Chapter 99 Blackbeard Sells Me, Whitebeard Chases MeIf Whitebeard were to abandon his "sons" this time, morale would crumble, and the crew would be unmanageable.
After all, everyone in the pirate world is after money and protection. If Whitebeard can't protect them, they might as well disband and find better opportunities elsewhere.
Luffy, looking at the newspapers, couldn't help but sigh, "He truly is the only guy in the pirate world who's really like a pirate. Ruthless to others, and even more ruthless to himself."
Just then,
Usopp, who had been helping the carpenter repair the ship, burst through the door, panting.
"Luffy...Luffy! The phone! It's the Fleet Admiral!"
Before Luffy could even take the receiver, Sengoku's signature roar exploded from the Den Den Mushi:
"Luffy!! Where the hell have you been, you bastard?!"
"Uh, good day, Sengoku-sama. What's wrong? Who made you so angry?"
Luffy looked at the grimacing Den Den Mushi with a puzzled expression. "I went on a trip to Skypiea. The bad signal up there isn't my fault."
Ever since he went up in the sky, the Navy's special communication Den Den Mushi had been affected by altitude sickness and had been out of contact.
"Skypiea? What were you doing in that godforsaken place?"
Sengoku paused, then impatiently changed the subject: "Never mind! I'm asking you, was it you who came up with the bad idea behind Blackbeard's attack on the Whitebeard Pirates?!"
Huh?
Luffy froze. "What does that have to do with me..."
Suddenly, a long-forgotten memory attacked him.
It seems he had a heart-to-heart talk with Blackbeard before sending him to his doom…
["As a person, you need to be quick-witted. Whitebeard has more than just Ace as a son…"
["You need to learn to achieve the greatest results with the least cost…"
Luffy: "…"
"Rumors! This is absolutely blatant slander!"
Luffy retorted righteously into the Den Den Mushi, without batting an eye.
"Is that so?" Sengoku scoffed suspiciously. "I think so too. After all, pirates never tell the truth."
"That Blackbeard claims this operation was inspired by you, and now Whitebeard is putting up bounties all over the world for your head. You better behave yourself and go back to headquarters. Don't think you can act tough just because you have some skills. That's Whitebeard!"
"Damn it, daring to pin this on the Marines? I'll have Garp beat that guy up!"
With that, Sengoku slammed down the phone.
Luffy: "..."
That damn Blackbeard! He just sold me out like that?!
And the thing is, Whitebeard actually believed him?!
Is this the legendary intelligence of the world's strongest man? Believing everything people say?
Actually, Luffy understood that Whitebeard was just using this as an excuse.
Who doesn't know Luffy is Garp's grandson?
Since your Navy accepted Blackbeard's pledge of allegiance and captured my son, then I'll take care of your Navy hero's grandson. Fair enough.
Jonathan listened with rapt attention, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Heh heh, looks like Vice Admiral Luffy's been having a rough time lately. Why don't you stay a few more days? Don't worry, my G8 fortress is impregnable. Even if you had a few times the guts, no ordinary pirate would dare to come in and arrest anyone."
Luffy rolled his eyes. "Come on, I don't even care about a few petty thieves. Instead of worrying about me, why don't you lend me your head chef? I'm quite the expert on cooking."
Jonathan looked at Luffy with a strange expression.
Whitebeard's kill order isn't as important as a meal?
What's wrong with this kid's thinking? And how does he know my wife's cooking is good?
Just then, the fortress's head chef, Jessica, pushed in a food cart, instantly filling the room with a delicious aroma.
"No matter what national affairs you're discussing, it's mealtime, so eat!"
Jessica deftly set the plates out.
"But speaking of which, that curly-browed cook on your ship is quite something. He's given our kitchen a good lesson in just a short time."
"Ah, really? Well, I'm truly ashamed of myself. Beautiful lady, I am Cao Cao, a pleasure to meet you." Luffy shamelessly grabbed Jessica's hand and gave it a kiss, completely ignoring Jonathan's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot behind him.
"Haha, Vice Admiral Luffy is quite humorous. Although I've never heard of that name before, I won't disturb your business discussion any longer. See you later."
Jessica laughed, pulled her hand away, and pushed her cart out.
Jonathan stared at Luffy expressionlessly, his eyes filled with murderous intent: "So, when exactly are you planning to get out of here?"
"Tch, you petty jerk, is it really necessary to get this angry over a simple greeting?" Luffy gave him a disdainful look.
Jonathan felt like a million alpacas were stampeding through his head; he almost slipped into a green hat.
Luffy suddenly dropped his playful grin and asked seriously, "Did you receive the notice to report to headquarters?"
Jonathan paused, "Ah, yes, I did... How did you know? This should be top secret."
Luffy nodded, his eyes deep, "It's started after all."
"When exactly?"
"About 20 days from now, but we'll have to wait for the official letter from headquarters." Jonathan frowned, "Is something wrong?"
Luffy rolled his eyes inwardly. Something wrong? Something was way wrong!
Although Blackbeard's actions had deviated slightly from the script, capturing a bunch of minor captains, Luffy wasn't sure if Sengoku was willing to use this opportunity to launch a full-scale war against Whitebeard.
Now that even a high-ranking admiral like Jonathan had received orders to relocate, it meant the Navy's war machine for the Marineford War was already roaring.
Regardless of whether things went according to plan, if Sengoku decided to act, the scale would be enormous.
The news of the public execution hasn't been released yet, indicating that Sengoku is still preparing a major move; the preparations aren't complete.
Before the war breaks out, Luffy has two things he absolutely must do.
First, upgrade the Going Merry and, while he's at it, transfer the ship's spirit.
Second…
Luffy casually scooped up a spoonful of meat broth and put it in his mouth.
"Holy crap! Delicious!"
Luffy turned to Jonathan, looking at him earnestly. "Hey bro, can I ask you for a favor? Can I borrow your wife... oh wait, I mean, your head chef for a couple of days?"
Jonathan: "..."
"Get lost!!!"
By the time the Going Merry was fully repaired, it was already evening the next day.
Luffy stood smiling at the bow, waving goodbye to Jonathan on the shore.
Jonathan, on the other hand, was ashen-faced, wishing he never saw this bastard again. After all, anyone who saw a pretty boy fawning over their wife would want to shoot him.