Above Pirate King - Chapter 106
“I heard… that your kingdom has something that can turn people into giants,” Arthur said.
Although he said he heard, Katakuri’s tone was firm, as if he knew for certain that their kingdom possessed such a thing.
“What can I gain?” Arthur tapped his fingers on the desk, thinking for a moment. Instead of giving a direct answer, he responded with a question, which, in a way, implied his agreement.
Katakuri’s face brightened. He didn’t expect that the Kingdom of St. Martin indeed had such a thing or ability. His previous investigation and analysis only suggested the possibility, although it was highly likely. It wasn’t confirmed until this moment.
Of course, what he didn’t expect was that Arthur would be willing to bring it up. He initially believed that even if they had it, Arthur wouldn’t readily admit it.
“What do you want?” Katakuri thought for a moment in response to Arthur’s question. He realized that he knew very little about Arthur.
Especially compared to the information he had obtained before, the Arthur he was dealing with now felt completely different. He couldn’t determine what Arthur truly wanted, so he threw the question back.
Ultimately, the conditions they would propose would require mutual negotiation. They couldn’t agree if the demands were excessive.
“Access to the intelligence network. I want the permission to your family’s intelligence network,” Arthur pondered and stated.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to ask for more, but it wasn’t necessary. The only thing he coveted from the Charlotte family was their intelligence network. Even if he made a grand demand, it was uncertain whether the Charlotte family would agree.
In case it angered Linlin, and she disregarded everything and charged from the New World to the West Blue, the current strength of the Kingdom of St. Martin could only withstand a fight to the death. So Arthur only proposed this condition.
Moreover, exchanging the Enlargement Potion, which was of little use, for access to the Charlotte family’s intelligence network seemed worthwhile no matter how one looked at it.
Well… in fact, it was just a show of weakness!
If he could overpower Linlin, Arthur would have already manipulated them to the extreme!
Upon hearing Arthur’s condition, Katakuri first felt pleased. This condition was too simple—Arthur only requested permission, not the entire intelligence network.
As long as the intelligence network remained in the hands of the Charlotte family, they would have the final say on permissions. They would decide what information Arthur could access. If they didn’t want him to know something, he wouldn’t find out!
But then he began to doubt. Could something that could turn people into giants be so easily obtained?
Could there be some conspiracy or defect within it?
As if hearing Katakuri’s internal doubts, Arthur helplessly said, “Actually, our kingdom doesn’t possess the ability or technology to turn people into giants. We found fifteen vials of Enlargement Potion in a ruin.”
“Our kingdom has only used three vials, leaving twelve remaining. We have no idea about the effects of these twelve vials. The previous three users displayed different results.”
“Although our kingdom’s scientists have worked hard to research, unfortunately, our scientific research capabilities are lacking, and we haven’t discovered anything.”
“That’s why I agreed to the marriage alliance. Besides wanting the help of your intelligence network, I also hope to research the potion with your assistance. When the time comes, you must provide me with the data!”
Arthur’s words sounded sincere, but in reality, it was all just a bluff. He brushed off any potential future problems!
“In other words, the substance is there, but we know nothing about it. Whether it can be researched or not depends on you!”
“If the Charlotte family can’t research it…”
“Well, we don’t know anything either. At lease we’ve handed all of them to the family!”
After hearing Arthur’s explanation, Katakuri believed about seventy percent of it. It was the only way to explain why Arthur only wanted access to the intelligence network. However, Katakuri wasn’t willing to readily agree to Arthur’s condition.
Although he felt that agreeing directly wouldn’t be a big deal, he couldn’t be too eager. He didn’t want Arthur to think that the potion was precious, and if Arthur changed his mind before obtaining it, what if he made a more extravagant demand?
“The permission to the intelligence network is not enough. If you hand over those potions, we can consider providing you with the data once we research them!” Katakuri firmly declared.
Consider!?
Arthur snorted!
Who are they trying to deceive?
If they consider it and then say they can’t provide me with the data, whom do I turn to?
Of course, even if it was only an exchange of the Enlargement Potion for a marriage alliance, it would still be profitable, especially if the alliance partner was Smoothie. That would be a huge gain!
But gaining a little more is still gaining. As an adult, he would naturally aim to gain everything!
After some further argumentation, both sides reached a relatively satisfactory outcome.
Arthur handed over all twelve vials of the potion, and the Charlotte family partially opened up the access to their intelligence network for Arthur, promising to provide him with the data once it was researched.
However, Arthur couldn’t trust this guarantee. He didn’t really care as long as he profited now. If they did manage to research something in the future, he would take it if he could, and if not, it didn’t matter.
Suddenly, Katakuri seemed to have thought of something and quickly said, “By the way, I’ve been talking for so long, but I haven’t seen the potion. How can you guarantee it’s real?”
“That…”
Arthur pondered for a moment and asked, “Does your family have Den Den Mushi with visual capabilities?”
“Yes!” Katakuri nodded, not understanding why Arthur was asking.
“If you don’t mind, can we use another one of the twelve Enlargement Potions?” Arthur continued questioning.
Katakuri immediately understood what Arthur wanted to do. After thinking for a moment, he nodded, “Okay!”
Soon, Arthur prepared the surveillance Den Den Mushi and the potion, while Katakuri also set up the visual Den Den Mushi on his side.
In the palace square,
At this moment, there was a soldier standing in the center of the square, towering at 2.5 meters in height and with a robust build. He held a bottle of green potion, while not far away, there was a surveillance Den Den Mushi. Arthur stood beside the surveillance Den Den Mushi, holding an ordinary Den Den Mushi in his hand, communicating with Katakuri.
“How is it on your end?” Arthur asked through the ordinary Den Den Mushi.
Katakuri on the other end of the line replied, “We’ve received the footage. Let’s begin!”
Beside Katakuri, important members of the Charlotte family, including Charlotte Linlin, had gathered in the castle, eagerly watching the projected image from the visual Den Den Mushi.
Arthur waved his hand towards the soldier!
The soldier immediately understood and nodded!
“Pop!”
He removed the bottle cap from the potion in his hand!
“Gulp!”
He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp!
In the next moment,
The soldier swelled up like a balloon.
Three meters!
Five meters!
Eight meters!
Ten meters!
He continued to expand until reaching fourteen meters, and finally, the soldier stopped growing!
Seeing this scene, Linlin on the other end of the phone instantly had red eyes and exclaimed in an excited, sharp voice, “This is it, I want it!!!”
Even Arthur could clearly hear the loud voice.
“How is it?” Arthur asked with a light chuckle.
“It’s good!” Katakuri nodded.
After witnessing it with their own eyes, things became much easier. Since the conditions had been negotiated, the next step was to discuss the marriage alliance and how to deliver the potion.
However, the two sides had a disagreement on this matter.
Katakuri wanted Arthur to come to the New World for the wedding and deliver the goods at the same time.
But Arthur didn’t dare to casually step into the territory of the Charlotte family. With what happened to Sanji as a precedent, who knew if Linlin would turn hostile and refuse to recognize him?
Therefore, Arthur firmly opposed and insisted on holding the wedding on the island of St. Martin!
In the end, Katakuri reluctantly agreed to Arthur’s request, and they agreed to meet for the trade in Mock Town on the Grand Line. Katakuri would send Smoothie there, and Arthur would send someone to pick her up and deliver the potion at the same time.
Katakuri had originally wanted to argue further!
But unfortunately, after witnessing the effect of the Enlargement Potion, Linlin had gone completely mad. She would do almost anything to get her hands on the giants!
As a result, both sides agreed to meet for the trade in Mock Town next month!
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