285 Jinbei as Bargaining Chip

"Whitebeard, don't get too cocky. If there's a war, I'll make you pay a heavy price for it!" 

Big Mom said fiercely, glaring at Whitebeard.

Despite her anger, Big Mom refrained from threatening Whitebeard directly. She was well aware that she was no match for him.

Therefore, she could only issue threats at a cost. Facing Big Mom's threats, Whitebeard remained indifferent, knowing the situation very well.

A conflict with Big Mom seemed inevitable, whether she initiated it or not. Whitebeard knew this, and he was prepared to act when the time came—it was just a matter of time.

"Linlin, am I mistaken? If you want a Marine battleship, just deal with the Marine. Why come to me?"

"Furthermore, these five warships have a lot of use to me. You still want to take them away?"

With a cold gaze, Whitebeard looked at Big Mom as if questioning her motives.

"Damn Whitebeard!" 

Big Mom cursed silently.

But Big Mom's sons couldn't contain themselves any longer. They demanded war, eager to launch a direct attack on Whitebeard.

However, Big Mom refrained from acting immediately. She carefully analyses the situation before her. Despite their numerical advantage, she couldn't predict Whitebeard's next move.

After all, they were closer to Whitebeard's territory. There could be hidden forces lying in ambush nearby. Once a war starts here, it could lead to endless consequences.

The clash between two of the Four Emperors' forces would inevitably lead to destruction. This was an outcome Big Mom couldn't bear.

"Newgate, if you find this request unacceptable, you can always change to another thing." 

Big Mom suddenly wore a conspiratorial smile.

"Let's hear it," Whitebeard replied.

"How about giving me half of Blackbeard's territory?" suggested Big Mom

"Give it half to you?" 

Whitebeard seemed taken aback, as if he had heard something unbelievable.

This demand seemed odd, as half of the territory was larger than The Fishman Island itself. So, in essence, Big Mom would lose The Fishman Island but gain an even bigger territory?

Whitebeard thought he must have heard it wrong, and looked at Big Mom in surprise.

However, Big Mom's performance was very certain, "Yes, give me half of it, I can increase some chips to exchange with you."

Following that, Big Mom ordered for Jinbei to be brought forward. It appeared that she knew Jinbei's intentions quite well. Once he expressed a desire to leave a pirate group, he would definitely leave.

Therefore, Big Mom couldn't rely on Jinbei anymore. She simply uses him as a bargaining chip in the end.

"I'll exchange Jinbei with you. How about it? The former Warlord of the Sea, Jinbei, would undoubtedly be a great asset"

Big Mom proposed, appearing resolute in her determination to win the deal

Jinbei remained silent, casting a glance at Whitebeard. He was at a loss for words, with nothing to say at this moment.

Because this is a dilemma for him. If Whitebeard agrees to Big Mom's condition, then Jinbei will feel that he is dragging Whitebeard down.

If Whitebeard were to reject this condition, Jinbei would feel like he had no place in Whitebeard's heart.

However, Jinbei obviously didn't understand Whitebeard's thoughts, nor did he realize that Whitebeard had promised Shirahoshi to bring Jinbei onto his ship.

Even without Shirahoshi, Whitebeard also admired Jinbei very much.

"It turns out that Jinbei is with you, did you imprison him?" 

Whitebeard asked with a flat tone

"Mamaa-maama… this guy wants to leave my crew, but it's not that simple. If you agree to my earlier request, then I can let Jinbei go" 

Big Mom said with a happy smile.

"So, you've been holding Jinbei as your prisoner. No wonder there was no news of him from The Fishman Island before" 

Whitebeard said calmly.

A growing emotion swelled within Whitebeard, and a powerful aura of Conqueror's Haki surged, filling the space with an intimidating presence.

"Oyaji is angry." 

Because he was the closest to Whitebeard, Benjamin also clearly felt this change in Whitebeard aura

Benjamin shivered involuntarily as an unseen chill swept over him, like being plunged into icy waters.

"Linlin, I don't accept any of your requests. You've imprisoned Jinbei, and for that, I'll repay the debt on his behalf," 

Whitebeard declared, his tone chillingly resolute.

Whitebeard detests being threatened like this in his life. If he can't protect Jinbei through his own strength and must resort to so-called transactions, that was definitely a great insult to him.

"Whitebeard! What's your doing?" 

Big Mom asked suspiciously. She hadn't expected such a quick change in Whitebeard's attitude.

"Enough of this guy's shamelessness, Mom! Let me handle him!" 

Charlotte Katakuri said angrily.

As Big Mom's most powerful trump card, Charlotte Katakuri was always brimming with confidence. Even if he knew he wasn't Whitebeard's match, he still believed he could pull off a few tricks.

Especially now, with Whitebeard repeatedly disrespecting Big Mom, all of her crew members present felt deeply insulted.

But now, Charlotte Katakuri couldn't hold back anymore; he intended to declare the end of the negotiation through his actions.

Charlotte Katakuri leaped into the air and unleashed a huge punch covered with dense armament haki, using his Mochi-Mochi fruit, aimed directly at Whitebeard.

"Stop! Get back here, Katakuri!"

When Charlotte Katakuri attacked, Big Mom yelled anxiously. Though Katakuri has a high reputation in the Big Mom Pirates and is known as the 'Undefeated Big Brother', his action was still a risky move.

Despite Charlotte Katakuri's impressive bounty of one billion berries and powerful strength, any reputation pales in comparison to a true powerhouse like Whitebeard.

Moreover, Whitebeard's bounty is five times higher than Katakuri's, but it's obviously too late for Big Mom to stop him.

However, Whitebeard did not immediately take action. Instead, Benjamin took the lead in blocking Katakuri attack, and then summoned a shield of darkness with both palms.

The Dark Shield, unlike the Dark Vortex, is capable of withstanding physical damage without the ability to swallow, yet it can still nullify the effects of Devil Fruit abilities.

Katakuri's huge mochi fist collided with Benjamin's dark shield, sparking a powerful shockwave in an instant.

Benjamin was nearly pushed back by the force, yet as Whitebeard's close guard, stepping back now would diminish Whitebeard's face.

Hence, Benjamin fiercely resisted, but Charlotte Katakuri, being considerably stronger and more experienced, posed a significant challenge, especially considering Benjamin's relative lack of experience.

As a result, under the force of this impact, Benjamin quickly suffered internal injuries.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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