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Wald received Fuluo and Umit, the two brothers, in the reception room. Binjack observed their expressions and tone, immediately discerning that Fuluo was arrogant and quite disdainful of them.
However, Umit, despite looking somewhat older, had always shown great respect for Wald's side.
After Wald showed them around the mine and the half-built armory, Fuluo immediately stated, "Wald, it's undeniable that Winter Island is rich in resources, but due to high transportation costs and the almost saturated arms market in the Underworld, we can only offer 20,000 Berries per gun."
Wald's smile vanished as he stared at Fuluo and said, "As far as I know, even in the Underworld, a firearm can sell for over 80,000 Berries. Mr. Fuluo, isn't your price a bit low? You should know that once our armory is complete, we can provide you with at least 30,000 firearms and hundreds of cannonballs every month."
Binjack had done his research beforehand; the Ibis Family typically bought firearms for at least 32,000 Berries each, and the iron ore from Winter Island was far superior to what was available on the market. To offer only 20,000 Berries was clearly a rip-off.
Fuluo shook his head, "Our Ibis Family acts as a middleman. We handle both transportation costs and buyer negotiations. Furthermore, the World Government is very strict about firearms now, and what we're doing is, after all, criminal."
Wald sneered inwardly. The World Government was indeed controlling firearms, but they were also turning a blind eye; otherwise, there wouldn't be so many pirates in the world.
To put it simply, the Underworld had existed for hundreds of years for a reason, with all connections, both legitimate and illicit, already established.
If they accepted Fuluo's price for 30,000 guns and cannonballs, Wald and his crew would only receive about 800 million Berries per month.
After deducting labor and material costs, they would only be left with around 200 million Berries.
Fuluo's asking price was, to put it mildly, exorbitant.
"If you're not satisfied, we can simply not cooperate."
Fuluo maintained a calm, composed demeanor, "However, I still offer you a piece of advice: ultimately, you are pirates. The Marine and the World Government are not to be trifled with."
"Are you threatening me?" Wald's eyes turned cold as he glared at Fuluo.
Fuluo showed no fear, "Threatening is not the word. As a businessman, I consider long-term matters. I stand by what I said: if Mr. Wald is unwilling to cooperate, there are plenty of others who want to work with our Ibis Family."
"Hahahaha!" Wald burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking. "Fuluo, you're too confident. The Ibis Family is indeed powerful, but... why do you think we wouldn't dare to go down fighting!"
Fuluo's expression changed slightly, but he still feigned composure and said, "Wald, what do you intend to do? Don't say I didn't warn you, I am from the Ibis Family!"
"Ultimately, you are just some insignificant family. Do you really think that since I dared to invite you, I would be afraid of mere coercion from the Ibis Family?" Wald's tone was dismissive. Outside the palace, countless soldiers had surrounded the area.
"You actually dare?!" Fuluo's face turned grim.
"Brother, listen to me, let's acquire them at 40,000 Berries per gun," Umit, who was beside him, said in a deep voice.
"I've investigated, Winter Island is rich in mineral resources and can not only regularly supply us with firearms, but it's also not far from our branch, saving us transportation costs, and we can still make a good profit."
"Umit, do you know what you're saying?!" Fuluo looked at him with a murderous gaze.
Umit remained unfazed, meeting Fuluo's gaze, and said in a deep voice, "Brother, I know exactly what I'm saying. Furthermore, Father once told me that the Ibis Family has endured to this day by relying on win-win cooperation."
Fuluo gritted his teeth and said coldly, "Hmph, Umit, I will relay today's events to Father exactly as they happened!"
Umit took out a contract and pushed it in front of Wald. "Mr. Wald, if you see no problems, please sign it? I believe 40,000 Berries should meet your expectations, right?"
Wald was momentarily stunned, then said happily, "Of course! It's easy to deal with smart people, Umit, you're much better than your idiotic brother."
He did not hesitate to mock him.
The cooperation negotiations were concluded, and both parties agreed to make the first delivery two months later. The reason it wasn't one month later was because the armory was still under construction.
With the cooperation agreement reached with the Ibis Family, the Winter Island Armory gradually got on track. This should have been a day worth celebrating, but after the armory was completed, during the smelting of firearms, two pirate ships successively appeared near Winter Island.
Wald did not hesitate and immediately ordered his subordinates to attack the two large ships.
Soon after, news reports, sensationalized by the press, spread throughout the world about the complete annihilation of all pirate crews entering and leaving the vicinity of Winter Island.
According to the reports, Wald single-handedly wiped out the pirate crews with ease. Originally, a Marine branch commodore, hearing the news, sent men to participate in the 討伐, but ultimately the Marine branch was razed to the ground.
He destroyed all the pirate ships in his sight. The infamous reputation of Wald, the World Destroyer, spread far and wide across the seas.
His bounty was 200 million Berries.
Early 1485.
Kaido, who had been cultivating in the back mountains for over half a year, finally emerged, radiating a sharp aura. His body was even more robust and burly, with dragon scale tattoos appearing on his arms and back.
Wald was overjoyed and immediately enthusiastically told him about the past six months: monthly profits exceeded 400 million Berries, and they had now accumulated substantial capital.
"I can now skillfully use Armament Haki, and my multiplication factor is now 50 times!"
"Kaido, I'm not boasting, but the way you are now, I might just be able to... fight you!"
Originally, Wald wanted to say, "I might just be able to defeat you," but considering Kaido's terrifying strength and the fact that he was also a Devil Fruit user, he immediately changed his tone and rephrased it to "might just be able to fight you"!
Kaido gladly accepted Wald's challenge. Ten minutes later, Wald lay on the ground, his gaze blank, staring at the endless snowy sky, questioning his life.
"How on earth do you train? Why does it feel like the gap between us is getting bigger and bigger?!"
"Woro-roro-ro! Wald, everything is just beginning. To defeat the World Government, we are still far from launching a war that can change the world's 格局!"
Wald sighed, but it was precisely this kind of Kaido that made him worth following.
"The shipping lanes are now clear, with no other ships daring to trespass, but there's a problem that needs to be solved right now."
Kaido looked at Wald, who grinned, "Some time ago, the Oren Kingdom's royal court ship passed through our route and was sunk by our people. Now, I hear the Oren Kingdom is organizing its army domestically, preparing to come and attack Winter Island..."
Wald paused, revealing a meaningful smile, "It's worth noting that the Oren Kingdom is an allied nation of the World Government!"