"Haa—" Mike exhaled a long, slow ring of smoke, his gaze drifting through the light, steamy haze of the Yuba hot spring.
As the smoke gradually dissipated, vivid images of Fish-Man Island flashed through his mind.
'Fish-Man Island... not bad at all!' he thought, a greedy grin spreading across his face.
Having already enjoyed the tender hospitality of the tanned beauties in Alabasta, a trip to the deep sea to savor some different... delicacies... was the next logical step.
He pictured the beautiful mermaids, their skin soft as water, their every inch radiating an alluring glow.
He thought of the Mermaid Café, the charming waitresses, the enchanting dancers... and of course, its stunning owner, Madam Sharley.
'With my natural charisma and a mountain of cash,' he schemed,
'Securing the finest service at the café would be a piece of cake. And if the island were under my name... well, I'd be the great hero of the island, wouldn't I?'
'I could... inspect for 'dangerous elements' under anyone's covers, as a matter of public safety, of course.'
His daydream continued, envisioning a personal tour of the Ryugu Palace from King Neptune himself, and then, after befriending Princess Shirahoshi, riding giant Sea Kings on deep-sea adventures.
'A full package of food, drinks, and entertainment,' he concluded happily.
'As for the actual work of managing the island? I'll leave it to Kuro and the CP9 agents I plan to recruit.'
'Crocodile seems eager to prove himself, too.'
'They can handle the development. I'll just oversee things and make sure it's built to be fun and exciting!'
With his perfect, lazy future now clearly mapped out, Mike took the Den Den Mushi from Kuzan.
"Yonko ....Whitebeard," he said, his voice suddenly calm and clear.
"Let's talk about Fish-Man Island. You should transfer it to me."
"!!!"
On the other end of the line, on the deck of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's roar nearly shattered the air.
"DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU'RE TALKING TO, YOU BRAT?!" His voice brimmed with the raw, intimidating power of a Yonko.
"I AM WHITEBEARD!"
"Hah, times have changed, old man," a faint, unconcerned smile curled on Mike's lips.
"You're old now, Whitebeard. How much longer can you really keep protecting all your sons?"
The Emperor, who was 72 years old, fell silent.
He knew his own body.
The wounds from his legendary battles, the scars left from his youth, were becoming harder to bear as the years passed.
He had to rely on IV drips and alcohol just to get through the day.
He wouldn't last much longer.
And once he was gone... who would carry the banner of his family? His sons would become targets for the other Emperors and the full might of the Marines.
The thought was something he absolutely refused to accept.
"You hand Fish-Man Island over to me," Mike said calmly, his words carrying an unexpected weight.
"And I can consider it a favor. A debt to be repaid."
If necessary, he could step in to protect the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates after the old man's passing.
"..."
A cold, rumbling laugh came through the Den Den Mushi.
"You? A mere Marine Captain? A title acknowledged by Hawkeye isn't enough to convince me of anything."
Suddenly, another voice roared into the receiver.
"Is that any way to talk to my boss, you old fossil?!"
It was Crocodile, standing up behind Mike, his pride as Mike new subordinate ignited.
"Crocodile, you brat? You've got the guts to yell at me now?" Whitebeard growled.
Then, a third voice, calm but impossible to ignore, joined the call.
"And me," said Admiral Kuzan. "Hand Fish-Man Island over to Mike, and I'll owe you a favor, Whitebeard. You know I keep my word. If your sons ever fall into my hands in the future, I can afford to be lenient."
"Kuzan…" Whitebeard's voice deepened.
He was an Emperor, but more than that, he was a father.
The protection of a Warlord and a Marine Admiral could indeed offer his sons a path to survival in a world without him.
"If you're still worried," Mike's voice cut in again, "let me add one more person to this conversation."
He smiled faintly, pulling out a second, smaller Den Den Mushi and dialing a familiar number.
"Yo, Mike, calling your dear superior officer? Found some fun new place to visit?" Kizaru's lazy, teasing voice came through.
"Old man, I need you to vouch for a deal here."
"Kid, I'm just a working man. Vouching for things isn't really my style…"
"Once I get Fish-Man Island set up, you can come visit anytime. Mention my name, and it's free."
"Fine, speak then. I believe the name 'Kizaru' still carries some weight on these seas."
"Borsalino…" Whitebeard's voice was a low growl.
"Yo, how scary~ Whitebeard," Kizaru's tone suddenly sharpened, dropping its laziness.
"You've met my adjutant, then? Whitebeard, I'd advise you not to lay a finger on him. Otherwise..."
Whitebeard took a deep breath.
Kizaru's tone was dead serious.
This kid, Mike... counting Mihawk, he now had the backing of two Warlords and two Marine Admirals.
'What kind of background, what kind of charisma and strength, do this mere captain possess?'
"Alright, Oldman Kizaru. I count on you in a pinch," Mike said, casually flexing his connections before hanging up.
"So, Whitebeard? What do you say?"
"Gurararara!"
A booming laugh finally erupted from the Den Den Mushi.
"Enough! Brat, I've seen your influence now! I can hand Fish-Man Island over to you. Hell, I'll even personally take you to meet King Neptune." He paused, his tone turning deadly serious.
"But I have two conditions."
"Let's hear them," Mike said, raising an eyebrow.
"First," Whitebeard declared, "tell me why you really want Fish-Man Island. I won't hand my friend's home over to a man without a clear purpose."
"And second," the Emperor's voice dropped to a low, challenging growl that echoed with the power of a living legend.
"Show me. Show me your true strength."
-----------------------------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator