Chapter 126: Surrounded by Enemies
Inside the courtyard...
"The Dragon Slayer swordsman killed our Vice-Commander. You have a known relationship with him. Sai will not let you go. Today, when the fleet sets sail, he'll execute you as a blood sacrifice to Abu's memory."
"However, if you're willing to become an official merchant of the royal family, the crown will intervene to save your life."
A Den Den Mushi sat on the table, its voice calm and measured.
Hearing this ultimatum, Gates's eyes flickered, and a surge of rage welled up in his chest.
What did "official merchant of the royal family" actually mean?
It meant surrendering the majority of his wealth just to preserve his life!
"As expected—without sufficient strength, these filthy, cunning wolves will pounce the moment they sense weakness," Gates thought bitterly.
He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, yet he couldn't muster the courage to refuse outright.
Money could be earned again, but a person only had one life.
He didn't blame Rhodes for inadvertently implicating him, but he felt profound sadness at his own powerlessness and deep resentment toward the Kano Country royal family's shamelessness.
The Kano Country was his homeland. He'd invested countless fortunes there over the years. His last dangerous expedition to the Grand Line had been to establish arms connections for the Kano Country's benefit. He'd even provided the current Crown Prince with his Devil Fruit!
He had never imagined that when crisis came, the royal family would exploit the situation without hesitation, showing no consideration for past cooperation or friendship.
How tragic!
Nearby, Third Princess Yuffie—who had come to deliver this ultimatum—turned her head away with visible guilt, feeling internally conflicted.
But there was nothing she could do.
She was merely a decorative princess, not even qualified to question the king's orders.
"Have you made your decision? Time is running out."
"You have a lovely daughter and a devoted wife. Don't make a foolish mistake..."
The Den Den Mushi's tone remained outwardly calm, yet it contained a deeply sinister threat.
Gates resisted the overwhelming urge to smash the Den Den Mushi and lowered his head in defeat. Just as he was about to reluctantly agree, a cold voice suddenly rang out from the entrance:
"The King of the Kano Country, is it? I'll remember that name."
Everyone startled and turned to look.
A handsome young man in white slowly approached from the entryway.
His expression was utterly calm, and his tone equally so. It wasn't a threat or a boast—rather, it was a simple statement of inevitable future fact. Everyone present felt an involuntary shudder.
"Who are you?"
"How dare you address me in such a manner?!"
The Den Den Mushi perfectly mimicked the Kano Country king's arrogant and dismissive tone.
"The Dragon Slayer! Rhodes!"
The royal guard Hans exclaimed, disbelief written across his features.
This was the Happo Navy headquarters—and Rhodes had actually come here of his own volition!
Yuffie also stood abruptly, staring at Rhodes in shock.
Because of their chance encounter in the forest, Yuffie—unlike most others in the Kano Country—held a favorable impression of Rhodes.
Powerful, handsome, mysterious, commanding... and there was that touch of fateful connection.
The young woman couldn't help but feel her heart stir with admiration and perhaps something more.
"Dragon Slayer?"
At this moment, the king's slightly surprised voice echoed from the Den Den Mushi. Without a trace of fear, he sneered mockingly:
"You actually dare show your face in Mokomo? Are you asking for death ?"
Rhodes wasn't in the habit of engaging in verbal battles. He simply glanced at the Den Den Mushi.
That single glance made the creature—which had been about to continue mimicking the king's arrogant words—shudder violently, as if sensing its own impending doom.
As Gates and the others watched in amazement, the Den Den Mushi suddenly disconnected the call on its own initiative, then with a frightened squeal, retreated completely into its shell.
Terrifying!
The little Den Den Mushi trembled inside its protective shell.
"Wow! Brother Rhodes, it's been so long!"
Gates was about to speak when a small figure suddenly burst from an adjacent room, threw herself into Rhodes's arms, and clung to him like a koala.
"Alright, alright—it's only been a few days," Rhodes said with mild exasperation, reaching down to gently detach Yukiko's octopus-like grip and set her on the ground.
The moment her feet touched the floor, Yukiko immediately latched onto Rhodes's leg like a determined pendant.
Rhodes smiled helplessly.
He understood that the dark, threatening atmosphere had probably frightened this innocent girl, and that clinging to him now was simply her way of venting accumulated fear and stress.
Gates stepped forward and addressed Rhodes with noticeable respect:
"Sir Rhodes, I've located the master swordsmith, but it will require some time to procure the auxiliary materials that properly complement the dragon claws and fangs."
He assumed Rhodes had come for the Supreme Grade blade.
"That's fine—I'm not here for the sword right now," Rhodes said, finding a chair and settling down while allowing Yukiko to remain attached to him.
"Then you're here for...?"
Gates was genuinely puzzled. If not to retrieve the Supreme Grade blade, why would he come directly to Happo Navy headquarters?
This was literally enemy territory!
"Naturally, to collect some heads!"
Rhodes hadn't even responded when a thunderous crash suddenly echoed from the courtyard gate, completely shattering it.
Then a tall, imposing figure wielding a long-handled naginata strode through, followed by a swarm of battle-hardened warriors with fierce expressions.
It was none other than Sai—current leader of the Happo Navy.
Simultaneously, a series of heavy, synchronized footsteps echoed from outside the compound. An unknown number of soldiers were converging on their location, their combined killing intent so palpable that even through the courtyard walls, Gates and the others could feel it pressing down on them.
"Lord Sai..."
Gates was about to speak—perhaps to offer some diplomatic words—but Rhodes stopped him with a gesture, signaling for him to take Yukiko and retreat to the back of the courtyard.
Gates, being an intelligent man, quickly realized his words would accomplish nothing and swiftly retreated with Yukiko in tow.
Yuffie, pulled along by Hans, left the courtyard with a deeply worried expression.
In an instant, Rhodes was left completely alone in the courtyard, facing Sai and the elite Happo Navy officers, with countless more soldiers positioned outside.
He was surrounded by enemies on all sides!
"You're a brave man," Sai acknowledged, glancing at the retreating Gates and his daughter, then back at Rhodes who stood protectively between them. He spoke with grave solemnity:
"However, killing Abu represents a blood debt that cannot be forgiven. You must atone with your life."
"I give you my word—after your death, I won't harm Gates and his family. However, they must forfeit their assets as compensation."
Sai actually held some respect for the renowned Dragon Slayer of the Grand Line.
They were aware that the nation of Roshwan's advanced weapons came from the Donquixote Family, and that Rhodes had killed Diamante—a top Donquixote executive.
As the saying went: the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
If not for the Abu incident, Sai wouldn't have minded establishing a friendship with Rhodes.
"You seem awfully confident of victory," Rhodes observed, his left hand resting lightly on his sword hilt, his composure absolute.
Sai smiled with evident pride, his confidence radiating outward.
"If you had simply fled, we wouldn't have been able to capture you."
"But there's a road to heaven you refused to take, and instead you've barged through the gates of hell itself. This is Mokomo, and I genuinely don't see any possibility of your victory!"
As these words left his mouth, the numerous elite warriors behind him all stepped forward in unison, releasing their individual battle auras.
A chilling, murderous pressure gathered, the air becoming oppressive and the temperature seeming to plummet.
At the same time...
"HAH!"
The countless army soldiers converging outside the compound roared in perfect synchronization, their staggering collective killing intent surging skyward. The resonating battle cry shook the entire city, chilling every civilian to the bone.
Such overwhelming martial might seemed to eclipse even heaven and earth themselves!
With such a formidable army shaking the very foundations of the world, who could possibly stand against them?!
Sai nodded with deep satisfaction, regarding Rhodes with absolute confidence and pride.
But...
In the very next moment...
(End of Chapter)
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