Chapter 51: Business #51
Waiting inside a well-decorated room that sharply contrasted with the building's run-down exterior, Blake raised an eyebrow as a long-arm tribe man entered. The man was impeccably dressed in a sharp striped suit and wore a pair of sunglasses. He glanced at Blake and Law, grinning before taking his seat.
"My people tell me you're here on business, but I'm rather confused," he began, his tone smooth but edged with curiosity. "What business could the same people who wiped out most of the island's gangs have with me? Are you here to rob me, perhaps?" he asked, his friendly grin at odds with his words.
Blake merely shrugged and turned to Law, opting to let Law do the talking.
Law nodded at the broker, his expression blank. "If we were here to rob you, we wouldn't be knocking," he said flatly. "We're here to procure supplies or information about where to find what we need if you don't have it," he added calmly.
The broker's grin widened. "Well, why didn't you just say so?" he replied, his mood visibly brightening. "Tell me, what is it that you need?" he inquired, leaning forward with genuine interest.
Law turned back to Blake, who merely smiled, causing Law to sigh. "We need a map of the Grand Line, a detailed one with all possible routes and specifics about the weather patterns we'd encounter at every magnetic field," Law stated. "Additionally, we require any Eternal Poses you have available... from every route," he added.
The broker paused, his fingers drumming on the armrest of his chair. "You seem to be well-informed about the Grand Line," he observed. "Who are you really? Beyond your names and your reputation for wiping out the island's gangs, I don't know much about any of you," he added, his curiosity evident.
Law shook his head. "That's none of your business... unless you want to make it so, and pay the appropriate price to find out," he replied with a frown. "As an information broker, you don't expect to receive knowledge for free, do you?" he added, his eyes narrowing.
The broker chuckled, clearly amused. "Never mind then... I reckon I'll find out sooner or later," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Let's talk business, then. I have the map you need, it's something that's only available to high-ranking Marine officers with their own ships..." he stated, his gaze sharp and calculating. "It goes without saying that it will not be cheap."
Law nodded firmly. "I'm sure we'll be able to afford that map of yours, but don't expect to fleece us so easily," he stated. "What about Eternal Poses?" he asked.
The broker shrugged his shoulders. "Those are a bit harder to come by, especially in the Four Blues," he noted. "I do have a few I can sell you, but they'll be of little use... However, I do have something else you might find valuable," he added with a knowing smile.
Law frowned at his words. "And what would that be?" he inquired.
The broker's grin widened. "Information on where you can procure the Log Poses of every island in Paradise, along with enough funds to finance a voyage all the way to the New World and still have plenty to spare," he suggested.
Law glanced at Blake, who remained silent, clearly leaving the decision to him. With another sigh, Law refocused on the broker. "And I'm guessing this information won't come cheap?" he pressed.
The broker nodded knowingly. "Certainly not. Moreover, even if you know where, it doesn't mean you'll easily obtain what you seek," he cautioned. "This particular information concerns a Marine ship bound for the North Blue, guarded by a Marine HQ vice admiral," he disclosed. "So, are you interested?" he asked, eyeing Law expectantly.
Before Law could even process the broker's words, Blake burst into laughter. "Bwahahahaha! You're really out to fleece us, aren't you?" he exclaimed, surprising both Law and the broker. "Law's words must have hurt your ego," he added, shaking his head.
The broker frowned slightly, though his grin remained. "I assure you, I will offer you a fair price for the information—a greatly discounted one considering the involved risk," he stated matter-of-factly. "It's only fair."
Blake shook his head, his expression serious. "I'm not talking about money," he stated firmly. "Money is of little value to someone who can trade it for mere words. You want information," he added, his eyes narrowing.
The broker looked momentarily surprised but quickly composed himself. "I've no idea what you're talking about," he feigned innocence.
Blake rolled his eyes in exasperation. "You want me to say it plainly, eh? Fine," he said. "You offered this information knowing our answer would tell you everything you need to know about us. If we agree readily, we're either naive or confident. If we refuse, we're either cautious or weak," he explained.
"You're not as subtle as you fancy yourself to be," he added, his tone mocking.
The broker chuckled softly. "And yet your answer tells me more about you than you think," he retorted, his grin widening. "You're smarter than you look, but not as smart as you fancy yourself to be," he added, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Blake shrugged indifferently, showing no offense. "Maybe, but that's how conversations work. People learn more about each other the more they talk. Even a child would tell you as much, not that it matters," he said dismissively. "Let's get back to business. How much do you want for the information and the map?" he asked, getting straight to the point.
The broker pondered for a moment, letting out a thoughtful hum. "Very well. I'll ask for five million for the map, and another two and a half for the information, totaling—" he started, but Blake interrupted him.
"You'll receive one million, along with the knowledge that we intend to attack the Marine Ship... You're free to sell that information to any number of people for as much as you wish," Blake declared, his tone matter-of-fact. "It's more than a fair price, a generous price, which is more than you deserve if you ask me," he added coldly, his hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword.
The broker glanced at Law, who simply shrugged in response.
The broker's grin remained, but a faint bulge appeared on his forehead. "Very well then. I'll accept the loss, but mark my words..." he began, his voice tight with suppressed anger. "I won't be as easy as you think," he added through gritted teeth.
"I'm sure you'll try to make things more difficult for us," Blake replied with a nonchalant grin, radiating confidence. "And you're more than welcome to try..."
...
Walking back toward the ship, Law couldn't help but sigh as he watched Blake casually humming with his hands behind his neck, his eyes fixed on the sky. "Was it smart to antagonize that man?" he asked, concern lining his voice.
"The waters of the underworld run deep, and brokers usually have the ears of their bosses, even those in backwaters like Spider Miles," he pointed out. "And there's always the chance he fed us false information just to settle a score... these types can be quite petty," he added thoughtfully.
Blake chuckled softly, still gazing upwards. "He'd only be shooting himself in the foot if he did," he remarked.
"The broker had a choice: either profit from valuable information which he can sell to the Marines for good money and screw us over in the process, or simply screw us over with false information and profit nothing from it," he explained, turning to Law with a confident grin. "Seems like a simple choice to me," he concluded.
Law sighed softly. "You make it sound so simple... but you do realize that the Marines knowing about our plans might spell trouble for us?" he voiced his concern. "Taking down a vice admiral is hard enough on its own... if the Marines send reinforcements, it'll only make things more difficult," he added, furrowing his brow.
Blake shrugged casually, a smile playing on his lips. "Will they send reinforcements, though? We're talking about a vice admiral, after all," he remarked.
"If any Tom, Dick, and Harry could take down a vice admiral, they'd be worthless," he reasoned. "You and I know that we stand a fair chance if we work together, but would anyone else even consider the possibility?" he asked, giving Law a meaningful look.
Law nodded in agreement. "No, they'd likely dismiss it outright," he acknowledged. "Still... how did you figure out the broker was probing us for information?" he inquired, fixing Blake with an inquisitive gaze.
Blake stopped walking and shot Law a smug look. "What? Don't tell me our great brain missed something so simple and obvious?" He grinned broadly, his teeth glinting in the sunlight.
Law scoffed at Blake's taunt. "Don't be absurd, of course I noticed," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement. "I'm just surprised you did... you're usually a bit slower on the uptake when it comes to those things," he added jokingly.
Blake rolled his eyes playfully. "And yet, here you are, following me willingly," he chuckled. "If I'm slow, then those who follow my lead are nothing more than sheep..." He raised an eyebrow in mock seriousness. "Are you a sheep, my friend? Baa!" He said, letting out a playful bleat.
Law smiled in amusement, conceding the banter with a shrug, much to Blake's satisfaction.
"But to answer your question," Blake continued, his tone turning more reflective, "I learned a thing or two while tailing Old Barn... skills I'm not particularly proud of or eager to use." He paused briefly, his expression thoughtful.
"I've lied, deceived, and manipulated my way out of that life. I even ended up stabbing the old bastard in the back and bringing about his death..."
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