Boom!
With a tremendous roar, the auction house ceiling was pierced through once more.
Windsor Kale's plunged downward from above, smashing through several sofas.
"Pfft!"
She coughed up a large mouthful of blood, covering her chest as she struggled to look up, staring in disbelief at Kizaru slowly walking towards her.
How could this guy be so strong?
She had fought Marine Vice Admiral-level enemies before; in fact, a few years ago, she had personally defeated one in a one-on-one battle.
But compared to the man before her, their strength wasn't even on the same level.
How long had she been fighting him? It felt like only a dozen minutes?
And she had been so thoroughly defeated?
"Too slow, poor in Rokushiki, average strength."
Kizaru walked step by step, raising a fingertip, speaking with a hint of disappointment. "I admit I had some expectations for a Rocks Pirate crew member... but this is all you've got?"
"Then this is the end, Windsor Kale. See you in Impel Down…"
Buzz!
A golden laser shot forth, heading straight for Kale's chest.
Her eyes filled with unwillingness, and she struggled to elementalize and dodge. However, countless delicate pink petals suddenly appeared before her, forming a thick, resilient wall of flowers that intercepted the golden light.
"Hmm?"
Kizaru raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Then, as if sensing something, he looked up.
In the gaping hole in the ceiling, a handsome man with long blue hair was squatting, smiling as he took off his hat and bowed to him, hand to chest.
"We meet again, Vice Admiral Borsalino."
At the sight of this person, Kizaru's eyes narrowed slightly, while Kale's face brightened with pleasant surprise. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Highness!"
The newcomer was none other than William.
He flipped over and leaped down from the cliff top, landing gracefully on the auction house floor, precisely between Kizaru and Kale.
"How truly unexpected, Your Highness. I thought you would have gone to the royal capital after leaving Nanohana Port…"
Kizaru first bowed slightly to William, then raised his head, staring at him as he slowly said, "How is it that you happen to appear here at just such a time?"
"Can't be helped. I just received the news a short while ago. Though it was a bit arduous, I still had to rush over."
William extended a hand, gently stroking Kale's head as if petting a small dog. Kale's cheeks immediately flushed, and she closed her eyes, a look of enjoyment on her face.
"My subordinates were ignorant. They actually attacked the Marines without permission while I was attending my mother's birthday party, and even auctioned off Rear Admiral Buma. I am truly sorry."
He glanced at Buma, who was still unconscious on the stage, then surveyed the surrounding ruins. He sighed, "However, my favorite auction house has also been ruined like this by your G-2 Branch. How about we call it even and stop here? I really don't want to see my cherished subordinate taken to a place like Impel Down…"
"Your Highness…"
Just as Kale's face showed a touch of emotion, William gave her a cold look. She immediately jolted awake, saying anxiously, "After the operation last night, I immediately contacted you to report, but… but your guards said you were dead drunk and couldn't be woken up…"
"So it's my fault?"
William looked at her, smiling. "Causing such huge trouble, and I only received the news three hours ago. Nanohana Port is very far from here, you know. Traveling by camel in a dreadful place like Alabasta is quite arduous…"
"No, Your Highness, it's… it's all my fault…" Kale's face paled, and she lowered her head, not daring to argue further.
"I see."
Kizaru, who had been coldly observing the two, finally sighed at this moment, speaking languidly: "So, the 'Windsor family' and the 'Cliff-top Auction House' were just façades. The true controller behind the underground illegal arms dealer, active in the nearby seas, is actually you, Your Highness?"
"You could say that, and you couldn't say that," William tilted his head in thought, smiling.
"Could you stop being cryptic, Your Highness?" Nao's voice suddenly cut in. "Just say what you mean, and spit out whatever nonsense you have to say."
"..." William's charming smile froze. He turned to look at Nao, frowning. "I'm speaking to your Commander. This is hardly the occasion for an unknown junior like you to interject, is it?"
"I'm a bit direct, my apologies. Please continue."
Nao shrugged uncaringly. He glanced at Kizaru and saw the Vice Admiral discreetly giving him a thumbs-up. But when William turned his head back, Kizaru resumed his deferential, smiling expression.
"The auction house, the Windsor family, the arms supplier—these are indeed my properties, but the term 'illegal' isn't applicable…"
William temporarily suppressed his anger, looking at Kizaru with an expressionless face.
"This is under the jurisdiction of the Alabasta Kingdom. What's legal and what's illegal is not for a mere Marine Vice Admiral like you to define."
"Or, to put it more bluntly, everything on this Hot Nest Peninsula might be illegal, but as long as it's business conducted by me, Nefertari William, it is absolutely legal. Understand?"
This arrogant tone instantly drew angry glares from many Marines, while Kizaru merely narrowed his eyes without responding.
He couldn't refute, nor did he have the power to refute.
Because that statement was entirely correct, especially considering William's half-World Noble status.
Even if this so-called 'business' involved arms trading and slave trafficking, even if this so-called 'business' wasn't confined to Alabasta itself but extended its reach into surrounding seas…
The Marines still had no authority to stop or confiscate it.
"It seems you're quite a sensible person after all."
William observed Kizaru's reaction, and a smile returned to his face:
"Then reconsider what I said earlier: your Marines withdraw, and I won't pursue you for damaging my property. How does that sound?"
"Vice Admiral!"
Anxious shouts came from his subordinates around him.
Nao also sheathed his sword, watching Kizaru motionless from a distance.
But under the focus of countless gazes, Kizaru remained silent for a long time, finally uttering two words: "Very well."
"A wise choice."
William smiled and snapped his fingers, revealing his clean, white teeth.
"Vice Admiral Borsalino!"
"Commander!"
"How could you…"
Mixed sounds of shock and disbelief erupted among the Marines.
But Kizaru didn't waver.
"One question," he said quietly, looking at William:
"Besides Rear Admiral Bruma, you froze hundreds of Marines—and even immobilized a Marine battleship. Where are they?"
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin