Chapter 254: The Final Negotiation (Part 2)
Ian rested his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist and said, "Since you've agreed in principle, then why didn't you send a bat message? Why send people here instead?"
"Because there are still many issues where we haven't reached a consensus!" the masked man said. "You have to understand, the authority of a Warlord is immense. Once you become a Warlord, the Marines and the World Government will recognize your pirate enterprise, cancel your bounty, and all crimes committed by your subordinates will be pardoned. Ships flying your pirate flag can pass unhindered through any waters under Marine jurisdiction. Some resources of the Marines and the World Government can also be shared with you. The territories, islands, or countries under a Warlord's protection will not be subject to any Marine inspection or interference. The World Government and the Marines grant you legal plundering rights, requiring only that you hand over a portion of the plundered property to the World Government."
"Hmm, it does sound like a lot of power," Ian said, tilting his head thoughtfully. "But what does that have to do with the consensus you mentioned?"
"Simple. It has always been the Warlords who hand over property to the World Government, never the other way around," the masked man said. "The 20 billion Berries you're asking for is far too much!"
"Don't get it twisted!" Ian snorted coldly. "This money isn't a demand; it's a ransom. It's the payment for the Celestial Dragons to buy back the Identity Chip from me!"
The masked man fell silent, unsure how to respond. Then he reached into his coat.
Because of this movement, all the members of the Dragon Hunter Pirates on the ship simultaneously aimed their guns, swords, and blades at him!
The masked man didn't panic. He said, "I'm just trying to take out a Den Den Mushi. Perhaps it would be better for you, Captain Ian, to speak directly with the Five Elders."
As he spoke, he pulled out a large Den Den Mushi.
Ian was a bit surprised. From the masked man's words, it seemed he didn't have the authority to make decisions. He was probably just here to deliver this Den Den Mushi.
Taking the Den Den Mushi, Ian heard it make a "purupuru" sound after a moment, and its face transformed into one with a beard. Ian didn't ask any questions and picked up the receiver.
"Is this 'Black Dragon' Ian?" the Den Den Mushi said in a voice that sounded very old.
Ian scratched his ear and said, "Can I just say that nickname is terrible?"
"Put the nickname issue aside for now, young man," the voice said. "Although Fleet Admiral Sengoku strongly opposed your joining the Seven Warlords, strangely enough, all the other Warlord members expressed their full support. I'm very curious. Can you tell me the reason for this?"
Ian was stunned. Sengoku opposed me joining the Seven Warlords? What the hell?
And what's this about all the Warlords supporting me? In my calculations, only Boa Hancock, Sea Knight Jinbe, and Kuma would support me... Well, maybe Doflamingo too, but what about the other three Warlords?
However, Ian replied, "I wouldn't know about that. Maybe they all think I'm handsome and want to raise the average attractiveness of the Warlords?"
Fujitora, standing nearby, almost laughed. It wasn't about raising the average attractiveness; it was probably about lowering the average age, right?
"... " The Five Elders on the other end were momentarily at a loss for words. Finally, they said, "Well, regardless, we can allow you to take Bartholomew Kuma's position. But correspondingly, you must agree to our conditions. The name 'Dragon Hunter Pirates' must be changed..."
"Impossible!" Ian said bluntly. "I've never heard of a pirate crew changing its name. My crew hasn't reached the point of needing a new captain!"
Hearing this, the members of the Dragon Hunter Pirates laughed along. In this crew, no one else could become captain, not even Fujitora. The foundation of this crew was the slaves who escaped from Mary Geoise. Besides Ian, their benefactor, they wouldn't submit to anyone else.
"... " Another silence from the other end. Although the name "Dragon Hunter Pirates" indeed caused the Celestial Dragons great concern, as Ian said, a pirate crew usually doesn't change its name unless there's internal strife and someone else takes over as captain.
"No room for negotiation?" the Five Elders asked. "If that's the case, then you won't be able to join the Seven Warlords."
"Fine, if I can't join, I can't join," Ian said. "With a bounty of 650 million Berries, I can easily find one of the Four Emperors in the New World to pledge allegiance to. But for you, the problem is probably much bigger, isn't it? Let me think... The original founders... this time, it seems another family is about to be cut down, right?"
This was Ian's leverage, but it was the World Government's weak spot. Refusing Ian's entry into the Seven Warlords would be easy, as it was entirely the World Government's decision. But then the Identity Chip would never be recovered. Although the World Government could send Marines to continue hunting the Dragon Hunter Pirates, who knew how long it would take to capture them? Could the Celestial Dragons wait that long?
The initiative in this negotiation was actually in Ian's hands. Of course, this was something he had earned through his battle with Kizaru on Salamis Island. If Ian's strength were lacking, he wouldn't have this kind of confidence.
Thinking this, the Five Elders speaking with Ian decisively decided to stop arguing about the crew's name. "Fine, we can set aside the name issue for now. Let's talk about the 20 billion Berries. We've already made a concession; this amount must be reduced! Remember, this much money is equivalent to the Heavenly Tribute contributed by two countries!"
"How much are you willing to give?" Ian asked.
"2 billion Berries!" the Five Elders said.
"Impossible!" Ian shook his head directly. Regarding the money, Ian had his own considerations. His bottom line was actually 10 billion Berries, as that was exactly the amount needed to unlock the Supreme VIP. The 20 billion was just his opening offer, giving them room to bargain. But offering only 2 billion was far below his expectations.
So he said, "I don't want to argue anymore. 10 billion Berries is my final bottom line. If you agree, then the deal is done. If not, then there's nothing more to discuss."
"... " Another silence from the other end. Ian could faintly hear some sounds, as if the Five Elders were negotiating among themselves. He wasn't in a hurry and waited quietly.
"Fine, the deal is done!" After a long while, the voice spoke again. "The news will report your joining the Seven Warlords shortly. As for the money, you'll need to come to Marine Headquarters. After you hand over the Identity Chip, it will be paid to you."
"Come on, I'm not stupid!" Ian scoffed. "Go to Marine Headquarters? Don't be ridiculous. What if I get captured the moment I arrive?"
"We've already said we'll report this in the news!" the Five Elders said, a bit annoyed.
But how could Ian possibly trust them? Remember, the World Government controls public opinion. In Ian's memory, even the news of Doflamingo's later abdication, which appeared in the newspapers, was eventually denied by CP0 as fake news, and that was the end of it.
If Ian actually believed them and went to Marine Headquarters after the news came out, only to be surrounded by the three Marine Admirals and captured, and then the World Government released another news story denying it, he'd have no one to cry to.
Ian didn't trust the World Government, which sided with the Celestial Dragons. So he said directly, "Even if the news comes out, I won't be showing my face at Marine Headquarters anytime soon. You want the Identity Chip? Simple. Give me the money first, and then I'll give you an address. You can go find it yourselves!"
This was Ian's plan. He wanted the news of him becoming a Warlord to spread across the world for a while. Once everyone had formed a consensus and knew about it, he might consider showing up somewhere. By then, even if the World Government tried to manipulate public opinion and deny it, it wouldn't work. After all, you can't release a news story and then, months later, claim it was fake, right?
By that time, Ian's status as a Warlord would be truly solidified. If the World Government didn't want to cause unrest among the other Warlords, they wouldn't be able to make a move against him anymore.
"Damn it, this brat is really cunning!" the Five Elders speaking with Ian thought to themselves.
But they had no choice. Ian's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. If the Five Elders didn't want this agreement to fall through, they had to agree.
Thinking it over carefully, if they truly intended to let Ian join the Seven Warlords, these conditions were not unreasonable. Ian becoming a Warlord would not only bring back the Identity Chip but also add a powerful ally for the World Government and the Marines. After all, Ian's strength was evident, placing him at least in the mid-to-upper tier among the Warlords.
This was beneficial for the World Government. Having ruled the World Government for so many years, the Five Elders could clearly distinguish between pros and cons. So, in the end, they agreed.
Only after Ian hung up the receiver did the entire matter come to a close. Once the news report came out, Ian's status as a Warlord would be known to the world.
The CP0 agents left on their ship. After they departed, Fujitora said, "So, my bounty will also be canceled. It's a bit of a shame, actually. That bounty was a kind of recognition for me..."
Ian smiled and said, "Even if it's canceled, it doesn't matter. Those who remember will always know. An original bounty of 500 million Berries... Haha, Uncle Fujitora, that's not bad either!"
"What do we do next?" Fujitora asked. "Every Warlord has their own territory. Should we do the same?"
"Indeed, it's time to have our own territory," Ian nodded...