https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-636-You-Starve-Above-I-Feast-Below/13464599/
Chapter 637: A Battle Is Inevitable! Sagel vs. Akainu!
Chapter 637: A Battle Is Inevitable! Sagel vs. Akainu!
The negotiations were deadlocked from the start.
Sagel maintained his sinister grin, while the others remained silent in their own ways.
"Don't go too far!"
Sakazuki couldn't hold back any longer. His clenched fists were covered in glowing red lava, and he raised his head, his eyes filled with shadows. "You, a born evil brat, propose conditions that are pure evil. Today, I will crush you, this evil one, before you can cause any more harm."
"Enough! Sakazuki!"
Worquli shouted, "You know this isn't realistic!"
"This is evil!"
Akainu roared, "I don't agree to negotiating with the Catastrophe! The World Government negotiating with pirates has completely stripped the Marines of their dignity! How are we supposed to face the world after this?"
"What dignity? The Marines are just an outer organization of the World Government. Get your position straight, Sakazuki!"
Worquli said, "Negotiating with Sagel is our decision. You just need to follow orders."
"Hmph! Do as you please. Stir it up, stir it up. When you bring back the Great Pirate Era, you'll be satisfied!"
Akainu took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
"We are the Five Elders!" Peter also shouted.
"You will regret this!"
Bang!
The heavy door slammed shut, plunging the hall back into silence.
"Oh~ Disobedient subordinates."
Sagel chuckled, "Defying your willpower, why not just replace them with more obedient ones? Wouldn't that be much easier?"
"Enough! Obedient ones... they aren't your match. There's no need for this provocation, Sagel. We have our own judgment."
Nasu Shurou scoffed and fell silent for a moment before continuing, "Your conditions, we need to negotiate. We can open a passage on the Red Line for you, but not for a navigable sea train. We will lay tracks to connect the front and back segments."
"Right."
As if they had discussed it beforehand, Peter nodded, "This sea train will be encrypted, and we will monitor the types of goods. You can do business, but you must pay a 30% toll as our 'Holy Land Maintenance Fund.'"
"Yes, and the tunnel exit will be in Shabondy. We will designate an area for you to use as a transit point."
Marz added, "Regarding the taxes you mentioned, we can agree to them. In the countries where you do business, we will impose a 5% 'Special Consumption Tax,' but 3% of that must be given to us as a 'Trade Security Fund.'"
"And immunity."
Worquli interjected, "During non-war periods, we can agree to your trade caravans not being pursued by the Marines. However, your bounties won't be removed. In return, we will allow you to establish trade on ten islands in non-allied territories."
"These are our conditions."
Garin said, "This is our sincerity, Sagel. As a pirate, and the first to negotiate with us, we have shown you enough goodwill."
"Is that so? I see plenty of traps."
Sagel sneered, "Paying taxes to you? I didn't agree to become an allied nation. If I pay taxes, how am I supposed to survive as a pirate? Laying tracks? That would put me completely under your control. And the non-allied territories? That's not even yours. If I go and take them, you can still play the good guys, right?"
"This isn't how negotiations should go. I bring economic vitality to the areas I control. I come with a mindset of mutual benefit."
Sagel bared his teeth, "The goods I bring will make people work harder. More goods mean easier and more substantial tax collection for you. Improved living conditions will reduce the number of people joining the Rebel Army, indirectly increasing stability for you. The value of this alone is immeasurable."
"Now you want more? Doing business is a two-way street. You get all the benefits, and I just get trade access?"
He leaned back heavily, propping his legs on the table. "Why don't you hear me out? The Red Line must remain open. I don't care if you don't want others to enter, but I need free access. If that's not possible, you can set up two Gates of Justice, with management rights only for you and me."
"No 30% maintenance fund, but I can agree to the special consumption tax, 5% as you said. I'll give in on this and follow your terms, giving you 3%."
"Most importantly..."
Sagel scanned the five elders, grinning menacingly, "You sought me out for these negotiations, not the other way around. If you don't agree to these conditions, then we will go back to our respective wars. We'll fight until we achieve our goals, no matter how long it takes."
He wasn't bluffing.
To achieve his goal, he truly didn't mind going to war with the World Government, which was currently being harassed by the Rebel Army.
Sagel had been selling weapons for a while now. While he couldn't guarantee a decisive victory, cutting off the World Government's weapon supply would definitely weaken their current war efforts.
If the Rebel Army found an opportunity to incite more rebellions in several affiliated countries, refusing to pay the Sky Gold, their reputation would suffer even more.
This wasn't just a simple conflict between the World Government and the Rebel Army. If the Rebel Army made progress, the resulting chain reactions would be massive.
Especially with Sagel's involvement.
The Five Elders exchanged glances, understanding the implications, and fell silent once more.
"Agree to it."
Just as they were communicating mentally, a voice intruded into their minds, making them all start in surprise.
"Mukade has seen it. Treat him like any other mortal. Agree to it."
The voice repeated, and they exchanged glances again.
"Agreed."
Worley's expression visibly relaxed. "Since this is what you want, we can agree. But you must ensure that you don't cause any more trouble during the transaction. Otherwise, it will lead to war, and we will fully mobilize against you."
"Ha ha ha ha! Boasting won't help. We've clashed before. If you could defeat me, wouldn't you have done it already? You still can't, can you?"
Sagel laughed heartily. "Don't worry. In my eyes, fighting and doing business are on the same level. As long as my business can expand, what you do is none of my concern."
"And—"
He paused, looking at the door. "Even though you agree, it won't be easy for you to easily agree to break through the Red Line, will it?"
"That's a massive project, and we certainly can't complete it ourselves."
Worley continued, "That's why we summoned Akainu. Sagel, as you said, strength is the key to everything. To quickly open up this continent, one person's power might not be enough, but two people's power—how you want to proceed is up to you."
"Right." Peter chimed in, looking at Sagel. "Of course, if you're afraid, you can go back. Our deal still stands, and you can stay in your territory."
"Trying to provoke me won't work, but it suits me just fine. Ha ha ha ha, I need to establish my position!"
Sagel clenched his fist, a fire burning in his eyes. He grinned and said, "Fine. We'll see who is the strongest in this world, whether it's the most powerful or the one with the strongest attack. It's time to find out!"
Bang!
With that, Sagel took a step, creating a sonic boom that shattered the glass and sent shockwaves rippling through the hall. He shot out, a black blur cutting through the air, and plunged off the cliff, plummeting downward.
"More arrogant than us?"
Garin looked at the hole in the wall and said calmly, "Dealing with such a stubborn guy will be a challenge for decades to come."
"Our master has already said he's no threat."
Worley said gravely, "Now, looking back, we overestimated him. Without Pluton, he's just another Rocks."
He glanced at Garin, "You fought Rocks before. How do you compare them?"
"Not much different."
Garin replied, "Equally arrogant and domineering, equally ambitious. While their methods differ, they're fundamentally the same. We don't need to pay too much attention to him. Perhaps one day—"
He smiled, "The same scene will play out again."
Rozairogy, representing the Pirates, and Garp, representing the Marines, clashed in Shimizu, leading to Rocks' downfall.
And now, the conditions are similar.
While the Four Emperors have a great reputation, in their eyes, considering Sagel, who has Pluton but only wants to do business, as another Rocks, the Straw Hat, who has already crossed the line, is also a significant threat.
He can represent the Pirates or those seeking the Final Island.
On the Marine side, a new representative will always emerge.
And they—
Shamrock might be a good choice.
Their strength isn't just that of the Marines or Shimizu; they have their own true power.
Not only have the Pirates and Marines entered a golden age, but they, Shimizu, are also full of outstanding individuals.
In comparison, they, who held high positions, were merely the standout figures of a few hundred years ago.
The Knights of God were their true foundation.
"Let them fight."
Nas Shurou tapped his head with his finger, "If Akainu wins, it's the choice of fate. That would also give that Catastrophe a break for a while."
Defeat doesn’t mean death.
Sagel’s special ability, they had experienced firsthand. The power of 'Life Return' was no less than their own regenerative abilities. However, Akainu was no weakling, and they had great confidence in him.
If they could drive Sagel back, that would be a good outcome, enough to keep Sagel holed up in his own lair.
As for winning, it would simply mean allowing trade as he suggested.
Agreeing to such terms would give them enough time to truly awaken the King of the Sea.
Once the adult fully mastered that power, Pluton would be nothing to fear.
With the power they possessed and the ample time they had, they could wait for that man to age and weaken. When that time came, it would be the moment of reckoning.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Sagel, in free fall from the sky, let out a maniacal laugh, descending rapidly like a black dot over the vast Red Line. The continent, taller than Skypiea, made him seem as if he were flying, looking down at the sea below.
His laughter echoed continuously from above the Red Line down to the sea, and just before he reached the ocean floor, a black cloud extended from beneath his cloak. As he leaned back, it supported him, gently placing him on the water's surface.
For him, the sky had a much higher margin of error than the sea. The Homing Birds were enough to let him fly around the world, which was one of the reasons for his confidence.
Wherever he was, he could always start over.
"Feeling pretty smug, aren't you, you evil brat?"
Just as he stopped, a stern voice sounded from behind him.
Scorching heat radiated from Sagel’s back, distorting the surrounding air.
Sagel turned his head and saw Akainu standing at the site of the crater in the former Red Port.
"I will not condone this, as it goes against justice!"
Molten lava flowed from half of Akainu’s body as he spoke, "Even the act of drilling through is a disgrace to me. So, let's fight. If you die, then nothing will come to fruition!"
"Ah, but if you die, the Marines will suffer a significant blow."
Sagel jumped down from the black cloud, entering the crater created by Poseidon, standing face to face with Akainu.
"Long ago, I wanted to face you. Back then, you were indeed stronger, but now, who knows?"
Sagel licked his lips and sneered, "I don't hold a grudge for your destruction of Ohara, but everything has its limits. The World Government didn’t arrange for you to find me; I would have come to you anyway."
Twenty-two years ago, Ohara was destroyed, and the one leading the team wasn’t Akainu. At the time, he was just one of the admirals, but his cruelty led him to destroy even the refugee ship.
This grudge had to be avenged.
As for the World Government arranging a fight between Akainu and him, Sagel didn’t mind the prospect of a battle of attrition.
They were bound to have a confrontation sooner or later. Either it would be after the passage was opened and their conflicts escalated into a large-scale battle, or now, while their agreement was still in the air.
As long as they fought, his business would run smoothly afterward.
After all, this guy wasn’t one to obediently drill through the Red Line.
Drilling through a continent that was two to three times wider than the Grand Line required immense power, and there were very few who could accomplish it. It wasn’t a matter of strength but rather of elemental attributes.
Kaido could do it, but it would be slower.
When it came to demolition, Tee was the best bet now.
Then there was Sagel himself.
On the Marine side, Akainu, with his unparalleled attack power and ability to turn everything into lava, was the best choice.
The World Government would inevitably assign him.
And Sagel wouldn’t obediently follow through; a fight was inevitable.
"It's been a while since I've fought."
Sagel cracked his neck, "I haven't found anyone worth a life-or-death battle. Those who fought me to the death are now dead. Your fate won't be much better."
Boom!
A White Cocoon enveloped Sagel, peeling away from the top to reveal his white hair dancing like flames.
The Fiftyfold Full Form instantly manifested.
Sagel spread his arms, his left heel touching his right toe, and sneered, "Let me see how strong the man with the strongest attack in the sea, the one who defeated Kuzan, truly is!"
Only a life-or-death battle could enhance his power!
(End of Chapter)
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