Gurd's face was full of disappointment and frustration.
"Ulti, Page One, see our guests out!"
"Yes!"
The two formidable guards immediately stepped forward.
"Wait!"
Shiki quickly spoke up.
He knew Gurd wouldn't be impressed by 5 billion, but that was all the money he currently had—and even this amount had been painfully squeezed from tightened budgets.
He was recruiting forces to rebuild the Sky Pirate Crew's grand fleet, and money was needed everywhere. Without funds, who would follow him?
Piracy was also a business!
To expand one's influence, money was absolutely essential!
5 billion couldn't buy Hachinosu Island, but there were other options.
"Lord Shiki..."
"I understand."
Prompted by his subordinate, Shiki hurriedly said, "I've heard Groudon Company offers leasing services. I want to rent Hachinosu Island!"
Renting would be far cheaper than buying!
"Rent?"
Gurd stroked his chin.
Leasing was indeed an option. At the price he had in mind, he doubted any faction could afford to buy Hachinosu Island outright.
Aside from underground forces like the Golden Emperor and Mingo, who specialized in business, what other pirates had that kind of money?
Most couldn't even scrape together 10 billion!
After some thought, Gurd shook his head.
"5 billion Berries isn't enough!"
"Then how much do you want?"
Shiki was growing impatient.
He'd already shown considerable sincerity!
Gurd extended one finger and calmly stated, "10 billion Berries . For one year. After that, the annual rent increases by 10%!"
"10 billion?!"
Shiki nearly spat blood in outrage.
"Damn it, you might as well rob me!"
"Robbery isn't this efficient."
Gurd grinned.
"If you don't rent it, plenty of others will!"
"In a few days, I'll announce the leasing opportunity. I'm sure many will be interested—at that point, 10 billion Berries might not even be enough."
"Mr. Shiki, why don't you go back and discuss this with your subordinates? Think of ways to raise the funds. Otherwise, you might miss your chance!"
Shiki's face darkened.
This bastard had him cornered!
"Let's go!"
Shiki led his subordinates away, but they didn't leave Oni Island, instead returning to their ship in the sky.
His anger faded almost instantly.
After twenty years of tempering, he was no longer as hot-headed as he once was. He understood perfectly well that this deal wouldn't come easily.
In truth, Gurd's asking price was within his acceptable range. Compared to the benefits of controlling Hachinosu Island, money was secondary.
But the lack of funds was an undeniable obstacle.
Another unexpected twist was that he'd assumed he'd be negotiating with Kaido, but it seemed Gurd was the one calling the shots.
Inside the meeting room...
Shiki looked at his trusted subordinates.
"Indigo, do you think we can trust that Gurd?"
"Pfft! Pfft-pfft!"
The scientist Indigo gesticulated wildly, each stomp of his feet producing a "pfft" sound. After a long display, no one could decipher what he meant.
Shiryu spoke up.
"We can trust him. That Gurd is extremely serious about his real estate business. Groudon Company's reputation and credibility are also well-known in the industry."
"Is that so? Then this should be straightforward."
Shiki nodded slowly.
Since the transaction itself wasn't an issue, only one problem remained.
Getting the money!
They were still 5 billion Berries short!
Though it was only a one-year lease, that would be enough. He just needed Hachinosu Island's influence to help recruit more crew members.
If it weren't for this, he could have easily used his abilities to take Hachinosu Island away in one go, but doing so wouldn't earn the recognition of pirates.
Only the strong gain followers!
"Pfft! Pfft pfft!"
Indigo tried to attract everyone's attention. Once all eyes were on him and question marks popped up above their heads, he finally spoke.
"I have a proposal!"
"So you can talk!"
Everyone shouted in unison.
Indigo remained completely oblivious.
"Obtaining 5 billion Berries in a short time is extremely difficult. Even if we were to destroy a country, there's no guarantee we'd get that much money, and time is against us."
"True enough."
Shiki nodded in agreement.
The biggest challenge wasn't getting the money—it was the lack of time. Once Gurd announced the sale of Hachinosu Island, they would lose all advantage.
Indigo grinned smugly. "I have intel on a Devil Fruit worth exactly 5 billion Berries . Though it's already been eaten, capturing the user would have the same effect!"
"Huh?!"
Shiki was stunned.
What kind of fruit could be worth that much?!
"Where did you get this information?"
"Lord Shiki, don't forget—I'm also one of the world's top scientists. I've done my research on Devil Fruits!"
Indigo looked even more pleased with himself.
"That particular user is currently near Hachinosu Island. At our speed, we can definitely make it in time!"
"Then let's move out immediately!"
Oni Island, banquet hall.
"Wororororo, Gurd."
Kaido frowned.
"You're really planning to sell Hachinosu Island?"
"Correct."
Gurd nodded.
Not just Hachinosu—he also intended to sell or lease out a number of other islands, most of which were pirate strongholds.
Whitebeard. Red Hair.
The territories of two Emperor Crews had been largely swallowed by the Beasts. Now, the Beasts' influence stretched across the New World.
But the tallest tree catches the wind.
The Beasts were currently too prominent, and unlike the Hoenn Government, their nature made them an easy target for envy.
Pirates were desperate outlaws—when pushed to the brink, they'd do anything. Just like how the Golden Lion wanted Hachinosu, those second-tier players also lacked suitable bases.
They couldn't just squat on deserted islands!
The islands the Beasts didn't want were mostly impoverished, unable to meet the needs of strong fighters.
They came to the New World for thrills, not to rough it in the wild.
Once their frustration reached a breaking point, it could easily turn into a united assault—all they needed was the right trigger.
Totto Land was already facing this. Its ministers were now too afraid to step outside, leaving only Katakuri to fight alone.
In short, they needed a way out.
Thus, the Beasts only needed to hold onto the area around Wano Country and a few resource-rich islands, while maintaining the uniqueness of Fortuna Community.
Fortuna Community was the core.
The rest of their territory could be leased or sold—this had been his strategy from the start, and even if the Hoenn Government grew stronger, it wouldn't change.
The surface and the underworld were two different worlds.
"Eh, suit yourself."
Kaido winced in pain.
All that hard-won territory, just given away.
What a waste!
"Come drink with me!"
"Sure!"
As Gurd drank, his gaze swept over the Beasts' officers. Many of the Headliners were unfamiliar faces, but there were also a few familiar ones.
Hawkins. Apoo.
The two men noticed Gurd's gaze and instinctively straightened their postures, now fully aware of his standing within the Beasts.
On par with Governor Kaido himself!
In fact, among the lower-ranking pirates, Gurd was even more popular.
They had to put on a good show!
"Wororororo! Gurd!"
After drinking for a while,
Kaido, his drunkenness rising, pulled out his spiked club with a fierce glare.
"Come, spar with me!"
"..."
Gurd gave him a strange look.
Spar? This was clearly an excuse to beat him up.
Hah, how amusing.
As if he was afraid!
So what if Kaido was the Strongest Creature? He was the God of Earth.
Who would be beating whom was still up for debate.
"Yamato, come with me!"
"Okay!"
(End of chapter)