The Blackbeard Pirates really wanted to use Yakushi Kabuto, hoping he could intervene and get rid of Uchiha Sasuke and Ace, the two who were chasing them.
But Yakushi Kabuto definitely doesn't think much of them…
Almost no one in the entire ocean is unaware of Yakushi Kabuto's name.
This once Navy's rising star strategist has now become a high-ranking official wielding great power within the World Government, with the CP departments under his command spread throughout the ocean. His influence is pervasive on the seas, with many pirates fearing Yakushi Kabuto even more than the Admirals.
Back when Yakushi Kabuto first rose to power, he was constantly capturing Revolutionary Army officers and pirates to solidify his status within the World Government.
Some countries on the ocean were also trembling in fear of Yakushi Kabuto, not daring to offend him. After Yakushi Kabuto joined the World Government, the number of allied nations also increased by over thirty in the past few years…
To put it bluntly…
Yakushi Kabuto is a man truly in control of power.
Compared to Yakushi Kabuto, the Blackbeard Pirates are actually nothing more than thieves. How could they possibly have a chance to connect with Yakushi Kabuto?
"Then we must demonstrate our value…"
Black Zetsu floated above Marshall D. Teach, speaking ominously: "Coincidentally, our people have gathered intelligence that the newly appointed Navy Headquarters Chief Inspector, Yakushi Kabuto, seems intent on taking action against a Four Emperors pirate gang…"
"Zehahaha… Are you joking?"
Marshall D. Teach couldn't help but clench his fist, chuckling as he said, "That guy's audacity is as great as ever!"
"Indeed…"
Black Zetsu's smile gradually turned eerie: "That guy, Yakushi Kabuto, wants to capture an important figure for a public execution, forcing the Four Emperors pirate gang and the Navy to start a war. He wants to dye his official position with the blood of pirates…"
Nominally, this information came from White Zetsu.
In reality, the true source of the information was Yakushi Kabuto himself telling White Zetsu directly.
Anyway, Marshall D. Teach couldn't find any flaws, ever since he got Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, he's been engulfed in inexplicable confidence.
This guy really thought it was destiny that chose him!
"Yakushi Kabuto's idea aligns perfectly with the plan we had discussed before…"
Marshall D. Teach clenched his fist tightly, chuckling as he said, "We can cooperate with him and give him a reason to start a war with the Whitebeard Pirates!
Whether capturing Ace or Sasuke, the old man would never sit idly by, zehahaha, even though his body is barely holding up, he still holds on to naïve thoughts…"
"For us, this opportunity couldn't be better…"
Black Zetsu looked at Teach, laughing ominously: "We can just use the fact that we're being chased by Uchiha Sasuke and Ace to set a trap with Yakushi Kabuto and capture them together…"
To put it bluntly…
It essentially meant making Teach the bait.
At least now he still had the qualifications to become bait. If Uchiha Sasuke caught up with them, their chances of survival would be slim.
Simply put…
They needed to find a way out in a desperate situation.
Thus, after some discussion, the Blackbeard Pirates secretly sent Laffitte to Marinford, hoping they could reach a collaboration with Yakushi Kabuto.
Meanwhile.
Uchiha Sasuke and Portgas D. Ace were still pursuing Marshall D. Teach, almost turning the First Half of the Grand Line upside down in their search.
Because the Akatsuki gave them only two months…
And now almost a month had passed, yet they hadn't killed Teach, and they also knew about Teach consuming the Dark-Dark Fruit…
The most important thing was…
Uchiha Sasuke discovered Black Zetsu lurking around Marshall D. Teach, which meant Teach had become a pawn of the Akatsuki, and the Whitebeard Pirates could no longer deliver the Dark-Dark Fruit to the Akatsuki!
An agreement about the Dark-Dark Fruit that Uehara Naraku never truly cared about, he was just playing with them all along!
This is the big trouble…
Perhaps the only good news was, Portgas D. Ace also saw the news of Luffy making a scene on the Ancient Island, coinciding with the Straw Hat Pirates being on the same route as them, possibly running into each other at the next stop…
"Luffy's bounty has increased rapidly…"
Ace looked at the bounty in his hand, a new bounty over one billion for Straw Hat Luffy, showing it off to his companion.
"Hey, Sasuke, look at Luffy's new bounty, he's sure to be this year's Super Rookie, just like we were back then!"
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke shook his head speechlessly.
Is there really nothing wrong with this Ace's mind? The Seven Warlords of the Sea, Kakuzu in the First Half of the Grand Line, loves those little pirates whose bounties suddenly soar.
The increased bounty…
Would surely attract Kakuzu's attention!
Earlier, Uchiha Sasuke had contacted Kakuzu with the Radio Snail, and that guy was still obsessed with money, asking Sasuke if he wanted to collaborate…
Are you kidding me!?
While the Akatsuki was about to stir up the entire ocean, Kakuzu was still focused on making money?
Kakuzu now possessed four carefully selected Devil Fruit abilities, including at least one Logia-Type Fruit ability, while the rest were currently unknown…
Given Kakuzu's personality, the abilities he seized were definitely not ordinary ones.
Once the Straw Hat Pirates are targeted by Kakuzu, facing the combination of Kakuzu and Hidan, the little guys from the Straw Hat Pirates will definitely be packaged up for the bounty...
If the Straw Hat Pirates are not targeted by Kakuzu...
That's the real danger!
Because for Kakuzu, who loves making money, to ignore Straw Hat Luffy's bounty, someone must have specifically told him that Straw Hat Luffy still has a greater purpose...
Or perhaps Kakuzu has recently set his sights on those two...
Uchiha Sasuke knows how high the bounties on him and Ace are, if Kakuzu could capture the two of them, it would be like hitting a jackpot!
Currently, the combined bounty on Uchiha Sasuke and Ace is even higher than Whitebeard's bounty.
Blub blub...
Blub blub blub...
Just as Uchiha Sasuke was thinking about Kakuzu, Kakuzu's routine call came through, ever since Sasuke and Ace entered the First Half of the Grand Line, Kakuzu almost calls every day to inquire about his location.
Damn it...
It really makes Sasuke want to hit someone.
"Sasuke."
After Kakuzu's call connected, he got straight to the point: "Where are you now? It's rare for you to be in the first half of the Paradise, won't you let me show some hospitality?"
"There's no need for that."
Uchiha Sasuke rubbed his forehead, looking visibly impatient: "That idiot Ace likes to dine and dash."
"What a despicable personality..."
Kakuzu's voice over the Radio Snail sounded a bit displeased: "Dining and dashing is unforgivable, let me send him to Impel Down for some reflection..."
"I'll keep a good watch on him."
Uchiha Sasuke glanced at the bounty order in his hand and suddenly said: "Speaking of which, isn't there a newbie in the Grand Line now? Straw Hat Luffy, his bounty surpassed 100 million Belly not long after entering the Grand Line, didn't you target his head?"
"100 million Belly is indeed quite a substantial bounty."
Kakuzu's voice over the Radio Snail was somewhat raspy, as he continued slowly: "But I can't take a single penny of that... because the person hunting down the Straw Hat Pirates is a Navy Vice Admiral named Uehara Naraku."
When Monkey D. Luffy entered the Grand Line, especially after the news of him causing a ruckus in the Dueling Arena on the Ancient Island came out, Kakuzu actually had his eyes on Luffy's head.
Unfortunately...
Kakuzu learned through the World Government channels that Uehara Naraku was tasked with capturing the Straw Hat Pirates, and after contacting Uehara Naraku once, he could only give up on Luffy's head.
"That guy!"
Uchiha Sasuke couldn't help but clench his Radio Snail; no wonder Kakuzu didn't go after Luffy, it turns out that guy Uehara Naraku personally stepped in to deal with the Straw Hat Pirates?
If targeted by Uehara Naraku...
Luffy would be better off caught by Kakuzu for the bounty!
On Drum Island.
The Straw Hat Pirates were unaware of all this, they were led by Dalton to Dr. Kureha's home, only to meet an unexpected person there.
"Miss Nico Robin!"
Sanji looked at Nico Robin in disbelief, because he remembered that three years ago, Nico Robin was still the Vice President of the Baroque Works.
As an old acquaintance of the Baroque Works, Nami was equally surprised to see Nico Robin: "Why is Robin here?"
"Mr. Sanji, Nami, and is that Luffy?"
With a smile, Nico Robin petted the small reindeer by her side and spoke: "It's been a long time! What brings you here?"
"Uh, that guy Luffy got seriously injured..."
Sanji couldn't help but take out a cigarette, explaining slowly: "We came over from the Ancient Island... What about Miss Robin? I heard the Baroque Works has disbanded..."
"Yes..."
Nico Robin nodded, showing a hint of wistfulness: "After the Baroque Works disbanded and Crocodile was imprisoned... I returned to a wandering lifestyle, recently wanting to see the cherry blossoms, so I planned to stay on Drum Island for a while and make amends to those hurt by the Baroque Works..."
"It wasn't Robin's fault at all!"
The reindeer under Nico Robin's feet suddenly lifted its head, pouting: "It was clearly that bastard Uehara Naraku's fault!"
"Chopper, don't say things like that..."
With a smile, Nico Robin ruffled the little reindeer's head.
Sanji also smiled, slowly speaking: "This little raccoon is right too... it was all that guy's fault..."
"I'm a reindeer, with antlers!"
While they were exchanging pleasantries, Usopp slowly approached Nami, cautiously asking, "Hey, who is that woman? She looks so gentle..."
"Former Vice President of the Baroque Works..."
Nami glanced at Nico Robin, speaking softly to Usopp: "In short, she's a very scary person, don't offend her! I remember the last time I saw her bounty, it seemed like it had already risen to 290 million Belly..."
"...Hiss..."
Usopp was so frightened that he inhaled sharply.
Nico Robin's bounty is much higher than Luffy's, at 290 million Belly—just how terrifying is this woman!