Before Vesper's fleet could even reach Squid Island, Brook had already pried Vesper's Den Den Mushi number from Shirokiri and Orion's hands!
But Brook didn't waste time. He used Shirokiri's Den Den Mushi to make the call, ready to give Vesper a heads-up. He'd demand the training method for Conqueror's Haki infusion upfront—otherwise, there'd be no point in talking!
Back aboard the Golden Ark, Brook gathered his thoughts, plotting his words carefully. Today, he had to secure the Conqueror's Haki infusion technique from Vesper.
"Boru boru~"
"Hey, Shirokiri, grab Angelie and get out with Orion—Brook's almost back!"
The voice on the other end sounded frantic. Either they didn't notice the Den Den Mushi's mimicry, or it hadn't had time to shift before Vesper started talking.
"Yohohoho! Vesper, it's me. Bet you can guess what's going on, eh?"
Brook chuckled, his skeletal grin practically audible. Your fleet's no match for my Golden Ark's speed, Vesper. Even a big-shot overlord like you has to play nice now!
"Brook?!" Vesper's tone dropped, heavy with realization. "What've you done to Shirokiri and Orion?!"
His worst fear had come true. He'd miscalculated, and now he was paying for it.
"Relax, they're still breathing," Brook said, his voice dripping with smug confidence. "Now, let's talk business. Oh, and by the way, the Rocks Pirates are headed for my turf too. You'd better choose your next words very carefully, Vesper!"
Brook leaned into his role, playing the cunning merchant with a rare prize. He wanted Vesper to reveal his bottom line.
"Name your price," Vesper growled. "Islands? Gold? Devil Fruits?"
With the Rocks Pirates closing in, Vesper knew one wrong move could spell disaster. The Hell Pirates' stance would decide his fate. If Brook handed Shirokiri over to Rocks and stepped back, the Vesper Pirates could face a crushing blow.
To avoid that, Vesper braced himself for a steep cost. All because of that idiot son, Shirokiri—damn him for causing this mess!
"Yohohoho, Vesper, you know the Hell Pirates' Golden Island and Golden Ark make billions of Belly pocket change. A few million's just kindling for my cigars! Money? I don't touch the stuff. Never needed a place to spend it either!"
"As for islands or Devil Fruits, that depends on your sincerity. But today, what I want is your Conqueror's Haki infusion training method. If I don't get it, well, there's no point in us meeting again, is there, Vesper?"
Brook bared his metaphorical fangs, testing how much Shirokiri and Orion meant to Vesper. If the Hell Pirates stayed neutral—or worse, turned on Vesper—then, with the Rocks Pirates' threat looming, Vesper's reign as an overlord was done.
...
On the other end, Vesper's face darkened, his Conqueror's Haki simmering, nearly overwhelming the poor Den Den Mushi. It trembled, sweating, on the verge of passing out.
Islands and Devil Fruits? He could part with those. But the Conqueror's Haki infusion technique was his trump card, the foundation of his dominance in the Overlord Alliance. If Brook learned it—especially with the Hell Pirates' roster of Conqueror's Haki users...
A crew of infusion-wielding pirates? The thought aged Vesper a decade in an instant. His son or his status as overlord—he could only save one.
Fine. The New World belonged to Rocks and Brook now. After thirty years of dominance, Vesper's era was fading. He'd personally fed the Hell Pirates, this ravenous beast, and now he had to plan for the future.
"I'll give you the infusion method," Vesper said, his voice heavy. "Plus five islands and three Devil Fruits. But I have one condition: Shirokiri marries Angelie, sealing an alliance between our crews."
Vesper saw a chance to buy time for his crew to stabilize during the Hell Pirates' rise. If Shirokiri could produce an heir, Vesper could retire and groom the next generation for a comeback.
"Sorry, Vesper, Angelie's not a bargaining chip," Brook replied. "I'll pass on the islands, but an alliance? That we can do!"
Brook wasn't interested in territory yet—plenty of time for that once his crew's strength grew. For now, Vesper made a perfect shield against Rocks. Why waste such a useful ally?
"Fine, but if the Rocks Pirates attack, you fight with me," Vesper said after a long pause, his voice resigned. He was out of leverage.
This time, Shirokiri wouldn't get Angelie. When Vesper returned to Ten Kings Island, he'd force that idiot son to settle down—even if it meant dosing him with aphrodisiacs to produce heirs! Right now, Vesper wanted to throttle him.
"Yohohoho, alliance sealed, Captain Vesper! Get that infusion method ready, and don't try to pull a fast one. The consequences would be... grave!"
Brook was thrilled. The deal was struck. He'd even had Antonio swap Shirokiri and Orion's Den Den Mushi with spy models. Whether they survived depended on the spy Den Den Mushi's acting skills!
...
Brook stood at the bow of the Golden Ark, arms raised, eyes closed, as if he'd reached the peak of existence.
With the Conqueror's Haki infusion method in hand, the Hell Pirates were on the cusp of a transformation. Soon, they'd trample Vesper's crew and face off against the Rocks Pirates for the New World's throne!
Who'd be the true overlord? Not even you can say for sure, Rocks!
...
Shirokiri, Orion, and their crew were locked away in Parrot's castle prison after ship doctor Crocus drained their blood for tests. Brook wasn't taking chances—Vesper might pull some trick.
In the pirate world, Devil Fruit powers were wildcards. What if Vesper popped through a door with some bizarre ability to rescue Shirokiri? Brook knew he wasn't strong enough to face Vesper head-on yet.
Or maybe a mass teleportation Devil Fruit existed. Until the infusion method was secured, these prisoners couldn't have a single slip-up!
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+280 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg