After shaking off Sengoku, it took Lind less than thirty minutes to catch up with Whitebeard using his immense telekinetic power.
When Whitebeard looked up and saw a warship flying through the sky, with Lind proudly standing at its bow, he almost lost control of his expression.
Sengoku had truly been humiliated this time—his dignity left in tatters.
"Gurararara! Brother Lind, you did a damn good job! Tonight, we drink till we drop!"
As soon as Lind landed aboard the ship, he was greeted by Whitebeard's hearty laughter and broke into a laugh of his own.
"Hahahaha! Honestly, it's mostly thanks to your strength, Brother Newgate. I still wouldn't stand a chance in a head-on fight against Sengoku."
"But speaking of him, I feel like we owe him some thanks for the donation. Why don't we throw a feast in his honor?"
"Gurararara, couldn't agree more! Boys, raise a toast to Vice Admiral Sengoku of the Marines—let the banquet begin!"
The celebration erupted, and amidst the drinking and cheering, the night quickly slipped into the next day.
"Gurararara! Brother Lind, the Marines just called!"
Early the next morning, as Lind stood on the deck enjoying the sea breeze, he suddenly heard Whitebeard's excited voice.
Whitebeard approached with confident strides, holding a Den Den Mushi in his hand. Lind smiled as he watched.
"That fast? Looks like the Marines can be efficient when they need to. Is it Sengoku or Kong?"
"Gurararara, Sengoku probably doesn't have the face to call us. He's likely still drifting somewhere out at sea, maybe hitching a ride on Zephyr's warship to catch up with us."
"It's Kong on the line. Looks like the Navy's feeling the pressure!"
Whitebeard let out another laugh.
"Hahahaha! Admiral Kong, pleasure to meet you. I'm Lind, Seventh Division Commander of the Rocks Pirates. It's an honor."
Lind spoke politely as he looked at the stern-faced Den Den Mushi in Whitebeard's hand.
"Gurararara! Kong, what do you think of our Seventh Division Commander? Isn't he quite the exceptional young man? I doubt your Marines have talent like this!"
"Lind, is it? I'll remember your name. Now that you've chosen the path of piracy, I just hope you don't come to regret it."
Though Kong genuinely admired Lind's talent, it was too late—Lind had joined the Rocks Pirates, beyond recruitment. All he could do now was express his regret.
"Whitebeard, let's get to the point. Let's talk about the Marines you captured."
Hearing this, Whitebeard glanced at Lind, who casually held up ten fingers. Whitebeard's pupils briefly shrank, but he quickly responded with calm ease.
"Gurararara! Kong, these are Sengoku's most trusted men. We won't ask too much—ten billion Berries will do."
The words had barely left Whitebeard's mouth when Kong exploded in fury through the Den Den Mushi.
"Ten billion Berries?! Do you think I'm worth that much myself?!"
"No deal. At most, thirty million Berries for the men and the ship."
Just by looking at the distorted face of the Den Den Mushi, Lind could tell how furious Kong was right now.
"Gurararara, Admiral Kong, come now—you're a top-level officer. You should be able to face the collapse of the Red Line without even flinching."
"Your Marine headquarters is massive. What's ten billion Berries compared to your budget? It's not even more than my bounty! You can definitely afford it."
Whitebeard grinned, pleased with Kong's expression but showing no sign of backing down.
"Hahahaha, that's right, Admiral Kong. These soldiers followed Sengoku into the New World. Without them, the Navy's strength out here will take a serious hit."
"And if any pirate gets out of hand because of that, the damages could easily exceed ten billion!"
Lind added fuel to the fire.
This was basically free money, so why not go big? Lind believed the Marines would eventually cough up something worthwhile.
"Impossible. Fifty million at most. The Navy doesn't have unlimited funds. Sengoku will just have to manage somehow."
"Gurararara, let's say eight billion. Kong, that's us being generous."
"That's right—eight billion. You pick the drop-off location, as long as it's not Marine Headquarters. We'll even deliver the goods to your doorstep!"
The haggling went back and forth, but with Kong unwilling to budge, the Navy finally paid 1.8 billion Berries to retrieve both the prisoners and the warship.
As for the transaction itself, Whitebeard and Lind just had to wait at their current location. Zephyr and Sengoku would soon arrive to pick them up.
"Gurararara! Kong, it's been a pleasure. Next time something like this comes up, we'll call you again!"
Whitebeard, clearly in a great mood, laughed heartily after the call ended. Kong, however, didn't bother to reply—he hung up immediately.
Before long, Lind saw Sengoku again, this time accompanied by a young man with purple hair. It had to be Zephyr.
"Gurararara! Sengoku, we meet again. Your men have been treated very well on my ship."
"By the way… did you bring the money?"
"Hmph! Newgate, Lind, you really pulled off a nice stunt this time."
Sengoku, still far from the composed Fleet Admiral he would one day become, clenched his jaw so tightly Lind could practically hear it from a distance.
"Hmph, no need for pleasantries. The money's here. Let's make the exchange."
Zephyr gave Sengoku a pat on the arm and stepped forward to address Whitebeard and Lind.
Fortunately, Zephyr had just been tasked with delivering funds to various Navy bases in the New World. Otherwise, it would've been much harder to gather the ransom so quickly.
"Gurararara! Then let's exchange the cash for the men!"
Without further small talk, Whitebeard and Lind handed over the Marines and the ship after receiving the payment. Then they turned their vessel toward Hachinosu.
Seven days passed at sea, and soon they returned to the pirate island.
And in just those seven days, the name Lind had spread across the Grand Line like wildfire.
As the newly promoted Seventh Division Commander of the Rocks Pirates, Lind had become the most talked-about name across the seas.
Not even twenty years old, a pirate for less than a month, and already holding a bounty exceeding six hundred million—Lind had become a legend overnight.
As Whitebeard's ship neared Hachinosu, the port was packed with people, all eager to catch a glimpse of the rising star.
Newcomers hoped to join Lind's crew and become founding members.
Even Rocks himself showed up at the docks with several idle officers to welcome them.
This was the first time the Rocks Pirates had secured such a complete and utter victory—leaving Sengoku, the so-called Navy tactician and second-in-command, completely humiliated.
(According to my setting, Kong is the Navy's only active Admiral at this point. Though Sengoku is still a Vice Admiral, he's already the second-most powerful figure in the Marines.)
"Fuhahahaha! Shiki, with Lind's current fame, I doubt he'll have time to be your deputy anymore. He'll have to form his own division."
"Jiehahahaha! Boss, Lind's my sworn brother. His rise is my pride. But just so you know, you now owe me a deputy commander. Next time someone promising comes along, you better remember me."
"Fuhahaha! I'll leave that job to Lind. I'm sure he can find you someone solid."
"Mah mah mah mah… You can't hoard all the good luck for yourself! I don't have a deputy either. Boss, when can you find me one?"
"I think that new little demon race brat shows promise. Give him some training and he'll be a fine fighter. He already calls me 'big sis,' so don't you two try to steal him from me!"
"Newgate and Lind are arriving. Let's not argue now. Today's not about us—it's their day."
Sure enough, Whitebeard's ship had just docked. He and Lind were walking side by side toward the crowd.
"Gurararara! It's been too long, everyone!"
*********
Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 200, 400 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!