Chapter 111: Taking Ace As Deputy Captain

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"Mr. Chiba, I think it's time for us to discuss a real partnership," Doflamingo said, pushing aside his earlier regrets and feeling a surge of excitement.

Chiba raised an eyebrow, "Isn't what we're doing now a real partnership?"

"Fuffuffuffu, Mr. Chiba, you're underestimating both yourself and me, Doflamingo. Our previous cooperation was nothing," Doflamingo replied, eyes gleaming with ambition.

"Oh? What other plans do you have in mind, Mr. Dover?"

"My plan is to promote Chiba-kun's man-made Devil Fruits worldwide and form a massive industry—a man-made Devil Fruit industrial chain."

"Devil Fruits would no longer be rare. With enough money, anyone could buy them. And those controlling the Devil Fruit industry would be Mr. Chiba and Doflamingo," he said, his excitement palpable.

Chiba shook his head, "That's impossible. The Devil Fruits I create are limited and can't be mass-produced. Forming an industrial chain is out of the question."

"Don't worry about that, Mr. Chiba. My SMILE factory can produce Devil Fruits too. With your technical support, I believe production can increase significantly."

"As a technical investor, Mr. Chiba, I'll offer you 30% of the profits from each Devil Fruit sold."

Chiba rubbed his chin, considering, then smiled, "Well, I'd like to see the strength of Mr. Dover first."

"My strength is undeniable. I control the underworld of the sea, have connections with Kaido's pirate ship and the Marines, and the market is vast."

"The demand for Devil Fruits is enormous. Each one can fetch a high price, especially those made by Mr. Chiba."

"I'm also planning a grand duel, where the winner can receive one of our Devil Fruits."

"I request Mr. Chiba to make a famous Devil Fruit, like the Lava-Lava Fruit or the Mera-Mera Fruit."

"Of course, anything made by Mr. Chiba would shock the entire sea world, spreading our business far and wide," Doflamingo said enthusiastically.

Chiba shook his head, "The business sounds good, but I want 70% of the profits. Less than that, and we don't need to cooperate. With my technology, many would be eager to work with me."

Doflamingo's smile stiffened, and after a long pause, he laughed, "Let's talk. Mr. Chiba is a shrewd businessman. Okay, 70% it is."

Though he laughed outwardly, Doflamingo inwardly cursed Chiba's ancestors. But with technology in Chiba's hands, he had little choice.

Once he acquired Chiba's technology, he planned to go his own way.

"Mr. Dover, you're quite generous," Chiba chuckled, planning to leverage Doflamingo's influence to launch his Devil Fruit brand before eventually branching out independently.

With that, Chiba and Doflamingo entered into a friendly, deep cooperation.

At that moment, someone reported, "Master Chiba, a group of pirates has arrived on Daughter Island, led by someone named Ace, seeking to meet you."

"Ace?" Chiba's face lit up with a grin, "What a pleasant surprise. Ace, who fought at the Summit War and kicked Akainu away."

"Akainu is a Marine Admiral, undeniably strong. The Mera-Mera Fruit's fame skyrocketed after that battle, becoming an Internet celebrity fruit."

"In terms of popularity, the Mera-Mera Fruit is second to none. Its flashy skills make it perfect for promotion."

Chiba laughed, "Quickly, invite my good brother Ace in. No, I'll meet him personally."

Chiba strode out, while Doflamingo's face soured. When he arrived, Chiba hid. Now, Chiba was personally greeting Ace. It felt like a slight.

Plus, that b*****d Ace had kicked him during the Summit War. With his strength now improved, he could reclaim his position.

But for now, he needed Chiba's cooperation to create the artificial Mera-Mera Fruit. For the Donquixote Family's future, he'd endure.

Doflamingo joined Chiba to meet Ace.

From a distance, Chiba saw a group stopped by Daughter Island's soldiers on the coast.

The captains of the Whitebeard Pirates, including Ace, Marco, Joz, and Vista, were all there.

"Haha, Ace!" Chiba shouted, opening his arms, walking towards Ace with a big smile.

"Hahaha, Chiba!" Ace responded, arms open, quickly approaching.

The two embraced fiercely, then punched each other playfully.

Chiba took half a step back, feigning hurt, "You put too much strength, trying to kill your elder brother?"

Ace, taking three steps back, laughed, "For you, my punch is just a tickle. But your punch was heavy. Seems your strength's improved since we last met."

"Likewise. Let's not stand here, let's go drink. Koby, greet Marco and the others."

"Hancock, prepare a banquet. We must drink until we're down today."

Chiba laughed excitedly, eager to reminisce with Ace after so long.

Chiba grabbed a wine jar, took a few gulps, then threw it to Ace. Ace caught it, drank deeply, and smiled, "It's been too long."

"Come, eat." Chiba tossed a massive roast lamb chop to Ace, who caught it and started eating. They drank and ate, competing in good spirits.

The feast lasted an hour. Ace consumed seven or eight thousand catties of meat, Chiba nearly ten thousand.

Their powerful bodies converted the food into pure energy, fueling their cells.

Marco, Joz, and others learned from Koby that he had eaten the Shock Fruit. They were moved, warming up to Koby, and soon he was among friends.

Laughing, they felt a sense of belonging, reminiscent of their time with Whitebeard.

Perhaps joining Chiba wasn't a bad idea after all.

After the feast, Ace and Chiba lay on the mountain grass, gazing at the starry sky.

"Ace, when was the last time we watched the stars like this?" Chiba asked.

"Six or seven years ago, maybe? We were young. I remember you were weaker than Luffy and always wanted to be a Marine, not a pirate."

"When Shanks visited Windmill Town, you even told him you'd stop him if he took Luffy to become a pirate."

"Later, when I learned Shanks was a Yonko, I laughed at you for being a fearless calf challenging a tiger. Threatening a Yonko, not knowing anything."

Chiba smiled, "Those were the days. Shanks probably forgot."

"Hehe, you're wrong. Shanks remembers. When I met him, he talked about you, describing your expressions and telling me to tell you to catch him."

"Hehe, catch him? That's a joke. If I met him, he'd probably catch me to work for him."

"You're right. From his expression, Shanks would recruit you. You'd probably end up fighting."

"But I found you before he did."

Chiba retorted, "That's no skill. My life is tied to yours. Of course you'd find me."

"Hey, don't ruin my dignity in front of Marco and the others."

"Alright, alright, you're the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates. I'll praise your wisdom."

"Don't exaggerate. Just nod to whatever I say."

"Alright, whatever you want."

"Hehe, don't go back on your word."

"Whoever does is the grandson," Chiba assured, seeing Ace's excitement.

The brothers chatted all night, Ace recounting pirate adventures and near-death escapes. Chiba marveled that Ace survived.

By morning, they descended the mountain. Marco, Joz, and others were awake, and Ace brought the pirate ship to Chiba.

Ace signaled for Chiba, who nodded, thinking, "Ace is so vain, making this grand with everyone around. But he's my brother, and I promised."

Ace addressed Chiba, "Chiba, am I wise?"

"Wise, very wise. I've never seen a wiser captain," Chiba praised, giving Ace a thumbs up. "You're lucky to have such a bright captain."

Despite feeling a bit disgusted, Ace's smile grew, making Chiba embarrassed.

"Chiba, are my crew good?"

"Yes, Ace, they're strong and good."

"Then let us be your crew, okay?"

"Okay, the crew is very good..." Chiba paused, realizing he'd been tricked.

Everyone heard, cheering, "Captain Chiba, Captain Chiba..."

Chiba was stunned. What's happening?

Ace smiled at him, and Chiba's face darkened. Ace pulled him aside, "Chiba, you promised to be our captain. Whoever goes back on their word is the grandson."

Chiba scowled, "Okay, Ace, you tricked me."

"Captain, you agreed. If not, you're my grandson."

"Sun your mother's head." Chiba punched Ace, giving him a black eye.

Ace retaliated, "Chiba, you're serious."

They scuffled, neither using Haki, relying on physical strength, seeing who could take more hits.

Marco and others watched, puzzled.

"What are they doing?" Joz asked.

"Fighting, I think," Marco speculated. This kind of physical-only fighting was just brawling.

Ace lost five teeth, his face a swollen mess. Chiba's eyes were black, but his robust body healed quickly.

"Stop, stop, stop," Ace pleaded, "Your body's too tough."

Chiba punched him twice more, "For tricking me."

"Damn, Chiba, enough. I surrender."

"Who told you to trick me?" Chiba retorted.

"Think about it, be our captain. You said you'd make me deputy captain."

"I meant for you, not them."

"If you want me, you get them."

"Fine. If you agree to be our captain, name your terms."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

"Alright, I want to study everyone's blood and fruit abilities, including yours."

"Haven't you already studied me?"

"Stop stalling. Do you agree?"

"Yes, yes."

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.