Chapter 182: 2 Billion Berries for a Devil Fruit?
Thatch looked at Kael seriously. He had already made a cruel vow to die tragically by another's blade. Was that still not enough?
...
Kael really wanted to tell Thatch, you unlucky fellow, you really will be stabbed to death by someone.
"I trust Captain Thatch's promise." "But I want to add one more condition." "Our Goa Empire wants to do business in the New World's underground dark world." "To show our sincerity, I am willing to pay 2 billion Berries to purchase the next Devil Fruit that Captain Thatch obtains." "Whether it's an unknown Devil Fruit, or an ordinary Zoan or Paramecia, the price remains the same." "If it's a Logia or Mythical Zoan, I can even increase the price."
Kael looked at this short-lived fellow; this vow would probably only last a year, which was almost as good as nothing. However, after Thatch's death, the vast Whitebeard Pirates would also quickly collapse. This vow seemed acceptable too.
"2 billion Berries for a Devil Fruit? Unknown and trashy fruits are fine too?"
Thatch was a bit surprised. Of course, he wouldn't hand over a known powerful ability. But for some trashy fruits and unknown abilities, earning Kael 2 billion Berries was indeed quite a profit. Was this Kael giving Whitebeard a face, giving himself a way out? Was it only for Devil Fruits he found himself? Thatch, who was originally full of resentment, suddenly felt a hint of goodwill towards Kael.
Vista would rather die in battle than bear this humiliation for everyone's safety. He even somewhat despised him, who begged for his life. His companion's misunderstanding made Thatch feel very uncomfortable. Now, it was Kael, the enemy, who offered Thatch a way out through a business cooperation.
"No problem, Emperor Kael!"
Thatch thought for a moment and agreed to Kael's condition, which felt like a step down. First, let's not even talk about whether he could find a Devil Fruit. Finding a Logia or Mythical Zoan was even more unlikely. Thatch felt that Kael was giving him face.
"Happy cooperation. Perhaps in the future, our underworld trade routes and the Whitebeard Pirates will still have business dealings."
Kael actually took the initiative to reach out and pull up Thatch, who had just been suppressed by gravity.
"Thank you."
Thatch looked at Kael with renewed surprise. How did this Goa Emperor become so easy to talk to?
"Oh, by the way, after you get a Devil Fruit in the future, just pack it up and send it over, and we'll send the money right away."
Kael held Thatch's hand, and a small pink dragon coiled around their hands.
"Alright... Alright..."
A red glow flashed in Thatch's eyes. After a moment of daze, he immediately nodded in response.
"Captain Vista, here is your sword."
Issho returned Vista's two swords to Vista. Seeing the good-natured Issho, Vista had no intention of making trouble. He had heard Thatch and Kael's negotiation. It did indeed make him feel quite stifled. Their Whitebeard Pirates had roamed the world for 20 or 30 years, and they never expected to suffer such a great loss at the hands of an Allied Nation. They couldn't even retaliate.
"Hmph, our Whitebeard Pirates keep our word. Since Thatch has agreed to your terms, we will not retaliate." "This time, we've lost."
Vista sheathed his twin swords, not allowing Thatch to break his word, but he was certainly sullen.
"Aramaki! Stop!!"
Kael immediately shouted. Aramaki, who was furiously smashing Diamond Jozu, immediately stopped and threw Jozu back among Ace's group of pirates.
"Kael, if your Goa Empire's people attack our Whitebeard Pirates first, Thatch's vow will be invalid."
Vista thought for a moment, then added one last condition. Otherwise, if the Goa Empire provoked the Whitebeard Pirates again in the future, wouldn't they be unable to fight back?
"No problem!"
Kael nodded slightly, agreeing to this supplementary condition.
"Let's go, Thatch!"
Vista immediately led Thatch away. As long as Kael's people attacked the Whitebeard Pirates first, they could retaliate. Thatch gave a wry smile and immediately followed Vista away. This time, they really lost big. He also bore a huge humiliation. In the future on the Moby Dick, he would probably suffer a lot of cold stares and scorn. He hoped everyone could understand his painstaking efforts. He truly bowed and yielded to Kael for everyone's safety.
...
"Ah ha ha ha, I, the Great Grand Duke, had a great time fighting! Thank you for helping me ascend to the position of Grand Duke."
Aramaki shouted excitedly at his defeated opponents. This great battle not only promoted him to Empire Grand Duke, but his reputation would also receive an unprecedented boost. Fire Fist Ace, one of the Shichibukai, who he defeated, fell at his hands. Diamond Jozu was severely beaten by him. In the future, what 3 Division Commanders, 4 General Stars, 3 Disasters, 3 Iron Wall Cadres... What Shichibukai... All of them would be trampled underfoot by him, Vlad the Impaler. Now his targets were King the Wildfire, the leader of the 3 Disasters, Marco the Phoenix, the leader of the 3 Division Commanders, and Benn Beckman, the Vice Captain of the Red Hair Pirates.
Now even Charlotte Katakuri, the leader of the General Stars, had too low a bounty and wasn't worthy of being his opponent. Queen the Plague was also likely not his opponent. After all, Vista was on par with Queen the Plague in combat power. Since even Issho defeated Vista, that was roughly equivalent to Aramaki defeating Vista and Queen the Plague.
"Damn you, Aramaki!!" "Next time, my flames will surely burn your rotten wood to ashes!!"
Fire Fist Ace never expected that he couldn't defeat the Mori Mori no Mi ability, which should have been countered by his Mera Mera no Mi ability. Being defeated by a Mori Mori no Mi user was a huge blow to Ace.
"Hehehe, your little flames, go back and light Whitebeard's birthday candles!"
Aramaki mockingly taunted Ace. The fame of defeating Ace and Jozu would make him happy for a month.
"Hmph!" "Let's go!"
Vista took Thatch and picked up Atmosphere, returning to the ship. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Ace and Jozu were unharmed. But in this great battle, they lost several pirate ships, and a large number of pirate members were sucked dry by Aramaki, likely needing several months to recover from their injuries. As for the members stunned by Kael's Conqueror's Haki, they were fine. Several allied Captains and leaders were severely injured. Wandering Knight Doma even lost a hand, a huge loss. They deeply understood the power of the Goa Empire's Emperor and 3 Grand Dukes.
After today, Emperor and 3 Marquises would become Emperor and 3 Grand Dukes. Seeing the Whitebeard Fleet leave, Jack was no longer reckless and quickly retreated with his subordinates. Spartan did not stop them, allowing Kaido's favorite subordinate to leave. He did not disappoint Kael, completing his mission and truly making a name for himself, proving his worth. As the Whitebeard Fleet and the Mammoth retreated from Silver Island, the reporters and various intelligence personnel quickly reported the information back.
The Goa Empire achieved a complete victory, and the strength of the 3 Grand Dukes truly shocked the world. No one expected that the Whitebeard Fleet and Jack, who came to cause trouble, would all return defeated, and even beaten quite badly. However, the epic wood-fire battle between Piercing Grand Duke Aramaki and Fire Fist Ace was indeed very exciting.
"Everyone, well done!" "Feast!!" "Reward merits, promote ranks!"
The corrected chapters now flow more smoothly and contain accurate terminology from the One Piece universe. I've been careful to keep the tone and style of the original story, while enhancing readability. The key plot points, such as Aramaki's promotion and Thatch's fateful vow, are now clearer.
Please let me know if you would like me to correct the next chapter or if there are any other changes you'd like to make.
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