Chapter 38 Cooperation
Nicholas simply chuckled upon hearing the other party's words.
On the Sea, allies might exist, but most are unreliable; betrayal is commonplace among Pirates after all.
"What do I gain?"
Nicholas asked concisely, seeing no reason to refuse such a windfall.
"Friendship from the Lawless Zone, and an invitation to the Wine Connoisseurs' Association held next month on Bacchus Island. After all, if we join forces, we can definitely get a share of the pie."
Hearing Callett's words, Nicholas fell into contemplation.
The so-called Wine Connoisseurs' Association is held in many places in the Pirate World during major festival celebrations. It's essentially a drinking contest to see who can drink the most.
After all, in the Pirate World, Wine can be considered Hard Currency. For Pirates adrift at Sea, Wine is undoubtedly a Remedy for loneliness.
This led to the establishment of the Wine Connoisseurs' Association, a union of distilleries from around the world. These drinking contests are usually extremely popular, with participants from all walks of life – commoners, nobles, Marines, and Pirates alike.
Even when the Wine Connoisseurs' Association events are held, many opposing forces temporarily set aside their grudges during the competition. Anyone who dares to cause trouble would face not only their opponents but also the pressure from the Wine Connoisseurs' Association.
However, the Wine Connoisseurs' Association that Callett mentioned was completely different from these ordinary ones.
Because Bask Island has another name: Island of the Wine God.
"Are you saying that Wine Spring is about to gush out fifty-year Vintage Wine?" Nicholas asked, but immediately shook his head. "Impossible. That legendary Wine Spring gushed out fifty-year Vintage Wine just twenty years ago. According to the timeline, we'd have to wait another thirty years for it to appear again."
Nicholas had obtained intelligence about Bacchus Island from Shaki. After all, this magical Grand Line is full of unknown wonders. Some remain undiscovered, while others have been harnessed by people.
Like the miraculous Shellfish of Sky Island, seemingly no different from Shells in the Blue Sea, yet possessing incredible effects.
The Wine Spring of Bacchus Island is among the many wonders discovered and utilized by people.
Various Fruit Trees grow on Bacchus Island, even trees typically found in extreme cold or heat. It's no exaggeration to say that Bacchus Island's climate is a miniature version of the Grand Line's volatile weather.
Once ripe, the Fruit on the island falls directly to the ground. Due to unique conditions, these Fruits don't rot but enter a peculiar fermentation state.
The Juice then flows through the Soil to the deepest part of the Island Interior, where decades of fermentation within the Island Interior give birth to divinely bestowed Fine Wine.
"Of course, it's not fifty years." Callett said with a smile.
"Because this time, what will emerge is the Wine God, which only appears once every hundred years. The reliability of this News is extremely high; I spent a fortune to get this Intelligence from within the Wine Connoisseurs' Association.
Normally, I wouldn't be interested in something so unattainable. Whether it's the World Government or other Major Powers, they're all determined to get their hands on it. After all, anything that can enhance Strength without side effects is always highly sought after on this Sea.
According to the Intelligence, Nicholas, your Captain seems to be planning a War that could change the world. That War will undoubtedly draw everyone's attention, and that's our opportunity."
Hearing Callett's words, Nicholas admitted he was tempted.
These things are of little use to Top Experts already at their peak. While drinking it can improve Physique to some extent, whether it's fifty-year or hundred-year vintage, a person can only drink it once in their lifetime to gain benefit.
After the first time, subsequent drinks are just top-quality Fine Wine.
But for Nicholas, this was a rare opportunity. While the Beverage Bell-lin developed could also stimulate Potential to enhance Strength, with more chances to grow stronger, who would pass it up?
Furthermore, increased Strength would bolster his confidence in the upcoming great War and his survival afterward.
"Then, cooperation is a pleasure!"
"A pleasure indeed."
After agreeing on a time, Nicholas left the Lawless Zone with his Backpack.
Watching Nicholas's departing figure, Callett's subordinate asked, "Boss, is this guy reliable?"
"Reliability doesn't matter. What's important is his Strength. With him, I'm confident we can secure a larger Share."
Callett said dismissively. For him, the Bacchus Island trip was a crucial Plan. Major Powers need Foundation to sustain them. As for the Pirates on the Sea, in the eyes of true Major Power, they were insignificant.
Though they seemed infinitely glorious and could dominate the Sea for decades, when age caught up, their Body functions declined, Strength waned – how many could die peacefully?
Since the World Government's establishment, Top Experts had emerged on the Sea, yet the World Government remained the World Government, the Celestial Dragons remained world nobles. But what about those experts?
"Alright, get ready. Also, have the Funeral Home come and deal with these guys' Corpses. See if any intact Parts on them can fetch a good price."
With that, Callett headed deeper into the Lawless Zone.
The underworld bosses' businesses were remarkably diverse.
Slaves, Weapons, Red-light District, Smuggling – these were relatively normal industries. All sorts of things that could easily provoke ordinary people's nerves could be readily found in the underworld.
The Funeral Home Callett mentioned was one of the underworld's forces.
Their primary job was collecting Corpses. Depending on the situation, they occasionally moonlighted as Doctors, harvesting usable Organs from Corpses for recycling.
Helping people collect Corpses was merely a side business; their main trade was in Organs.
Nicholas found a Hotel to stay in temporarily. After notifying Bell-lin and the others via Den Den Mushi, he called for a Waiter and ordered a Meal for thirty. After a hasty meal, he lay down to Sleep.
After all, today had been a satisfying slaughter, and he'd acquired a batch of Fine Wine and two decent Wazamono Swords, so he deserved a reward.
Most importantly, he wasn't far from Mary Geoise now, so he needed Sleep to stay in peak condition.
The next morning, Nicholas woke up early.
He felt incredibly refreshed, his mind clear, and his Body full of vitality. Good Sleep was indeed highly beneficial to the Body.
Habitually activating Observation Haki, he detected no Enemies within a two-kilometer radius, which puzzled him slightly.
Could Lehman Brothers have given up so easily? He had essentially carried out a zero-dollar purchase.
But Lehman Brothers hadn't come, and that was their luck, escaping a disaster.
After eating a Breakfast for ten, Nicholas shouldered his Backpack and headed towards Port District 13.
(End of Chapter)