Kublai Khan

"Who is this insolent beetle? Who comes unannounced! You had better be bearing gifts worthy of the Great Khan's attention!"

- Kublai Khan

Kublai Khan was the fifth Khagan (or Great Khan) of the Mongol Empire, succeeding his older brother Möngke Khan and his grandfather Genghis Khan. His reign came about after defeating his younger brother in a civil war to secure the head position, resulting in the Mongol Empire being divided. During the events of Mario's Time Machine, Mario visits him after traveling back in time to return the Print Block to Marco Polo.

Mario's Time Machine
According to Mario's Time Machine, Kublai Khan lived in Cambuluc in what is today Beijing. At the time, Marco Polo and his family were staying with him, having brought much of their knowledge from Europe and then serving under him. While Mario is searching for the owner of the Print Block in his possession, he encounters Kublai Khan in his palace. Mario first asks Kublai where he is, and Kublai immediately responds indignantly, as Mario has entered without any warning and especially without any gifts. Mario then introduces himself and says that he is from Brooklyn, although Kublai then says that, because of Mario's Italian accent, he must be another explorer from Italy. Kublai goes on to boast about himself, and how his grandfather, Genghis Khan, began a conquest of China that he completed in 1279. Still assuming that Mario is an explorer, he then offers to trade with him and gives him some Paper Money that amounts to half of what he pays Marco Polo. Mario then asks about Marco Polo, leading Kublai to exposit about Marco's past, but proceeds to brood until Mario gives him something that can distract him. Once Mario gives him a Firework, Kublai cheers with joy and mentions that Marco is leaving China because he wants to go back home and because he is escorting a princess to the Khan of Persia. Mario then calls him "Mr. Khan", leading him to irritatedly tell Mario that Khan is only a title, and that his name is Kublai. He then exclaims that he is the Khan of China.