Chapter 40
Swish!
Though he felt admiration, Kai still flashed forward. He had to capture the man—2000 million Berries was needed for tomorrow's auction, and Kai was determined to get it!
"Hmph! Don't even think about running!"
After a low shout, Kai's figure appeared right in front of Nico Bear. His speed was comparable to the Marine Six Powers technique "Shave." There was no way Nico Bear could escape!
"Earth-Shaking Slash!"
Kai then unleashed a self-created sword technique he had developed back in Foosha Village. The blade shadow flashed, striking at Nico Bear with incredible speed! After his battles with Garp in Foosha Village, Kai had created several original moves!
Roar!
It felt as if the heavens themselves were shaking. Kai's slash instantly appeared before Nico Bear, enhanced by his own Haki, giving the strike an overwhelming aura!
The moment he sensed Kai's presence, Nico Bear's pupils shrank violently. Then his eyes turned blood-red! He roared in fury!
"Get the hell out of my way!"
Boom!
Nico Bear swung his large blade horizontally, smashing into Kai's attack!
BANG!
Kai and Nico Bear were both blasted backward!
"How is that possible? His emotions suddenly became incredibly furious, and his attack power surged to the point where he could match me!"
After retreating a few steps, Kai's heart was far from calm. He stared at Nico Bear in shock!
"Hahaha! Surprised, aren't you?! Let me tell you—I ate the Anger Fruit! I can make myself furious and explode with several times my normal attack power! Die!"
Seeing the shock in Kai's eyes, Nico Bear laughed furiously. He swung his blade at Kai!
"Anger Fruit! There really is an Anger Fruit!"
Kai thought in surprise. No wonder he had felt Nico Bear's anger spike so unnaturally earlier! It was a Devil Fruit ability!
"By extremely amplifying his own anger, he can dramatically increase his attack power…"
Kai was shocked by Nico Bear's words and didn't immediately react to the incoming attack. A flash of insight crossed his mind!
"That's right! A certain level of anger may make a person lose rationality and perform poorly, but it can also push them into a berserk state, exploding with several times their normal strength!"
In that instant, it felt as if a window had opened in Kai's mind!
"Hahaha! Perfect timing!"
Only when Nico Bear's fierce attack and powerful gust of wind rushed toward him did Kai snap back. He roared excitedly at Nico Bear! His laughter also carried an overwhelming surge of anger! Who could control and amplify anger better than Kai? He had eaten the Emotion Fruit!
BANG!
Kai's attack collided fiercely with Nico Bear's. A deafening clash rang out!
Bang bang!
Kai was forced back two steps, but Nico Bear staggered back seven or eight steps with wide eyes!
"How is that possible…"
This time, it was Nico Bear's turn to be shocked! He couldn't believe Kai could also use anger to strengthen his attack power!
"Heh heh! Nico Bear! I really have to thank you! If I wasn't so short on money, I might have let you live today…"
Kai looked at the shocked Nico Bear and laughed heartily. By now, both of them had left the dead-end alley. Tashigi, still inside, could only hear Kai's laughter and had no idea what he was saying!
"Hmph! Die!"
Hearing Kai's laughter, Nico Bear continued with bloodshot eyes and roared. He attacked Kai again!
"Heh heh! Let me show you—your Anger Fruit has no effect in front of me…"
Kai watched Nico Bear, who had once again amplified his anger to several times his normal attack power and was slashing toward him. The corner of Kai's mouth curled into a playful, mocking smile. Then he chuckled lightly!
"Anger Dampening!"
Kai then used the Emotion Fruit's ability to apply anger dampening on Nico Bear. In an instant, within Kai's perception, Nico Bear's anger rapidly faded away!
BANG!
Nico Bear's attack slammed heavily onto Kai's Wado Ichimonji once more. But Nico Bear's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at his own hands and blade. He could clearly feel that, in that single moment, his Anger Fruit ability had become completely ineffective!
"How… how is this possible…"
Nico Bear muttered, staring at his hands in disbelief. He looked at Kai, fear appearing in his eyes for the first time! Even the Marines didn't know about his Anger Fruit—his greatest reliance—and yet it had no effect in front of Kai. Nico Bear was naturally terrified!
"Hmph! Nothing is impossible. The facts are right in front of you—whether you believe it or not doesn't matter!"
Kai scoffed coldly. Then, with a single slash, he knocked Nico Bear back. The blade shadow flashed as he slashed toward Nico Bear again!
"Wait…"
At that moment, Nico Bear suddenly raised a hand in a stopping gesture!
"You said you're short on money, right? I'll give it to you. Just let me go—I'll give you 50 million Berries!"
Nico Bear spoke very quickly to Kai!
"Oh? That's negotiable!"
Kai let out a light sound of surprise. Then, under Nico Bear's delighted gaze, he agreed!
Kai really hadn't expected Nico Bear to have that much money. Right now, he wasn't in a position to turn down money. He immediately accepted. Taking 20 million in bounty was one thing, but directly receiving 50 million Berries was much better! Besides, Kai actually quite admired Nico Bear—he seemed like good material for a subordinate!
"Really? Hahaha! That's great!"
Nico Bear hadn't expected Kai to agree so easily. He was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily!
"Mr. Kai! Follow me! The 50 million Berries are on my ship!"
Nico Bear spoke爽快ly. Seeing Kai's expression, he knew it wasn't a trick. He sheathed his blade and quickly ran in a certain direction to catch up with his pirate grunts!
As he left, Nico Bear glanced back at the dead-end alley. He knew a large Marine force was already coming. It was too late to save Onika and Masakide now—he had to escape first!
"Hmph! He really wasn't lying to me!"
Kai snorted coldly and followed Nico Bear. In his perception, he didn't sense even a trace of scheming or malice in Nico Bear's emotions. He knew Nico Bear wasn't trying to trick him with the 50 million Berries or set a trap—he genuinely wanted to pay the ransom to save himself!
If Kai had sensed even the slightest hint of deceit in Nico Bear's emotions, he would never have let him escape. He would have just taken the 20 million bounty instead!
"As for Tashigi, I'll go to the Marine branch later to collect the bounty on those two pirates! I can meet the White Hunter Smoker while I'm there!"
As he chased Nico Bear, Kai thought to himself. He could pursue Tashigi anytime, but the auction was tomorrow. Getting the money was the priority!
"Tashigi! Are you alright?!"
Not long after Kai left with Nico Bear, a white-haired Marine appeared in front of Tashigi, accompanied by a squad of Marines!
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