Chapter 6: Chapter 6
Whitebeard sat in silence, facing the Den Den Mushi.
He knew deep down what kind of avian-human hybrid Xilan was.
Each time he called, it was to extort money from him.
Instead of calling it cheating, I say fishing.
The euphemistic phrase "fishing" was used to describe Xilan's tactic of using Whitebeard's sons as bait.
However, the fee was a bit steep, like the recent demand of 100 billion berries for Ace's release.
Let alone the descendant of Roger, not even the descendant of Garp and the Celestial Dragon's could be so valuable.
(Dunno about which figure is the correct one, both of them are possible options.)
"Too expensive, I don't have that much money!" Whitebeard rejected the offer and retorted coldly, "Furthermore, I have already devised a plan to rescue my son."
"Hehehe... You are so naive, and so old," Xilan sneered, "Is money more important than your son? If you lose the money, you can always earn it back, but if your son is gone... do you think that 100 billion can bring Ace back to life?"
"Moreover, let me inform you that the Marines have already made all preparations to execute Ace. The Marines stationed all over the world will return, including myself who will join the battle!" Xilan continued coldly, "If a war breaks out and you fail to pay me, I won't let it slide."
Money could buy anything, but at what cost?
"You dare to threaten me?" Whitebeard seethed with anger.
"This isn't a threat, this is the reality," Xilan replied, "Once you rescue Ace, the Whitebeard Pirates will suffer heavy losses, and at your age, you will surely die."
Xilan continued to taunt him, "Even if you don't care about your own life, what about your sons? Sacrificing others for the sake of Ace, is that what a responsible father does?"
"Whitebeard, take my advice and pay to avoid disaster. After all, you aren't lacking 100 billion berries," Xilan advised patiently, knowing that the amount was not a large burden for the Whitebeard Pirates.
Among the Four Emperors, the Whitebeard Pirates were the strongest, controlling most of the New World territory and having an astonishing annual income.
Numerous islands paid protection fees to Whitebeard and they had countless spoils from destroying other pirate crews, making the payment of 100 billion berries not a big problem.
"..." Whitebeard remained silent, it wasn't impossible to pay and avoid disaster, it was a completely viable option.
Whitebeard was pondering over the cost of eliminating the disaster with money. However, his foremost concern was his shame, followed by his view that 100 billion berries was an exorbitant price.
"I understand your thoughts. Thinking it's so humiliating to be incapable of rescuing one's son and that you're an useless father," he remarked.
Xilan knew Whitebeard inside out and provoked him by suggesting, "From the Four Emperors' perspective, this is indeed an embarrassment. But let us perceive it differently. Who among you Four Emperors has not traded with me? It is not the first time. Figures like Kaido have been captured alive by me countless times. Yesterday, he paid tens of billions of protection fees to secure his release."
Whitebeard's resistance was significantly reduced upon hearing this. This was not surprising, as it was not his first encounter with such a situation. Furthermore, he was not the only one of the Four Emperor who had succumbed to it.
However, he was hesitant. "Kaido only costs a few tens of billions of berries. Asking for 100 billion berries to rescue Ace is too excessive!" Whitebeard exclaimed.
"Kaido was under my control, but Ace is a different matter altogether. He is imprisoned in Impel Down, and I must take risks. It would be unlucky if I were to be exposed," Xilan said slowly.
Whitebeard scoffed at Xilan's attempt to feign innocence. It was not the first time Xilan had acted in this manner. Not only had he set fire to half of Mariejois to free Fisher Tiger after the sun pirates bid 5 billion berries, but he had also been the mastermind behind Boa Hancock's escape from the same place.
Whitebeard knew that Xilan could assassinate the Five Elders if the price was right.
"Have you made up your mind yet, or are you wasting time?" Xilan grew impatient after half a day of futile bargaining. "If you do not pay, that bastard Ace will perish."
"I assure you that once the money is in place, Ace will return to you unharmed and healthy," Xilan added.
Whitebeard was crestfallen and felt helpless. Xilan had forced his hand, and he had no other option. If he refused to pay, he would be deemed a heartless father, but if he did pay, he would be regarded as Ace's savior.
"Is it truly necessary?" Whitebeard asked in a resigned tone.
"Absolutely!" Xilan was resolute. The bid was his responsibility, and Whitebeard's duty was to raise the money. If he claimed to be penniless, Xilan would knew he was lying. Whitebeard could even sell fart drums through his sons.
After contemplating for a while, Whitebeard gritted his teeth and agreed. "I accept this deal, but I must see Ace unharmed and intact."
—
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