Chapter 153: Joint Attack on Member Nations

As the islands surrounding the Baikal Kingdom were continuously occupied by the Infinity Pirates, it seemed as if their kingdom was being encircled by the pirates' territory.

In this situation, they requested support from the World Government and the Navy, but since the Infinity Pirates hadn't invaded the Baikal Kingdom and the Navy was needed in many places across the seas, their request was inevitably denied.

"Li Yuan, the opportunity you've been waiting for has arrived!"

One day, Shakky came to Onigashima, excitedly bringing the news to Li Yuan.

"Is it Shiki and John?"

Li Yuan asked after letting Yinwa leave.

"Yes, it's them. However, I think you might also want to bring Wald into this. He's been clashing with the Navy a lot lately, and if you invite him, he probably won't refuse."

Shakky suggested.

"Sure, I'll give it a try!"

Li Yuan nodded. The more people involved in such matters, the better.

Then, Li Yuan took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed Shiki's number.

"Jihahahaha, Li Yuan, what can I do for you?"

On the other end, a familiar laugh quickly came through.

"Shiki, the World Government member nation, the Kingdom of Atia, is blocking your expansion path, isn't it? Would you like to take over the Kingdom of Atia completely?"

Li Yuan laughed.

"Li Yuan, of course, I'd like to conquer the Kingdom of Atia, but the Navy isn't just sitting around. If I act, the Navy might destroy everything I've worked hard to build."

Shiki said.

Li Yuan knew that Shiki's claim was a bluff. His Float-Float Fruit-created flying pirate crew wasn't afraid of the Navy; if things got tough, they'd just escape to the skies above the Calm Belt, where the Navy couldn't reach them.

"Haha, what about the Navy? We're not afraid of a single admiral; we're only concerned if two admirals come to besiege us."

"The Baikal Kingdom, a World Government member nation, is also blocking my expansion, and John is in the same situation."

"If the three of us simultaneously invade the World Government member nations on our territories, the Navy can only deploy three top forces. We wouldn't need to fear them, would we?"

Li Yuan shared his plan with a smile.

The Infinity Pirates alone might not yet be a match for the Navy, but if three former Rocks Pirates officers joined forces, they could certainly hold their ground against the Navy.

That was the strength of the former Rocks Pirates—each combat officer was capable of standing against a Navy admiral!

"Jihahahaha, Li Yuan, you make it sound easy. What if the Navy doesn't split its forces and decides to focus on taking down one of us as a warning?"

Shiki was smart enough to see the flaw in the plan despite the tempting benefits.

"To plunder a World Government member nation, you naturally have to take risks. Each member nation's wealth is immense. If you're not willing to take this risk, you might as well not target them at all."

"But you have a point. We can agree that if the Navy indeed launches a full-scale attack on one of our crews, the others will help that crew get through the crisis. How about that?"

Li Yuan proposed.

"Jihahahaha, Li Yuan, you're right: high reward, high risk. If you can get John on board, I'm in!"

Shiki laughed heartily.

Even if the Navy went all out against him, he wasn't afraid—escaping was his forte!

The ones who should be worried about being targeted by the Navy were Li Yuan and John, as Shiki held the initiative.

"Don't worry, that money-hungry John won't refuse our offer!"

Li Yuan smiled slightly and hung up the Den Den Mushi.

The alluring wealth of a World Government member nation was something no former Rocks Pirates officer could resist.

They had tasted such rewards before, and conquering a member nation could yield several times the profit of taking over ten non-member nations!

Before the Rocks Pirates rose to power, they might have feared member nations. But after experiencing the Rocks Pirates era, they had long since cast aside that fear.

They had grown stronger, their horizons had broadened, and their courage and ambition had expanded as well.

In the New World, territory was limited, and once they claimed all available lands, they would inevitably clash with other pirates and member nations.

Compared to fellow former Rocks officers, they found member nations more manageable.

They were confident they could defeat and consume them, provided they handled the Navy and World Government's retaliation properly.

"Hey, John, long time no see!!"

Li Yuan quickly contacted John through the Den Den Mushi.

"Yohohoho, Li Yuan, what brings you to me?"

John laughed. His relationship with Li Yuan wasn't particularly good or bad; they simply had differing stances back then.

"I'm here for a good reason. The World Government member nation, the Kingdom of Jamison, is blocking your expansion path, isn't it? Interested in taking over Jamison too?"

Li Yuan laughed.

"Yohohoho, Li Yuan, you have a plan for me, don't you?"

John sensed Li Yuan's tempting offer.

"Shiki and I are in the same boat—both our expansion paths are blocked by member nations."

"So Shiki and I agreed to attack the member nations together, and we want to invite you to join this temporary alliance."

"If the three of us simultaneously attack member nations, even if the Navy comes to their aid, they would have to split their forces."

"The Navy can only deploy three top forces. We wouldn't be afraid of facing one alone."

"If the Navy insists on targeting one of us, the other two will assist."

"What do you say? Will you join us?"

Li Yuan conveyed the result of his discussion with Shiki, mentioning that Shiki had already agreed, making it three minus one, missing only John.

"Yohohoho, Li Yuan, your plan sounds good, but how do I know you'll really come to my aid if the Navy besieges me?"

John asked cautiously.

After all, his relationship with Shiki and Li Yuan hadn't been great, and he couldn't be sure they wouldn't abandon him.

"John, we're pirates. A pirate's word isn't as trustworthy as mutual interests."

"As long as we share the same interests, I wouldn't sacrifice my own to harm you."

"Likewise, think about it: if I were besieged, would you come to help me?"

"If you wouldn't, then next time there's a good opportunity, I won't invite you."

Li Yuan spoke calmly.

Pirates valued profit, not trustworthiness.

"Yohohoho, Li Yuan, I agree with your proposal. When do we take action?"

Li Yuan's words reminded John, who was lost in the allure of profit, leading him to agree decisively.

"To be safe, I'll also invite Wald. If all goes well, tomorrow—after convincing Wald, I'll notify you."

Li Yuan laughed.

With the Navy's three top forces, he, John, and Shiki were a perfect match.

But Li Yuan disliked "just right"; he preferred "foolproof."

"Yohohoho, Li Yuan, I'll await your good news."

John laughed.

After ending the call with John, Li Yuan contacted Wald.

Wald was different from other pirates; he disliked occupying territory and enjoyed causing destruction.

Especially when it came to disrupting Navy and World Government operations.

For instance, he had disrupted the construction of new Navy fortresses multiple times.

He had also invaded World Government member nations but was eventually driven out by the Navy and World Government.

In short, Wald was purely interested in disrupting the world, with the World Government and Navy as prime targets.

"Hello, Li Yuan?"

Wald's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.

He and Li Yuan hadn't interacted much, and he only had Li Yuan's number because they were both former Rocks Pirates officers.

"Wald, it's me, Li Yuan."

"I have a temporary alliance proposal and want to invite you."

"John, Shiki, and I have agreed to simultaneously invade World Government member nations, leaving the Navy stretched thin."

Li Yuan explained the plan again.

"Hahahaha, Li Yuan, I'm in. When do we start?"

Unlike the cautious Shiki and John, Wald was more reckless, agreeing without hesitation or concern for deception.

"Let's set it for tomorrow at noon!"

Li Yuan smiled as Wald agreed.

He enjoyed dealing with reckless people like Wald, who agreed easily without requiring much persuasion.

"Alright, I understand. Before we act tomorrow at noon, I'll call to confirm and ensure everything's set."

Wald said.

After hanging up with Wald, Li Yuan called Shiki and John again to confirm the temporary alliance.

With the plan in place, Li Yuan immediately gathered all the captains of the Infinity Pirates for a meeting.

Soon, all the captains arrived. The number of captains remained the same as last year, with no increase in their ranks.

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