Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Dividing the Spoils
Rocks’ tyranny ensured he had no allies—only subordinates or enemies. Vesper was just as domineering, but age had smoothed his edges, making him a cunning diplomat.
He knew how to forge alliances and rally forces against the terrifying Rocks. As a reigning overlord, Vesper secretly dreamed of swallowing both the Butcher Pirates and the Hell Pirates whole.
After Edward’s death, Vesper had gobbled up most of the Edward Pirates’ territory, recruiting several of their heavy-hitting officers. If Shirokiri hadn’t gone rogue, even Angelie and Bull would’ve joined Vesper’s crew.
Then the Hell Pirates swooped in, claiming a chunk of Edward’s turf as their price for joining the alliance.
Rocks’ looming threat was too great, and Saracha and Brook were no pushovers, so Vesper had to play nice—for now.
But the Hell Pirates wanting to claim the Sea Siren Pirates’ territory? That was a pipe dream. Even if Vesper agreed, Wilank and Saracha would never let Brook’s crew take it all.
They’d fought side by side, so there was no way the Hell Pirates would get to feast alone. Dawei’s territory had to be split among the alliance.
Fresh off repelling the Rocks Pirates, the Overlord Alliance was already restless. Saracha, having lost his strongest officer, demanded extra islands to make up for it.
Frost Giant Wilank was just as loud, clamoring for a few islands to offset his losses. He and Saracha planned to "persuade" Brook to play ball.
Vesper watched the scene unfold, a sly grin creeping across his face. The Hell Pirates needed to be knocked down a peg. They’d grown too strong, surpassing both the Ice Demon Pirates and the Butcher Pirates to become the third mightiest force in the New World!
"Captains, let’s not get heated," Vesper said smoothly. "I’m sure Brook will be reasonable and share the spoils. His crew barely took a hit, while we all suffered heavy losses. We deserve a little compensation, don’t you think?
"Besides, Brook’s territory is a ways from the Puso Island waters. Dawei’s islands should be divided among us, and then Saracha and I can toss a few nearby islands to the Hell Pirates as a gesture."
Vesper was already scheming, aiming to isolate the Hell Pirates and stunt their growth.
"Exactly!" Wilank chimed in, his grin widening. "Dawei’s turf is right next to mine, and Brook’s islands are on the other side of your domains. Splitting it among us makes perfect sense!"
Wilank’s territory bordered Dawei’s, so he figured he deserved the lion’s share. The Ice Demon Pirates, dethroned as an overlord crew, had lost over a dozen islands to Rocks and Dawei over time.
Now was his chance to claw some back—maybe even enough to offset Rocks’ thefts. A pipe dream, sure, but he could hope.
In the New World’s current landscape, Rocks controlled 64 islands, Vesper 42, Wilank 21, Dawei 18, Saracha 19, and Brook a mere 13.
Rocks had poached plenty from Vesper and Wilank, so the Overlord Alliance was itching to carve up Dawei’s entire territory!
"Hmph, I’ll toss Brook two islands near his turf," Saracha said with a sneer. "I’m taking seven of Dawei’s."
"Fine by me," Wilank added, rubbing his hands. "I’ll claim five islands next to my domain."
Vesper raised a hand, feigning concern.
"Now, hold on, that’s not exactly fair. The Hell Pirates pulled their weight, even if they didn’t lose much. This puts me in a tough spot.
"Here’s a compromise: I’ll take the remaining six, including Puso Island. I’ll give Brook three islands as compensation."
Vesper didn’t care about a few islands. Puso was a bustling hub, and this plan let him test whether the Hell Pirates would swallow their pride, surrendering 18 conquered islands for a measly five—scraps near their own territory.
And so, while the Hell Pirates were still en route, the three captains divvied up Dawei’s territory like it was already theirs.
Brook’s reaction? That was anyone’s guess.
...
The next day, when Golden Island loomed above, its opulence still left pirates awestruck—and greedy.
But the Hell Pirates’ crushing victory over Dawei had sent shockwaves through the seas. Brook’s crew was now a force to be feared, and fewer dared to covet their floating fortress.
Vesper, Saracha, and Wilank personally greeted the Hell Pirates, ready to kick off a victory feast doubling as a spoils-dividing summit.
After their grueling battle with Dawei, Brook’s crew radiated an even fiercer aura. Their meteoric rise stunned Vesper, the old fox.
He envied their raw talent, a bitter pang in his chest. If only his son had that kind of potential!
"Brook, your Hell Pirates are the talk of the seas!" Vesper said, his voice dripping with flattery. "Even the official papers are calling you the next overlord!"
A few honeyed words, and Vesper had propped Brook up on a pedestal. Saracha and Wilank smirked inwardly, their disdain for the Hell Pirates growing despite their pivotal role in fending off Rocks.
All they cared about was the upcoming banquet, where the islands would be carved up. They wanted to see if Brook dared defy the three of them over the spoils.
"Captain Vesper, you’re too kind," Brook replied, his skeletal grin unwavering. "It’s all thanks to you holding off that monster Rocks. Without you, I wouldn’t have had the chance to wipe out the Sea Siren Pirates!"
And the subtle brag—Vesper could only "hold off" Rocks, while Brook’s crew handily crushed Dawei’s—stung.
"No need for modesty," Vesper shot back, ushering them inside. "In a few years, you might even take on Rocks yourself. Come, let’s get to the feast!"
His words carried a barb: Brook wasn’t yet in Rocks’ league, and even Vesper, who could stall Rocks, was out of his reach.
The four pirate crews, each nursing their own agendas, filed into the banquet hall. The room buzzed with praise for the Hell Pirates. Golden Lion Shiki was practically floating from the flattery.
They lauded his cunning, claiming he’d outsmarted Dawei at every turn, leading a weaker crew to annihilate the Siren Pirates. Some even envied the convenience of his Float-Float Fruit.
But as the banquet neared its end, the mood shifted. When the topic of dividing the islands came up, and the three captains revealed their prearranged split, even Shiki’s jovial mood turned sour, his eyes blazing with fury.
Eighteen conquered islands, reduced to a pathetic five—remote, worthless rocks that Saracha and Vesper didn’t even want. How could those compare to Puso Island, meticulously built into a thriving hub by Dawei and Calypso?
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