Chapter 714

Mjosgard wasted no time with pleasantries. He had not crossed half the world, disguised himself, and risked exposing his movements merely to exchange meaningless words with a pirate.

"Let me save us both some time." The Celestial Dragon placed a folder atop the table, the one that the CP0 agent was carrying. "We are looking for a steady supplier." The statement immediately drew Tesoro’s full attention.

Mjosgard continued. "And I’m not referring to the handful of shipments you currently manage to move for us through intermediaries each month." His gaze remained steady. "What we require is something far more substantial."

The deck grew noticeably quieter. Even the Marines standing nearby listened closely. The matter being discussed was important enough that only a handful of people within the World Government were aware of it. Mjosgard leaned forward slightly.

"We need access to resources from the New World. Consistent and reliable access. And most importantly..." His eyes narrowed. "Access without Donquixote oversight."

Tesoro’s grin faded ever so slightly. Now things were becoming interesting. Mjosgard continued speaking. "We’re not interested in luxury goods. Nor exotic foods. No precious artworks. Nor slaves." The final word was spoken casually, as though discussing ordinary cargo. "What we’re searching for is considerably rarer in these turbulent times."

The folder was pushed across the table. Tesoro opened it. His eyes scanned the contents. Then his eyebrows rose. For the first time since boarding the ship, genuine surprise appeared on his face.

"Kairoseki..." His eyes moved further down. "Ammunition. Heavy weaponry. Military-grade artillery and..." The smile slowly returned. "...Donquixote-manufactured equipment."

Now he understood. This wasn’t a simple trade negotiation. This was war preparation. His gaze slowly lifted from the documents. Across from him, Mjosgard remained completely expressionless. The Celestial Dragon neither confirmed nor denied the observation. He simply waited.

Tesoro couldn’t help but chuckle. "Now this is unexpected." The pirate leaned back in his chair. "I knew the World Government was desperate. But I didn’t realize things had gotten this bad."

Several Marines frowned. Akainu’s eyes hardened. Yet Mjosgard merely gestured for Tesoro to continue. The pirate tapped the document.

"Premium Kairoseki alone is difficult enough to obtain, especially in the quantities that you have mentioned. And I am sure you are already aware that the best sources are almost entirely controlled by New World powers." His finger moved lower.

"As for weapons..." A low whistle escaped him. "You’re asking for the finest military hardware currently available on the seas, simply meaning you want to get your hands on Donquixote family products."

And that was not an exaggeration. Over the past decade, the Donquixote Family had quietly revolutionized the world’s arms trade. Their workshops and foundries produced equipment that was years—sometimes decades—ahead of competitors. Advanced artillery. Long-range precision rifles. Armor capable of resisting conventional explosives.

Specialized ammunition. Experimental naval weaponry. Even rumors of electromagnetic railgun technology had begun circulating throughout military circles. Most dismissed such stories as underworld exaggeration. The World Government knew better. They had spent years trying to reverse-engineer captured examples.

Years of research. Years of funding. Years of failed prototypes. And despite all their efforts, they remained behind. Far behind. The uncomfortable truth was that Donquixote military technology had become the gold standard of modern warfare. Every kingdom wanted it. Every pirate crew sought it.

Every underworld broker dreamed of obtaining even a fraction of it. And yet almost none could. Because the Donquixote family controlled the flow absolutely. What entered the market. What remained exclusive. Who received access. Who was denied. The Donquixote family dictated all of it. Their word was law throughout vast portions of the underworld.

Anyone caught reselling restricted Donquixote weaponry without authorization tended to disappear. Permanently. Even Yonko crews generally respected those boundaries. Not out of fear. But because violating them was simply bad business. Yet now the World Government itself was seeking access through back channels. Tesoro couldn’t help but find the situation amusing.

"The irony is incredible." He shook his head. "The largest military organization in human history. The rulers of the world. And you’re asking a pirate to smuggle weapons to you." Akainu’s fist tightened. The deck beneath his chair cracked. A vein pulsed visibly on his forehead. Tesoro wisely decided not to push further.

Instead, he turned his attention back toward Mjosgard. "So that’s the situation." The pirate steepled his fingers. "You need weapons. You need Kairoseki. You need military resources. And most importantly..." His smile sharpened. "You want Donquixote products that have been restricted to the World Government."

There was no mockery now. Only understanding. Because Tesoro knew exactly why. The Donquixote Family’s equipment wasn’t merely superior. It was becoming essential. Entire military doctrines were beginning to evolve around their technology. The governments that possessed it gained enormous advantages. The governments that lacked it found themselves increasingly outmatched.

And now, with tensions across the world rising by the year, the World Government could no longer afford to remain behind.

Mjosgard finally nodded. "Precisely." His tone remained calm. Measured. "We are willing to pay. Generously. And in addition we are also willing to overlook certain inconveniences."

The implication hung heavily in the air. Tesoro’s empire existed in a legal gray zone at best. The World Government could crush portions of his operation whenever it wished. The fact that Mjosgard was openly offering leniency demonstrated how serious the situation had become.

"But." The Celestial Dragon’s voice hardened. "If we enter into this arrangement, we expect results. No excuses. No delays. No disappearing shipments."

The pressure behind the words became palpable. For a moment, even Tesoro’s smile dimmed. Then the pirate slowly leaned forward. His golden eyes gleamed with interest. Because for the first time since this meeting began, he finally understood the true scale of what sat before him. This wasn’t a simple business contract. This wasn’t merely another lucrative opportunity.

This was the World Government preparing for something. Something large enough that they were willing to bypass centuries of protocol. Something dangerous enough that they were willing to negotiate directly with criminals. Something important enough that a Celestial Dragon, a Marine Admiral, three Vice Admirals, CP0 agents, and an entire covert operation had been mobilized just to secure supply lines.

And suddenly the potential profits became astronomical. A slow smile spread across Tesoro’s face. "Well then..." He clasped his hands together.

"So let me get this straight." Tesoro leaned back in his chair, one leg crossing over the other. "You expect me to risk my neck against one of the most notorious Emperor crews on the seas..." His golden eyes narrowed slightly. "...help you procure enough strategic resources to sustain a war on a global scale..."

The smile slowly returned. "And in exchange, you offer me what exactly?" His fingers drummed lazily against the armrest. "Money?" The word itself sounded almost ridiculous coming from him.

"How much are we talking about?" His gaze swept across the table. "Tens of billions?" A pause. "Perhaps hundreds of billions?" The silence that followed lasted only a second.

Then Tesoro began laughing. Not a polite chuckle. Not a businessman’s laugh. A genuine, uncontrollable fit of amusement.

"Hahahahaha!" The sound echoed across the deck. Several Marines frowned. Akainu’s expression darkened further. Meanwhile, Tesoro leaned forward, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye.

"It seems..." He struggled to suppress another laugh. "...that none of you bothered to learn the first thing about me before coming here." Across from him, Mjosgard’s eyes narrowed. The Celestial Dragon remained calm, but the shift in his expression was unmistakable.

"So what exactly are you saying?" His voice hardened slightly. "That you can’t do it?" The question caused Tesoro to burst into laughter once more. This time even louder. The pirate nearly doubled over.

"Can’t do it?" he wheezed. "That’s not the problem." His smile slowly vanished. What replaced it was far more dangerous. Cold calculation. The look of a predator examining potential prey.

"Money..." His voice dropped. "Money?" The word carried open disdain. Slowly, deliberately, he rose from his chair. The movement immediately put everyone on alert. Akainu was already standing before the chair had fully scraped across the deck. The Admiral’s instincts screamed warning. His hand twitched. The air itself seemed to grow hotter.

The CP0 agent moved as well. The masked operative shifted subtly closer to Mjosgard. Even the Celestial Dragon’s personal guards took half a step forward. Every pair of eyes locked onto Tesoro. The pirate noticed. And smirked.

"Relax." He raised one hand. "I mean no harm." Then he lifted his other arm. A strange golden shimmer rippled across his sleeve. At first it looked like liquid. Then the gold began moving. Flowing. Crawling. As if alive. The gold embroidery woven into his suit detached itself. The rings adorning his fingers melted. The chain around his neck dissolved. Even the decorative ornaments attached to his clothing began liquefying.

Streams of molten gold slithered through the air. The sight was mesmerizing. Terrifying. Beautiful. All at once. The Goru Goru no Mi. The power that had allowed Gild Tesoro to build an empire from nothing. The power that had made him one of the wealthiest men on the seas. The streams converged above the table. More. And more. And more. Until a solid mass began forming.

The gold compressed under invisible force. Refined. Purified. Condensed. The process lasted only seconds. Yet when it ended, a massive unmarked bullion hovered above the center of the table. The highest purity gold. Flawless. Perfect. Nearly ten kilograms. Tesoro casually released control.

THUD.

The entire table groaned. Wood cracked. Metal supports bent. The sheer weight caused several cups and documents to jump. The heavy bar settled between them like a challenge. Golden reflections danced across every face present. Even some of the Marines couldn’t help but stare. A single bar. Worth a fortune.

And Tesoro had created it as casually as another man might flick ash from a cigarette. The pirate placed both palms upon the table. His gaze locked onto Mjosgard’s. All traces of humor were gone.

"Tell me, Tenryubito-sama." His voice was calm. Dangerously calm. "Do I look like a man who lacks money?" Silence. The gold reflected in his eyes. "I can pull gold from beneath entire islands." His fingers tapped the bullion. "I can extract it from mountains."

"From seabeds. From the very crust of the planet itself." Every word carried absolute certainty. Because none of it was an exaggeration. His Devil Fruit granted him something few powers in the world could offer. Near-limitless wealth. Given enough time and access to land, Tesoro could produce fortunes that dwarfed the economies of entire kingdoms. Kingdoms rose and fell over less gold than he could gather in a week.

"I could buy nations." His voice remained steady. "I could bankrupt nations." His eyes drifted toward the Marines. "And if I truly cared about accumulating wealth, I could probably outspend portions of the World Government itself."

Nobody laughed. Because nobody present could confidently claim he was wrong. The room’s atmosphere shifted. For the first time since the meeting began, the balance felt different. Mjosgard wasn’t speaking to a pirate seeking profit. He was speaking to a man for whom money had long ceased to have meaning. Tesoro slowly sat back down. His fingers drummed softly against the golden bullion.

"So let’s stop pretending this is about berries." His gaze sharpened. "If you want me to challenge the Donquixote Family’s monopoly. If you want me to move military-grade resources through routes they actively monitor."

"If you want me to risk becoming their mortal enemy," the smile returned. Small. Dangerous.

Then he pointed directly at the gold bar between them. "You’re going to need something far more valuable than money."

The deck fell silent. Even Akainu found himself listening. Because for the first time during the negotiation, everyone realized the same thing. Gild Tesoro was not negotiating from a position of need. He was negotiating from a position of strength. And that made him far more dangerous than any ordinary pirate.

For the first time since the negotiations had begun, Mjosgard smiled. It wasn’t a polite smile.

Nor was it one born of amusement. It was the smile of a man who had finally understood the individual sitting across from him.

Until now, he had viewed Tesoro as a useful intermediary—a wealthy pirate who had somehow slipped through the cracks of the world’s power structure. Now he realized how mistaken that assessment had been. No man survived years of operating beneath the noses of the Donquixote Family through luck alone.

No man challenged their monopolies repeatedly and lived to profit from it through luck alone.

No. The pirate sitting across from him was ambitious. Dangerously so. And more importantly—he understood power. True power.

"Very well." Mjosgard folded his remaining hand atop the table. "If money isn’t what you seek..." His eyes locked onto Tesoro’s. "Then tell me...what exactly do you want?" The Celestial Dragon leaned back slightly. "As I said before, we’re willing to make concessions. So long as you can deliver."

He spoke calmly, refusing to allow the previous setback to derail the negotiations. His bruised pride was irrelevant. The mission came first. And if the pirate before him could truly provide what the World Government needed, then Mjosgard was prepared to entertain demands that would ordinarily be considered outrageous.

Across from him, Tesoro smiled. A slow smile. The smile of a gambler holding a winning hand. "Now we’re finally discussing something interesting." His fingers drummed lightly against the golden bullion resting upon the table. "You see, my current arrangements with the World Government have never been about wealth."

He gestured lazily toward the massive gold bar. "I think we’ve already established that." A few Marines grimaced. Tesoro ignored them. "What your organization provides me isn’t money." His golden eyes gleamed. "It’s legitimacy."

"Influence. Access." His smile widened. "And admittedly..." A chuckle escaped him. "Sticking a finger in the eye of the Donquixote Family every now and then is rather enjoyable."

Even Mjosgard almost smiled at that. Almost. Tesoro’s expression then became serious. The shift was immediate. Noticeable. Dangerous.

"But if you want my assistance with this grand venture of yours..." His voice lowered. "Then I need something more." Something passed behind him. Without needing instruction, Hodor reached into his jacket and retrieved a thick leather-bound folder. The giant placed it in Tesoro’s waiting hand. The pirate slid it across the table. Straight toward Mjosgard.

"I need true authority." The words landed heavily. "True power." Mjosgard opened the folder. The moment his eyes scanned the first page, the smile disappeared. The deck grew silent. Even Akainu’s attention shifted toward the document. Page after page. Clause after clause. Proposal after proposal. The further Mjosgard read, the more unreadable his expression became.

Because what Tesoro was asking for wasn’t merely ambitious. It was outrageous. The first section detailed the creation of a sovereign state. A new nation. Not affiliated with the World Government. Not subject to World Government taxation. Not subject to World Government oversight. Not subject to World Government law.

An entirely independent nation. A mobile maritime state. A paradise of commerce, entertainment, banking, and trade. A nation that could sail wherever it pleased. A nation that would exist outside the jurisdiction of every existing kingdom on the seas. Mjosgard turned another page. The next section was even more audacious.

Official recognition. Not merely tolerated. Not merely ignored. Recognized. Protected. The World Government itself would publicly acknowledge the nation’s sovereignty. Any attack against it would be treated as an attack against a recognized neutral power. Marine protection. Trade guarantees. Recognition of territorial waters.

Legal immunity for approved commercial activities. The list continued. And continued. And continued. By the time Mjosgard reached the final pages, even he felt a faint sense of disbelief. Then came the true demand. The one that made even the CP0 agent shift uncomfortably. Absolute immunity. Not limited immunity. Not diplomatic immunity. Absolute immunity.

For Gild Tesoro personally. The charter effectively elevated him beyond conventional law. He would not be subject to arrest. He would not be subject to prosecution. He would not answer to local governments. He would not answer to Marine authority. He would not answer to the World Government itself. Only the terms of the charter. The privileges being requested bordered on absurdity.

No. Not bordered. They exceeded it. The rights outlined within the document rivaled those enjoyed by the World Nobles themselves. Mjosgard slowly lowered the papers. For several moments he simply stared at Tesoro. The pirate met his gaze without flinching. Without apology. Without hesitation. Finally, Mjosgard spoke.

"You aren’t asking for protection." His voice was calm.

Tesoro smiled. "No."

The Celestial Dragon looked back at the document. "You aren’t asking for recognition."

"No." The smile widened.

"You aren’t even asking for independence." The deck had become deathly silent. Every Marine present understood the implications. Every single one. Mjosgard slowly closed the folder. The sound echoed like a gunshot. Across from him, Tesoro leaned forward. His golden eyes gleamed with naked ambition. Because he knew exactly how outrageous his proposal was.

He knew exactly how impossible it sounded. And yet he had presented it anyway. Not because he was delusional. But because he believed he was worth it. The pirate spread his arms. As though embracing the entire world itself.

"What I’m asking for..." His voice carried absolute conviction. "...is permission to carve out a piece of this world and call it mine." Silence. Pure silence. Even the sea seemed to have stopped moving. Tesoro continued.

"I want a nation beyond kings. Beyond governments. Beyond your laws." A grin stretched across his face. "I want a kingdom where only my word matters." His finger tapped the charter. "And I want the World Government itself to guarantee that sovereignty."

The sheer scale of the demand was staggering. Most men negotiated for wealth. Some negotiated for influence. A rare few negotiated for power. Gild Tesoro sat before them asking for something far greater. He was asking to rewrite history itself. And most terrifying of all—he was asking for it as though he genuinely expected them to consider it.

For several long moments, even Mjosgard found himself at a loss for words. The sea breeze swept across the deck, rustling the documents in his hand. The proposal before him was so absurd, so outrageously ambitious, that under normal circumstances he would have laughed and ordered the pirate thrown into Impel Down for daring to entertain such fantasies.

Yet he didn’t. Because the man sitting across from him wasn’t joking. Gild Tesoro was completely serious. Slowly, Mjosgard closed the folder and placed it upon the table. The dull thud echoed across the silent deck.

"So..." he finally spoke. His tone remained calm, though there was now a hint of disbelief beneath the surface. "To summarize your request as simply as possible..." The Celestial Dragon fixed Tesoro with a steady gaze. "You wish to become a Tenryubito in all but name."

Akainu’s expression immediately darkened. Mjosgard continued regardless. "You want complete immunity from prosecution." "You want authority beyond the reach of Marine jurisdiction."

"You want a sovereign nation entirely outside the World Government’s control." His fingers tapped the folder. "And you expect that nation to be fully recognized, protected, and endorsed by the World Government itself."

The deck fell silent once more. Even the Vice Admirals present exchanged glances. When laid out so plainly, the scale of the demand sounded even more ridiculous. Yet Tesoro merely chuckled. The pirate leaned back comfortably in his chair.

"As expected of a World Noble." His golden eyes gleamed. "You grasp things quickly." A grin spread across his face. "Though personally, I think you’ve made it sound far grander than it really is." Several Marines visibly twitched. Far grander? The man was practically demanding to be elevated above kings.

Meanwhile, Tesoro seemed utterly unconcerned. "In truth, I’m only asking for what I deserve." His fingers drummed against the armrest. "Besides..." The smile widened. "Given how desperate your current situation appears to be, I’d imagine such a trivial request can be accommodated."

Akainu’s fist clenched. Magma briefly hissed from his knuckles. Trivial. The word alone nearly made him lose control. But before the Admiral could speak, Tesoro casually added another sentence. One that caused the atmosphere to freeze.

"And I’m certain this wouldn’t be the first time in the World Government’s history that someone from the surface has been granted the privileges of the descendants of gods."

Silence. Absolute silence. Even the sea seemed to grow still. The Vice Admirals looked confused. The CP0 agent’s posture subtly stiffened. Mjosgard’s eyes narrowed. For the first time since the negotiations began, genuine danger flashed through the Celestial Dragon’s gaze. There were some truths in this world that were never spoken aloud. Some histories that officially never existed.

Secrets buried beneath eight hundred years of lies and blood. Under normal circumstances, merely hinting at such matters would have earned a swift and permanent execution. Yet Tesoro sat there smiling. Not because he knew the entire truth. But because he knew enough. Enough to understand that the world had never been as simple as the masses believed.

For several moments, nobody spoke. Finally, Mjosgard exhaled slowly. A long, controlled breath. He deliberately forced himself to relax. The pirate was provoking him. Testing him. Trying to gauge how desperate the World Government truly was. And unfortunately... the answer was far more desperate than Mjosgard cared to admit.

A storm was coming. A storm unlike anything the world had witnessed in centuries. The World Government’s stockpiles were insufficient. Their supply lines were strained. The New World remained largely beyond their control. And despite their vast power, there were certain resources that only a handful of people on the seas could reliably acquire. One of those people happened to be sitting directly across from him.

Meanwhile, Akainu had finally reached his limit. The temperature around him surged. Magma leaked from his clenched fists. His face twisted with open disgust.

"This has gone far enough." His voice rumbled like an active volcano. "Who the hell do you think you are?" The murderous pressure pouring from the Admiral caused several nearby Marines to instinctively step back.

"A pirate." Another step. "A criminal." Another. "A parasite feeding on the world’s misery." His gaze locked onto Tesoro. "And now you dare compare yourself to the Celestial Dragons?" The deck beneath his boots began melting. "I should erase you where you sit."

The atmosphere instantly became suffocating. Yet despite facing one of the strongest Marines alive... Tesoro didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink. Didn’t even stop smiling. Because both men knew the truth. Akainu couldn’t touch him. Not today. Not without permission. Not while negotiations remained active. The pirate’s confidence only seemed to grow as he watched the Admiral seethe.

Before the situation could deteriorate further, Mjosgard finally spoke. "Enough." One word. Calm. Firm. Absolute. Akainu stopped. Not because he wanted to. But because orders were orders. The Admiral glared at Tesoro before reluctantly stepping back. Mjosgard waited until the tension eased before speaking again.

"Very well." His voice was measured. Professional. "If we’re discussing this seriously..." He tapped the folder. "You should understand that I do not possess the authority to approve a request of this magnitude." That much was obvious. Even a Celestial Dragon could not casually grant privileges rivaling those of the founders themselves.

"This proposal would require approval from the highest levels of government." His gaze sharpened. "The Gorosei." The words carried weight. Real weight. Even Tesoro’s smile faltered for the briefest moment.

Mjosgard continued. "I will bring this proposal to their attention." The pirate’s grin immediately returned. However, the Celestial Dragon raised a finger. "But understand this." The atmosphere shifted once more. "What you’re asking for..." He lightly tapped the folder. "...and what you’re currently offering in return are nowhere near equivalent." The statement landed like a hammer.

"Your proposal values your services far above their actual worth." His gaze never wavered. "If you truly expect us to entertain demands of this scale..." He leaned forward slightly. "Then the compensation package will need significant revision."

For a brief moment, the two men simply stared at one another. One represented the world’s oldest ruling power. The other represented unchecked ambition. Then suddenly Tesoro laughed. Not mockingly. Not arrogantly. But genuinely.

"Of course." He rose smoothly from his chair. Straightening his coat. Adjusting his cuffs. The image of a king preparing to conclude a successful negotiation. "I would expect nothing less than a fair trade." His smile returned in full force. After all... If he was bargaining for a throne, he had every intention of paying a king’s price.

Slowly, Tesoro extended his hand across the table. Not as a subordinate. Not as a petitioner. But as an equal seeking an agreement. A gesture that would have been unthinkable only minutes earlier. Yet now... Even Mjosgard found himself staring at that outstretched hand and wondering whether history itself had just shifted course upon the deck of a single ship.