Who told him to become the Pirate King!

Chapter 279 There are simply too many kings of the seven dark worlds!

"The king of the dark world?"

Several oddly shaped figures flashed through Storm's mind—though not all of them were exactly oddly shaped.

Big news, Queen of the Pleasure District, King of Loans, King of Shipping, Warehouse Owner, Master Funeral Director... and Joker, who was recently "removed" from the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

These seven individuals together form the "Seven Kings" of the dark world.

This number of personnel coincidentally matches the number of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

On the high seas, the title of the king of the underworld is not as resounding or awe-inspiring as that of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

In reality, each king of the underworld represents an extremely powerful organization that should not be underestimated.

for example.

Lou Field, the king of loan sharks.

Perhaps the world only thinks of Lou Field as a greedy and loan shark—which is indeed true.

However, decades ago, Ludwig Field generously funded scientific research projects of the MADS organization.

That's right!

It's the "MADS organization" that brought together a bunch of mad scientists like Vegapunk, Kaiser Clown, Quinn Thane, and Vinsmoke Judge!

The king of the underworld and the world's number one genius... had a very deep connection at some point in the past.

Storm didn't "hang out" in the underworld much and didn't know much about the kings of the underworld.

He paused for a moment, then looked up at Tezzo.

"What kind of 'King of the Underworld' are you interested in?"

"Interested? Ah... I am a little bit."

Tesoro was taken aback and stammered.

"In fact, Lord White Dragon, there's something I've been meaning to tell you..."

"After Donquixote Doflamingo's downfall, I took the opportunity to seize a lot of his wealth and resources... In addition, a few guys, led by Luis Feld, also took over a lot of businesses that originally belonged to the Donquixote family."

A king of the dark world has fallen.

The other kings of the dark world won't just stand by and watch.

They swarmed around like hyenas that had smelled blood, frantically devouring the corpses known as the "Don Quixote Family."

This was not unexpected for Storm.

Tesoro continued.

"Actually, I'm not that interested in the underworld. Business there is too chaotic and too difficult. All the profitable industries are taken over by those guys like Lou Field, and it's hard to start new businesses..."

"But now that Donquixote Doflamingo has fallen, his former 'arms business' is now vacant... I'm thinking about whether I should take over Donquixote Doflamingo's original business."

"Having the title of 'King of the Underworld' also makes it easier to expand the scale of my business and ours."

Gurantezolo is very profitable.

But Tezzolo wanted to earn more and more money.

"You can make the decision yourself."

Storm looked calmly at Tezzolo and offered a gentle reminder.

"But there are two businesses you can't get involved in—drugs and slave trading."

Generally speaking, Storm is sworn enemies of gambling and drugs.

However, now that he's become a pirate, his moral compass has dropped considerably...

For example, Storm originally loathed gambling.

However, he recruited both Issho and Tesoro into his ranks.

The former is a gambling addict.

The latter is also the behind-the-scenes owner of the world's largest casino.

Storm couldn't interfere with the two men's hobbies and businesses.

But you absolutely must not touch poison!

Storm's attitude was firm.

As for the slave trade, Storm also loathed it and decided to bring it up as well.

"Yes, Lord White Dragon."

Tezzolo said respectfully.

Actually, he didn't usually get involved in either of those businesses.

I won't go into detail about the drug trade.

As for the slave trade...

Tezzolo has a traumatic past.

People from all over the world come to Gran Tezzolo to gamble. Those who lose everything in this largest entertainment city in the world are forced to work and pay off their debts.

Although this kind of "unpaid work" is not much different from slavery... cough cough.

As for the others, like certain pirates.

If Tesoro defeats and captures them, these people are often sent to mine by the Golden Emperor...

For example, the future "Silver Pirate Alliance"...

This pirate alliance is actually a "mining organization" that needs to regularly provide Tesoro with a portion of silver ore and a large amount of bounty every month.

To be fair...

Tezzolo's "business" is indeed very shady.

But in this sea of ​​ugliness, the Golden Emperor hasn't become so corrupt that Storm can't tolerate it.

After a moment of thought, Storm recalled Don Quixote Doflamingo, then looked at Tesoro, and suddenly asked a question.

"Tesoro, are you interested in the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"

"One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"

Tesoro was somewhat confused.

"What does Lord Haku mean?"

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea are currently in dire need of personnel, and I will soon be leaving the organization."

"That's what Storm said casually."

"After I leave, the Seven Warlords of the Sea will only have five people left: Hawkeye Mihawk, Crocodile, Jinbe, Boa Hancock, and Gecko Moria. That means there are still two vacancies."

"Since you're interested in the identity of 'King of the Dark World,' you might also be interested in the identity of 'One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.'"

Donquixote Doflamingo simultaneously held the dual identities of "Shichibukai" and "King of the Underworld".

If Tezoro also wants to do this, Storm won't stop him; on the contrary, he'll be happy to see it happen.

After listening to Storm's words, Tezzolo seemed to be deep in thought.

Doflamingo built a vast empire through his abilities, methods, and dual identities, both overt and covert.

It wouldn't be a bad thing if Tesoro followed Doflamingo's path...

Just as the Golden Emperor was about to accept Storm's suggestion, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

"Lord White Dragon!"

Tesoro abandoned his ambitions and quickly proved his loyalty.

"Since Lord Haku is willing to relinquish his status as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, of course I will follow closely behind him!"

Why learn from Doflamingo?

Tesoro wanted to slap himself in the face.

Doflamingo has been "defeated" by Haku!

Does he also want to be killed by the White Dragon?

Storm glanced at Tezzolo; he could already tell that the other man was not being sincere.

"I'm not putting you through a boring 'loyalty test'."

Storm said it quite frankly.

"I am indeed very dissatisfied with the World Government, but your business must continue, and I will need your 'money' to do some things in the future."

"If becoming the 'King of the Dark World' and one of the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea' can help you increase your wealth, I not only don't mind, but I can even lend you a hand."

"Don't you think 'seven kings of the underworld' is a bit too many?"

Storm has his eye on "Old Bé" – Vegapenk.

This "world's greatest mind" has many research projects that require astronomical sums of money and resources.

Storm's accumulated wealth—including the gold in the golden city of Shandora—is ultimately "dead."

Living off one's savings is not Storm's style.

Now that Storm has recruited Tezzolo, regardless of his loyalty, he is indeed a super genius at managing business.

Tesoro's money was used to fund Vegapunk's research, thereby expanding Storm's own power...

This is a fairly reliable development path.

That's why Storm said those things.

Tezzolo's money is always welcome.

After hearing Strom's words, Tesoro had a series of thoughts running through his mind.

In the dark world, the businesses of the seven kings—now six—are not clearly defined.

In fact.

The norm in business is mutual interdependence; you are in me and I am in you.

In other words.

Tesoro does some of the same businesses as some of the underworld kings, except he hasn't yet crossed paths with them...

Now that he has received Bai Long's promise, can he really make his business bigger and stronger and create brilliance?

Tesoro licked his lips lightly and reported to his superior with utmost respect.

"Lord White Dragon, actually, I was just about to report to you..."

"The tea party in Totto Land invited seven people—six kings of the underworld, and me."

"The International Tea Party has been held for many years. When Lu Feld and his colleagues attend the tea party, they have a habit of meeting up in advance before the tea party begins."

"Basically, at every World Tea Party, the kings of the underworld act together."

"Because Donquixote Doflamingo was defeated by you, Lord White Dragon, Big Mom transferred the qualification that originally belonged to Doflamingo to me. In addition, Grantezoro is about to arrive in Whole Cake Island..."

"Therefore, the kings of the dark world intend to meet in advance on my Grantezoro."

This is indeed a "coincidence".

The ocean is so vast.

Under normal circumstances, the kings of the underworld would never meet.

Only major events like the Tea Party of Totto Land could gather all the kings of the underworld.

"That's quite a coincidence."

Storm nodded slightly and looked at Tezzo with composure.

"How many 'leaders' do you think would be appropriate for the underworld?"

Silently sitting to the side, Yi Xiao awkwardly stroked his Supreme Grade Sword, [Blackline].

He had never attended an "evil meeting" of this caliber before...

Tezzolo didn't notice Yixiao's subtle movements. After thinking for a moment, he didn't answer Storm's question directly, but instead blurted out the names of several people in succession.

"Louis Field, the king of usury, had many overlapping and conflicting business operations with mine."

"Umit, the King of Shipping, controls the maritime transport industry on the Grand Line; the Warehouse Master, controls the commodity warehousing industry on the Grand Line."

"Cash, logistics, and warehousing—these three aspects of business are crucial for the growth of a force."

"Okay, I understand."

Storm nodded.

"The Four Heavenly Kings of the Dark World... Doesn't that sound much better!"

(End of this chapter)