"What kind of demand?"
While Gilbert hesitated, Aaron was already thinking about what benefits he could extract from him. After all, he was confident Gilbert would eventually accept his proposal.
And just as he expected, Gilbert agreed.
That meant it was time for Aaron to name his price.
When Aaron asked himself what he currently lacked, two things immediately came to mind: money and talent.
And as for money, the more, the better.
Even though he had just extorted two billion Berries from Gilbert under the alias of the "Invisible Man," that sum would vanish quickly once he began expanding his organization.
As for talent, that was an even rarer commodity.
The slums rarely produced capable people. Though he had recruited quite a few strong subordinates lately, none of them were like Bafina, someone skilled in both brains and brawn. Most of his underlings were crude, uneducated brutes who only knew how to solve problems through violence.
Because of that, Aaron had no choice but to hire some noncombatant clerks to handle the management of his growing territory.
He even planned to personally train a group of capable, loyal individuals with both intellect and strength to serve as the backbone of his organization.
However, while both money and talent were essential, Aaron believed he could still manage those matters himself for now. They weren't the most valuable things he could demand from Gilbert.
So, after some thought, he decided to go after something only a royal like Gilbert could grant, a legitimate territory.
"What!? You want Rock Island?"
Inside his castle, Gilbert's face turned grim as he spoke.
Rock Island, a small island near Drum Island, spanning only a few thousand square kilometers. From Vilia Port, it could be reached in half a day's journey.
Like Drum Island, Rock Island was also a Winter Island, covered in snow forests and inhabited by ferocious beasts but otherwise lacking any valuable resources.
Although it was still technically under Drum Kingdom's rule, in truth, the government had long lost control over it since the start of the Great Pirate Era.
Being isolated at sea, Rock Island rarely received protection from Drum Kingdom's forces. It had since become a pirate haven, a lawless land.
"That's right," Aaron replied calmly. "I want that island. I hope Lord Gilbert can part with it."
"It's been overrun by pirates for years. What would you even do with it? If you really want it, just take it from the pirates yourself. With your current strength, that shouldn't be difficult." Gilbert's tone was cold.
Even though Rock Island was no longer under his control and held little value, it was still part of his domain in name.
As a royal, Gilbert had a strong sense of territorial pride. Unless absolutely necessary, he would never agree to cede land.
Take it by force?
Of course, Aaron had thought of that. But he knew better than anyone that seizing an island by sheer force wouldn't make it truly his at least not yet.
What he lacked was a façade, a layer of legitimacy strong enough to keep the Navy from swooping in to destroy him.
Rock Island had been overrun by pirates for years. Because of its ideal location near the Grand Route, many ambitious pirate crews had tried to establish bases there to expand their influence outward.
But every single time, the Navy had swiftly encircled and annihilated them.
To the Marines, pirates could roam freely at sea like stray dogs but staking territorial claims was unacceptable. Anyone who dared was to be eradicated on sight.
Aaron might not be a pirate, but as a rising underworld figure, he was still viewed by the Navy as scum.
Without Gilbert's official recognition of the land transfer, even if he did seize Rock Island, he would inevitably face a Marine purge.
"Taking it by force would be illegal and draw too much attention," Aaron said with feigned confusion. "That's why I need Lord Gilbert to part with it willingly. Surely, you're not that attached to it? You said so yourself, the island's been overrun by pirates for years, and you haven't cared about it in the slightest."
Gilbert's face remained cold. Aaron's words didn't move him in the least. He cut him off sharply:
"Hmph! Enough with the useless talk. I, Gilbert, will never cede my land to anyone. And besides, you're not even a noble. You have no right to legally possess territory. Ask for something else."
Aaron's smile slowly faded as he stared at the Den Den Mushi before him, his expression darkening.
"Didn't expect that selfish old bastard to have such a sense of pride. I thought he'd give in easily. Then again, it figures he's deeply influenced by Celestial Dragon ideology. That class consciousness runs bone-deep. To him, a commoner owning land is unthinkable. So, if I want legitimate territory… I'll have to take the official route someday."
Aaron cursed inwardly, his irritation rising but he didn't give up.
Instead, he stayed silent, using that silence to apply pressure.
In this negotiation, he wasn't the weak one, Gilbert was. Aaron just needed to make him feel the heat until he became more pliable.
As the seconds ticked by, both sides held their silence. The air between them grew heavier and heavier.
Minutes passed, neither willing to speak first.
It seemed their negotiation would end in a stalemate.
"…Fine, Lord Gilbert. You win. If you won't part with Rock Island, then so be it, it's no big deal. I'll change my request. I just hope you won't reject this one."
Aaron finally spoke, his tone slightly weary, as though conceding defeat.
Gilbert exhaled in relief. To be honest, he had nearly cracked under the pressure.
After all, his plea for Aaron's help concerned his own life. If he let his pride get in the way and ended up dead because of it, that would've been the ultimate foolishness.
Now that he thought about it, he felt a twinge of fear. Maybe his stubbornness had been idiotic after all, what was an island worth if he lost his life?
"As long as you're not asking me to give up land, name whatever you want. If it's within my power, I'll agree." Gilbert said with newfound cheer, almost laughing.
Aaron's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Then I won't hold back, Lord Gilbert. Since you're unwilling to transfer ownership of Rock Island… then I'd like to lease it instead. Only temporarily say, for ten years."
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