NOVPUB
Chapter 317 - 317: The Price of a Deal
The terrifying power erupted.
Under Noah's overwhelming force, the expressions of the CP0 members twisted in agony.
Without hesitation, one man clenched his left fist, shrouded in armed color's domineering aura, and struck fiercely at Noah, attempting to break free.
But his attack was effortlessly blocked by Noah's other hand. Then, with a sneer, Noah tore fiercely—one arm was ripped off and hurled far away.
Next, the man's head was crushed under Noah's immense strength.
Blood sprayed into the air, and screams abruptly ceased.
An angry voice crackled through the Den Den Mushi. "Are you threatening us by killing them?"
"No," Mio replied coldly, staring at the device. "I'm merely stating a fact with my life. If you want to test the Black Crow, be prepared to pay the price—no matter who stands on the other side."
"Hmph!"
The old man's snort was laced with barely suppressed anger. "I will inform you when the transaction is scheduled."
The Den Den Mushi clicked as the call ended.
Mio put the device away, glanced at the two corpses, and commanded, "Keep moving. Head for Gavro Island."
"Yes, sir," Bai Feng nodded respectfully.
The Black Glory pressed onward toward Gavro Island.
Gazing at the uninhabited island, Mio's eyes were calm, though a flicker of coldness flashed. "Old man... Hmph. Sooner or later, I will pull you off your altar."
With a fist clenched in his right hand, Mio looked to Noah and ordered, "Erase all traces. Even though they're just corpses, leave no evidence behind. Otherwise, the New World pirates will swarm us."
"Understood, sir."
Noah smiled faintly and lightly jumped from the deck onto the island.
He clenched his fist tightly, gathering power.
Boom.
A devastating punch struck the island's ground beneath him.
Noah's terrifying strength unleashed without restraint, cracking the earth underfoot. Cracks spiderwebbed outward.
Then, with a tremendous roar, the entire island shook violently, broke apart, and began sinking. 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Dust rose to fill the sky.
Noah leapt lightly, transforming into a golden dragon, soaring back to the deck.
Soon after, the island trembled fiercely before collapsing into rubble and sinking beneath the waves...
Marijoa.
The World Government's headquarters.
Inside a magnificent hall, the Five Elders sat on plush sofas.
One wore a black suit, white curly hair, a fluffy white beard, a flat hat, and bore a scar on his left cheek.
Another donned a dark red suit, no bow tie, blonde hair and beard, with a chest scar.
A third wore a dark blue suit, long straight white hair, and a long beard.
The fourth was bald, dressed in dark green, with two splayed beards and a birthmark on his forehead.
The last wore a white Taoist robe, bald with glasses and a beard—the only Elder not wearing a suit—and had a katana resembling the first generation Kitetsu by his side.
The bald Elder with the splayed beard slammed his palm on the coffee table, his face icy with anger. "He's blatantly threatening us—this Black Crow, damn it!!"
"Calm down," the curly-haired Elder said calmly, holding his chin. "Anger is useless; it only clouds our judgment."
"It's natural to be threatened, after all, we threatened first," the Elder with the suspected demon sword said evenly. "People of that caliber don't take threats lightly. Their arrogance isn't to be underestimated."
"Yes. They're among the top-tier fighters in the New World. Only a handful can match Black Crow."
"So... are No. 5 and No. 6 dead?" the splayed beard Elder asked, struggling to control his temper.
"Let them die," the curly-haired leader replied coolly. "We'll train replacements. It'll take just over ten years. We've produced enough of their level over time."
"That's the only option. We'll recruit suitable candidates from orphanages worldwide, cleanse their beliefs, and assign devil fruits for training."
"And the deal with Black Crow?"
"We'll find the right time. But next time, send someone other than No. 20—so we won't regret if they die."
"Agreed."
The Five Elders nodded in agreement.
As rulers of the World Government, they understood the vast power at their command—and the many complexities it entailed.
Pirates, revolutionaries, civilians, kingdoms, the D clan—everything required their attention.
Even kings who trembled before the Celestial Dragons were kept under watch, because ignoring them was not an option. There were simply too many countries.
If they all rebelled simultaneously, it could spark uprisings of millions.
Most agents under the World Government had been dispatched worldwide to gather intelligence, perform missions, and sniff out seeds of rebellion.
Though powerful, the World Government was stretched thin.
Just like the Navy.
That was why they feared the top fighters of the New World so deeply.
Though many powerful men belonged to the World Government, they could not send them all out.
The true strength of the World Government was reserved for moments of absolute necessity—to instill fear and respect.
Even the World Government could not act recklessly against top New World powerhouses like Black Crow.
They might win, but the losses would be devastating.
Moreover, such moves would reveal the World Government's depths to hidden enemies—a dangerous and costly exposure.
Mio, of course, was unaware of these World Government concerns.
The Black Glory sailed steadily toward Gavro Island.
Hei Yan stood beside Mio, attentively awaiting his orders...
