Then, what do you want?”

The corners of Kaguya’s mouth curled up, and a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes.

“It’s simple; I hope Marineford can provide some ‘compensation’ in exchange for the safe return of these officers.”

“After all, we were the party attacked without cause; we have to seek some justice, don’t we?”

Sengoku gave a cold snort.

“A pirate is worthy of talking about justice?”

“Whether I am worthy or not, the Fleet Admiral knows in his heart.”

Kaguya shrugged.

“If the Marines are willing to pay the ransom, I can guarantee these officers will return to Marineford unscathed. Otherwise…”

He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping over the bound Marine officers; the threat was self-evident.

Sengoku was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the pros and cons. Finally, he asked in a deep voice.

“What do you want?”

“One billion Berries, plus three Devil Fruits.”

Kaguya stated his price directly.

“Impossible!”

Sengoku refused almost immediately.

“The Marines will never compromise with pirates!”

“Oh?”

“Then does the Fleet Admiral not intend to have the lives of these officers?”

Kaguya sighed with feigned regret.

“What a pity, Vice Admiral Gumir is a mainstay of the Marines.”

Sengoku’s breathing became noticeably hurried, and the den den mushi’s brow furrowed tightly.

“Kaguya, don’t go too far!”

“Too far?”

Kaguya chuckled.

“Compared to the Marines’ unprovoked surrounding and attack, I am already very merciful.”

“Of course, if the Fleet Admiral thinks the price is too high, we can discuss it further.”

He paused deliberately, then added.

“For example… reducing it by one Devil Fruit?”

Sengoku took a deep breath, seemingly trying his best to suppress his anger.

Finally, he said coldly.

“Five hundred million Berries and one Devil Fruit; that is the bottom line.”

Kaguya pretended to think for a moment, then nodded with satisfaction.

“Deal.”

“However, I have one more condition.”

“What condition?”

“That Devil Fruit must be an Ancient Species.”

“I have the devil fruit encyclopedia in my hands, so Fleet Admiral Sengoku, don’t think you can fool me.”

“…Fine.”

Sengoku was silent for a moment, but ultimately nodded in agreement.

….

“Rajivbk”