Success and Failure of the Deal

"You wish!"

A furious, alarmed shout rang out.

Marshal Sengoku, who had just arrived nearby, had his pupils constrict sharply as alarm bells blared in his mind.

If Brook agreed to this deal, then with the Cloud Wanderer Pirates' formidable strength combined with Whitebeard's final burst of power—

The Navy's encirclement plan, bought at such a terrible cost today, would be completely ruined.

"Brook!" Sengoku stated his terms outright. "I can promise you this. As long as Whitebeard submits to justice today, afterward, you may spend ten minutes alone with him."

Sengoku's meaning was clear.

Whitebeard had to be taken by the Navy.

That was the bottom line.

But Brook could take the fruit, and the Navy could even make it convenient for him.

This was another deal, and it appeared even more "profitable" for Brook.

He only needed to stand aside and wait until Whitebeard was captured by the Navy before "collecting" the fruit. There was almost no risk involved, and he could even earn the Navy a favor.

A teasing curve rose at the corner of Brook's lips.

"I can feel both of your 'sincerity.' But since we're already talking business... Marshal Sengoku, how about we make another deal?"

Sengoku's heart tightened, and he said in a deep voice, "Go on."

Brook raised a hand and pointed at Aokiji. "I want—the Ice-Ice Fruit on him."

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

"Absurd!"

Before Sengoku could speak, Garp had already roared, "A Navy admiral cannot be used as a bargaining chip."

The smile on Brook's face widened.

A dark crimson Conqueror's Haki spread outward from him like a tangible tide, making the air hum violently.

"Since negotiations have failed... then I'll have no choice but to... take it myself."

Sengoku's expression could no longer be described as