Chapter 30

Title: Dear Brothers, I Offended You So Much Just Now. I'm Sorry!

As Xilan came to a halt, astonishment gripped everyone present.

It appeared that Whitebeard possessed a Paramecia Money Money Fruit ability, for the mere mention of 10 billion berries offer had immobilized Xilan.

Dad was indeed formidable, but his tactics were truly terrifying!

An eerie silence settled over the scene, broken only by Xilan's hesitant coughing. "Whitebeard, the 10 billion berries were meant for Ace alone, and as for the others..."

"To be honest," he continued sternly, "I accepted Sengoku's mission this time. In the past, I might have spared you for the sake of 10 billion berries, but circumstances have changed. You all need to consider that..."

"I require more," Xilan concluded.

Everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates: "..." The members of the Whitebeard Pirates exchanged baffled glances.

It sounded grandiose, but in the end, it was all about money.

Truth be told, greed for money was not uncommon among pirates. Over 99% of them were driven by the allure of wealth. However, a Marine like Xilan, who valued money above all else, was a rare breed.

For money, he was willing to cast aside his position and reputation.

For money, he would even be defeated by individuals as seemingly insignificant as Doflamingo.

For money, he could forsake his principles and convictions.

"No problem, old man. I'll add another 5 billion berries."

Whitebeard wielded his monetary power once more, raising five fingers in a gesture of acquiescence.

Hearing Whitebeard's words, he couldn't help but extend a clenched fist towards Marco and the others. "My apologies, brothers, for my earlier behavior."

"I, after all, am a mere wage earner under Sengoku. I hope you can comprehend the challenges I face," Xilan added.

After his brief apology, Xilan retrieved some long-hidden, top-quality cigars from his person, distributing one to each person present. He took the responsibility of lighting them and even took a moment to straighten Marco's disheveled collar.

Marco and the others were rendered speechless. It seemed that Xilan could be swayed with a sum of 15 billion berries.

Ace's eyes narrowed. Could he make Xilan kneel and confess with 30 billion berries? The shadow cast upon him ran deep.

Upon reflection, Xilan had profited a total of 111.5 billion berries from Ace. The Whitebeard Pirates were undeniably wealthy, with vast control over most of the islands in the New World. They collected exorbitant protection fees annually and frequently plundered other pirate crews. Earning tens of billions of berries each year was a relatively effortless feat, demonstrating their immense wealth.

Nonetheless, even the wealthiest had limits to their expenditures.

"Everyone step aside; I have matters to discuss with Xilan," Whitebeard ordered, prompting Marco and the others to hesitate.

They couldn't help but worry that Xilan might pose a threat to Whitebeard.

"Don't worry; we still have plenty of money," Whitebeard reassured them with a faint smile. Decades prior, during the God Valley Incident, he had entered into a pact with Xilan. From that moment forward, Whitebeard had developed a penchant for saving money.

In this world, there were four major conglomerates: the Whitebeard Pirates' Save the Children Foundation, the Hundred Beasts Ltd. of Wano Country, the Linlin Group of Cake Island, and the Redhead Shanks Brotherhood. Among them, the Whitebeard Pirates were the wealthiest, while the Redhead Brotherhood was the poorest.

Xilan despised negotiating deals with redheads and their penchant for haggling, turning even a billion berries offer into 50 million for you, a practice he found revolting.

"I was defeated, not with a scheme, but by that guy coming at me head-on," Whitebeard lamented, a shadow crossing his eyes.

Xilan regarded Whitebeard with complex emotions—a once formidable rival, now softened by the passage of time.

"I have a favor to ask of you," Whitebeard suddenly interjected, cutting off any response from Xilan. In the next moment, Whitebeard unveiled the esoteric-level awakening ability of the Money Fruit: "It's settled; I will pay you an additional 15 billion berries, making it a total profit of 30 billion berries."

This revelation left Xilan dumbfounded. Just how wealthy were these Whitebeard Pirate bastards? Should he simply rob them?

But before Xilan could voice his thoughts "In business, one must uphold principles and reputation..." was the conclusion he reached.

Xilan shook his head, abandoning the topic at hand, and ventured to ask, "You want my assistance in taking down Blackbeard, don't you? You were hesitating over 2 billion berries before; how did it jump to 15 billion berries this time?"

When things went awry, someone had to take the blame, and, in truth, Xilan was a rather frugal individual.

"I didn't lose to Teach; that man has the soul of Rocks within him," Whitebeard explained with a bitter tone, the mention of Rocks reigniting the pain of old wounds on his body.

"Rocks?!" Xilan gasped. As a time traveler, he was well aware of Blackbeard's peculiarity, but he had no idea such a significant figure resided within his being.

During the God Valley Incident, Xilan had delivered a fatal punch to the man's head, resulting in his instantaneous demise.

"That man can still manipulate souls?" Xilan questioned skeptically. Back then, Rocks possessed a Devil Fruit power as well. Like Blackbeard, he wielded an array of Devil Fruit abilities, even more than Blackbeard himself.

"No, he cannot," Whitebeard clarified. "Do not forget that, apart from me and Rocks, there was another figure within the Rocks Pirates that should not be underestimated."

A plump visage immediately came to Xilan's mind, and he blurted out, "Big Mom?"

Big Mom was the user of the Soul-Soul Fruit, granting her control over souls...

—

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