Chapter 397: Pleasant Cooperation
Golden Lion remained silent.
Brett simply watched him calmly, awaiting his answer.
Then finally, Golden Lion spoke. "I just don't understand—why me?"
"What becomes of this world—I don't care at all! What happened during that blank hundred years—I'm not interested either!"
The Flying Lion's tone grew passionate. Though his body was already tattered, the spirit he displayed in this moment could still make anyone marvel.
He simply wanted to tell Brett—their philosophies fundamentally differed.
He held absolutely no interest in things like the future or history. The only thing he wanted was to rule—seize the entire world, then grasp it in his palm!
"This is precisely why we should cooperate."
Brett said leisurely. The benefit of Observation Haki capable of glimpsing hearts lay here—no one could disguise themselves before him.
"Golden Lion-senpai, if you want to conquer the world, then undoubtedly the World Government is your greatest enemy, right?"
Brett smiled. "As for the world's ownership—decide that after overthrowing them."
"Otherwise, how could you—who can't even beat me—possibly defeat the World Government that even I find troublesome?"
Golden Lion bit down slightly.
Though truly unwilling to admit it, this was indeed fact.
With this bastard around, still talking about ruling the world?
The ferocious drug researched over a decade was completely useless. No matter how many beasts, they probably couldn't do anything to this guy.
Golden Lion found it very difficult not to feel defeated by this.
At one moment he'd even thought dying at this bastard's hands wouldn't be bad.
But naturally, such thoughts vanished instantly. Golden Lion remained Golden Lion.
"What an audacious guy—offering an olive branch to your enemy without any concerns!"
Golden Lion sneered. "Then I'll accept your offer!"
"Pulling the World Government down from the sky—sounds pretty good."
"Excellent."
Brett applauded lightly. "With Golden Lion-senpai joining, our cause becomes somewhat simpler."
"You kid—"
Seeing his delighted expression, Golden Lion couldn't help asking. "Don't you suspect I'll break my word?"
"This time agreeing is just expedient—in the future at a critical moment I'll turn on you?"
"Because there's no need to worry, right?"
Brett said with a smile. "Golden Lion-senpai, would you violate your own promise?"
"Hey, foolish brat—are you telling a pirate to keep promises?" Golden Lion couldn't help laughing.
Brett only chuckled softly.
The answer—he'd read his mind, seen Golden Lion-senpai's true thoughts.
So not particularly worried.
Golden Lion's smile slightly subsided. He said solemnly, "Though very unwilling, this time I truly owe you a favor. Count me in for opposing the Government."
"No no no, Golden Lion-senpai—"
Brett shook his head. "This is just cooperation. No need to mention favors."
He winked. "If you really want to repay favors, then return those people you brought to the sky back to the sea."
"..."
Golden Lion felt somewhat confused. "How do you know about this?"
Back then he'd discovered some violent monsters on a certain island, then discovered a plant called IQ.
This plant could enrage beasts that consumed it long-term. Their strength and stamina would greatly increase. Their destructive desire soared even higher.
Thinking it had potential, Golden Lion-senpai brought that island into the sky, thus beginning his decade-plus ferocious drug research.
Since the island was brought skyward, naturally the people living on it were also brought up.
Speaking of which, those residents were somewhat special. Though living at sea, like sky island residents they had small wings on their backs.
"This isn't hard to guess. After all, how many in this world can take away an entire island?" Brett smiled.
"Hmph."
Golden Lion snorted coldly. "Caring about such boring things—should I say as expected from someone harboring reform ideals?"
"Just happened to remember."
"Doesn't matter. Originally just to hide information. Now it's all irrelevant anyway."
The research had absolutely no need to continue, right?
What use studying those shitty beasts?
Even an island full of beasts—this bastard brat before him could eliminate them all in a few minutes. Becoming a flame dragon and rolling across the island several times would suffice.
Rather than researching such things, better to think about removing this ship's wheel from his head.
Golden Lion thought this.
"By the way, Golden Lion-senpai—you can't use Haki now because of injuries from battling Roger back then, right?"
Brett spoke timely.
"So what if it is?"
The old veteran snorted very displeased.
This matter couldn't be hidden anyway. After all, if he could use Haki, why would he have endured this kid's attacks with his flesh just now?
"If that's the case, perhaps I can help."
Brett smiled.
"What?"
Golden Lion froze.
Soon, Brett brought Golden Lion back to Whole Cake Island, landing on the island's coastal edge. He called Katakuri to collect his goods.
"Quite swift action."
Katakuri arrived quickly.
He glanced at the massive red stone placed aside, then looked at Golden Lion lying on clouds suspended in midair. "Why does it seem you chatted quite happily?"
"Naturally because Golden Lion-senpai is now also our cooperation partner." Brett said with a smile.
"Really? That's truly an unimagined development."
Katakuri nodded, neither particularly surprised nor particularly concerned.
He'd never been very interested in battling the Government. His willingness to participate was solely to help Brett.
"Looks like you've already gathered a batch of formidable forces."
Golden Lion said.
He naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to think Brett's cooperation partners were only Katakuri and Yamato.
"Well, because the enemy is truly quite powerful."
Brett said lightly.
"But doesn't this guy's injuries really need treatment? I can call a doctor over—at least bandage him."
Katakuri looked at Golden Lion whose skin had completely festered, his original appearance completely unrecognizable.
"No need—"
Brett shook his head. "Bandage now, then remove it later—very troublesome."
"Huh?"
Katakuri felt somewhat bewildered.
What did that mean?
---