Persuading Kaya

"Hiss..."

Usopp and Merry both sucked in a sharp breath, their jaws nearly dropping in shock.

Because... Ener was completely unscathed.

That was a blade!

Just looking at its cold gleam was enough to tell how sharp it was. Yet such a sharp blade had slashed heavily across this Marine's neck.

And it had not even cut his skin.

Could you believe it?

"How is that possible?"

Kuro, who had still looked somewhat smug moments ago, cried out in shock.

Ener's lips curled slightly upward.

Iron Body, one of the Six Powers, was the strongest illusion in the New World. Against someone weaker than oneself, there was no need to use it; against someone stronger, using it meant losing one's life.

But here in the East Blue, it was practically a divine technique.

At that moment, Ener slowly turned to look at Kuro. Kuro was also staring fixedly at Ener.

Their eyes met.

An unprecedented sense of danger suddenly washed over Kuro, making his expression change again. He instinctively retreated several steps and went on full alert.

"Shave..."

Ener vanished from where he stood in an instant.

Kuro's eyes widened enormously, filled with horror. Then, in the next second, the horrified expression froze on his face.

Because a blade was now pressed against his neck.

The same posture, the same scene.

Only their positions had been reversed.

Merry and Usopp's jaws nearly hit the ground in shock. They even doubted their own eyes and instinctively rubbed them.

Wasn't he right in front of them?

How had he appeared behind Kuro in an instant?

And placed a blade against Kuro's neck?

"Gulp..."

Kuro could not help swallowing. Only now did he realize that he had kicked an iron plate today. What kind of Captain was this guy?

Even the Colonels of the East Blue did not possess such strength!

What the hell was this?

How could he have known that Ener had only just been promoted and had not yet had time to change his rank insignia or uniform?

In the next second, he felt a heavy blow to the back of his neck, then lost consciousness.

Ener smiled.

Before, he had needed to fight desperately even against pirates worth ten million. Now, he could take them down in an instant.

Sure enough, the feeling of rapidly growing stronger and crushing others was truly amazing.

Ener then glanced at Usopp. "I heard from the villagers that you want to become a pirate???"

Usopp immediately surrendered. "No, no... Absolutely not."

As he spoke, he looked incredibly guilty and quietly edged backward... Ener pretended not to notice his little movements.

He ignored him completely.

Instead, he looked at Merry. "Your master was able to build such a large house and such a large estate. I imagine he used to be in business!"

"???"

Merry became wary.

How could Ener not know what he was thinking? He smiled. "Put your mind at ease. I will not touch your master's property. I am a Marine, after all!"

"Phew..."

Hearing that, Merry immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

He then nodded and bowed. "Indeed. My master was once quite a prominent figure in the East Blue business world."

He paused there, then added, "You avenged my master and mistress. Whatever you need, please feel free to command me!"

"Good..."

Hearing that, Ener was delighted. "I need you to do business for me. I will provide the capital, while you provide the connections and contacts. When the time comes, we split the profits ninety-ten. Ninety for me, ten for you... Of course, do not think it is too little. From today onward, I will be your backer in the East Blue."

"Uh..."

Merry revealed a troubled expression.

To be honest, he was tempted. Although Ener's proposed ninety-ten split was a bit harsh, just as this man had said, they would have a backer from now on.

For merchants, having a backer and not having one made a world of difference.

That ten percent might even earn more than all their previous profits.

Besides, those channels, contacts, and connections would gradually become useless over time. He had originally wanted to maintain them, but as a mere butler, he did not have the standing... After all, a servant was still a servant.

If they wanted to rebuild those channels and connections, only the young lady could personally step forward.

But his young lady had been frail since childhood. Forget inheriting her father's business—being able to live well was already a blessing.

There was absolutely no way she could go into business.

So he could only watch helplessly as the channels and connections his master had painstakingly built gradually fell into disuse over time.

It would be a lie to say it did not hurt.

But...

He looked at Kaya. He could not leave the young lady behind. If he agreed, he would surely have to travel year-round.

"Your young lady has always been in poor health, hasn't she? If you are willing, I can send her to the best Marine hospital in the East Blue."

"If they still cannot cure her, I can even arrange for her to receive treatment at Marine Headquarters."

"Really?"

Merry's eyes immediately lit up. Not just anyone could enter a Marine hospital. Even with his master's status back then, he had not qualified.

Otherwise, they would have long ago found a way to send the young lady there.

Not to mention Marine Headquarters.

But... doubt soon appeared in his eyes again. No matter how strong this man was, he was only a Captain. Did he have that authority?

Seeing his expression, Ener immediately understood and smiled. "Allow me to formally introduce myself. Ener, newly promoted to Major, East Blue Inspector General."

"Also, my subordinates have already arrived at the harbor. You can go verify it!"

"Major? East Blue Inspector General?"

Merry's eyes brightened sharply. He understood the weight those two identities carried. He could not help looking toward Kaya...

Ener also turned to Kaya. "Miss Kaya, don't you want to become a doctor? I can arrange for the best doctors in the East Blue to teach you... And your illness will be treated as well."

Kaya was immediately tempted upon hearing that.

Because of her health, she had always lived within this estate, and so she longed deeply for life outside.

She immediately nodded. "Mm!"

Seeing that Kaya had agreed as well, Merry immediately nodded. "I am willing to serve you, Inspector General."

Ener promptly added, "I can give you the capital right away. As for you, when can you officially get things running?"

Merry thought for a moment upon hearing that. "The most important thing in trade is ships, and I only have one small vessel. So I can only start by working through existing contacts. To officially begin trading, we will need to establish our own fleet. That will require at least three or four medium-sized ships or larger!"

"I'll take care of that."

"My Warship is a large vessel. It can be exchanged for one of your ships... Also, after I wiped out Black Thorn Island, I seized three medium pirate ships and four large pirate ships. They are somewhat damaged, though."

"You can use them after repairing them."

Merry's eyes lit up. "Then there won't be a problem."