Luffy, how can you become the Pirate King if you don't work hard!

He was exceptionally tall and imposing, holding a thick book in his arms, silently looking down at the jubilant crowd below, exuding an invisible sense of oppression.

"Luffy?"

Nami was the first to notice Luffy's unusual behavior. Following his gaze, she also saw the blurry figure and her heart tightened. "Who is that? Is it an enemy?"

"Ah, this aura is exactly the same as the one that appeared with Shiki before. This must be the guy who took Shiki away," Luffy said.

Robin's expression also turned serious. She was very knowledgeable and her understanding of the World Government far exceeded that of ordinary people.

"The person who could send a legendary pirate like Shiki to Impel Down must have close ties with the World Government. If so, they are most likely an enemy."

"So the battle isn't over yet?"

Chopper and Usopp huddled together.

They just defeated the Seven Warlords of the Sea, so why is there another guy who might be even more terrifying than the Seven Warlords?

At the same time, the tall figure was none other than Bartholomew Kuma, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

He watched Luffy and Moria's battle from beginning to end and also dealt with Moria's subordinates a little.

He slowly pulled out a Den Den Mushi that was making a soft, whirring sound.

The moment the Den Den Mushi is connected, it simulates the face of a dignified and indifferent old man.

“Bartholomew Bear,”

The voice of Jaigolusia Satan, one of the Five Elders, came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, carrying an unquestionable air of authority: "What's the situation? Is Moria still alive?"

The bear's gaze swept over Moria, who was half-buried in the rubble below. He seemed to be breathing, but not exhaling.

“He’s still breathing,” Big Bear replied calmly.

"Hmph, that's good."

Jaigolusia Satan Saint's voice seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"It was so hard to decide Crocodile's successor. It would be terrible if another Shichibukai position were to become vacant. As long as he has a breath left, we'll wait for him to recover and hopefully he can continue to serve as one of the Shichibukai."

Regarding the handling of his defeat, we'll discuss it after he recovers somewhat. If the Seven Warlords of the Sea are repeatedly defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates, their prestige will be completely destroyed.

This is something that world governments do not want to see.

The world government wants to maintain the balance of this ocean.

Whether it's the Navy, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, or the Four Emperors, they are all just tools needed to maintain balance.

But for now, a good tool is needed, so Moria is still useful, especially before that big event.

Jaigolusia Satan's tone turned cold, tinged with murderous intent: "This news must not get out. The Straw Hat Pirates are a real headache. Do you understand what I mean?"

Please elaborate.

"We cannot allow any witnesses to Moria's defeat. Now, in the name of the World Government, I issue you a special mission—to eliminate all witnesses on this island, including the Straw Hat crew, using your prized abilities. Even if they are sent to Impel Down, they can all be received there."

Jaigolusia Satan's voice carried a condescending, commanding tone: "Unlike that good-for-nothing Moria, you should have a lot of experience in this kind of thing, right? Think back to God Valley, your abilities once gave us all a lot of headaches."

The Valley of the Gods mentioned by Jaigollucia Satan is something that Kuma doesn't really want to recall.

He did save many people with those hands, but...

Big Bear fell silent, and a barely perceptible ripple seemed to cross his usually expressionless face.

After a moment, he spoke in a low voice: "Your task may be a little difficult now."

"Oh why?"

Jaigollucia Satan's voice carried a hint of surprise and displeasure.

Kuma looked down and met Luffy's gaze, who was fixed on him: "Right now, I'm completely locked onto by the Straw Hat Pirates. Getting Moria out of here safely is probably the best outcome."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, as if they were assessing the weight of the information.

A few seconds later, Jaigolusia Satan's voice rang out again, carrying an enigmatic tone: "Has that straw hat kid grown to this extent?"

The Five Elders highly acknowledged Kuma's strength, and they were well aware of how troublesome he was.

To some extent, defeating Crocodile and Gecko Moria is nothing special, nor is defeating Rob Lucci, the so-called strongest CP9 member in hundreds of years. Even Aokiji and the Five Elders suspect there are many reasons behind it.

However, Kuma's words to Luffy have raised Jaigollucia Satan's opinion of Luffy to a new level.

Just then, a figure appeared silently and with astonishing speed on the wreckage where Kuma was—it was Luffy.

He moved with lightning speed, his gaze fixed intently on the bear and the Den Den Mushi in his hand.

"Is your goal the same as that old man on the other end of the Den Den Mushi?" Luffy asked directly.

He heard it.

The order was to wipe out everyone on the island.

Kuma didn't answer immediately, but just silently looked at Luffy.

Jaigolusia Satan, on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, paused for a moment before speaking:

"Straw Hat Boy, Monkey D. Luffy, if you're willing, you can replace Moria as the new Shichibukai."

Upon hearing this, Big Bear's expression finally changed slightly.

Invite the Straw Hat Pirates to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea? How many things have they done that have given the World Government a headache?

The Alabasta incident was one thing, but Crocodile, a legitimate pirate recognized by the World Government, actually plotted against a member state of the World Government. This scandal was quickly covered up.

However, the incident on Judicial Island had already spread far and wide, and in the past few days it has become big news that has made it into the newspapers.

It's clear that the Straw Hat crew are now considered major criminals by the World Government, so it's unlikely that Luffy would receive an invitation to become a Shichibukai.

not to mention.

Given Luffy's identity as the son of a revolutionary leader, it's even less likely he'd be invited by the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Chapter 272 The Deal with the Bear

The bear was deep in thought.

Could it be because of Garp? Garp should be the one who opposes it the most.

The Seven Warlords of the Sea are also pirates, even worse.

This information should be very clear to the high-ranking officials of the World Government.

Furthermore, according to the intelligence received by Kuma, Monkey D. Luffy's brother, Portgas D. Ace, has been captured by Blackbeard and offered to the World Government as a pledge of allegiance. Why would Kuma invite Luffy to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea at such a critical juncture?

It's highly likely that this is still a procrastination technique, right?

It's the kind of product that's used and then eliminated.

However, given Kuma's recent tracking of the Straw Hat crew and his understanding of Luffy...

"Not interested."

Luffy felt that even a second's hesitation was disrespectful to himself. Besides, were the Seven Warlords of the Sea really that strong? It seemed like there weren't many who could actually fight them.

Jaygolucia Satan said, "I think you'll want to join. Why don't you hear what we're offering first?"

"No."

Jaygolucia Satan choked for a moment.

This guy is so stubborn.

Wealth, status, fame, beautiful women... pirates always have some kind of desire to become pirates. But what he didn't know was that Luffy's only wish was to reach Laugh Tale and become the Pirate King.

Even if Jaigolsia Satan Saint told Laugh Tale where it was located, Luffy wouldn't want to know.

understood.

The adventures that followed weren't very interesting.

Big Bear remained silent.

Luffy's attention was then focused on the Den Den Mushi, and he asked without any politeness, "Hey, who are you, old man on the other end of the Den Den Mushi? And why do you speak in such a halting manner? Is there something wrong with you?"

Luffy's utterly disrespectful question caused a very subtle, strange fluctuation to appear on Kuma's usually placid expression.

On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Jaigolusia Satan was clearly not expected to receive such a direct greeting; the simulated old man's face seemed to stiffen for a moment.

This is a common tactic used by those in positions of power.

The method of applying psychological pressure through pauses and tone of voice.

But it was like casting pearls before swine to Luffy.

Big Bear could even feel the low pressure coming from the Den Den Mushi, which was almost solidified.

He had no doubt that if it weren't for the Den Den Mushi, Jaigolusia Satan would have personally come down to teach this arrogant brat what true authority was.

The arrival of the Five Elders would truly be a major event.

Without hesitation, Big Bear turned off the Den Den Mushi and put it back in his arms.

He was really afraid that Luffy would say something shocking again, and he didn't need Jaigolsia Satan to hear what he was about to say.

Kuma astutely sensed that the Five Elders' attention to Luffy and his crew was unusually high, and there must be a deeper reason behind it that he was unaware of. Until the situation became clear, he chose to end the call.

He tightened the Bible he was carrying under his arm, then slowly removed a black glove, revealing a strange hand with a pink fleshy mass on it.

His gaze fell directly on Luffy, and he said in a deep voice, "Monkey D. Luffy, how about we make some terms now?"

"us?"

"Yes, this is a personal deal between you and me."

"I have no interest in becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

"No, it's information about a person."

Big Bear said, "I want to trade something with you."

Luffy's face lit up with interest: "The Seven Warlords of the Sea want to trade something for me?"

The reason he didn't immediately attack the bear was because, from beginning to end, he didn't sense any clear hostility from the big guy; instead, he had a complex feeling that was hard to describe.