Chương 94: 94: Whitebeard, This Is Your Salary, Clean Money!
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Lu Feld's words caused the atmosphere in the office to freeze instantly.
Everyone turned to look at him, shocked that he would even suggest such a thing.
While the second half of the Grand Line isn't exactly the "New World" where the Marines can't tread, and there aren't any recognized Four Emperors yet, Whitebeard is still the most powerful man on the seas, both in terms of strength and bounty.
Even Marine Headquarters is wary of him.
And yet, here, God of Fortune Lu Feld, is daring to suggest that someone as formidable as Whitebeard should join his shady operation?
How dare he speak!?
Where's his sense of reality?
"God of Fortune, did we give you too much leeway, making you think we're easy to deal with?" Marco stood up, his face darkening.
For those who deeply respect their father, Lu Feld's proposition was nothing short of an insult.
Imagine a beggar asking an emperor to join him in begging in front of his most trusted officials.
That's how it felt to them. In their eyes, Lu Feld's factory was no better than a beggar's operation.
No matter how fancy the name "God of Fortune Branch" might be, it doesn't change the fact that he's essentially asking the Marines for money.
After all, the duplicator business has no real value. The Marines provide the materials, and Lu Feld merely rounds up some people to do the labor.
Lu Feld isn't offering anything unique or indispensable.
In other words, if the Marines ever decided to switch partners, it would be as easy as flipping a switch.
In such a lopsided partnership, Lu Feld's role is basically that of a beggar. And now, he's actually suggesting that their father join him in begging from the Marines? If that's not humiliation, what is?
"We've been cooperating this past month not because we fear you," Marco continued, his tone stern.
"If not for the fact that we pay our debts, you'd be dealing with something far worse."
"Whether or not you had any ulterior motives, you owe us an explanation."
"God of Fortune, Captain Jozu's debt is settled. We owe you nothing. Have you forgotten who we are? We are the Whitebeard Pirates!"
The other members stood up as well, glaring at Lu Feld.
Whitebeard himself remained calm. He'd lived through many things and was no longer quick to anger over every slight.
He could tell that Lu Feld's words weren't meant to offend, so he didn't take it to heart.
Lu Feld chuckled nervously, quickly trying to calm Marco and the others down before turning back to Whitebeard.
"What do you think, Whitebeard?"
"Why would I join you?"
Whitebeard glanced toward the door, waiting for his bodyguard to return with the money. He wasn't in a rush to leave just yet. After all, that money was hard-earned, and he wasn't about to let Lu Feld have it for free.
"Well..."
Lu Feld began to think carefully, organizing his thoughts before speaking.
"Berries, and freedom!"
He emphasized, quickly moving to the edge of the broken wall and pointing at the many pirates struggling with the duplication process.
"Everyone, see how many pirates have joined my factory in just one month?"
"In addition to those who owe me money and are working to pay off their debts, like little brother Jozu, there are also some slaves that I tricked and captured, and..." Lu Feld paused, his tone growing more serious, "some who came here voluntarily."
This made Whitebeard's expression shift slightly. He was aware of the pirates who had been deceived and captured, but the idea that anyone would willingly come to this exploitative factory baffled him.
Lu Feld continued, "I bet you're wondering why some people would give up being pirates to come here and work themselves to the bone."
Marco and the others nodded in agreement, puzzled.
"That's because there's no more money to steal," Lu Feld explained. "Nowadays, most people around the world deposit their money in Marine or World Government banks. Many pirates have tried to break into these banks, but ninety-eight out of a hundred found nothing."
He added, "Reliable sources say that the money from these local bank branches is sent to Marineford for safekeeping."
"In this situation, unless you have the strength to break into Marineford, you won't even be able to steal a single berry."
Lu Feld looked directly at Whitebeard. "Do you think you can get in there?"
Whitebeard's expression grew serious. Although he had never targeted innocent people, preferring to take from other pirates, if the common pirates had no money, who would he steal from? Nobles? Their money was all in the bank. Marine Headquarters? That was out of the question.
"Has the world really come to this?" Whitebeard muttered to himself. In just a few months, the situation for pirates had become dire. Not only were they unable to rob, but they were also being hunted by a large number of duplicates. With traitors like Lu Feld in their midst, Whitebeard could already see the future for pirates—a bleak one.
The so-called era of great pirates was showing signs of collapse.
"This..."
Marco and the others exchanged uneasy glances. Even if they couldn't predict the future, Lu Feld's words had made them think about what lay ahead.
"This is the new trend, Whitebeard!" Lu Feld said with a sigh. "The era of great pirates sparked by Roger has only been raging for less than half a year, and now it's coming to an end at a speed that everyone can see."
"Not only that, but its existence has strengthened the Marines. Once this era ends, the more powerful Marines will have the resources to go after everyone."
"Being just a pirate has no future. Only business can last."
Whitebeard fixed him with a stern gaze. "I and my children are pirates!"
The message was clear: once a thief, always a thief. How could a pirate openly conduct business? They either roamed freely on the seas or lived in hiding. Making a big name while staying hidden would only draw the Marines' attention.
"I'm still a usurer," Lu Feld replied with a wave of his hand, unfazed. "Whether in the past or the future, the power to dictate the rules of the world always lies with a few people."
"If they say you're a thief, then you are."
"But if they say you're not, then even if you rob a family in front of the Marines, you're not a thief."
"Or... at best, a legitimate thief with the right to plunder."
Hearing this, Marco and the others were stunned, especially when they saw that Whitebeard didn't refute it, as if he had accepted it. Their previously unwavering beliefs began to crumble.
"Is this the truth of the world?" Jozu, who had just settled his debt, found himself in a new state of self-doubt.
Whitebeard let out a long sigh, not wanting to dwell on the subject any further. He slammed his naginata heavily on the ground and asked in a deep voice, "So, you still haven't explained why you insist on me joining your operation."
"And if I really join the gang, how do you plan to manage us?"
Lu Feld took a deep drag on his cigar. The strong taste of nicotine filled his mouth, and the smoke lingered in front of his eyes as he pondered, a complex expression crossing his face.
"The underworld is a brutal place," Lu Feld began, breaking the silence. "It's not an exaggeration to say it devours people whole, leaving nothing behind."
Under the intense gaze of everyone, he continued, "You see, when I was young, I was just a penniless kid, clawing my way up to this position step by step."
"Money and power are important, but they serve the same master: survival."
"Years in the underworld have taught me the true nature of the world, and I've come to understand the critical importance of power."
He glanced at the pirates outside, grinding their teeth in frustration as they toiled away, their spirits crushed yet forced to continue.
Using their plight as a stark example, he said in an emotionless tone, "I know they want to kill me. They want to tear me apart and drink my blood."
"But why do they stay obedient, working at their stations without causing trouble?"
"Because of power!" Lu Feld's voice rose, the pupils behind his sunglasses gleaming.
"I have the power to control their lives, so no matter how angry they are, they're powerless to act."
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, instantly understanding Lu Feld's intentions.
"So, you plan to use my strength to negotiate fair cooperation with the Marines?" Whitebeard asked.
"Jiejiejie, exactly. As expected of a king, your insight is sharp," Lu Feld replied, a grin spreading across his face.
"But how do you plan to manage us?"
Whitebeard smiled, cutting straight to the point. He knew Lu Feld wanted a commitment, but it was clear from Whitebeard's demeanor that he wasn't ready to give one.
Lu Feld licked his lips, suppressing his anxiety. He dared not make any wrong move against the mighty Whitebeard, especially after the toll recent events had taken on him.
"I hope you'll think it over," Lu Feld finally said.
Without waiting for Whitebeard's response, Lu Feld added, "As for cleaning us up, it's simple. I plan to discuss additional forms of cooperation with the Fleet Admiral, not just limited to the deformed leaves."
"I believe that if we sit down and talk, we can reach a favorable agreement."
Whitebeard chuckled, his eyes twinkling slightly. Just then, he noticed his bodyguard returning with the money. Without another word, he got up and headed outside.
"Children, it's time to go," he said.
Marco and the others quickly followed without hesitation.
"Hello, this is the payment the boss ordered me to hand over to you," the bodyguard said, seeing Whitebeard approach. He quickly stacked several black boxes together and opened the top one to show everyone.
"This is five billion berries. Please check."
"Don't worry, it's all clean money. It was exchanged with the Marines yesterday using the deformed leaves everyone worked so hard to produce."
The bodyguard's words made Whitebeard pause, and Marco and the others fell silent.
Later that night, on the deck of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard sat on his throne, gazing up at the full moon. His expression was complicated, his thoughts unreadable.
Around him, his children quietly ate the freshly bought food, the eerie silence enveloping them all.
"The wine tastes different tonight," Whitebeard said suddenly, his voice cutting through the quiet atmosphere.
"No way, Dad, I bought it from the same store as before," Teach replied, scratching his head in confusion.
But the others offered different opinions:
"It feels like the meat tonight is tastier than usual."
"And this dish."
"This fruit too, it's really satisfying."
Marco and the others chimed in one after another.
Sixteen-year-old Teach looked on, bewildered. Everything had been purchased from the same familiar island, so how could it all taste so different?
If there was a difference in taste, he was sure he would have noticed it.
He didn't understand, but Whitebeard did. The difference wasn't in the food or drink, but in the source of the money used to buy it. For the first time, it wasn't the sinful berries stolen from other pirates or the protection fees extracted from corrupt countries. It was money earned by their own hard work.
"Hey," Whitebeard sighed almost imperceptibly, and then gave an order: "Marco, I want all the information on the current Marine Fleet Admiral. Everything from his past to what he's done since he joined the Marines."
"No matter how much it costs, I want the information as soon as possible."
Marco immediately replied seriously, "Yes, Pops. I'll set off to find the informant right away."
Seeing this, everyone exchanged puzzled looks.
"The one who defeated Sengoku to become Fleet Admiral must not be simple," Whitebeard murmured.
The others nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, according to what that fellow said, it seems this Fleet Admiral's abilities are what curtailed the era of great pirates."
"And when the number of leaves increases, it's clear that the situation might not be completely under control."
"If the Marines I encountered when I first went to sea had access to Vice Admiral-level deformed leaves, I doubt I'd have had the courage to set sail."
"Same here. I built up confidence in North Blue by winning every fight I got into, and that's how I ended up joining Dad."
The crew started reminiscing, sharing stories from their pasts. It was a common way to pass the time while drifting on the sea with little entertainment. The conversation eventually circled back to Akira and his Devil Fruit ability.
"The Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Monster Racoon is incredibly powerful. Imagine if one of us had it..." someone said, grinning at the thought.
It was clear that many were already envisioning the Whitebeard Pirates leading an army of duplicates to dominate the world.
Others were drawn into similar daydreams, letting their imaginations run wild.
Teach, meanwhile, was enjoying his favorite sweet and sour Sakura Peach Pie and chimed in with a different perspective.
"It's not a big deal. Just send someone to sink their warship before we fight the Marines."
"I tested it at the God of Fortune factory. The Devil Fruit users in the clones are also weakened by seawater."
The deck fell silent at these words.
The crew had considered this approach before. After all, pirates aren't mindless—they're criminals who constantly think of ways to survive.
-----
Over in East Blue, a group of pirates, with knives in their mouths, silently swam under the water toward a Marine warship.
Not long after, a loud explosion erupted from beneath the ship.
"It's overturned! We're in trouble!"
"Damn it, what happened? Why did it explode after everything was secure?"
"Get out the spare boats quickly!"
"Retrieve the leaves first, hurry up!"
The Marines scrambled in a frenzy on the deck, trying to manage the chaos.
What they didn't notice was a pirate ship slowly approaching under the cover of darkness. Standing at the bow, the pirate captain wore a cruel smile, savoring the moment.
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