In the corridor of the ship's cabin, Luo Chen smiled faintly. "Alright, wait for me in the room tonight."
Since Kalifa requested it, he had no choice but to agree reluctantly.
He believed it wouldn't take too long.
After saying that, Luo Chen and Robin left.
Leaving Kalifa standing silently in front of the door.
She lightly bit her lower lip, watching Luo Chen's retreating figure, and took a deep breath.
In reality, her heart was beating very fast; she was extremely nervous.
She relied entirely on her mastery of the Marine Six Styles to forcibly control her body so as not to reveal any flaws.
Seduction was absolutely a first for Kalifa.
Although it had been taught during her past CP agent training with the World Government, this was her first time putting it into practice.
She tucked her golden hair behind her ear and slowly walked back to her room to prepare for tonight's special operation.
...
On the deck of the Falling Star God Meteor.
Douglas Bullet, Enel, Shiryu, Byrnndi World, and others had been waiting for a long time.
They were preparing to go with Luo Chen to meet Whitebeard.
Staying on the ship these past few days had bored them to death.
Luo Chen raised his hand and created a wood dragon. Everyone stood on it and headed toward the island below.
In the sky, dozens of giant wood dragons were also circling.
Tens of thousands of residents from Amazon Lily stood at the edge of the wood dragons, watching Luo Chen and the others leave.
There was hope in their eyes.
After flying high in the sky for many days, they finally had a place to settle down.
Everyone knew that Luo Chen was going to accept the territory.
During the Summit War, Whitebeard had proactively offered to give half of his wealth and territory to repay Luo Chen's kindness.
...
On the island, Whitebeard was holding a meeting with Marco, Ace, Jozu, and other "sons" in a clearing in the village.
Their expressions were somewhat heavy.
Marco sighed with worry. "I didn't expect the mobilization of the Five Elders to cause such panic among the islanders under our command."
"Luo Chen should be here soon. What do we do now?"
Yesterday afternoon, news of Luo Chen's confrontation with the Five Elders at the Sabaody Archipelago had spread.
Many islands in the New World had received the news.
Whitebeard ruled over a total of more than fifty islands.
Originally, he prepared to carve out half of his territory for Luo Chen to establish his power.
But this morning, messages came from the islanders of that half of the territory. They sent representatives to issue a joint statement, unwilling to be placed under Luo Chen's command.
The reason was simple.
The Five Elders had personally mobilized, and the World Government showed its determination to destroy Luo Chen's God Meteor Pirate Crew.
If they were placed under Luo Chen's command now, they would inevitably be implicated.
Once Luo Chen was defeated and killed, they would be slaughtered by the World Government.
The residents of more than twenty islands were completely unwilling to join Luo Chen.
To this end, the resident representatives did not hesitate to write letters in blood, kneeling and kowtowing, begging Whitebeard not to assign them to Luo Chen.
The Third Division Commander, the burly Jozu, looked troubled.
"Pops has already promised Luo Chen."
"Going back on it now, wouldn't that be a breach of faith?"
Ace, Vista, Izo, and the other commanders all looked at their Pops.
They were equally torn.
On one hand, there were the civilians of the territories they had governed for years.
Many of these civilians even had family members who had joined the Whitebeard Pirates.
They could be considered family.
Now that they were begging Pops, it was hard to refuse.
On the other hand, there was Luo Chen, who had saved their lives.
Going back on their word now would be treacherous.
Whitebeard sat on a giant wooden chair, his expression serious and his eyes contemplative.
He spoke slowly, "Let's forget about the territory matter."
"When Luo Chen arrives, I will personally apologize to him."
"As for the half of the wealth we promised earlier, let's take out more. Keep one-tenth for ourselves, and give all the rest to Luo Chen."
The Five Elders personally mobilizing to besiege Luo Chen was something even Whitebeard hadn't anticipated.
The World Government's determination to exterminate Luo Chen could be said to be very firm.
Whitebeard didn't even doubt that the World Government dared to go deep into the New World to besiege Luo Chen.
At this critical juncture, he really didn't feel at ease handing over the people of half his territory to Luo Chen.
Whitebeard treated all the people in his territory as family.
He didn't want them to encounter danger.
Marco, Ace, and the others had no objections to Pops' decision.
They only hoped Luo Chen could understand.
At this moment, Whitebeard looked up at the distant sky.
Marco, Ace, Jozu, and the other commanders also turned their heads to look into the distance.
A lifelike dark green dragon was flying over from the horizon.
Several figures stood on the back of the dragon.
"Pops, Luo Chen is here." Marco flew up into the sky to look from a distance and confirmed the visitor.
Hearing this, Whitebeard stood up from his giant wooden chair to welcome him personally.
He looked at Jozu and ordered, "Bring all the prepared treasure over."
Jozu took the order and left temporarily.
Not long after, the dark green dragon approached and, under Marco's guidance, landed in the village clearing.
Seeing Luo Chen leap down from the dragon, Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"Gurararara, I've been waiting for you for a long time, Luo Chen."
"I trust you have been well." Luo Chen smiled.
His gaze swept over Whitebeard.
This robust old man's aura was even weaker than it had been during the Summit War.
The sword stab from Squard's sneak attack that pierced his chest had left a permanent scar.
His face also looked more aged than before.
Luo Chen couldn't help but sigh inwardly; even the strong of this world could not escape the erosion of time.
The reason the Five Elders submitted to Imu was inextricably linked to immortality.
"If I want eternal life, I must either use Law's Ope Ope no Mi to perform the Perennial Youth Operation."
"Or find Pure Gold."
Pure Gold was a special type of gold that appeared in the movie.
Using Pure Gold could grant eternal youth and cure all diseases.
But finding it would not be easy.
Luo Chen withdrew his thoughts and took a seat on the chair prepared by Marco and the others.
Robin, Bullet, Enel, Shiryu, and the rest also sat down around him.
Whitebeard scanned the group, his eyes lingering on Bullet for a few moments, and laughed.
"I didn't expect to see you again in my lifetime, brat."
Bullet grinned. "Whitebeard, with that senile look of yours, you're no longer fit for the title of the World's Strongest Man."
"Gurararara..." Whitebeard laughed loudly, not minding it.
He actually knew clearly that he was likely no longer Luo Chen's match.
Capturing two Marine Admirals alive was something he couldn't do.
After everyone exchanged pleasantries for a while, Jozu and several crew members brought over chests of treasure.
Ace and Marco greeted the villagers to serve food and wine.
There were also more than a dozen young and beautiful women dancing passionately, their figures swaying to the music being played.
Whitebeard raised his cup and drained it in one gulp, then spoke seriously, "Luo Chen, let me apologize first. I'm afraid I can't give you the territory I promised earlier."
The smiles on the faces of Marco, Ace, Jozu, and the others vanished instantly, and they looked at Luo Chen with some worry.
Bullet, Enel, Shiryu, and the others also stopped eating and drinking, looking up.
The atmosphere stagnated for a moment.
Luo Chen asked with some surprise, "Something happened?"
Whitebeard nodded helplessly. Just as he was about to say something, a commotion came from the distance.
"Has the Fifth Emperor, Lord Luo Chen, arrived?"
"We have matters to discuss."
"..."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]