Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
Kikara opened the door, bowed slightly to Trafalgar Law who was standing outside, then left with the three Marines without saying anything.
Law took a deep breath and entered the room.
His perception was disrupted by Haki, preventing him from pinpointing his companions' exact locations and thus unable to use his ability to move them.
There was no other way—he had to take a risk.
Encountering the maid at this moment confirmed one thing for him: the strong individual in the room was Daichi, as the maid had almost always been by Daichi's side.
The good news was that Daichi was more approachable than Golden Lion. Perhaps he could negotiate to get his companions back.
The bad news was that the opponent was even stronger than Golden Lion, not just in power, but also in influence, which was more terrifying than Golden Lion's.
As long as they were in the New World, it would be impossible to escape the pursuit of the Beast Pirates.
Law entered the room and saw Daichi sitting on Bepo. His eyes immediately turned a shade redder, and veins bulged on his face.
That was his first-class seat!!!
"Trafalgar Law."
Daichi smiled and pointed to the sofa.
"Have a seat."
Law said nothing, only staring intently at Daichi's backside and Bepo, his resentment growing visibly.
"Captain!"
Bepo's eyes welled up with tears, and he turned his head away.
I'm sorry, Captain!
Daichi sensed Law's meaning.
"You care a lot about this bear?"
"That's my exclusive spot!"
Law spoke coldly.
Only his first-class seat—he would absolutely not give it up!
Daichi's face was covered in black lines.
So that's what he cared about!
What a strange quirk.
He was already annoyed that the bear's fur was too stiff, making his backside itchy.
Daichi stood up speechlessly, sat on the soft sofa, and casually said, "Golden Lion packaged and sold your subordinates to me. If you want to redeem them, you'll have to offer something of equal value."
Law frowned deeply.
Just as he had expected!
Law raised his hand, then flipped it over.
"Clatter!"
A hundred small bags dropped onto the table.
"Thump! Thump!"
Each bag was contracting and twitching, looking quite frightening.
Law said in a deep voice, "These are the hearts of 100 pirates from Hachinosu. I'll use them to get my companions back."
"Hmm?"
Daichi was somewhat puzzled.
"What do I need these hearts for?"
"Hachinosu is your territory. 100 pirates on the island have lost their hearts—this concerns your reputation."
Law explained.
"That makes sense. I should indeed uphold the public order of Hachinosu, but not in this way."
Daichi slowly nodded, then shook his head.
"Trafalgar Law, compared to getting back the pirates' hearts, wouldn't it be more appropriate to eliminate you, the main culprit?"
"Indeed."
Law's heart sank.
As expected of a great pirate—he wasn't so easily fooled.
But these were his only bargaining chips.
"Daichi, what will it take for you to let my companions go?"
"Well."
Daichi scrutinized Law.
He wasn't in a hurry for the Immortality Operation.
Mainly because there was only one Law, and he wasn't comfortable letting Law perform the surgery himself, as they hadn't established a relationship worth risking his life for.
To achieve immortality, the best method was to have Vegapunk replicate the Ope Ope no Mi, then give it to an artificial human who would never betray him. Not only would there be no accidents, but it could also be mass-produced.
Vegapunk could only replicate Zoan and Paramecia Devil Fruits, not Logia types, which was more overpowered than cheating.
Compared to the Immortality Operation, he valued Law's potential more. This guy wasn't as obsessed with the One Piece as Straw Hat and Kid, and could be recruited under him.
"I have a plan that requires your participation."
"What plan?"
Law realized the trouble.
The man before him was no ordinary person—any plan he orchestrated would surely contain unimaginable dangers.
"Don't rush yet, you still need a partner."
Daichi's smile was radiant.
In the evening, the bidding ended.
All the islands were leased out, with prices varying from 1 billion Berry for the cheapest to several billion for the most expensive.
Hachinosu being leased out by Golden Lion in advance caused dissatisfaction among many factions, especially Wang Zhi, but there was also good news.
For the leased islands, the Beast Pirates would no longer provide protection, meaning it was up to them to defend their territories. They could violently contend for them!
However, the Beast Pirates would reclaim the islands after the contract expired. If they didn't want to leave, they would have to sign a lease renewal contract with the Beast Pirates.
The tyrannical clauses were quite detestable.
But this time, the Beast Pirates had generously allocated many territories, which significantly eased the pressure on various factions—at least they could get a piece of the pie.
The reception room welcomed its second guest.
"Desert King" Crocodile!
Among the guests who came this time, Crocodile's reputation and strength ranked among the top, and his performance at the Summit War was quite dazzling.
Most importantly, this guy was different from Golden Lion and others—he was quite shrewd and had excellent leadership skills.
"Please sit, Crocodile."
Daichi smiled and gestured with his hand.
Crocodile sat down, glancing at Trafalgar Law sitting next to him, a hint of displeasure in his brows.
What class, to be on equal footing with him.
Noticing Crocodile's disdainful gaze, Law's expression immediately turned cold, and his eyes were equally unfriendly.
"Sizzle~~~"
Faintly, electricity emerged.
"Kuahahaha!"
Crocodile sneered. "I didn't expect the famous Supreme Commander Daichi of Hoenn to personally seek me out for business."
"Being a pirate is a business!"
Daichi asked with a chuckle.
"Crocodile, wouldn't you agree?"
"You're right!"
Crocodile's eyes showed surprise—he hadn't expected Daichi to share his views, which significantly changed his perception of Daichi.
That's right, being a pirate is a business!
Daichi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Crocodile, I've heard about your affairs in Arabasta. Your goal is to establish a utopia, right?"
"That's right."
Crocodile slowly nodded.
His utopia plan was to establish a militarily powerful nation independent of any faction, which required overwhelming strength.
Weapons = Strength!
The Beast Pirates were the New World's largest weapons supplier and could provide a vast number of weapons for his utopia. It was for this reason that he accepted Daichi's invitation to meet.
Daichi said calmly.
"I can help you establish utopia!"
"Funds, weapons, territory—I have it all here!"
Crocodile's pupils contracted.
"What's the price?"
"The price, huh."
Daichi stroked his chin. "Since it's pirate business, if I invest money and weapons, would that make me a shareholder of utopia?"
Crocodile frowned tightly.
He wasn't working for anyone!
"Don't worry, I won't be involved in the specific management. Utopia is yours—no, it should be yours collectively!"
Daichi's gaze was sharp.
"Crocodile, you alone cannot establish utopia, so I have a proposal!"
"You will serve as the President and form a pirate alliance!"
"Law is the teammate I found for you!"
Crocodile looked at Law, his brow furrowing even more.
Just this guy?
"Want to fight, Crocodile?"
Transparent circles floated from Law's hand.
"If you dare to look at me like that again, I'll kill you!"
"Kuahahaha!"
Crocodile laughed sinisterly, a Straw Hat flashing in his mind.
"Then let's see how strong the brat from the Worst Generation is!"