After hearing what Mondo said, Wendis's face twisted with anger.
"What kind of joke is this?!"
"You're just a pirate—how dare you try to negotiate with me?"
"If you're so capable, then prove it!"
"If not, get lost!"
Wendis had already been suppressing a lot of frustration from recent events. Just a few days ago, a furious buyer had called to scold him, forcing him to cough up hundreds of millions of Berries. And now, these two pirates dared to show up and talk about negotiations?
To him, they were nothing more than stray cats and dogs stirring up trouble.
"Lord Wendis," Mondo spoke calmly, "the mission you posted has now been accepted by the Mondost Pirates."
"In the entire East Blue, are there really other pirates brave enough to take on your job?"
He glanced at the guards standing nearby and smirked.
"Besides, you don't seriously believe that these guys can protect you, do you?"
Ster added with a wicked grin, licking his crimson tongue slowly.
"What… what are you implying?"
"Mondo! Ster! You—!"
"Lord Wendis," Mondo interrupted coldly, drawing attention to the gleaming hilt of the sword at his waist. "We need a clear answer. Now."
Wendis suddenly stood up, his expression livid. These two were threatening him—openly! Worse, they were the very people he had called for help. He'd practically invited wolves into his own house.
"Lord Wendis," Mondo said with a charming yet dangerous smile, placing a hand on Wendis's shoulder, "once we become nobles of the Kingdom of Yacoslan, we'll back you fully."
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
"The king of Yacoslan won't be on the throne much longer."
"Are you really planning to remain a noble forever?"
Wendis's heart skipped a beat.
A coup?
The thought instantly crossed his mind.
The Kingdom of Yacoslan wasn't a democracy—it followed a strict hereditary system. Even his position as prince had been passed down from his father.
To suddenly push for a regime change? It was a bold idea, one that made Wendis instinctively hesitate.
But the throne…
The allure of absolute power was hard to resist. If no one had ever brought it up, maybe he would have remained a noble for life.
But now, the opportunity was staring him in the face.
"Let us handle the Dragon Hunter Pirates," Ster said, stepping forward with a devilish smile. "During the battle, the king might unfortunately die at the hands of Lu Yu—the infamous pirate."
"Then you, Lord Wendis, noble of the Kingdom of Yacoslan, rise up to lead the troops and heroically slay Lu Yu."
"And in the chaos, you become the new king."
Wendis's anger slowly faded as he listened. The plan... it sounded insane. But that was what made it so perfect.
If it worked, he wouldn't just be Lord Wendis anymore.
He'd be His Majesty Wendis, ruler of the Kingdom of Yacoslan.
"I'll leave it to you, then," he said at last, his voice calm once again. "And once the task is complete, your noble seats will be secured."
The room filled with an eerie silence as the conspiracy took root.
"Then it's settled," Mondo said with a grin. "Your Majesty Wendis, do make sure our titles are prepared."
With that, he turned and left.
Ster licked his lips and followed.
---
Once outside, the two hurried toward the port.
"Captain, you're back," a crew member reported. "We've got an update."
"All the men we sent were wiped out," he said grimly. "Even the ship was sunk."
"Hah, so they're stronger than expected," Ster replied, smirking. "But that's even better."
"The stronger they are, the more valuable they become."
"Yes," Mondo nodded. "But keep your eyes on Wendis too. If he makes even one wrong move…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Kill him."
They weren't the type to entrust their fate to anyone—not even a prince.
"Set sail!" Mondo shouted, stepping onto the bow. "Our next target—Dragon Hunter Pirates!"
With Lu Yu heading straight toward the Kingdom of Yacoslan, tracking him down would be easy.
Aboard Lu Yu's ship
"The Mondost Pirates?" Lu Yu raised a brow. "Who are they again?"
"They once challenged Big Mom in the New World—and lived to tell the tale," Roelki answered quickly. "Now they're one of the biggest underground forces in the East Blue."
Sometimes, Roelki thought Lu Yu was a walking encyclopedia. Other times, he seemed completely clueless.
Either Lu Yu genuinely didn't know, or he just didn't care about anything short of the New World. When it came to the major players there, Lu Yu knew everything—even the secret stuff.
He was definitely aiming to become a top-tier pirate.
"I see," Lu Yu said flatly. "Keep sailing. If we run into the Mondost Pirates... just wipe them out."
He had no time for small fry. If the navy got involved during a prolonged fight, things would get complicated.
---
Three days later
"Brother Lu Yu! A pirate fleet up ahead!"
Akame called down from the mast. "Six ships—looks like the Mondost Pirates."
Lu Yu stood at the bow, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Finally."
He hadn't had a real fight since his power-up.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Dozens of cannonballs fired toward them instantly.
"Najenda, Akame, Kuina!" Lu Yu barked. "Handle your positions!"
"Roelki, intercept the shells. Use everything—we're not saving ammo today!"
With those words, Lu Yu launched himself forward like a cannonball.
Behind him, Susanoo materialized around Najenda as she and Akame took flight toward the enemy ships.
The battle had begun.
"Bang!"
In a flash, Lu Yu landed squarely on the deck of the Mondost's flagship.
He stared at the stunned pirates.
"Hey... looking for me?"
With Ame-no-Habakiri resting casually on his shoulder, Lu Yu grinned.
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