章 57: ~Bull Demon
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"!!"
Iceburg blinked, taken aback by Akira's words. "Didn't you just say you didn't want to provoke the World Government? And now all you need is more money?"
To be honest, Iceburg never thought much about money. As president of the world's largest shipyard and a key contractor even for the World Government, he had wealth beyond what he could ever spend, so he often gave to charity just to use it. Even a daily fee of 100 million Berries wouldn't faze him.
"How much do you need?" Iceburg asked, raising the stakes without a second thought. "A billion, two billion, three billion? Or ten?"
Akira's eyebrows arched in surprise, and even Shisui and Itachi exchanged stunned looks. The sheer wealth in this world had its perks, and Akira had to admit he liked this arrogant rich man type.
"No need for that much," Akira replied. "My plan is for the City of Water Seven to sign a long-term security contract with the Uchiha clan."
"Security contract?" Iceburg repeated, intrigued.
"Exactly. With a security contract, Uchiha Security Company will be responsible for the safety of Water Seven, protecting it from anyone, be they pirates, Marines, or the World Government itself." Akira knew that one-time commissions weren't his true goal. What he sought was a stable, long-term client—his equivalent of a "meal ticket."
It was a model like Konoha's relationship with the Land of Fire, where the village received annual military funding in exchange for protection and mission support. Akira wanted to make Water 7 his own military funding.
Akira wouldn't be like the Third Hokage. He was almost certain that a large portion of the funding had been quietly pocketed by that old man for personal use. But now, it was time for a fresh approach—one where resources would be channeled directly into the Uchiha clan.
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Iceburg's brows knitted in worry. "Are you certain? Offending the World Government is no small matter."
Akira chuckled, unfazed. "People die for money, just as birds seek food. Besides, when I came to Water 7, I knew I'd eventually clash with the World Government. If they try to challenge us, we'll respond in kind."
Iceburg nodded, feeling reassured by Akira's resolve. "If you're sure about this, I'll sign. But in exchange, I ask that you protect the Straw Hat Crew. After all, I wronged them. And to… safeguard the blueprints for Pluton."
Akira paused, raising an eyebrow. "You're trusting me with something that precious? We don't exactly have that kind of relationship, do we?"
Ancient Weapons—Pluton, Poseidon, and Uranus—each represented a power akin to a god. Pluton, the most notorious battleship in history, had the power to decimate islands. Poseidon, the power to command Sea Kings. And as for Uranus… Akira wasn't sure, given that One Piece hadn't concluded by the time he'd crossed into this world. That thought left him with a pang of regret.
Iceburg's voice shook slightly as he spoke. "I don't trust easily anymore. But keeping the Pluton designs only draws more danger to Water Seven and innocent people. If you stand against the World Government, I can be certain the designs won't fall into their hands. I can only bet"
Akira shrugged. "Fine, it's a hot potato indeed. But don't be so pessimistic. This world can't be controlled by a single Ancient Weapon, why worry? They're still just tools, after all."
"Poseidon? Pluton?" Akira mused, considering the ancient weapons.
He wasn't entirely sure about Uranus, but he suspected it might be under the control of the World Government—or, more precisely, the one pulling the strings behind them, the elusive figure the Five Elders called "Imu."
The only one who made Akira feel fear in this world was this Imu as he couldn't understand him, he didn't know how powerful he is. Unknown is always the most feared.
Poseidon and Pluton, however, were less enigmatic. Poseidon was, after all, just a crying mermaid girl—a truth few knew. And as for Pluton, it was a battleship, powerful but ultimately destructible.
Iceburg's expression softened as he considered Akira's words. "True… the World Government already controls most of the world. Destroying it would be self-defeating. Their real targets are those who won't bow to them—the Warlords, the Four Emperors."
Akira nodded. "Exactly. The Four Emperors may be adversaries, but they're no pushovers."
Iceburg relaxed, the weight of his worries easing for the first time in a long while. "Sorry, I lost my temper a little."
"Understandable," Akira replied with a smile. "Pleasure doing business with you."
"You still haven't told me your price."
Akira smirked, brimming with confidence. "We'll discuss that after this is over."
---
At the entrance of the Blue Station, a group of Marines and World Government officials gathered in anticipation.
"CP9 will arrive soon!" an official announced, glancing toward Nico Robin. "Get in first!"
Robin stared ahead, expression unreadable.
"Hurry up and get her inside!" barked Corgi, the World Government official who'd pressured Iceburg the day before. Frustration tinged his words. "If only Iceburg had handed it over sooner—what a fool for risking his life over such a trivial matter."
Amid the commotion, Sanji watched from a shadowed corner. "She's surrounded... Couldn't she escape if she wanted? Or is something keeping her from running?"
The voice of another Marine rang out. "Mr. Corgi! CP9 has arrived!"
Rob Lucci and his team approached, with Blueno hefting both Usopp and Franky on his shoulders. Franky struggled, shouting, "Let go of me, you bastards! You won't get away with this!"
The assembled Marines exchanged uneasy looks upon recognizing Lucci, Blueno, and the rest of CP9, realizing they had been hiding in plain sight for years as shipwrights. Now, seeing them as agents of the notorious CP9, the Marines quickly snapped to attention.
Government officials and Marines all lined up to welcome them.
A young Marine quickly draped a coat over Lucci's shoulders. "Here, sir!"
Lucci frowned. "We're not here to play dress-up. Focus on the mission! Everyone, we need to leave immediately." His tone was strict, as he wanted to avoid a conflict with one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea unless absolutely necessary.
"Understood!"
"Everyone, board the sea train! We're heading to Enies Lobby!"
Hidden from view, Sanji narrowed his eyes, tense with frustration. With Usopp's recent departure from the crew over the ship dispute, Sanji knew he couldn't abandon him now. Timing was critical, and he hurried to slip aboard the train unseen.
In the first-class compartment, Kalifa let out a sigh. "Mission's pretty much complete."
Lucci scowled. "Don't jinx it before we're done, fool."
"S-sorry," Kalifa stammered.
Though he'd spent five years building ships on Water Seven, Lucci had no fondness for the island. Those years had been a waste, a mask over his true skills. He despised the place, even more so shipbuilding itself.
As the train prepared to leave, Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat crew finally arrived.
"Robin!" Luffy shouted, his voice carrying over the train's rumbling engines.
Robin looked out the window, surprise flickering in her eyes as she spotted Luffy and the others racing toward the station.
"Luffy?!"
"Straw Hat?" Lucci murmured, stunned to see them. "They're still alive?"
Kaku turned to him. "Want us to take them down?"
"No need. Aqua Laguna is coming. The Marines can stop these pirates while we're out of here."
The Marines left behind took up defensive positions as the train let out a loud whistle and began to move.
"It's Straw Hat! Open fire!"
"Bang! Bang!"
Luffy darted forward regardless while Zoro deflected the coming bullets with his sword.
"What's wrong with them?! Bullets aren't working!" a Marine cried.
"Gomu Gomu no… Bazooka!" Luffy's attack sent a cluster of Marines flying backward.
Suddenly, a thunderous voice called out, "Stand up! Don't be afraid!"
Every Marine turned to see a man with a face as fierce as a skull, clad in layers of armor and wielding a massive blade.
"Captain T. Bone?!"
T. Bone roared, "You are Marines! If you fall here, innocent lives will suffer! Stand tall! In this unjust world, we are the last shield of justice! Even if we fall, we fight to the last!"
"YES, Captain!" The Marines were bolstered by his words, rallying to push back the pirates.
"Get out of my way! Give me back Robin!" Luffy shouted as he charged forward.
Zoro clenched his sword in his teeth. "Luffy, leave him to me! Go after the train!"
T. Bone glared at Zoro. "Roronoa Zoro, of the Straw Hat Pirates! You'll be cut down!"
"Santoryu: Gyūki Yuzume~Bull Demon!" Zoro's swords flashed, slicing clean through the Captain T. Bone's blade then his body, making him fell backward, defeated.
"Gomu Gomu no…" Luffy's arms stretched out, grabbing onto the guardrail at the back of the train.
But before he could pull himself up, a swarm of Marines piled onto him, pinning him down in a desperate struggle.
"We won't let you on board!"
The train surged forward, slipping from Luffy's grasp as his arms reached their limit. He could only watch helplessly as the train disappeared down the tracks. "Damn it!"
"Robin…..!"
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