54. Negotiation
instead of answering, Kimimaro laughed out loud.
"Hahaha, haha, ha. Funny that you think Whitebeard could do anything towards Marine at this time."
Marco was smart enough to catch Kimimaro meaning immediately, right now, Whitebeard couldn't do anything towards the Marine as it would gives their enemies in New world a chance to take over his pops dominance over there.
He was sure that if Kimimaro indeed deal with them here, their captain would immediately declare war against the Marine, however, at what cost? Whitebeard is strong no doubt about it, but he was alone while his enemies were numerous like a stars.
not to mention Big Mom, other ex-Rock Pirates would immediately launch invasion against their captured teritories in New World if Whitebeards went to war against the Marines which he wasn't exactly sure about the outcome.
And That would gives tremendous loss for their previlage, the protection money they collected from the surrounding Kingdoms and islands which holding the Pirates group afloat would gone! not to mention other benefits coming from the captured islands.
They couldn't afford it!
Seeing how tense Marco had become, Kimimaro smiled, "Fine, it's getting late. it's okay to let you go but i want something."
Hearing Kimimaro didn't want to continue, Marco relaxed slightly without letting down his guard.
"What do you want?" Marco asked.
Marco was slightly feeling glad if Kimimaro stop his assault and wanted to negotiate, as long as it didn't touch any basic interest of his Pirates group, anything is negotiable.
"Mermaid island!" Said Kimimaro.
Marco raised his eyebrow in confussion hearing Kimimaro demands.
Seeing Marco Kimimaro reiterated his words, "I mean, retract your pirate flag from there. From now on Mermaid Island is ours to protect."
Instead of agreeing, Marco argued, "Pops was the one who planted the flag on that island personaly, i can't promise you anything. Besides, why don't Marine take the Island by yourselves?"
"Taking it directly and receiving it from you is different, if you understand what i mean..."
Marco understood his enemy words completely, if the Marine take the island forcefuly, it could show the world of some act of aggression against the Whitebeard, and they could tweak it toward Whitebeard favor to rally the Marine enemies and go to war.
However, if the Whitebeards were to give it directly, it could be seen as a sign of weakness or submission towards the Marine and Marco doesn't want it to happen, and yet, before Marco could think any further.
"I couldn't careless about what happened after that, all i want is the Mermaid Island. Besides, do you think you can negotiate here with me?" Kimimaro squinted his eyes as his palm slowly grapling downward.
just before Marco could understand the meaning behind Kimimaro's words, suddenly there was a sharp scream coming from Vista below.
"GAAAAAAAKH!"
Marco immediately looked towards Vista who was trashing around wildly while he got attended by the ship's doctor.
He saw in horror that a white substance ressembling a sea urchin seems piercing out from his chest!
"WHAT DID YOU DO?! STOP IT BASTARD!" Marco shouted against Kimimaro, however he refrained to act further when he saw Kimimaro playing with his knucke seemingly kneading something invisible.
"Don't be rash Marco, i just put some assurance inside Vista's body, you're free to convey my demand to your captain later, for now keep in mind that your mate's life is in my hand." Kimimaro coldly smiled.
Marco could only gritted his teeth as he heard Vista's scream growing louder and louder.
"OKAY! STOP! I'LL ASK POPS ABOUT THIS!"
right when Marco agreed to Kimimaro, Vista Voice finally lowered as the substance retracted back inside his chest.
"You better tell him clearly." Kimimaro smiled.
Marco glared at Kimimaro for a while before he snorted and tried to leave.
"Hold on..." Kimimaro Voice suddenly heard once again making Marco to stop his action as he looked back towards the young Marine.
"Just a piece of advice, do you still remember your group 2nd division commander?"
"Did the Marine captured him?" Asked Marco, his voice was laced with anger.
Kimimaro shook his head, "No."
Marco began to wondering what was this all about before Kimimaro continue his sentence.
"...your 2nd division commander had return safely back to his home. But interestingly, i heard something funny happened to him and his wife over there..."
Kimimaro tone was quite puzzling to hear, then Marco saw the young Marine turned towards another way and leaving him with another intriguing sentences,
".....You guys might want to visit him soon, before it's too late..."
*Booom!
Kimimaro kicked the air forcefuly trying to catch up with his crews in distance away, leaving Marco with a toughtful face behind.
Seeing his enemy had no longer stay, Marco went towards the ship,
"What happened, what did he say?" Jozu welcomed him immediately and asked,
Marco had complicated thought running on his head, instead of answering Jozu's question he checked upon Vista condition in a more detailed manner.
It took only several minutes for Marco to figure out that inside Vista's ribcage there was a solid mass of white gotten a hold of his heart in threatening manner.
Seeing Marco ignored him and checking on Vista condition, Jozu didn't mind and asked, "How is it? How is he?"
After several probing toward the white mass, Marco took a deep sigh as he finally turned his head toward Jozu, "For the time being he is fine, anyway. Go command our crews, we need to go back as soon as possible, i'll try to stabilize Vista condition along the way. We need to move! Fast!"
Marco took a glance towards another distance and seeing lightning and fire blotted on the sky knowing that there was another battle happened besides their own.
Even though the storm was still raging, the Whitebeard pirates kept their composure to leave from the accursed Florian Triangle even in defeat.