"Interesting. Such a grand gesture, even Whitebeard might not have been able to withstand it," Ye Chen muttered to himself, his eyes flickering with an uncertain light. His expression was utterly calm, devoid of any fear or even the slightest hint of panic regarding the situation.
Yurick obediently closed his mouth, knowing that the current situation was beyond his scope.
However, his gaze towards Ye Chen still held a hint of astonishment. He hadn't expected Ye Chen's face to show no panic after learning of the conspiracy; instead, there was a touch of interest.
Indeed, it was a touch of interest, like a hunter looking at his prey.
"Alright, since you've told me all the information, I will naturally let you live." Ye Chen turned his head, surveying Yurick up and down, a playful smile playing on his lips.
Based on the information fed back by his Observation Haki, Yurick had indeed answered his questions honestly just now, without any 'three-eight-zero' perfunctory responses. Therefore, he would indeed grant him a path to survival.
However, how exactly this path to survival would be granted was, naturally, up to Ye Chen himself to decide.
A hint of excitement flickered across Yurick's face.
But he quickly realized his joy was premature, as Osiris's Sky Dragon rapidly shifted direction, soaring towards Aaron Island.
Seeing this, Yurick's pupils suddenly constricted, and a premonition of ill omen welled up in his heart.
"Lord, where are we going now?" Yurick's voice trembled.
"To Aaron Island, of course, to meet some acquaintances of yours," Ye Chen replied with a smile.
Watching the smile at the corner of Ye Chen's mouth, Yurick's heart turned cold.
If he were seen with Ye Chen by the people of the Eight Underground Kings, they would definitely consider him a traitor.
Recalling the cruel methods the Underground Overlords used against traitors, Yurick couldn't help but shiver, the bitter smile on his lips growing even more pronounced.
He understood that his days ahead would not be easy.
Meanwhile, on Aaron Island, at the venue of the Swordplay Tournament.
It was an extremely vast architectural complex, and the seats in the arena were packed with a dense crowd of people.
These people were whispering amongst themselves, appearing very excited.
Led by the Swordplay Association, and with Sword King Scar, the world's greatest swordsman, in attendance, in their eyes, this competition was clearly a battle to vie for the title of the world's greatest swordsman.
A battle to claim the throne of the world's greatest swordsman!
What an important event this was! Just thinking about it made the audience spontaneously excited.
Not to mention the audience, even the swordsmen who had arrived at the venue felt a surge of emotions in their hearts at this moment.
If one could gain fame in this competition, it would be easy to accumulate immense renown and become one of the most famous swordsmen in this vast ocean.
However, on the high platform of the competition, two people wore grim expressions. They were extremely dissatisfied with the current situation of the competition.
"Has Ye Chen not arrived yet?" Body King Barrett said in a low voice, a hint of anxiety inadvertently showing in his eyes.
"All the swordsmen have arrived, except for Ye Chen," Sword King Scar said with an indifferent expression, clenching his hand, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
The other figures, perhaps out of respect for this world's greatest swordsman, or perhaps with the ambition to make a name for themselves, had all arrived early.
Only Ye Chen was making him wait. This was a form of contempt, a stance that showed no regard for him, nor for the Swordplay Association.
Although he had prepared himself for this, it still left a hint of complexity in Scar's heart, and he clenched his fists tighter.
"Is he the only one who hasn't come?" Due to the rewards, or perhaps for fame, countless people had already arrived early.
However, among everyone present, only Ye Chen's figure was absent.
At this thought, his face grew grim. Could it be that they had to make the entire venue wait for Ye Chen alone?
"Damn this guy, is he trying to give us a show of force?" Body King Barrett cursed in a low voice.
"Forget about that for now. I'll go ask where Ye Chen is, and then we'll decide our next move based on the situation." Sword King Scar made his decision after raising his eyebrows. Although their ultimate goal was Ye Chen, at least on the surface, they were holding a swordplay tournament.
Even if Ye Chen was of noble status, a legendary great pirate, it was impossible for the Swordplay Tournament to be delayed just for him.
Scar walked aside, took out a Den Den Mushi from his subordinates, hesitated for a moment, then dialed Doflamingo.
The news of Doflamingo joining Ye Chen was already known to Scar, so the previous message for Ye Chen to participate in swordplay was also relayed through Doflamingo.
"Fufufu, isn't this Sword King Scar, one of the famous Eight Underground Kings? Why would the world's greatest swordsman seek out a nobody like me, and for what purpose?"
Doflamingo's words, however, did not elicit any change in Sword King Scar's expression...
....
"If a famous Imperial Leader member like Doflamingo is considered a small fry, then what does that make me, the world's greatest swordsman?"
Doflamingo merely smiled without answering, offering no opinions.
"Alright, Doflamingo, I've come to you not for idle chatter. I'm here to ask you about one thing!" Sword King Scar cut to the chase, his words as sharp as his sword. It was as if his voice could pierce through the Den Den Mushi and into Doflamingo's eardrum.
After a long moment of silence, Doflamingo replied, "Fufufufufu, speak, I'm listening."
"I want to ask, why hasn't Ye Chen, the captain of the Imperial Leader, arrived yet? Did he
really make a joke of participating in the swordplay tournament?" Sword King Scar's voice carried a hint of urgency.
Doflamingo remained silent for a long time.
Until a premonition of ill omen arose in Sword King Scar's heart.
"I wouldn't know that, fufufu," Doflamingo replied with a strange laugh.
"You don't know?"
Sword King Scar's pupils suddenly constricted as he asked.
"As his subordinate, how could you possibly not know?"
Scar's voice held a sharp edge, and a sense of urgency could be heard in his tone.
It wasn't surprising that he was so flustered. They had paid a huge price for Ye Chen, and if Ye Chen didn't show up now, wouldn't it all be for nothing, like drawing water with a bamboo basket?
"Lord Ye Chen is always unpredictable. He might be in the New World today, and in the first half of the Grand Line tomorrow. How would I know that?"
Doflamingo's voice rang out.
Doflamingo was not lying. He truly couldn't grasp Ye Chen's whereabouts. With a mount like Osiris, it wouldn't be surprising for him to appear anywhere. Moreover, Doflamingo was a smart man; he wouldn't inquire about Ye Chen's whereabouts for such a trivial matter.
He had killed the Nine-Tailed Fox of the Alliance not long ago. Doflamingo, how could he not know the Alliance's attitude towards Imperial Leader?
"I understand..."
"In that case, I won't disturb you anymore!"
Sword King Scar hung up the Den Den Mushi without hesitation, his face alternating between gloom and uncertainty. He then turned his head to look at Body King Barrett, whose expression was equally grim.
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