Jake's words seemed amusing for Whitebeard.
His towering frame began shaking with unrestrained laughter, his hearty laughter washing over Jake like a tidal wave.
Whitebeard laughed for a long time—so long that even his astonishing lung capacity began to falter.
His face flushed red as he coughed twice, then took a deep swig of liquor to soothe his throat before addressing Jake.
"The future Fleet Admiral of the Marines wants to cooperate with a pirate like me? Gurararara! Brat, you're the most interesting guy I've met yet—even that bastard Roger wasn't as amusing as you. Tell me, as a Marine, how exactly do you plan to work with a pirate like me? What's your goal? And what's in it for me?"
Instead of feeling the slightest impatience at Whitebeard's barrage of questions, Jake was inwardly delighted.
Because only when the other party acknowledges your proposal will they start asking about specifics.
If Whitebeard hadn't agreed with his idea, he would have outright refused by now!
Sure, Jake could offer him medical treatment, but given Whitebeard's temperament, even if he withheld that, if the old man didn't want to do something, he'd rather die than yield.
Men like these—great pirates, or rather, legends of the sea—could only be persuaded through soft pressure.
Force wasn't an option, Jake lacked the strength for that now and even if he had it, things wouldn't work out that way.
After carefully considering Whitebeard's questions, Jake finally gave a detailed response.
"First, the most basic point—how we'll cooperate. As a Marine, I obviously can't have any formal written agreements with you, nor any other kind of private dealings. What I want you to do is simple: embrace your nature as pirates—go plunder!"
"Gurararara! Marine brat, have you forgotten your own identity? A Marine encouraging pirates to rob more—if this got out, your future would be pretty bleak, don't you think?"
Listening to Whitebeard's teasing words, Jake simply smiled.
"First, you wouldn't do that. Because you're Whitebeard. From the start until now, you've kept your Observation Haki active, deliberately making the surrounding pirates step back to give us a private space to talk while also helping me monitor for any surveillance Den Den Mushi. Just from that alone, I know you wouldn't do what you're suggesting."
"Second, you are Whitebeard, not Kaido of the Beasts, nor Red Hair, nor Big Mom. Just the name 'Whitebeard' alone leaves me with no doubts about your character. If I had any suspicions about you, I wouldn't be collaborating with you. Since I've chosen to work with you, it means I trust you absolutely."
"Third, even if you were to reveal our cooperation, no one would believe it. The Marine higher-ups would never abandon me over such matters. Even if I did these things, the value of my Devil Fruit far outweighs any negative impact from our collaboration."
As Jake finished his analysis, a smile spread across Whitebeard's face.
He crossed his legs and took several large gulps of alcohol.
After exhaling a long breath laden with the scent of liquor, he continued speaking to Jake.
"Go on. I'm very interested in your proposal, and in you as a person. During your time on this ship, you're welcome to stay anytime. If you choose to remain, you'll receive treatment equal to that of a division commander. Gurararara! I'd really love to have you as my son!"
Whitebeard didn't hold back his emotions or thoughts in the slightest.
Jake, observing the man's slightly labored breathing, shook his head gently.
As golden light once again emanated from his hands, Whitebeard's breathing stabilized.
Then Jake sighed in relief, sounding somewhat exasperated.
"It seems if I want to fully heal you, I might be staying on this ship for quite a while. Now I finally understand why those nurses give you that look whenever they see you drinking. You really have no sense of moderation."
Hearing Jake's complaint, Whitebeard laughed even more heartily.
"Gurararara! They've told me that countless times already! But I'm Whitebeard—I'll do as I please!"
"Before you're Whitebeard, you're these Pirates' father, aren't you? If a father wants to spend more time with his children and worry them less, he should drink less. Compared to your sons, the name 'Whitebeard' means nothing to you, doesn't it?"
At these words, Whitebeard silently set down his jug of alcohol.
Looking at Jake, his voice carried an indescribable note of regret.
"Kid, are you really sure you won't consider becoming my son? I have a feeling if you did, you'd quickly become my favorite."
"I'm flattered, but I'll do my best to heal you so you can live longer and see your sons have children of their own."
Seeing this, Whitebeard could only sigh deeply.
It seemed Jake was determined not to become his son.
"Alright, let's get back to business. Regarding our earlier discussion about cooperation, the only action required from your crew is to conduct raids. However, I'll provide advance notice about which ships to target. You must not attack any vessels outside these designated targets. Can you agree to this?"
Hearing this, Whitebeard glanced at his sons who had already drunk themselves unconscious, then replied with evident pride.
"My sons are not the kind of Pirates who would commit evil deeds! You can be completely assured of that!"
Hearing this, Jake smiled and then continued.
"And the items you've plundered are actually just a small part of our cooperation. We'll split these fifty-fifty—you take half, and leave the other half for the Marines as military funds for when we eventually clash with the World Government. Every time we accumulate a hundred million Berries, I'll designate an island where you can leave the money."
Whitebeard nodded upon hearing this, then asked somewhat puzzled.
"Most of our plundering happens in the New World, while the main trade routes for merchant ships are in the first half of Paradise. But since you say it's just a small part, I won't dwell on it. So, what's the bigger part you mentioned?"
At this, Jake's spirits lifted, and he said.
"Tolls! That's the huge source of profit we'll be able to collect in the future!"
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