Chapter 425: Only I Can Lead You to Victory

Due to the former King of the Flower Kingdom, Ramen, having long since immigrated to the Holy Land of Sky City.

The surviving old nobles either chose to hide their identities and live quietly, or chose to cling to Qingjiao, the former commander of the Eight Treasures Navy and current owner of the Eight Treasures Club.

The reason it was renamed the Eight Treasures Club.

Was because the United Kingdom forbade any warlord factions or private armed forces from existing, forcing the Eight Treasures Navy to adopt a new form.

In truth, Qingjiao was also forced into this situation.

Although Qingjiao was not familiar with the Morning Star Group.

Since the founding of the United Kingdom, he hadn't been elsewhere to judge, but the Flower Kingdom, now a province, had certainly improved.

Yet as the former officially sanctioned violent pirate force of the Flower Kingdom, the Eight Treasures Navy combined familial martial traditions with pirate traits.

They simply could not adapt to these changes.

Without official support, the Eight Treasures Navy... the Club, lost its source of income.

In their dire straits, the old nobles of the West Sea seized the opportunity to control the Eight Treasures Club's economic lifeline, forcing Qingjiao to turn a blind eye and submit to their sponsorship fees.

He chose to protect this group of old nobles.

Losing their sponsorship would only make things worse.

After all, they centered their existence on family heritage, which had made the Eight Treasures Navy flourish—and also made the Eight Treasures Club unable to adapt to the changes of the new era.

Precisely because of this,

the underground world of the Flower Province became the playground of the West Sea old nobles, which was also why Stussy sent Blackbeard and others here.

At this moment, inside the Eight Treasures Club.

"Boss, the person introduced by the Queen of Joy Street has arrived and is meeting with the bosses."

Qingjiao frowned tightly, wishing he could immediately report to the Navy stationed in the Flower Province, but finally waved his hand.

Reporting would be easy—just two lips moving, and this group of old nobles would have nowhere to run.

But after reporting, how would Qingjiao's family survive?

"Tell the men.

Don't look at what you shouldn't see, don't listen to what you shouldn't hear. The bosses pay sponsorship fees; we only need to guarantee their safety. Don't get involved in anything else."

"Yes, Boss."

Watching his trusted subordinate leave, Qingjiao sighed.

"If only I had joined Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen years ago, I wouldn't have sunk to this level."

Qingjiao also understood that the old nobles' money would eventually run out—even before that day came, this group would surely plan something.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have used the Queen of Joy Street to introduce the Blackbeard Pirates.

"Blackbeard... is truly a figure."

Before the overwhelming might of Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen and the United Kingdom, Blackbeard openly collaborated with the old nobles—Qingjiao felt inferior.

At this moment, in another secret room of the Eight Treasures Club.

Accompanied by Lafitte, Blackbeard finally met the so-called West Sea Noble Alliance.

"Marshall D. Tich,

son of the former Rocks Pirates captain Rocks, former intern of the Whitebeard Pirates, bounty of one billion Berries. On what grounds do you think we would fund the Blackbeard Pirates?"

Blackbeard grinned, revealing a mouth missing several teeth, his laugh low and brazen.

"You have no choice."

Across the entire sea, who dares stand before Bai Mao? Who is worthy to oppose the United Kingdom? Who holds the power and ambition to overthrow the world?

Only I can lead you to victory; only I can make this sea freer.

Do you want to just eat and wait for death?

Don't you wish for the sea to return to how it was, where only nobles enjoyed rights and status?

Do you want those commoners to stand equal to nobles—or even sit above them?"

Before arriving, through Lafitte's analysis, Blackbeard already knew how to persuade these old nobles: reclaim what was lost, restore freedom to the sea, even surpass its former state.

These were Blackbeard's major patrons!

If he could, Blackbeard would have killed them all on the spot and seized every last coin—but that would be a one-time deal.

It simply didn't serve Blackbeard's interests.

Blackbeard wanted more!

Hearing these arrogant words, several figures dressed in lavish robes and wearing masks exchanged glances, then slowly nodded.

"Mr. Tich, what do you want?"

At this, Blackbeard extended his fat fingers.

"Money, Devil Fruits, a proper, officially registered ship."

The masked figure continued.

"These are no problem,

but Mr. Tich, our time is limited. Now that the Four Seas are unified, the United Kingdom's rule will only grow more stable over time."

Blackbeard understood immediately and extended his black, chubby palm.

"Five years. Give me five years, and you'll see results."

"You know I need more time to recruit men. With enough Berries and enough Devil Fruits, we'll only grow stronger."

Don't forget, Bai Mao took seven full years to overthrow the World Government.

And even if I fail to overthrow the United Kingdom, I can still become your shield.

At that time, we carve out a vast territory and enjoy wealth, power, and status openly—wouldn't that be better than hiding in shadows?"

Before the rich, plump bloodbag, Blackbeard painted a glorious future for the bloodbags.

As for the conditions promised at this moment?

What a joke, he's a pirate!

The last person who believed a pirate's promise was Oden; now the grass on his grave is several zhang tall.

Come on, can you trust what a pirate says?

"Deal."

"In the first year, we will provide you with one billion Berries, three Devil Fruits, and a registered large ship built from Adam Tree wood."

"Thereafter, each year, we will consider increasing investment or reducing funding based on the Black Crew's performance in the previous year."

Blackbeard did not refute.

After all, this is the first cooperation between both sides; although the Queen of the Happy Street facilitated the connection, results must be seen before considering whether to continue increasing investment.

"Pleasant cooperation."

After years at sea, Blackbeard finally received his first substantial funding, happily switched to the large ship Queen, and departed with ten billion Berries and three Devil Fruits.

Sea area of the Flower Province, deck of the Queen.

Blackbeard held the three Devil Fruits, looking at his several crew members.

"Lu Bianyi, these three Devil Fruits are the Zoan-type Mantis Fruit, the Paramecia-type Sound Wave Fruit, and the Paramecia-type Magma Fruit; choose one."

Among the four crew members of the Black Crew, Blackbeard had been waiting for the Dark-Dark Fruit; naturally, he would not consume a Devil Fruit before that.

Lafitte and Wapol both belong to the ability users; only Lu Bianyi remains.

Seemingly afraid Lu Bianyi was unclear about the abilities of these three Devil Fruits, Blackbeard was just about to open his mouth to explain when a teasing voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

"I can see it."

Kizaru originally thought bringing Wapol back to the Holy Land would suffice; he never expected such an unexpected harvest.

Kizaru knew: the captain especially liked collecting Devil Fruits.

He would happily accept these three Devil Fruits!