Chapter 58: Terrorist Assassination Order
Miss Fortune Sarahebi Takes Action!
Duke had just drawn two pieces of tank-busting equipment. After a moment's thought, he decided to equip them on Gangplank right away. At first, he considered giving Gangplank some defensive gear, because, in the real world, survival is key. But since the powerful weapons had been drawn, it would be a waste not to use them. Besides, Gangplank needed those weapons now more than ever.
In the New World, Gangplank could feel his strength growing stronger. With a glance at his pistol and machete, a wide grin spread across his face. He knew the "gift" he prepared for Big Mom was something she wouldn't forget.
Only fifteen days remained before Big Mom's tea party!
Meanwhile, Jim Volt, Brando, President Rum, and the others had finally found a way to pay Duke back. They might not be able to stop the Valoran United Chamber of Commerce from threatening their own business, but they could certainly deal with those causing them problems! In many cases, money could be turned into power.
"Hahahaha!"
"A bounty of three billion Berries, plus loads of information and manpower," they laughed. "This is really thrilling!"
In the New World, the funeral home's head undertaker, Piecro, grinned as he looked at the enormous assassination order that Jim Volt and the others from West Blue had put together. The smile stretched all the way to his ears.
"Dragon died in West Blue for a one-billion-Berries bounty," the Black Swordsman Freddy muttered coldly, wiping his long sword without glancing at the assassination order Piecro held. "And they can't even provide any useful intel!"
When it came to information, the intel from Jim Volt and his crew couldn't hold a candle to what Stussy, Queen of the Pleasure District, had given the funeral home.
And the bounty of three billion Berries? That was a fortune for ordinary folks or most pirates. But for the King of Killers Piecro and the Black Swordsman Freddy, it wasn't enough to impress them.
None of the Four Emperors in the New World had a bounty lower than three billion, but how many could actually be captured for that price?
"Marine Vice Admiral, the Shadow Stream Killer, the mafia that controls the West Blue underworld, and the Valoran Chamber of Commerce Alliance that dominates many of West Blue's chambers of commerce," Piecro said.
"And most importantly, their mysterious and powerful officers," Piecro chuckled, tearing up the assassination order that Volt and the others had put together. "Our target is a real big shot!"
"Big shot?" Freddy scoffed. "They all bleed and die the same way."
"The New World has settled down, and we've learned everything we need from Stussy's reports. Plus, the people we've recruited during this time," Freddy continued, still calmly polishing his sword. "It's time for the fools in West Blue to learn what real death is."
The Black Swordsman Freddy had cut down many so-called "big shots" with his sword. He was already tired of hearing their desperate cries as they died. Now, the funeral home was ready to enter West Blue and wipe out the Shadow Stream.
In the pirate world, there could only be one true king of killers.
"Hehehe, in the end, death is the final destination for all living things!" Piecro laughed sinisterly.
"However, sometimes we need to help those lost souls find their graves a little earlier," Piecro said with a sly smile.
"But now's not the time!"
"Big Mom's tea party is coming up soon, and if I don't show up, she'll be furious!"
"Let our guests live just a bit longer," he continued. "And let those fools who smell blood become our messengers of death, before we finally bury the Shadow Stream and the Valoran family!"
Refusing Big Mom's tea party wasn't an option. Even as the King of the Underworld, ignoring an invitation from one of the Four Emperors could lead to unforeseen consequences. The King of the Dark World was still just a king of shadows. The Four Emperors, however, ruled the seas, standing at the peak of the pirate world.
Piecro had no intention of angering Big Mom—he wouldn't dare. But before the funeral home fully committed to destroying the Shadow Stream in West Blue, Piecro had another plan. He would use that massive three-billion-Berries bounty to throw West Blue into chaos.
Let those money-hungry killers and pirates see just how strong the Valoran family and Duke really were!
Even though Stussy's information was thorough, it lacked the specifics of the Valoran family's officers. Piecro needed more details! For a killer, besides personal strength, intel was the most crucial weapon.
The assassination order for three billion Berries, arranged by Jim Volt and his associates, was deliberately spread far and wide by Piecro. It reached the darkest corners of the pirate world in no time.
Suddenly, countless killers, pirates, and bounty hunters—some even within the Marines or ruling small countries—became excited.
Three billion Berries might not mean much to the King of the Underworld or the elites of the pirate world, but for 99% of the people out there, it was enough to drive them mad with greed.
Most pirates, killers, and bounty hunters didn't sail the seas for some grand ambition or dream—they did it for the money. And now, the kind of wealth that could give them a life of luxury was dangling right in front of them.
All they had to do was kill one man: Valoran Duke, the leader of the Valoran family in West Blue.
"That money is mine!" they thought.
From all corners of the world, the Grand Line, and even the New World, hordes of killer pirates began to swarm towards West Blue, hungry for Duke's head.
As for the Valoran family's strength? Who cared?
In a world dominated by pirates, many believed they could just charge into the New World with sheer numbers, thinking cannons and gunpowder could take down the Four Emperors themselves.
Greed often made people blind. And only blood could make them see the harsh reality.
Duke furrowed his brow as he stared at the massive bounty on his head—three billion Berries.
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