Chapter 406: My Dream Lies Here

The next day.

Before six in the morning, Barrett woke up.

He finally confirmed that what he had felt yesterday morning was not an illusion.

The exhaustion from a full day of arduous cultivation and successive bouts against Ah, Zoro, Sanji, and the others had truly vanished, leaving his entire being revitalized from the inside out!

"Is this the result of hard work?!"

"As expected~"

"I have been out of touch with the times for too long."

Barrett even felt his combat power, which had seen no significant improvement for a long time, take another step forward.

The step was not large; without careful perception, one might not even notice it, yet it made Barrett feel an uncontrollable excitement!

After a brief assessment, he made his judgment.

If he could maintain this pace, reaching Gao Wen's current level might take less than ten years!

But when that time truly comes, what should I...

Perhaps becoming the captain of a pirate crew would also be a good choice?

Thinking thus, Barrett rustled into his clothes, pushed open the door, and left.

Unlike the previous few days, when his feelings toward cultivation were mixed with an indescribable weariness amidst his disgust, at this moment, he even found himself looking forward to that moment's arrival.

Even if, in the end, he were defeated by his comrades within the Round Table Knights!

At the same time.

City Hall.

In a conference room, the smell of smoke hung thick in the air.

Buena Festa held a cigar in hand, emotionally agitated as he sprayed spittle wildly at the crowd across from him!

"Is this the planning proposal you've given me?"

"If I dipped a fish in ink and rolled it across paper, it would be better than what you've produced!"

"With something of this caliber, how can I possibly explain myself to Mr. Xiang Gaowen?!"

"Let me reiterate!"

"The World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament is the greatest celebration in the history of the entire world!"

"It is also the most crucial link in Mr. Xiang Gaowen's strategy!"

"You swine, snap out of it! Even the slightest error could cause the entire project to collapse!"

"My lord Gao Wen is kind-hearted and won't do much to you, but even if I get shot afterward, I will skin you alive!"

This one-sided tirade by Buena Festa lasted a full three hours before finally ending, leaving the group, who had arrived eagerly to report, nearly drowned in his spittle.

They finally realized that this newly appointed head of the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament was far less easy to fool than the former Gaza or Robin, who had been single-mindedly devoted to researching ancient history.

Inside the conference room.

The crowd slowly dispersed, while Buena Festa sat in his chair, his expression heavy and gloomy.

Even setting aside Gao Wen's strategic plans, the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament represented his closest chance yet to surpass Roger!

He had to personally review every detail, and any issue had to be reported and handled immediately.

The immense pressure was imaginable.

"Here~"

A cigarette was offered to Buena Festa.

He instinctively reached out to take it, only to discover the visitor was Jango, whom Gao Wen had recently transferred from the East Blue to Reach the New World.

As a host, Jango was undoubtedly outstanding, one could even say gifted.

For nearly three years and several Martial Arts Tournaments, Jango had been responsible for the on-stage hosting duties, and now he even had his own fanbase.

Consequently, Jango was the only person in the conference room just now who had not been sprayed in the face with spittle by Buena Festa.

Of course, this was also partly due to the good private relationship between the two.

"Thanks."

Buena Festa waved his hand, then borrowed a light from Jango.

Hiss—!

After Buena Festa took a deep drag on the cigarette in his hand, accompanied by a rush of smoke filling his lungs, his entire person gradually calmed down.

Jango offered timely comfort:

"With the Captain standing behind the Martial Arts Tournament, and the Eternal Pose to Laugh Tale as bait, the result cannot be bad no matter what we do."

"There is no need to be overly anxious."

Buena Festa nodded, yet the expression on his face showed not a trace of relaxation:

"Precisely because of that, I want all the more to prove myself."

"Jango."

"This is the closest I have ever been to my dream; I have waited decades just for this moment."

"Believe me, the grandest celebration in history will be born in our hands!"

Jango nodded and did not continue to dissuade him, merely shifting gears to speak about Barrett:

"Speaking of which..."

"You must have already decided to truly join under the Captain's banner, yes?!"

Buena Festa paused for a moment, then nodded heavily:

"The crimes I committed before are grave; whether it is the World Government or other powers, I fear none will tolerate me."

"Only within Britannias, only under Captain Gao Wen, is there space for me to survive."

"Moreover, I also wish to see just how far Britannias, hailed as the strongest pirate crew in history, can truly go."

"Even setting those aside, if one seeks a stable life, no better choice exists in this world than Britannias."

Xiang Keluo nodded:

"Then perhaps you might consider the matter of Barrett."

"After all, you were once comrades; you have now sincerely pledged yourself to the Captain, but what does Barrett think?"

"If he ultimately discovers that he can never defeat the Captain no matter what, what choice will he make?"

Buena Festa fell silent for a moment.

During this time, he had subconsciously avoided this issue, even forbidding himself from thinking too deeply about it, fearing he would be trapped in a dilemma.

But at this very moment, with Xiang Keluo exposing it outright, there was no room for retreat.

He was not foolish.

As Gao Wen's direct subordinate from the East Blue, whose will did Xiang Keluo represent? Did that even need asking?!

After pondering for a long while, Buena Festa nodded and said:

"I will speak to him about this matter alone."

"Mm."

Xiang Keluo acknowledged with a sound, exchanged a few parting words with Buena Festa, then rose and departed.

He turned, picked up the Den Den Mushi, and relayed the news from this side to Xiang Keluo.

"My lord Xiang Keluo, I have already spoken to Buena Festa regarding that matter; I believe there will be results soon."

"Mm, well done."

On the other end.

Xiang Keluo offered a perfunctory compliment or two before hanging up the phone.

After pondering for a moment, he still decided to report his actions to Gao Wen.

Although Gao Wen might not care about his probing of Barrett, Xiang Keluo did not wish to damage the trust between himself and Gao Wen.

A few minutes later.

Xiang Keluo entered Gao Wen's office and laid bare his secret probing of Barrett, only to receive an answer that left him utterly stunned.

"Probing?"

"It is unnecessary."

Gao Wen shook his head and said:

"That fellow is already one of us."

"Even if, in the future, we find ourselves at a disadvantage in our struggle against the World Government, he will not leave."

Xiang Keluo was slightly stunned:

"How is that possible? He was clearly forced by your power..."