Redfield continued, "As the fifth Emperor of the New World, how could you not have your own pirate crew? But, Captain—what's your ultimate goal? To become the sole king of the New World, or something else?"
Creed narrowed his eyes. "My ultimate goal? The Celestial Dragons and the World Government want me erased. I won't sit and wait for death."
He had finally decided to take the first step in resisting the Celestial Dragons and the World Government: to assemble a power of his own.
"To overthrow the rule of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government? That's a cause of true meaning! I, Redfield, am honored to be your right hand, Captain—let's move this great wheel forward together!"
Redfield pressed his right hand over his heart and offered a sincere noble's salute.
"That's still a ways off. Let's take it step by step. You've got time anyway, Count—you've regained your youth," Creed said, looking at him.
There was no denying it—the Bat-Bat Fruit (Vampire) was heaven-defying. Redfield now looked like a robust twenty-something in his prime, all his states at their peak.
Creed quietly probed his stats and found that they already rivaled Marine admirals like Akainu and Aokiji who had awakened their Devil Fruit powers:
[Name]: Baroric Redfield
[Attributes]: Strength: SSS+; Agility: SSSS-; Defense: SSS; Spirit: SSS+
[Masteries]: Haōshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki) SSS; Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) SSSS-; Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) SSS; Kenjutsu (Swordsmanship) SSS+
[Devil Fruit]: Bat-Bat Fruit (Vampire)
[Overall Power]: SSSS-
With one SSSS- in his spread, Redfield sat at the SSSS- tier. To reach full SSSS, at least two attributes or masteries had to be SSSS or higher. That was the baseline for a Yonko-class monster or above.
Of course, Redfield still couldn't defeat Creed right now—Creed's abilities were too many, too abnormal.
At the same time, Creed sensed his own Strength attribute was about to break through, likely thanks to extracting the SSSS-grade Kōri no Ken'i (Ice Sword Intent). To fully command this sword intent, he'd been grinding kenjutsu and taijutsu and tempering his body these past days. The Strength stat that had plateaued at SSS+ began to loosen again.
As soon as the chance arrived, Creed would step into SSSS-. Once there, with three SSSS-grade masteries already in hand, his combat power would stand shoulder to shoulder with a Yonko—and with his other means layered on top, he'd be even scarier.
Water 7—also called the City of Water—was not only a beautiful city on the sea, but one of the premier shipbuilding hubs of the Grand Line. Master craftsmen of every stripe gathered here. Even Pluton, one of the three Ancient Weapons of legend, was said to have been born here.
But the city bore a hidden danger: the yearly cataclysmic tsunami known as Aqua Laguna—the "Gods of Water." After Aqua Laguna passed, heavy sea salt crusted every building, richer in flavor than normal sea salt, turning local food delicious—Water 7's special seasoning. Yet lives were lost each year, and many buildings were shattered. Compared to the disaster's toll, the salty "gift" hardly seemed worth mentioning.
They moored their battered little Marines gunboat at a small harbor and set off toward the headquarters of the Galley-La Company. Because the giant bat drew too many eyes, Redfield left it aboard to watch the ship. The great bat begrudged the order, but a few soft "iin iin" calls from the little dragon Falkor on Creed's shoulder made it submit with a sulky chirp.
Since the berth lay some distance from Galley-La, they simply rented a two-seat bullfish and took the waterways. Bullfish were a locally raised aquatic beast of burden with impressive carrying strength; they served as water-taxis and even helped residents move house.
"What an interesting place. Shame I stayed cooped up in the New World in the past and never saw scenery like this," Redfield said. Before boarding, Creed had bought several servings of the local specialty, Water-Meat. Redfield, who had never tasted something so fresh and savory, couldn't stop praising it. The happiest of all, though, was Falkor on Creed's shoulder; the little guy devoured Water-Meat with bliss, trilling "iin iin iin" in pure contentment—a born foodie.
Before long, they arrived at Galley-La. The company was a shipbuilding giant formed by the merger of seven firms—one of the biggest of its kind anywhere. It was the World Government's designated royal shipwright, yet also took commissions from pirates and Marines alike; its business spanned every sea.
Upon hearing their request, the receptionist immediately led them to see the company president. A deal this big was far above her pay grade.
In the president's office, Creed met the man called Iceburg—genius shipwright, one of the two disciples of the world's greatest shipwright, Tom. The other: the cyborg, Franky.
"You want a ship built from Treasure Tree Adam?!" Iceburg's blue brows shot up at Creed's request. Treasure Tree Adam was among the rarest, toughest timbers in the world; even cannon fire couldn't scratch it, and each tree took ages to grow. The Oro Jackson of Pirate King Roger and the Thousand Sunny of Luffy were both crafted from Adam. In the black market, a single Adam trunk suitable for shipbuilding could fetch over 200 million belly at auction.
"If your company has no issue, I'll pay in full right now. Here's five hundred million belly," Creed said, setting a heavy case of high-denomination notes on the desk and flipping it open.
"That money isn't the problem—you are," Iceburg replied, unfazed. He studied Creed. "If I'm not mistaken, you're Creed—the World Government's 3-billion-belly pirate. That… makes it tricky. You know our firm's relationship with the World Government is anything but ordinary."
"I understand. Then add another five hundred million. One billion belly total," Creed said evenly. "Your company's policy, President—you know it well. If there's no explicit Government order, there's no issue taking my commission. If the Government interferes, you're free to halt the order; I won't reclaim the funds. Consider it a hardship fee."
Creed had carried around some two billion already, and after emptying Doflamingo's vaults he was even richer. A mere billion belly was nothing.
Iceburg drew long on his cigar, pondered, then crushed it out in the ashtray. "All right. Deal. I'll spin up the project immediately. It'll take a little over a month."
"We'll await your good news. Excuse us."
They didn't linger and took their leave at once.
When the ship was finished, that would be the day their pirate flag was raised.
Creed hadn't expected things to be so bumpy, though. Accidents did happen—one after another.
(End of Chapter)
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