Marco's face was so dark it looked ready to storm.
White Ghost gave an awkward laugh. "Sorry—slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue."
Damn those fans from his previous life… always calling him "Doesn't Wash His Feet."
Marco took a deep breath and forced himself not to get angry. He was the one asking for a favor this time.
"Hello, Mr. White," Marco said evenly. "You already know why I'm here, so let's be direct. That potion—does it really do what the paper claims?"
White Ghost didn't answer right away. He poured Marco a glass of red wine, then snapped his fingers.
Naqin came over carrying a briefcase and handed it to White Ghost with a respectful bow.
Marco glanced at Naqin and couldn't help grumbling internally—so the rumors weren't wrong. This guy's tastes really are… unique.
White Ghost slid the briefcase over. "Check it yourself. With your Mythical Zoan traits, you should be able to tell."
Marco's hands trembled as he opened it.
Inside lay three bottles of red potion. He picked one up and examined it carefully.
White Ghost didn't disturb him, letting him take his time. Instead, he watched the fight playing out on deck.
Urouge… a bit slow, but the strength was there.
Enel wasn't bad—overall he met the mark.
Kuina was too kind. Most of the pirates she put down didn't die.
Bai Hezi was different—every strike was lethal, either the throat or the heart. Not bad, not bad. That girl used to be way too soft.
And Wyper… still like this. His talent seemed capped. It didn't feel like he had room to grow. Should I just leave him on Skypiea?
Skypiea hadn't been peaceful lately, either. Gan Fall had even called to complain—some pirates were climbing up, eyes only on gold.
They couldn't stop them. The Skypieans and Shandians had already beaten back who knew how many greedy crews.
Nami ran over. "White-bro! I finished all the books you gave me!"
White Ghost scooped her up. "Oh? Not bad, Nami. Then do you understand them?"
"Mm…" Nami sat in his lap and thought hard. "There's still some I don't get."
"Then tell me when you do," White Ghost said, ruffling her hair. "When you really understand it, I'll give you that Devil Fruit."
"Mm!" Nami didn't resist at all. She wriggled until she found a comfortable position, then leaned against him, content.
Marco watched the whole thing.
So Morgans wasn't lying. This guy really did have a nasty reputation in the papers.
"Are you done?" White Ghost turned to Marco, catching the odd look in his eyes.
"Ahem." Marco coughed. Yeah, his expression had been… off. But whatever the papers said, it was none of his business—as long as no one was getting hurt.
"Mr. White," Marco said carefully, "I've confirmed it. It's the real thing. But the price—"
He tried to bargain. The Whitebeard Pirates didn't have endless funds.
White Ghost shot him a look. A crew that huge and you still want to haggle?
"Ninety million berries. Take it or leave it," White Ghost said flatly. "If you're short, go kick some pirates around and cash them in at the Navy."
"Ahem—!" Marco coughed again. You want me, a pirate, to catch pirates and claim bounties? And even if I did, you think the Marines would pay me?
"…Let's not do that," Marco said stiffly.
He pulled out a box he'd brought and opened it. Inside were neatly stacked bills—one hundred million berries.
"So much money!" Nami's eyes lit up like stars.
White Ghost rubbed her head. That money-grubbing habit… it had always been there. Now it was even worse.
"This is one hundred million," Marco said. "I know your production won't be high. This is a deposit for the next batch."
White Ghost nodded. No one turned down money. Sure, he had piles of gold in his bracelet—but you couldn't live on old reserves forever.
"Then I'll be leaving, Mr. White." Marco stood up. He was in a hurry to get back and treat Pops.
Watching him go, White Ghost started wondering if he'd priced it too low. The cost was only five million… was he being too nice?
"Bererere… bererere…"
A Den Den Mushi rang.
"Moshi moshi? Who's this?"
"It's me," Sengoku's voice came through.
"Oh? Fleet Admiral Sengoku." White Ghost leaned back. Nami hugged the money box and flopped down too, her little face glowing with happiness. "What is it?"
"You just made contact with Marco of the Whitebeard Pirates?" Sengoku's tone was severe.
"Yeah," White Ghost said carelessly. "Just made one hundred million. Calling to congratulate me, Fleet Admiral?"
"Bastard!" Sengoku roared. The Den Den Mushi mimicked him perfectly. "Why are you trading with them?!
"Do you realize what happens if Whitebeard heals up with your potion? The Navy will be facing Whitebeard at full strength—do you understand that?!"
White Ghost lit a cigar. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku… what does that have to do with me?"
"Don't forget you used to be a Marine!" Sengoku bellowed. "This is helping the enemy—do you understand?!"
White Ghost exhaled smoke slowly. "Fleet Admiral… you said it yourself.
Used to be.
"I'm a free man now."
His tone stayed lazy. "The Marines don't get to police how wide the world is."
Sengoku went silent.
Because White Ghost was right. He'd left the Navy. Who he did business with wasn't something the Marines could control.
Hell—the Navy itself bought weapons through Underworld channels.
"Fine," Sengoku said at last. "Your potion. Ten million berries per bottle. The Navy will purchase ten bottles."
White Ghost didn't answer.
He simply hung up.
Then he cursed. "Dream on. In your dreams you can have anything. Arthur's business still isn't settled, either!"
Sengoku stared at the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
That brat hung up on me?
Smack!
Sengoku slammed his palm on the desk, veins bulging. "That little punk dared hang up on me!"
To the side, Chief of Staff Tsuru sighed and shook her head. "Weren't you going to offer twenty million per bottle? You opened with ten. If it were me, I'd hang up too."
Sengoku's face turned red. "He's got a huge operation! I thought he'd agree for old times' sake!"
"Bererere… bererere…"
The Den Den Mushi rang again.
White Ghost picked up without thinking. "If you're going to say something like that again, don't bother—"
Then a "Fuffuffuffuffu…" came through.
"Did someone piss you off just now?" Doflamingo's voice was smooth and amused. "Your temper sounds terrible."
"Oh. Doffy." White Ghost slumped in his chair, lazily watching Elena and the others start cleaning up the battlefield. "What do you want?"
Doflamingo's forehead vein twitched at the nickname, but he forced himself to stay calm. He couldn't afford to provoke this man.
He could fly. If he decided to be a problem one day and dropped in with a single Bolo Breath, it would be a disaster.
"Fuffuffuffu… let's be direct," Doflamingo said. "White Ghost, I need that potion."
"Thirty million berries per bottle," White Ghost said flatly. "Send someone to pick it up. Cash in hand, goods in hand."
He yawned. "That's it. I'm taking a nap. Don't bother me."
"Kacha."
Doflamingo stared at the Den Den Mushi that had been cut off, and his face twisted into something ugly.
"Bastard…"
Conqueror's Haki burst upward.
By the pool, Sugar ate grapes and looked up at the surging pressure. "Who made Young Master angry again?"
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