章 104: Whitebeard's bounty

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"…These are the details of the mission. Does anyone have anything to add?"

Staff Officer Tsuru outlined the deployment tasks for the Shichibukai and the Uchiha Security Company.

"Hey, hey, hey! This is too unfair! We're risking our lives fighting, while they just stand back and do nothing!" Gecko Moria complained indignantly.

The task assigned to Uchiha Akira and Uchiha Shisui was simple: stand on the execution platform and ensure Ace wasn't rescued.

"They're the final line of defense. If you think you're stronger than them, I can give you the job instead," Sengoku responded calmly.

"Hmph!"

Moria fell silent at Sengoku's words. If he were truly that strong, he wouldn't be here taking orders in the first place.

Although not the sharpest, Moria wasn't a complete fool. He had read enough about the Uchiha Security Company in the papers to understand what they represented.

Akira glanced at Moria, inwardly noting how this guy wasn't exactly the brightest.

"So, how will my payment be arranged?" Akira asked. Compared to their grumbles, he cared far more about his reward.

"We'll pay half upfront, and the rest after the war concludes," Sengoku replied.

"No problem."

Suddenly, Staff Officer Tsuru turned to Akira, her tone thoughtful. "Uchiha Akira, if we asked you to take on Whitebeard directly, how much would it cost?"

Her question caused a collective pause. Everyone stared at Tsuru in disbelief. Sending Akira to fight Whitebeard? Was she serious?

"Hmm… That depends on the specifics," Akira replied after a moment of thought. "To be honest, the Uchiha Security Company values peace above all. We rarely take the initiative to attack others."

"Of course, if others target us, that's a different story. As for pricing… we charge based on the bounty of the opponent. Whatever their value, that's our fee."

"What?!"

His words shocked everyone. Their eyes widened as they stared at Akira.

Whitebeard's bounty was a staggering 5.046 billion berries.

"Hah! You're really trying to extort us here!" Sengoku scoffed, clearly annoyed. Even 2 billion was already a massive amount, and now this guy dared to ask for 5 billion? Unbelievable.

Akira smiled faintly. "Charging based on bounty is perfectly fair, isn't it?"

"To the World Government, 5 billion is barely a drop in the ocean. But it could eliminate a major threat like Whitebeard. If anything, you're getting a bargain."

Sengoku's pupils contracted slightly, his eyes narrowing. "What did you just say? You're planning to eliminate Whitebeard?"

Akira waved his hand dismissively. "Relax, I'm just joking. Don't take it so seriously."

"I wouldn't say eliminate, but holding him off for a while? That's doable."

"But if you really want me to take him down, it'll cost far more than that."

"You young people are so arrogant," Mihawk interjected, clearly displeased with Akira's tone. He couldn't tolerate someone so casually belittling a legend like Whitebeard, the so-called strongest man in the world.

Akira chuckled at Mihawk's remark. "Call it arrogance or confidence—it doesn't matter. The Uchiha Security Company operates on one principle: we deliver what we're paid for. The price reflects the job."

Suddenly, Tsuru intertwined her fingers and rested her chin on them, her gaze locking onto Akira. "If we agree to that amount, I'd expect Shisui to step in if you falter."

"What?!"

Her suggestion shocked everyone—Sengoku, the Shichibukai, and even the surrounding strategists.

"Staff Officer Tsuru!" One of the other strategists immediately tried to protest.

Tsuru raised her hand to stop them. "I know this is surprising, but this is a war we cannot afford to lose. While Akira alone may not be enough to defeat Whitebeard, two individuals with Admiral-level strength stand a much better chance."

Even Akira hadn't expected Tsuru to make such a bold proposal.

A sly smile crept across his lips. "Fine by me!"

"He actually agreed?!"

Everyone was dumbfounded. Was this kid insane?

Didn't he realize that if the Uchiha Security Company clashed with Whitebeard and both sides were gravely weakened, the World Government might turn on them and wipe them out? The possibility was very real.

This was, after all, the Marine Headquarters, teeming with elite forces. Reinforcements from the World Government could also arrive at any moment.

But Akira remained unfazed. If Tsuru was bold enough to suggest it, why shouldn't he follow through?

"Alright, let's finalize the deal," Tsuru declared.

She quickly drafted a contract, sealing it with the World Government's official stamp. Akira signed his name without hesitation.

"Fufufufu! What a lunatic!" Doflamingo cackled. "A guy like this—dancing so close to death—is either a genius or an idiot."

"Security company? More like a hitman agency in disguise," he added with a smirk.

"Tsk. Eating so much… Aren't you afraid you'll choke?" Moria muttered enviously. The sheer amount of money on the table could've allowed him to rebuild a bigger, stronger pirate crew.

"Zehahahaha!" Blackbeard remained silent, though his laughter hinted at his own scheming. His plan was progressing smoothly, and once it succeeded, he intended to deal with both Akira and the Uchiha Security Company.

"Hmph!"

Mihawk let out a cold snort. He had thought Akira might be a swordsman worth his time, but this lust for fame and fortune disgusted him. Such a man was unworthy of his blade.

"…"

Kuma, expressionless as ever, kept his thoughts hidden.

The Empress, on the other hand, cared nothing for any of this. Her eyes were solely on Akira. Her man was bold, charismatic, and unafraid to make waves. It only deepened her admiration for him.

After the meeting concluded, Akira and his team were escorted to lodgings at Marine Headquarters to rest until the day of the final battle.

Not long after, several large chests filled with money were delivered straight to Akira's room.