Threat.
The CP0 agents on the deck were silent.
How long has it been?
How long had it been since they had heard someone say that word to them?
CP0 is part of the World Government, and on this sea, only a very few people can say the word "threat" to the World Government.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea?
They were just a bunch of pirates who cause chaos. The World Government gave them a fake legal identity and status to keep them in line. Therefore, that group of people was not among them.
But at this moment, Crocodile was not one of the Seven Warlords, but as a representative of the Four Seas Alliance, he was issuing a threat to CP0 and even the World Government behind them!
But…
CP0 had to seriously consider this "threat."
After a moment, the leader of the CP0 nodded and said to Crocodile in a low voice: "I am very curious, why would a man like you be willing to be under someone else?"
The name of "Sand Crocodile" Crocodile is actually very famous on this sea.
Whether in terms of strength or ambition, he is top-tier.
Even the World Government is worried about whether they can tie down such a man with the title of "Seven Warlords of the Sea". How could he be willing to join some Four Seas Alliance?
But Crocodile raised his eyebrows, "Does this have anything to do with my threatening you?"
"Of course."
CP0 explained: "Ryan Rowan said you can do what you want, so why not 'do' something for yourself? You don't have to consider the Four Seas Alliance in everything."
What he meant was that Crocodile could use this opportunity to get more benefits for himself, and he didn't have to ask the World Government for "a self-determined seat among the Seven Warlords" for the sake of the Four Seas Alliance.
But Crocodile's reaction was beyond CP0's expectations.
"Hehehehe, you still don't understand Ryan Rowan."
Crocodile tapped the ash of his cigar, "That extremely arrogant old man, since he said he would let me do what I want, it is equal to tacitly allowing me to get some benefits for myself."
"So, the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea' seat is what I want for myself, and it has nothing to do with the Four Seas Alliance."
"It's just that in terms of the benefits generated by the final result, I and the Four Seas Alliance are aligned."
After listening to Crocodile's words, the leader of CP0 understood that their plan to win over the man in front of them had failed.
However, in terms of trying to win someone over, Crocodile had never been loyal to anyone. He had always been moving forward according to his own ideas.
At this stage, he and the Four Seas Alliance are on the same path.
…
CP0 finally agreed to the conditions proposed by Crocodile and Ryan Rowan.
Recognize the legal status of Aden Kingdom; allow Aden Kingdom to re-establish a new national government; hand over the Op-Op Fruit to the Four Seas Alliance for disposal; based on the Four Seas Alliance's right to choose one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
In return, all the Four Seas Alliance had to do was one thing—
Do not proactively publicly disclose the plague incident that occurred in Aden Kingdom.
…
Overall, this was a very unequal deal.
——For the World Government.
How many years has it been since the World Government has suffered such a big loss in negotiation deals!
The key to this?
It's not Aden Kingdom. There are countless small countries like that in this world. A mere one is not enough to cause any big waves.
Nor is it the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
No matter who becomes one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, they are still ultimately burdened by the words "Seven Warlords."
The legal status of the Seven Warlords depends on the World Government!
Therefore, although this card has some weight, it is not considered a serious injury to the World Government.
What really made the World Government suffer a big loss was that Paramecia Devil Fruit—the Op-Op Fruit!
CP0, as a "tool" of the World Government, does not know the true special nature of this Devil Fruit. They only know that this Paramecia-type Devil Fruit is something that the World Government would get even if it costs 5 billion Berry.
Some people even heard the high-level members of the World Government discussing, "Fortunately, those stupid pirates who got the Op-Op Fruit don't know the true value of this Devil Fruit."
However, the World Government also explained that if they had to choose between "going to war with the Four Seas Alliance" and "losing the Op-Op Fruit," they must choose the latter!
This is why the World Government chose the Donquixote family to try to slow down the Four Seas Alliance.
Fighting Ryan Rowan head-on is definitely not a wise choice. It will bring unpredictable instability to the World Government's current stable rule!
However, the deep secrets about the Op-Op Fruit were too important, so the World Government also told CP0 that they must try to get some things back when necessary.
"We have one more additional condition."
CP0 said: "We need to know the whereabouts of the 'Op-Op Fruit.' Even if you sell it to the Revolutionary Army, it doesn't matter, but we must know its whereabouts."
Hearing this, Crocodile thought for a moment.
Well, Rowan didn't say anything about this, so it probably meant he should do what he wants.
Speaking of which, the purpose of getting that Op-Op Fruit was to give it to that Lead Poisoning kid, right? There shouldn't be any other whereabouts.
Thinking of this, Crocodile nodded slightly, "Okay, I agree."
CP0 was a little unsure, "Is that a deal?"
"Of course."
Crocodile took a puff of his cigar, "Or, I can also disagree."
"Then, deal."
CP0 nodded slowly, "The Op-Op Fruit will be sent to Aden Kingdom."
"Very good, it seems that the World Government can be easy to talk to sometimes!"
Crocodile smiled and clapped, and then crushed the cigar in his mouth on the mast next to him.
"No need to send it."
He shrugged, and then turned into a sandstorm, jumped onto the waiting raft, and returned to Aden Kingdom.
…
Rowan came to a nearby cliff and sat down.
From here, he could look down on the entire Aden Kingdom.
This originally peaceful small country has become devastated due to artificial "plagues" and conflicts over interests.
Two figures walked slowly.
They were Dr. Kureha and Hiluluk, who had regained his self-awareness.
Hiluluk looked at the scene in front of Rowan and couldn't help but sigh, "Is this war?"
"No."
Rowan shook his head, "This is just an appetizer before the war, not even a mutual test."
"So…"
Rowan thought for a while and sighed, "Never say you like war, it's scary."
"But we can never be afraid of war, because it is a necessary part of the world."
Rowan turned his head, looked at Hiluluk, and repeated what he once said.
"There has never been such a thing as a savior."
"We are all 'people' living in this world."
"Right?"
Rowan stood up while sighing.
"The next thing to do is probably to go back and forth with the World Government to negotiate, so troublesome…"
Hiluluk listened to Rowan's rare complaint, and the carefree him couldn't help but step forward and pat Rowan on the shoulder.
"Anyway, let's go home first!"
"Okay."
Rowan nodded with a smile, "Let's go home."
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