Chapter 228: Negotiation
Chapter 228: Negotiation
As the son of the world's greatest swordsman, Caesar's complete lack of talent in swordsmanship made Charlotte doubt whether he was truly his son.
However, after examining Caesar's facial features—70% similar to his own—Charlotte suppressed this ridiculous thought.
It was impossible for him to lack talent in swordsmanship entirely. Thankfully, Caesar had a naturally strong physique and a solid foundation in physical skills, which eased Charlotte's concerns.
As his eldest son and likely future leader of the Rockefeller family, Caesar couldn't afford to be incompetent. Otherwise, Charlotte might start questioning his own genes.
---
As for the inheritance of swordsmanship, Esdeath was more than enough.
Her talent with the sword had perfectly mirrored Charlotte's own potential.
During the previous naval battle, her skills had shone brilliantly, leaving even hostile generals in awe.
At only eight years old, Esdeath had already gained recognition for her swordsmanship, impressing even seasoned warriors.
However, there was one regret: the Chill-Chill Fruit that Esdeath had eaten gave Charlotte a headache.
It was his own fault. He had carelessly left the fruit on the bed, and Esdeath, out of curiosity, had taken a bite.
While the fruit wasn't inherently weak, it wasn't particularly powerful either—not for someone like Esdeath, whose swordsmanship alone was already formidable.
---
In the following days…
Charlotte personally oversaw the training of both Esdeath and Caesar.
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It was snowing.
Charlotte stood alone in front of his castle, practicing swordsmanship.
No one else was around.
Tiny snowflakes drifted from the sky, swirling around him without ever touching the ground.
With each swing of his sword, the snowflakes danced through the air, following the path of his blade.
After completing a set of sword techniques, Charlotte sheathed his sword and stood quietly amid the falling snow, allowing the flakes to settle on him.
A sharp, invisible force radiated from his body, creating an aura of absolute dominance.
---
"Come out!"
Charlotte spoke calmly, without even turning his head.
He stood motionless, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, while his gaze fixed on a specific direction.
Less than a minute after his words, two figures emerged from behind a tree.
Both wore distinctive masks—one black and one white.
The masked figures stopped fifty meters away from Charlotte, maintaining a cautious distance.
---
"Haha! The World Government sure has guts!"
Charlotte chuckled coldly.
"You dare to approach me so brazenly? Do you really think I'm someone you can disregard?"
As he spoke, Charlotte casually twisted his wrist, causing his sword to hum faintly.
A red and green light flickered in his eyes as he released an unfiltered wave of killing intent.
The two CP0 agents standing before him instinctively swallowed, their throats dry.
Charlotte's oppressive aura made it difficult for them to breathe.
---
These two were elite CP0 agents, dispatched by the Five Elders to handle the situation regarding the eight kingdoms in the New World.
Upon arriving at the targeted kingdoms, they found nothing but ruins.
All the noble kings of the eight kingdoms had been slaughtered by Douglas Barrett, the "Descendant of the Devil."
To make matters worse, pirates had taken control of the territories, establishing strongholds in place of the former rulers.
The agents had immediately reported this to the Five Elders, whose fury knew no bounds.
However, the damage had already been done.
---
The plan to use the eight kingdoms as pawns against Charlotte had failed miserably.
Yet, the incident's impact couldn't be ignored.
If the World Government took no action, it would lose face—not only among its member nations but across the entire world.
Though the affected kingdoms weren't officially part of the World Government, they were still recognized as sovereign nations.
Allowing pirates to annex entire kingdoms without retaliation would undermine the World Government's authority.
However, declaring open war against Charlotte was not an option.
Even if the navy could penetrate the New World—an unlikely feat—they would still struggle to defeat Charlotte.
And what of Whitebeard and the Golden Lion?
The current balance of power in the New World was fragile, with pirates fiercely competing among themselves.
But if the navy dared to enter the New World, the pirates would unite against the common threat, crushing them without mercy.
---
With the navy powerless to intervene, the World Government had no choice but to rely on its own agents.
Even so, a direct confrontation was out of the question.
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"Mr. Charlotte!"
The white-masked agent on the left quickly raised his hand in a placating gesture.
"We are here to negotiate with you on behalf of the World Government!"
---
Charlotte paused, and the suffocating pressure he had built up instantly dissipated.
"Negotiate?"
He sneered.
"I don't see what there is to discuss. I'm a pirate, after all."
The idea of the World Government negotiating with a pirate was laughable.
---
"No, Mr. Charlotte!"
The black-masked agent spoke up.
"As we understand it, you became a pirate out of necessity. There is room for negotiation!"
---
Charlotte's interest piqued.
"Oh? Then enlighten me. What exactly do you wish to discuss?"
---
"The eight kingdoms you recently occupied," the white-masked agent replied, his tone cautious.
---
Charlotte chuckled.
"Kingdoms? Interesting. As far as I know, those eight kingdoms aren't even members of the World Government."
---
"That may be true," the black-masked agent admitted.
"But even though they aren't official member states, the World Government cannot simply stand by and do nothing.
"Your occupation of those kingdoms has created a ripple effect.
"The World Government hopes you'll be willing to compromise."
---
"Compromise?"
Charlotte tilted his head, amused.
"And what exactly would that entail?"
---
The white-masked agent stepped forward.
"The World Government is requesting that you withdraw from the eight kingdoms and relinquish your claim to their territories."
---
The next moment…
A terrifying slash tore through the air.
"No! Block it!"
Both agents reacted instantly, summoning every ounce of strength to intercept the hundred-meter-long emerald-green slash.
---
BOOM!
The ground trembled from the impact.
The white-masked agent and the black-masked agent were flung backward like ragdolls, crashing through more than a dozen massive trees before finally halting their momentum.
---
"Cough! Cough!"
Both agents coughed up mouthfuls of blood, their masks cracked and barely holding together.
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"Haha! You fools dare to set foot on Kami Island and demand that I return my conquered territories?"
Charlotte sneered, his figure flickering like a shadow as he appeared before the wounded agents.
The Seven-Star Sword in his hand gleamed with an eerie green light, reflecting the falling snow.
---
"Mr. Charlotte!"
The white-masked agent clutched the bleeding gash across his chest.
"We came here in good faith. If you agree to abandon your occupation of the eight kingdoms, the World Government is willing to compensate you handsomely!"
---
"That's right!" the black-masked agent chimed in.
"As a pirate, you openly annexing kingdoms is something the World Government cannot tolerate.
"If you kill us here, it will be seen as a complete declaration of war against the World Government!
"Do you truly wish to bear the consequences of the World Government's wrath?"
---
The two agents played their roles perfectly—one the reasonable negotiator, the other the harbinger of threats.
Unfortunately for them, Charlotte remained entirely unmoved.
---
Charlotte's expression darkened.
"You think I'd give up the territory I've already claimed?
"Do you expect me to bow down to the World Government like some frightened dog?
---
He sneered.
"If word spreads that I surrendered territory just because the World Government asked nicely, every pirate in the New World would laugh themselves to death."
Charlotte tightened his grip on the Seven-Star Sword, the green light intensifying.
"You two must be drunk to think I'd agree to such nonsense."
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