As previously stated, the Emperors of the Underground World were the staunchest upholders of "rules."
Without rules, there could be no order.
Without order, there could be no true kings.
"My rules must not be broken!"
Thus, even when facing the Sea Emperor's representative, Major Undertaker Drug Peclo let out a low, furious roar.
The combined pressure from Big Mom, Kaido, and the World Government was immense, he had to make a choice. However, that choice could not compromise the order he had established.
He could not reveal Zishu's whereabouts to any faction.
However, as the Major Undertaker, he had the authority to eliminate anyone he received a mission to eliminate, including other Hitmen.
"Internal affairs of the Hitmen must be resolved by the Hitmen themselves."
This was his bottom line.
Buzz!
As he finished speaking, an overwhelming aura erupted, freezing Hanafuda and Cracker in their tracks.
"Conqueror's Haki?"
They both clearly sensed the Conqueror's Haki emanating from Major Undertaker. Moreover, they distinctly saw a faint glow emerging from within Drug Peclo Law's body.
The sunlight still shone upon him, but it no longer seemed so blinding.
That aura sent a chilling sense of danger through Cracker and Hanafuda.
They could sense the killing intent radiating from him.
"This guy..."
Only now, as they observed Drug Peclo in this state, did Cracker and Hanafuda recall the rumors.
'He actually harbored murderous intent toward them. Was he insane?'
At that moment, Drug Peclo said in a deep voice, "If you truly cannot trust each other, then after I capture Zishu, you can decide his fate yourselves."
"Regardless, this matter ends here."
Drug Peclo spoke calmly, but the icy chill in his words made it clear that this was his final offer.
His patience had run out.
". ."
Hanafuda and Cracker fell silent.
As one of the Three Sweet Commanders and Warlords, they weren't intimidated by such threats. However, it was obvious that fighting such a dangerous opponent here and now would be foolish.
Therefore...
"Competing for ownership of the prey does suit the Pirate's style."
Hanafuda slowly sat down.
"I wouldn't mind fighting this guy either," Cracker said. "Mom probably wouldn't mind either."
Cracker felt the same way.
In the New World, clashes between Yonko were commonplace. They wouldn't mind settling Zishu's fate with a fight.
And so, from that moment on...
"The cooperation is agreed upon."
Only then did Drug Peclo smile.
"Now then..."
He composed himself, settled back into his seat, and gently retrieved a parent-child Den Den Mushi from his inner pocket.
"Come in."
The next moment, "Miss Spider" herself entered the cave. She was wearing a spider mask.
She held a parent-child Den Den Mushi in one hand and two documents and a peculiar device in the other.
As she approached, Drug Peclo casually glanced at the Den Den Mushi in her hand and then at the Vivre Card he had concealed in a glass vial in his sleeve.
After confirming that the "master-slave Den Den Mushi," which could only be used by one person, was functioning correctly and seeing the Vivre Card drift faintly toward Miss Spider, his tense body finally relaxed slightly.
Upon entering the cave, Miss Spider activated the special device and placed it at the entrance.
Instantly, the Den Den Mushi carried by the three men inside the cave went limp, their energy drained away.
Both Cracker and Hanafuda recognized the device as a "signal-blocking device," a common tool used by the Underground World during transactions to prevent information leaks.
After completing these preparations, Miss Spider discreetly signaled Drug Peclo with a secret gesture.
Seeing this, Drug Peclo felt completely reassured.
"Gentlemen, this is the part of the plan that requires your cooperation."
At that moment, Miss Spider casually brushed against Hanafuda and Cracker as she set down the documents in her hand and approached them.
"Lord Drug Peclo, please control your emotions."
She then moved to Drug Peclo's side and placed the jar containing the heart beside him, again brushing against him casually.
None of the three noticed this subtle detail.
"Huh? You want us to provide custom-shaped Seastone?"
"Hey, hey! You actually dare ask us for money, you bastard?"
At that moment, Hanafuda and Cracker were focused on carefully examining the plan in their hands.
Meanwhile, Drug Peclo burst into laughter, declaring, "Zishu's abilities are troublesome. I must ensure he can't escape, and for that, I need specially crafted Seastone. Only the artisans of Wano Country are capable of making it."
"Besides, I'm a hitman. If you want me to take action, you must pay me accordingly."
"That's the rule," he said.
Hanafuda and Cracker frowned slightly, but didn't argue. As long as they could capture Zishu and achieve their goal, these details didn't matter.
Naturally, neither of them had any intention of lingering. They rose to leave.
But just then...
"Hmmm?"
They and Drug Peclo all noticed something odd.
The "Miss Spider" who had delivered the documents and jar before leaving the cave was now standing at the entrance.
She smiled at the three of them. "Apologies, gentlemen, but you won't be leaving after all."
"Miss Spider?" Drug Peclo's voice turned instantly grim. "What are you saying?"
But Miss Spider didn't answer. Her smile vanished, and she stared at the three of them coldly and dispassionately.
"I'm saying you're all going to die here."
At that moment, the three men noticed nine vibrant fox tails extending from her back.
What was peculiar, however, was that the tails shimmered with constantly shifting colors.
Three of the tails, in particular, displayed hues so extraordinary they seemed almost otherworldly.
The three men could even faintly discern three figures materializing and fading within the tails' shifting colors.
Those figures were their own reflections.
'Devil Fruit User?'
"Who are you?!"3
By now, the three men had clearly realized that something was wrong with this person.
So...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The three men lunged toward Miss Spider almost simultaneously.
Yet Miss Spider appeared utterly unfazed, simply turning and walking away in silence.
At that moment…
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three blades erupted from the ground, instantly halting the men's advance.
"Apologies, but he's not your opponent," a calm voice echoed through the air.
The next instant, a figure casually stepped out of thin air before them.
A rat-headed mask sat atop his head, and leather gloves covered his hands.
"Inu has his own mission."
"I'm responsible for dealing with you."
(End Of This Chapter)
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