Chapter 175: The Deal That Will Shake the World
New World - Somewhere at Sea
Countless miles of azure waves surged. A simple small boat floated leisurely, a wooden sign hanging crookedly on the bow.
On the deck, the sea breeze blew gently.
Ace stood at the bow, hands clasped behind his head, eyes full of suppressed curiosity and excitement. "Big Bro Roy, where exactly are we going? Is that fruit you mentioned... really that powerful?"
He turned to look at the man behind him, only to see Roy leaning against the railing, looking as leisurely as ever, with a faint, enigmatic smile on his lips.
"What's the rush?" Roy said lightly, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "You'll understand when we get there."
"Ehh..." Ace pouted. "You don't even care about Mythical Zoan fruits, yet this time you said it's a 'fruit you've been looking for for a long time.' I'm itching to know!"
Roy didn't answer directly. He just smiled slightly, his gaze drifting to the distant horizon as his thoughts returned to two days ago—
[Flashback - Two Days Ago - Contact from Tesoro]
The image transmission Den Den Mushi rang Puru-puru-puru. The moment it connected, an exaggerated, flamboyant laugh exploded:
"Uho ho ho ho!! Roy, I have news about that fruit you asked me to find!!!"
In the video, Gild Tesoro, the "Golden Emperor," sat on a golden high chair, decked out in gold with rings on all ten fingers. He laughed arrogantly, his tone filled with undisguised pride and excitement.
Since mastering the Gold-Gold Fruit and receiving Roy's secret support, Tesoro had expanded his power madly on the world stage in recent years:
As a business empire, he swallowed the financial systems of dozens of countries, controlling over 20% of the global Belly circulation earlier than in the original timeline.
"Tacitly" regarded as an independent nation by the World Government, he became a massive money laundering hub for the Celestial Dragons.
Under Roy's instructions, he took over the underground arms and intelligence networks after the dissolution of the Donquixote Family, instantly becoming a top power in the Underworld.
Relying on his talent and resource integration capabilities, he stood toe-to-toe with the Five Emperors of the Underworld:
"Concealer" Giberson
"Loan Shark King" Du Feld
"Shipping King" Umit
"Big News" Morgans
"Queen of the Pleasure District" Stussy (Though... she seemed to have a "complicated relationship" with Vegapunk, so she counts as one of their own?)
In the video displayed by the snail, Tesoro laughed and pushed a file toward the lens. "The intel is verified. That fruit the other party has is exactly as you described!"
"However, they're asking for 3 billion Belly. I've already bought it in full and am preparing to send someone..."
"...No need," Roy's lazy but decisive response came from the other end.
"I'll go personally."
[Return to Reality - Ship Deck]
"Personally?"
Ace looked shocked. "What kind of fruit is it that deserves you, a busy man, to go out personally?"
Roy stared at the sea level and said faintly, "This fruit... might change everything..."
Meanwhile, New World - Unnamed Deserted Island
The sun blazed like fire, roasting the barren island. Cracked rocks bore no grass, and the air was thick with the scent of salt and scorching heat.
A pirate ship was docked sideways by the reef. A blood-red skull flag hung high on the black sails. The sea breeze howled, making the entire ship groan creak-creak.
On the deck—
A group of pirates gathered in a circle, arguing fiercely, their voices loud as an exploding beehive.
"It's a Devil Fruit!!"
A one-eyed pirate waved his arms excitedly, his face flushed red. "Asking price: 3 billion Belly! And Golden Emperor Tesoro agreed without blinking an eye!!!"
"3 billion!! Our whole crew couldn't spend that in three lifetimes!!!"
"But... what if this Devil Fruit is really powerful??? Maybe we could keep it..."
"Are you dreaming?!!"
Another scarred brute shouted angrily. "What if this fruit just turns you into a sticky snot-man?! Besides, do you think eating a fruit makes you invincible instantly?!!"
"Bullshit!" A tall, thin pirate retorted shrilly, speaking fast. "Would a fruit the Golden Emperor is willing to pay 3 billion for be trash?"
"Exactly!" Another young pirate licked his lips, eyes full of greed. "What if it's a Mythical Zoan, or a Logia, the kind that can destroy a country in one go... Why sell it? Eat it directly and reach the heavens in a single step!!!"
"Idiot! Do you think you have the body to handle that kind of fruit?!"
The scarred brute sneered. "With your physique, you'd either explode, or get cut down before you could even activate the ability."
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING TO—!!"
"BANG!!!"
Just as the argument was intensifying, a muffled sound rang out like thunder!
"THUD!!!"
A giant fist covered in calluses and bulging veins smashed heavily onto a wooden crate. The entire deck shook, and several timid seagulls flew off the mast in fright.
The crowd fell silent instantly, all eyes turning to the main seat at the bow.
A burly man with a black cape fluttering in the wind stood up slowly. His skin looked like cast bronze and iron. A hideous scar ran from his brow bone to his jaw on the left side of his face, and his right ear was missing a chunk. His eyes were cold as a venomous snake.
He slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, his voice low and hoarse, hitting their hearts like a hammer. "Done arguing?"
Dead silence surrounded them. The pirates below didn't dare to breathe loud.
This man was "Blood Rage" Red—a brutal rookie pirate with a bounty of 628 million Belly.
He slowly scanned the crowd, a sinister curve appearing on his lips. "The fruit is just bait."
"People are the bargaining chips."
"Wait for them to come ashore... let's see who shows up..."
The crew's faces changed, realizing immediately: He plans to double-cross them?!
The one-eyed pirate's voice trembled. "Captain... b-but the other party is the Golden Emperor's men. I heard he has the backing of World Nobles. Even the Marines don't dare touch him easily..."
Red let out a pfft of laughter, as if hearing a joke.
He pulled a pitch-black flintlock from his waist and wiped it slowly, the cold glint menacing.
"So what if it's the Golden Emperor?"
He pointed the gun at the distant horizon, his gaze oppressive as a dormant volcano. "In the New World, reputation doesn't matter."
"If weaklings come, I'll take the fruit and the money! I'm a pirate!!! Who survives to the end... is yet to be decided!!!"
Meanwhile, a few kilometers offshore
Golden sunlight spilled onto the sparkling sea. A simple small boat sailed leisurely toward the lonely island scorched by the sun.
Ace was excitedly hugging a large black briefcase (received from Tesoro's men en route), squatting on the deck and fiddling with it, his eyes curved into crescents.
"Hehehe, 3 billion Belly... That guy Tesoro pulled it out without even blinking."
He couldn't help but fantasize. "Could it really be one of those legendary god-tier fruits that can split islands or destroy countries with a snap?"
Roy leaned against the railing, smiling faintly. His hand rested on the tiller as he gazed lightly at the scorched yellow island in the distance. "No matter how godly the fruit, it depends on who eats it."
"Besides..." He paused, his gaze deepening slightly. "I feel like there might be a pleasant surprise waiting..."
Ace paused. "Hah?!"
Roy smiled without speaking, waving his right hand gently. The small boat accelerated as if shortening the distance, heading toward the shore.
Meanwhile, 10 kilometers away from the deserted island
"Hard to port! Island ahead at nine o'clock!"
With the lookout's shout, the broad deck of the Moby Dick bustled with activity.
Pirates dropped their cards and bottles, swarming to the bow.
Marco rubbed his tired eyes and turned to look at the massive man beside him—Marshall D. Teach, known to the crew as "Blackbeard."
This guy, usually all smiles and jokes, was unusually quiet right now. His thick fingers constantly rubbed the flintlock tucked at his waist.
"Oi, Teach, are you sure you want to go to that island?" Marco narrowed his eyes. "The charts don't mark any islands in this area."
Blackbeard snapped back to reality, his face immediately piling on that signature gap-toothed grin. "Zehahaha! That's exactly why we should go! It's rare to find an uninhabited island. Isn't it perfect for a party?"
His laughter echoed on the deck, but it didn't reach the throne deep on the deck—where sat the Strongest Man in the World: Four Emperors member, Edward Newgate, known as "Whitebeard."
His massive body leaned back in his special chair, several IV tubes inserted into him, yet his right hand still firmly grasped a giant sake jug.
Gulp—
The sound of strong liquor going down his throat was drowned out by the waves. Whitebeard's gaze passed over the frolicking crew members, landing directly on Blackbeard's broad back.
Those sharp eyes narrowed slightly, hiding a deep contemplation within the wrinkles at their corners.
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