Chapter 427: Blackbeard Club

"Mantis Fruit?" Blackbeard pursed his lips and patted Lu Bianyi's shoulder.

"Not bad... Zoan-type Devil Fruits boost strength quickly, and awakening is easier to develop."

In fact, Blackbeard had hoped Lu Bianyi would eat a Paramecia-type Sound Sound Fruit; failing that, a Magma Magma Fruit would do, perfectly complementing Wapol's Munch Munch Fruit...

Only then did Blackbeard realize something was wrong.

"What do they want Wapol for?"

Lafitte shook his head.

"Admiral Kizaru warned us before leaving not to do anything illegal. I suspect someone reported Wapol's disappearance."

Actually, Lafitte had thought of the reason; the Captain must need the Munch Munch Fruit.

Otherwise, who could simultaneously command Admiral Kizaru and the King-level Loki?

Fleet Admiral Sengoku?

Kizaru would certainly respect Sengoku, but the Giant Prince Loki never would; only Captain Saint Saint Saint Saiwen could command Loki.

Blackbeard frowned, feeling the situation wasn't as simple as it seemed, but was soon distracted by the cracked Queen's Ship.

"Those bastards, my ship!"

My new ship, my new ship I just got and hadn't even sailed for a day, destroyed like this!

Damn Loki, your father and my father were brothers! You wouldn't help me, but you're working for the United Kingdom?!

And that damn little Bai Mao, couldn't you restrain Loki and Kizaru properly?

Is it easy for me to get a new ship?!

Just then, a merchant ship passed the Queen's Ship. A merchant wearing the Eight Treasures Club badge on the bow shouted to Blackbeard.

"Mr. Teach, the bosses invite everyone back and have decided to increase investment in the Black Crew."

"Nani?!" Blackbeard's eyes sparkled with strange light; could it be that those old-era nobles finally recognized his Blackbeard's strength?

So, taking a hit from Loki earned the old nobles' increased investment in the Black Crew.

That hit was worth taking.

Blackbeard feigned calmness, determined not to let those old-era remnants discover his severe injuries.

Just as Blackbeard suspected, the arrival of Admiral Kizaru and Giant Prince Loki nearly scared the West Sea old nobles to death.

However, upon learning that Blackbeard had taken Loki's world-destroying blow and remained unharmed, the old nobles immediately erupted.

Across the entire sea, almost all named top-tier powerhouses serve under the United Kingdom.

Only Blackbeard possesses both strength and the mission to overthrow the United Kingdom, and is willing to return the sea to its former free state.

He is simply the nobles' chosen representative.

We must increase investment greatly!

And recommend Blackbeard to the South Sea and North Sea noble alliances, fully supporting the Black Crew while awaiting the day the United Kingdom falls.

Why not approach the East Sea noble alliance?

Because East Sea people are crazy; East Sea people all take pride in being fellow townspeople of Saint Saint Saint Saiwen, with almost everyone being a fanatic fan of Saint Saint Saint Saiwen.

Shortly after, inside the Eight Treasures Club.

"Mr. Teach, we have decided to add a sponsorship of ten billion Berries, plus the Paramecia-type Island Island Fruit, Alcohol Alcohol Fruit, and Mythical Zoan Pegasus Form."

"Additionally, the North Sea Rose Alliance hopes Mr. Teach can lead the Black Crew to meet them in the North Sea."

Hearing this, Blackbeard's pain vanished; he felt as if drinking ice-cold cola on a scorching summer day, so refreshing that every pore on his body groaned.

"Blackbeard will certainly not disappoint you all."

Three days later, the repaired Queen's Ship set sail again, riding the wind and waves toward the North Sea.

Although the Sound Sound Fruit and Magma Magma Fruit were taken by Kizaru, two extra Paramecia-type and one Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit were gained in return.

And a full ten billion Berries in sponsorship, roughly equal to the bounties of two little Bai Maos.

On the Queen's Ship deck, Blackbeard no longer showed his previous despair and loss; his whole body radiated the strong aura of a nouveau riche.

"Brothers,

our Black Crew has finally taken a crucial step. From now on, food is unlimited, alcohol is unlimited... and when we reach the North Sea, we'll hold a banquet."

Having spoken, Blackbeard took out ten million Berry banknotes, handing five million each to Lafitte and Lu Bianyi.

"Thank you, Captain."

Lafitte accepted the Berries with a grin, though inwardly he cursed relentlessly.

This black fatso is so damn stingy.

He clearly has eleven billion Berries in his pockets but is only willing to give us five million.

What can five million even do?

Although Lafitte is an intern of the Morning Star Crew, the Captain casually gives out two billion Berries as pocket money.

The gap between people is truly huge.

Perhaps the only thing worth celebrating is that the Black Crew finally has a funding source, so Lafitte will never have to survive on black bread again.

"Captain, we still lack a cook, a doctor, a shipwright... and an intern for odd jobs. Moreover, we can no longer call ourselves a pirate crew."

Speaking of this, Blackbeard got angry.

You little Bai Mao are also a pirate by origin, yet after establishing the United Kingdom, you actually forbid pirate crews from existing. You heartless beast.

People, at least, must not forget their roots.

"Did the United Kingdom explicitly ban it?"

"Not exactly," Lafitte shook his head.

"However, although the existence of pirate crews is not explicitly banned, according to the United Kingdom's Public Security Management Law, any private armed forces are strictly prohibited."

"If we don't want to be stopped and questioned by the Navy wherever we go, it's best to operate as a registered merchant club."

Hearing these words, Blackbeard paused for a moment.

"Let it be the Blackbeard Club then. We cannot yet clash head-on with the Navy. Let's endure for a few more years until we overthrow the United Kingdom; by then, we will be free."

Just as before, the sea under the World Government's rule made Saint Saint Saiwen feel unfree.

At this very moment, Blackbeard also believed: the sea under the United Kingdom's rule was very unfree.

Following the dream of becoming the King of the World, Blackbeard additionally acquired an extra dream—to make this sea free once again.

"Captain, I suddenly have a good idea."

Without waiting for Blackbeard to ask, Lafitte spoke on his own: "Think carefully, didn't the bosses decide to temporarily increase investment in the Black Crew only after you took a direct hit from Loki's hammer?"

Blackbeard nodded: "And then?"

Lafitte smiled slightly.

"I heard Admiral Aokiji is recently patrolling the North Blue. Why not trouble yourself to challenge Aokiji? While proving your own strength, you could gain the recognition of the North Blue bosses and win more investment for the Black Crew?"

"Hiss~" Blackbeard sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.

Lafitte's words sounded very absurd, yet they were not without merit as a good idea to prove one's strength.

"Let's just forget it."

Although Blackbeard felt quite tempted, he ultimately shook his head and rejected Lafitte's proposal.

If this were to draw the attention of that Little Bai Mao, he would have nowhere to cry when the time came.

But for some reason, recalling the additional ten billion Berries and three Devil Fruits, Blackbeard suddenly felt a surge of eagerness in his heart.

Truly, he had never been this rich in his entire life.

Moreover, the United Kingdom had not issued a wanted order against him; after all, the bad deeds Blackbeard had committed since setting sail all occurred during the period of World Government rule.

Not long ago, Admiral Kizaru merely took Wapol away and did not truly intend to arrest him.

The reason Loki took action, according to Lafitte's analysis, was likely because Old Man Rocks had once taught Loki a lesson when he visited Elbaf years ago.

In other words,

he, Blackbeard, would be a thoroughly good citizen as long as he did not commit crimes or do bad deeds under the United Kingdom's rule.

"How about we give it a try?"

Lafitte nodded heavily.

"Absolutely, we can try, Captain. We are currently thoroughly good citizens, and moreover, the Martial Arts Tournament is currently being held across the Four Seas."

"You choose to challenge Aokiji out of admiration for the Admiral's strength; no one could find fault with that."

You stingy fat man, you're in for it!