Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Angelie’s Request
The Hell Pirates had been recuperating for days. Vesper and Saracha’s "compensation" islands were already claimed, their flags raised high. Brook’s ranks now swelled with defectors from the Edward and Sea Siren Pirate crews—mostly elite fighters, no scrubs among them.
Redfield had vetted them thoroughly, and Brook assigned the best to guard their growing territories. After close observation, two Edward holdouts with bounties over 500 million Belly—Angelie and Bull—passed Redfield’s tests, earning the right to set foot on Baron and the Golden Island.
Until now, they’d been stationed at Elan Island, patrolling familiar turf from their Edward days while Brook was off battling Dawei. The Hell Pirates’ new territories were once Edward’s stomping grounds, after all.
The duo had even crossed paths with the Roger Pirates, hired by Brook to watch the turf. Roger and Rayleigh’s sheer power left them floored—a rookie crew outshining Bull, a New World veteran!
It was a humbling wake-up call. They suspected Brook didn’t fully trust them, hence the Roger Pirates’ babysitting gig.
When Angelie and Bull finally reached Baron, they gaped at the local branch of the World Economic News Agency. The World Dark News scandal was still fresh in their minds.
Brook was bold—cultivating a media giant in secret? Wasn’t he afraid of the Emperors teaming up to crush him? Those titans hated having their secrets sniffed out by enemy spies.
A neutral news outfit was one thing, but if it was tied to a crew like the Vesper Pirates, it’d end up like the Vesper Pirates’ old intel network—wiped out.
The pair vowed to keep Baron’s secrets locked tight, not daring to breathe a word. Brook caught their stunned looks and chuckled.
If they hadn’t passed Redfield’s mind-reading test, they’d never have set foot on this sky island.
"Angelie, Vesper mentioned something about buying you back with a Devil Fruit and 500 million Belly. Thoughts?"
Brook eyed Angelie, the Charm-Charm Fruit user and a vision of beauty. Her every smile and gesture radiated allure, rivaling even a seasoned Stussy. With her fruit’s powers boosting her charisma, she was in a league of her own.
"Heh, Captain Brook, I’m a Hell Pirate now. You really gonna sell me off?"
Angelie let out a playful scoff. Her 500-million-Belly bounty and Charm-Charm Fruit made her worth far more than Vesper’s offer. Was he underestimating her?
Did he think his mystery Devil Fruit outclassed hers? Or that her developed abilities couldn’t match it?
Unless it was something legendary like the Op-Op Fruit—worth 5 billion Belly, with its user fetching hundreds of millions—she wasn’t impressed.
"Yo ho ho! Sell you? Never! A beauty with your strength is too valuable, and besides, are we short on cash?"
Brook gestured toward the Golden Island and their golden airship. He had big plans: swing by the Grand Line to recruit, then hit up Shandora to haul its gold to the Golden Island, along with the massive golden bell and its Poneglyph.
Next, Fishman Island for two more Poneglyphs. Then, the West Blue to hunt down the Castle-Castle Fruit and Ohara. Oh, and Wano—home to a red Poneglyph and maybe even Pluton, not to mention its Seastone mines. That country was a must-have!
Four red Poneglyphs: one on Fishman Island, one on Zou, one in Wano, and the last—per the original story—in Big Mom’s hands, likely inherited from Rocks. It might be on Rocks’ Hachinosu Island now, but that needed confirming.
"Captain Brook, any chance we can keep the Edward Pirates’ name alive?"
Angelie stepped closer, resting a hand on Brook’s shoulder, her voice dripping with charm but laced with a hint of gritted teeth and resignation.
Redfield had dismantled the Edward remnants, scattering them across the Hell Pirates’ territories. The Edward Pirates were a shadow of their former selves, with only Angelie and Bull holding on. It left her anxious, unsure whether to cling to her father’s legacy or fully embrace the Hell Pirates.
"Up to you," Brook said. "We’re short-handed, so I’ve borrowed your old crew. But I’d rather you join us for real."
Not missing a beat, he pulled the Charm-powered temptress into a hug, savoring the close embrace of someone nearly his height.
"Eek! Captain Brook, you’re so naughty! If Linlin finds out, she’ll fry me with thunder and flames!"
Angelie squirmed, caught off guard. Brook’s grip was no joke—even shutting off her Charm Fruit didn’t loosen it. Panicked, she stopped struggling.
But Brook, still acting charmed, slid a hand to her hip. Nearby, Bull saw his chance and slipped away. If his niece could win over the "new Emperor" Brook, that wasn’t a bad deal!
"Yo ho ho! Linlin, Shakky, and Stussy are busy perfecting their combo moves. They won’t be dropping by!"
Brook gave Angelie’s hip a light pinch before letting go, keeping things just shy of overboard. Her flushed cheeks and fair skin made her even more striking.
Who could blame him? She’d used her Charm Fruit first—he was just a victim of her wiles!
"We’re already Hell Pirates, aren’t we? But my father’s will—I want to keep it alive."
Angelie steadied herself, her New World pirate pride kicking in. A little flirting was nothing. Within seconds, she was back to her confident self, chin raised.
"Fine by me. Keep the Edward name. You can start recruiting again."
Brook ruffled her hair with a grin and walked off, leaving Angelie clenching her fists. She quickly relaxed, her expression a mix of emotions as she watched him go.
Cold hands or not, the guy had a certain warmth. Not bad. With a lighter step, she ran off to find Bull.
They could rebuild the Edward Pirates as the Hell Pirates’ first affiliate crew!
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