Chapter 152: Noir, I've Come To Bargain!

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Noir considered the offer. Becoming a Warlord of the Sea had definite advantages.

The Warlords were, in essence, a temporary group created to maintain a balance of power. Their eventual disbandment was inevitable.

As seen in the original storyline, after the Summit War of Marineford, piracy escalated, yet the Marines emerged victorious, their reputation soaring. 

This made the Warlords' position increasingly precarious, leading to their eventual dismissal, proposed by Fujitora and readily approved.

While the Warlords still held their precarious position, Noir was keen to exploit their privileges for some "legitimate" activities.

As a Warlord, he would gain the legal right to plunder. The constant pursuit by the Marines would cease, and he could even enlist their help for certain tasks.

The price for this freedom was his reputation and influence, which the Government desperately needed. He would also be obligated to assist the Marines in major incidents…

Of course, the extent of his cooperation would be up to him, much like a certain swordsman with a penchant for napping in boats.

The Warlord title would simplify his search for Noitem Kingdom and provide legal grounds for rebuilding his kingdom, much like Doflamingo had done with Dressrosa.

Though he liked the offer, Noir kept his expression neutral. He addressed the masked agent, "You think this one perk is enough to ransom Z, the others, and the Celestial Dragons?"

The masked agent, recognizing Noir's shrewdness, quickly added, "Of course not. The Warlord invitation is simply one component. We are prepared to offer a Beli ransom for the hostages in your possession."

Beli… Noir's interest waned. The agent continued, "However, 10 billion Beli per Celestial Dragon is excessive. The Government wishes to propose a more… reasonable amount."

Noir's eyes narrowed. "And what amount would that be?"

"And how do you intend to value the Marines?"

The masked agent paused, then stated, "Including the Marines, we propose 1 billion Beli per hostage, excluding rankless Marine soldiers."

Noir nearly exploded. 10 billion down to 1 billion?! That was a blatant lowball offer!

Had the World Government sent this clown to mock him?

The masked agent was sweating. There was no way around it – Noir, the kidnapping fiend, had taken far too many hostages.

He hurried to calm Noir, his voice tinged with desperation. "Please, remain calm. You are holding a significant number of individuals. 10 billion Beli per person is a sum we cannot readily produce."

Noir's face remained dark. No money? While he hadn't expected 10 billion per person, considering the Celestial Dragons' extravagant spending habits, 1 billion was an insult! He could earn that much selling a few Devil Fruits on the black market.

"I'm willing to waive the ransom for the rankless Marines," Noir said coldly. "But you'd better reconsider your offer for the others."

"Otherwise, I won't guarantee their survival."

The masked CP0 agent felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead. He mentally reviewed the list Sengoku had provided, along with the remaining thirty-four Celestial Dragons.

Noir had captured nine officers of Captain rank or higher, along with the former Admiral instructor, Z – making a total of ten high-value Marines. 

That, combined with the Celestial Dragons, meant forty-four hostages. If the ransom was 10 billion per person…

The agent couldn't bear to calculate the total. He gritted his teeth, cold sweat dripping down his back. "5 billion Beli per hostage. We cannot offer more!"

Although he held the advantage, Noir knew he couldn't push too far. If he cornered the Five Elders, they might be desperate enough to disregard the safety of the hostages and escalate the conflict.

Holding up his right hand, he signaled with nine fingers. "9 billion."

Lucci sighed internally. He knew Noir was providing an out for the Government, but this "out" was a rather steep cliff.

The agent's face, though unseen, flushed crimson. His mission was to persuade Noir to join the Warlords and then negotiate a ransom. The first part seemed to be progressing smoothly, but the ransom was proving problematic. The Government's budget was tight. If he overspent, the Five Elders might unleash Sengoku, who was practically foaming at the mouth for revenge.

The CP0 agent's jaw clenched so tightly he thought his teeth might shatter. His voice trembled slightly. "7 billion! We absolutely cannot go higher!"

Noir was surprised. Could the Government be this strapped for cash? While the World Government maintained the Marines across the four Blues, the Cipher Pol agencies, and the Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise, all considerable expenses, they also received the Heavenly Tribute from every nation under their control. Surely, that must amount to… a significant sum?

Then Noir remembered. This year's Heavenly Tribute had never reached the Government's coffers. He had intercepted it.

Well, that certainly explained their sudden lack of liquidity.

Fighting back a grin, Noir feigned further hesitation, driving the masked agent to the brink of a Conqueror's Haki eruption, before finally relenting.

"Seeing as the World Government is so eager to cooperate," he conceded, "7 billion… is acceptable."

Despite securing the agreement, the agent felt a wave of dizziness, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his mouth. 7 billion Beli! That was more than the bounty on a Yonko!

If not for his last vestiges of professionalism, he would have lunged at Noir, regardless of the inevitable beating he would receive. Given the choice between ransoming Celestial Dragons and putting a bounty on a Yonko, he'd choose the latter every time.

Noir, on the other hand, felt a surge of satisfaction. He'd practiced negotiations with Nami countless times, but this was his first major business deal, and it was exhilarating.

The masked agent composed himself, though his normally ramrod-straight posture was now slightly stooped, and his voice was weary.

"Mr… Devil Noir," he asked, "when shall we proceed with the exchange?"

Noir waved his hand dismissively. "No rush. Let's wait until I've reached a secure location."

Suspicion laced the agent's voice. "Mr. Devil Noir, you aren't intending to renege on our agreement, are you?"

Noir rolled his eyes. They haven't even paid yet. How can I renege?

"After the funds have been transferred," he stated, "and after the news of my Warlord appointment has been published in the newspapers, you'll receive further instructions."

"I will then disclose the method for the hostage exchange."

The agent's expression darkened further. With Noir dictating the terms, he wasn't certain if Fleet Admiral Sengoku's plans would remain viable. It seemed the Admiral's planned retaliation might be thwarted before it even began.

This Devil Noir, cunning as a fox, was always several steps ahead…

The masked agent felt a pang of unease, his faith in the Government wavering. Was recruiting this defiant and unpredictable criminal into the Warlords a good decision?

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