The screams of Collins immediately drew the attention of the Marines eating in the nearby cafeteria. Within moments, every Marine rushed toward the commotion.
Leading the group was Dalmatian, his booming voice echoing before he even arrived. "Who dares to cause trouble in a Marine division?"
As he strode into the room, his eyes quickly took in the scene—Kaito standing calmly, Collins writhing on the floor in pain, and Wiener ready to intervene.
Seeing Dalmatian, Collins's expression brightened with hope. He pointed at Kaito, his voice trembling with rage and fear. "Uncle Dalmatian! Arrest him quickly! He's breaking my wrist!"
Dalmatian ignored Collins's plea, his pupils contracting slightly as recognition flashed in his eyes. His tone grew serious. "It's you... What are you doing here in a Marine division, Kaito? Why are you attacking Marines?"
Kaito smirked faintly. "If that's what you think, I don't mind proving you right."
The chill in his words made Dalmatian's hair stand on end.
"Vice Admiral, wait! That's not what happened!" Wiener blurted out, quickly explaining everything that had taken place—without twisting a single detail.
Kaito gave Wiener a sidelong glance of approval. At least there are a few honest men among these Marines.
As Dalmatian listened, his expression turned dark. He glanced at Collins, his fury barely contained. This boy—his good friend Onigumo's nephew—was always reckless, throwing his weight around because of his family ties. Dalmatian had turned a blind eye for too long. But this time, the fool had provoked someone far beyond his reach.
Taking a deep breath, Dalmatian spoke in a low voice. "How do you want this matter to end, Kaito?" He had to find some way—any way—to keep Collins alive.
Collins's arrogance, however, knew no bounds. "Uncle Dal! Just arrest him! Didn't you see what he did to me? My arm's broken!"
Dalmatian frowned deeply, while Wiener looked speechless. Is this idiot blind? Can't he tell the Vice Admiral knows this man—and fears him?
Before anyone could react, another loud crack echoed through the room. Collins's other wrist snapped, his agonized scream shaking the entire division.
Dalmatian's patience snapped. "Kaito! How far are you going to take this? What will it take for you to let him go?"
After a tense pause, he added grimly, "If it comes to it... we can take this up with Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Kaito chuckled. "Sengoku, huh? That's fine by me. Let's talk to that old man."
He sat down in Collins's chair as if he owned the place, picked up the den-den mushi, and dialed Sengoku directly.
Collins and Wiener froze. Wiener could only hope Dalmatian would handle this. Collins, on the other hand, looked utterly lost, realizing too late the depth of his mistake.
Dalmatian stood motionless, his mind already racing. Once this is over, I'll make sure this brat is transferred somewhere far away—even Onigumo won't stop me.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's Office
At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku was having dinner with two senior staff officers. Their meals were usually taken here, where business never truly stopped.
The den-den mushi on the desk suddenly rang.
"Moshi moshi," Sengoku answered casually, still chewing.
A familiar voice came through, calm but with a dangerous undertone. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Long time no see. You recognize my voice, don't you?"
Sengoku froze mid-bite. Kaito? He immediately felt a sense of dread. "Kaito... what do you want? Didn't we already agree on the terms of the exchange?"
"Nothing much," Kaito replied smoothly. "I just wanted to let you know—I'm angry. The price just went up. Ten billion berries."
Sengoku didn't explode as usual. After days of investigation, he had learned a lot about this man's temperament. Kaito wasn't unreasonable—unless provoked.
As long as you didn't cross him, he left you alone. But once you did... he would destroy everything you cared about.
Taking a deep breath, Sengoku said, "Can you at least tell me what happened? The Navy can barely raise seven billion as it is. That's all our current military budget can handle."
Kaito's voice stayed indifferent. "That's not my concern. I'm not negotiating, Sengoku. I'm informing you. Same time as before."
With that, he hung up.
Turning to leave, Kaito lifted Jack's severed head by the hair and strode toward the exit, ignoring every Marine in the room.
He stopped at the door, glancing back at Dalmatian. "You Marines know where I live. Tomorrow morning, I expect to see his head at my doorstep. If not…" His gaze turned icy. "Then every Marine in this division will be buried alongside him."
The coldness in his tone froze the air. Every Marine present felt their blood run cold, their bodies trembling involuntarily.
Kaito walked away, calm and unbothered, leaving behind silence and terror.
Dalmatian watched him go, his face pale. But instead of dwelling on the threat, his thoughts flashed back to the conversation Kaito just had with Sengoku—and then the realization struck him like thunder.
"A ransom... Admiral Akainu is in his hands!" he whispered in shock.
One of the three strongest Admirals—captured.
Dalmatian's heart sank. He understood now. From Kaito's tone and Sengoku's response, there was no doubt—Akainu had been taken, and Sengoku was paying for his release. Seven billion had been the agreed ransom. But thanks to Collins's foolishness, it had just risen to ten.
Three billion berries—gone because of one arrogant fool.
The annual funding for the Sabaody Archipelago branch barely reached two hundred million.
Dalmatian's fists clenched, fury trembling in every muscle. He turned toward Collins, his expression dark as a storm.
"Wiener!" he barked, struggling to contain his rage.
"Vice Admiral!" Wiener straightened instantly.
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