Chapter 30: Successful negotiation

"This is not Bartholomew Kuma… he has already lost to me."

"I want to make a deal with the World Government."

Yami was not too polite and said this directly when he spoke up.

The person on the other end of the phone seemed stunned, and it took a while before he spoke.

"Who are you?"

The tone of the Den-Den Mushi was a bit unkind, but the imitation was very vivid.

"My name is Yamikage."

"I want to use Straw Hat Boy to exchange for a position in the Shichibukai.”

“There is still an extra position, since Crocodile was removed."

Yami briefly explained, and then made his request politely.

Now the Shichibukai had a vacancy.

It was a result of what Crocodile did in Alabasta.

"Straw Hat?"

"Such a pirate is not worthy of the name of the Shichibukai."

The other end of the phone said in a very calm tone.

Everyone in the surrounding Straw Hats who were still awake looked at Yami angrily.

But their mouths were sealed and they couldn't speak at all.

"Wasn’t it sufficient to become a Shichibukai by capturing Fire Fist Ace, the son of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger?" Yami said this, and tapped his chin as if he was perplexed.

"Then why is the son of Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, not enough?"

Yami said calmly.

The Straw Hats looked shocked, obviously stunned by the news told by Yami.

‘Luffy's brother was captured? And he was the son of the pirate king?’

‘And Luffy's identity was divulged just like that?’

"Oh!"

"Is he the son of that troublesome fellow, Monkey D. Dragon?"

The person on the other side of the phone was obviously a little surprised.

But he immediately noticed something.

After all, surnames like Monkey D. were rare.

‘It seems this person is Garp’s grandson…’

"Or maybe the World Government is holding back this time because of the Navy hero Garp?"

Yami added with a slight smile.

He was making sure that they understood that he knew things…

It was crucial for him to do this, because it was the last step for his mission to succeed.

"Hmph, the Navy is just a force controlled by the World Government."

"Yamikage… this is getting interesting."

"I understand your conditions. You have a deal.”

“Hand over the Straw Hat Boy to the World Government, and you will be the newest crowned Shichibukai."

With a clear tone, the person on the other end of the phone agreed to Yami's deal.

Obviously, they were interested in Monkey D. Luffy.

"By the way, a few CP9 agents have fought against me during this mission. They seem to be fugitives hunted by the World Government now. I'll deal with these individuals myself."

Yami spoke with calculated indifference.

"Do as you wish," came the curt reply.

"Wait at Moria's location. A warship will be dispatched to receive you, along with your official Shichibukai pardon."

"Finally… Regarding Moria and Bartholomew Kuma, don't kill them."

The person on the other side of the Den-Den Mushi showed no interest in prolonging the conversation.

After delivering these final instructions, the connection abruptly ended.

Clearly, more pressing matters demanded the World Government's attention.

Yami tested his Sharingan's influence on the Den-Den Mushi's consciousness, discovering he could easily manipulate it.

This precaution would prevent any unwanted eavesdropping attempts in the future.

After all, Kuma essentially remained outside his direct control.

Who could predict what schemes the World Government might attempt against him?

Kaku and the other CP9 agents stood rigid with tension, their faces pale.

They had heard every damning word of Yami's conversation with the Five Elders.

"Now, to address your situation."

Yami turned to look at them.

"Rob Lucci violated our agreement. When I commanded him to stop, he chose defiance instead."

"Originally, upon completing our arrangement, I intended to release you all. However, that option has become... complicated."

"My profession does not tolerate betrayal, after all."

Yami fixed the CP9 group with a harsh stare.

"This fault lies entirely with Lucci, and us. We apologize on his behalf!" Kalifa bowed her head without hesitation, abandoning any concern for dignity or appearances.

Witnessing her desperate gesture, the others recognized their hopeless predicament.

Resistance would prove futile against such overwhelming odds.

One by one, the remaining CP9 members followed her example and bowed their heads.

“We apologize!”

Lucci felt profoundly moved seeing his companions do that for his sake.

The sight snapped him from his terror-induced stupor.

After wrestling with his pride, he gritted his teeth and joined them in bowing.

Yami nodded his head.

"You face two choices now. The first is: to die."

"The second: to serve as my subordinates.”

“The Shichibukai require capable personnel to operate under them, and your abilities are... adequate for such purposes."

"Choose."

Yami delivered this ultimatum with brutal directness.

The CP9 group possessed undeniable potential.

Without their undercover constraints, Lucci's strength could rival most Vice Admirals in direct combat.

This calculation explained why Yami had employed his technique to psychologically scar him… fear would ensure better control than mere respect.

Some tasks remained unsuitable for his own clan members to handle, necessitating reliable subordinates to resolve such matters.

CP9's capacity for growth made Yami's investment of time and effort worthwhile.

Bowing their heads, had not earned them forgiveness; it had merely presented an alternative to execution.

"Our leader will make this decision for all of us," Kalifa declared, the others watching their leader with solemn expressions.

As CP organization veterans, they had contemplated death before, though survival naturally remained preferable.

However, after their organization's betrayal, trusting figures like Spandam had proven disastrous; they now placed faith only in their comrades.

Rob Lucci surveyed his loyal companions.

His warrior's pride screamed against this, yet these same people had just sacrificed their dignity for his protection.

How could he cling to arrogance in the face of such devotion?

"We pledge our allegiance to you, Yamikage-sama!"

Rob Lucci forced himself to kneel on one knee, lowering his head in formal submission to Yami.

Though the act filled him with bitter resentment, he chose his companions' welfare over personal pride.

“I don’t want to mistrust you, but you can understand my position…”

"I will implant special seals within each of you. Should anyone disobey my commands, I can claim your life instantly from any distance."

Yami's tone brooked no argument.

How could he trust these former enemies without implementing some fail-safes?

At least for now…

"We accept," Rob Lucci replied in a hollow voice.

"[Lightning Seal]"

Yami approached Kalifa first, beginning the sealing process.

He embedded a concentrated [Chidori] technique within her neck.

When in range, Yami could trigger it at will, unleashing lethal lightning from inside her body.

Even if she eventually mastered Armament Haki, internal attacks of this nature would prove impossible to defend against.

Positioned at such a vital location, survival would be virtually impossible.

"One per day. Rob Lucci, you'll receive yours last."

Yami refrained from completing all the seals immediately, as the procedure consumed substantial chakra.

Sealing more than three individuals would strain his current limits, and urgency didn't demand immediate completion.

For now, one seal would suffice to discourage rebellious thoughts.

But Yami, didn’t plan on abusing this, it was just a failsafe.

"Clean the battlefield thoroughly. Search the ruins for anything of value."

"The rest of you, maintain vigilance over this one."

Yami issued his orders with military precision.

He directed his clan members to salvage any useful materials from Moria's defeat while assigning CP9 the task of guarding Bartholomew Kuma.