Foodvalten Island, Big Barrel Bar.
"Representing the Umbrella Corporation, to make a... clean break with me!?"
Hearing this, Whitebeard's gaze gradually sharpened. He stared at Sephiroth before him, his face filled with displeasure.
"First, you need to understand one thing! Back then, it was your Umbrella Corporation begging me, which is why I mercifully lent you my flag and provided you with protection..."
Sephiroth nodded slightly. "Yes, for so many years, I've been under your care. To express our gratitude, the Company..."
Ten years ago, a large part of the reason the Umbrella Corporation could gain a foothold in the chaotic New World was thanks to the deterrent power of the Whitebeard Pirates. Even if the Company gave the Whitebeard Pirates ten billion Berries and ten billion in arms every year, they still made a considerable profit. If the World Government hadn't specifically issued a decree deliberately targeting the Umbrella Corporation, Sephiroth actually wanted to continue cooperating with Whitebeard like this. But...
Forced by the situation, Sephiroth could only make the choice most beneficial to the Company.
Whoosh!
Before Sephiroth could finish speaking, Whitebeard directly grabbed the barrel on the round table and threw it towards the former's head.
Everyone saw Sephiroth's figure blur. The barrel passed through his head and smashed onto the bar floor with a "Bang-!" turning into a pile of shattered wood chips. Just now, Sephiroth, at a speed too fast for ordinary people to see clearly, left an afterimage in place, narrowly avoiding the barrel, and then returned to his original spot. Thus, the barrel appeared as if it had passed through his head.
"Brat, you are not qualified to negotiate with me... If the Umbrella Corporation wants to talk, have your Boss Tesoro come talk to me." Whitebeard said in an unfriendly tone. "I can make all decisions regarding this matter."
"Just you!?"
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure on his face. His right hand slowly grasped the Supreme Grade Sword Murakumogiri by his side. In Whitebeard's view, he was, after all, one of the Four Emperors and the Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates.
If the Umbrella Corporation wanted to negotiate, their Boss Tesoro should come in person, not send some inexplicable security consultant to deal with him. Although the young man before him possessed considerable strength and a resounding reputation, his position within the Umbrella Corporation was ultimately lacking!
"That's right, just me." Sephiroth's tone was calm as he looked directly, without hesitation, at the man before him who held the title of the World's Strongest.
"Brat, who do you think I am! I am Whitebeard!"
Dark red lightning coiled around the blade of Murakumogiri.
If the Umbrella Corporation wanted to negotiate, their Boss Tesoro should come in person.
Whitebeard, moving with incredible speed, swung the long-handled great sword in his hand, slashing towards the young man before him.
At the same time, Sephiroth drew the butcher knife tucked at his waist. He wrapped the blade in Conqueror's Haki and, without dodging, slashed directly towards the blade of Murakumogiri.
Boom!
The blades clashed in the air. Two immensely powerful Conqueror's Haki forces fought to dominate, constantly crushing each other, each seeking to completely suppress the opponent.
In an instant, a powerful and vast Haoshoku shockwave erupted from the center of the two combatants, surging outwards in all directions across the entire island. The powerful aura shot straight into the sky, tearing it apart. Even beyond the island, on the vast blue sea, surging waves were stirred up.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Inside the bar, the weaker members of the Whitebeard Pirates were sent flying backward uncontrollably, crashing against the bar walls one after another. The bar's structure was completely unable to withstand the force unleashed during their clash. Cracks spread constantly across the rafters, walls, and floor. Finally, the entire bar, with a thunderous "Rumble-!", completely exploded into dust!
Under the crushing force, the bar's roof was blown off, and the stone floor beneath their feet crumbled and disintegrated inch by inch, turning into stone fragments of various sizes that shot outwards.
In the ruins of the bar, Jozu, Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Third Division, raised his head and looked up at the sky, at the massive crack formed by the parting clouds. He said with a hint of surprise, "Look! The clouds... no, the sky has split!"
"The Marine's greatest Great Swordsman... truly lives up to his reputation!" Vista, Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Fifth Division, the Flower Sword, unconsciously pressed his hands against the twin swords at his waist, a flash of eagerness flickering in his eyes.
"This guy can actually go head-to-head with Whitebeard in a direct confrontation..." Marco crossed his arms, a look of surprise involuntarily appearing on his face.
Among the crowd, a burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man with a black bandana, black wavy hair, and several missing front teeth, Marshall D. Teach, an unremarkable-looking man, watched the scene of the two clashing swords, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes. He genuinely yearned in his heart to possess the same world-destroying power as the two before him, to stir up the heavens and earth, changing the very colors of the wind and clouds with every move!
However...
He had silently lurked in the Whitebeard Pirates for over twenty years, yet still hadn't waited for the thing he yearned for in his heart...
Bang!
After a moment of stalemate, Whitebeard first actively withdrew Murakumogiri from his hand, heavily planting it on the ground, before coldly snorting:
"Brat, you're quite good! I admit you're qualified to negotiate with me. Speak. How does the Umbrella Corporation want to make a clean break?"
Foodvalten Island was the territory of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Considering Sephiroth's strength, which allowed him to clash with Whitebeard without falling behind, Whitebeard couldn't just go all out and fight a full battle here, no matter how displeased he was with Sephiroth and the Umbrella Corporation. It could easily destroy the entire Foodvalten Island.
For a powerhouse like Whitebeard, the thing he hated most was fighting on home ground. He was always constrained, unable to display his full strength.
If this island were the Umbrella Corporation's territory, or even a deserted island, Whitebeard wouldn't waste so many words. He'd just start fighting!
Sephiroth knew this. That's why he chose this moment to approach Whitebeard directly. He was grasping his weakness, forcing him into peaceful negotiations. As for challenging a Four Emperor crew by himself... Sephiroth wasn't that crazy. In a one-on-one situation, he was confident he wouldn't lose to any of the Four Emperors. If it was a prolonged battle, he was even more certain of victory. But...
Challenging a Four Emperor and challenging a Four Emperor crew were completely different concepts! Within the Whitebeard Pirates, guys like Marco, Jozu, and Vista were not simple minor characters. If Sephiroth were in a prolonged battle with Whitebeard, and Whitebeard showed signs of decline or was at a disadvantage, these loyal sons of Whitebeard might very well not be able to resist giving him a harsh blow! After all, benevolence and morality were things he never thought Pirates should possess...
Sephiroth sheathed his butcher knife and began to explain. "For many years, thanks to the care of the Whitebeard Pirates, the Umbrella Corporation will always remember this kindness. But... Due to the new legal provisions issued by the World Government, the Company is forced to terminate its cooperation with the Whitebeard Pirates. Otherwise, the Umbrella Corporation will suffer a severe blow from the World Government. At that time, with a significant reduction in assets, the Company will not have sufficient financial resources to continue maintaining its cooperative relationship with the Whitebeard Pirates. Presumably, you understand this point as well. Therefore, the termination of cooperation between the Umbrella Corporation and the Whitebeard Pirates is bound to happen sooner or later, and it is a necessary measure. To express our apologies, the Company has decided to offer the Whitebeard Pirates twenty billion Berries, and from today onwards, the cooperative relationship between both parties will cease."
Looking at the eloquent Sephiroth before him, Whitebeard couldn't help but let out a cold snort. He raised his left hand, spread his five fingers, and said in a deep voice,
"No! Twenty billion is not enough. I want fifty billion. If the Umbrella Corporation is unwilling to agree, our Whitebeard Pirates are not to be trifled with."
"Deal!"
Sephiroth agreed readily, without any hesitation. He drew his butcher knife and opened his personal space. Ten large tin boxes were stacked inside. Each one weighed over a ton.
He carried five of the boxes out and placed them on the ground, one after another. Each placement made a resounding "Thud!" sound. He opened the boxes. Inside were stacks of ten thousand Berries banknotes. "Five boxes in total, ten billion Berries per box. If you're not at ease, you can have your crew count them."
Whitebeard couldn't help but glance at the five large tin boxes that hadn't been taken out of Sephiroth's personal space yet. Did I ask for too little? No wonder this brat agreed so readily just now...
Hmph! No need. From today onwards, the Umbrella Corporation and the Whitebeard Pirates have no further connection!