Chapter 442: SVOP - 442

Chapter 442: SVOP: Chapter 442

"You don’t need to know that. I am asking only one thing — is the tribute ready?"

Vladimir had no patience for nonsense. "If not, I will summon the other Masters, and together we shall erase your so-called New Generation Big Mom Pirates from the map."

Cold sweat broke out instantly on Charlotte Linlin’s forehead.

She did have the fifty fruits. Ever since the events nine years ago, she had been frantically gathering them specifically to hand over to Phantom.

When a full year passed and no one came to collect, she had assumed they were gone forever.

But just to be safe, even after nine years, she had kept those fruits sealed and preserved.

And sure enough, today they were needed.

"Rijette!" she called out.

Immediately, ripples like those from a dream appeared in the space before them, and a woman with a calm, serene aura stepped out.

"Mama." Rijette nodded, then looked at Vladimir with a complex expression. "Master of Lightning... you did not look like this when the Ten Masters appeared years ago."

"Little girl, what you saw back then was only my human avatar," Vladimir replied. "Enough talk. Either produce the fruits, or I gather the other Masters and wipe you out. I have no time to waste."

Rijette and Charlotte Linlin exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

This domineering, uncompromising attitude was exactly the style Phantom was famous for. The likelihood of it being real was too high to gamble with.

Charlotte Linlin dared not take the risk. If she refused now, she would likely face several Supreme Masters instantly. Even if she managed to escape, there was still Aizen... and perhaps even the Emperor himself.

"Here are the fruits you demanded!"

With permission from her mother, Rijette retrieved a large treasure chest from the Dream World and presented it.

Vladimir scanned it briefly to confirm everything was correct, then nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. You know your place. I hope you do not offend us again in the future, or it will take far more than fifty fruits to settle things."

Charlotte Linlin spoke grimly. "You return after all this time... what do you intend to do? How many of you have come back?"

"You ask too many questions. But I’ll tell you anyway: more than last time! Hahaha... you will find out eventually."

Vladimir bit onto the chest and lifted it. "These Lycan Pirates gave me passage, so let them leave safely. As for your grudge with the Beast King Pirates — it is none of my concern."

"Agreed." Charlotte Linlin narrowed her eyes, glanced at Eve, and gave her consent.

"Then, farewell..." Vladimir turned to leave, chest in mouth, but paused mid-step. "That eye of yours... who blinded you?"

"You want to know?" Charlotte Linlin sneered. "Fine — I lost it during a battle with Blackbeard!"

Blackbeard?!

Vladimir froze. He had guessed it might be Lane of the Beast King Pirates, never expecting it to be Teach. Judging by the scarring, the wound was at least two or three years old.

"Blackbeard, huh?" Vladimir thought for a moment and smiled. "After lying low for so long, he finally couldn’t hold back anymore. Farewell!"

Lightning flashed all around him, and with a sharp whoosh, he turned into a streak of electricity and shot out of the ruined palace.

Eve and her crew shivered involuntarily and scrambled to follow.

"Wait! Lord Ra... no! Master of Lightning!"

In her wolf form, Eve moved fast enough to barely catch a glimpse of his shadow as she shouted, eyes shining with excitement.

By the time she had set sail, Phantom was already a legendary, peak-level existence. After the chaos and destruction at Sabaody, she had been among the first generation of Supernovas to arrive there.

To her, Phantom was nothing less than a myth!

"Master! I want to lead the Lycan Pirates and join Phantom! Emperor Vladimir is my idol — I admire him more than anything! Please, take me to see him just once!" she cried out enthusiastically.

Vladimir slowed slightly, glancing back at her. "That is not admiration... it is just infatuation, or worship at best. I saved you this time only because you gave me a ride. Now, look out for yourselves. Goodbye."

With that, he unleashed his full speed. Under the effect of Extreme Speed, he became a bolt of lightning skimming the sea surface, shooting forward and vanishing from their sight in the blink of an eye.

"Captain Eve... he’s gone," one of the pirates said quietly.

"Yeah... such a shame," Eve sighed.

"What now? Do we return and report?"

"No. The First Mate used us as cannon fodder. I think it’s time we left the Beast King Pirates."

Her eyes suddenly lit up with a brilliant idea. "Actually... no. Let’s go back first. The Beast King has eighteen crews under his command. If we leave, we’re taking a few others with us!"

Her subordinates exchanged awkward grins. She wasn’t just planning to defect — she wanted to turn around and get revenge too. But none objected; the First Mate’s recklessness had nearly gotten them all killed.

...

Leaving them to their decisions...

Back in the ruins, Charlotte Linlin sank down onto the ground, watching Vladimir disappear.

Her expression was dark, heavy with gloom and dread.

"Mama..."

"Damn Phantom!" She gritted her teeth. "They really have returned! The shadow that once covered the whole world has appeared again."

"Should we spread the news?" Rijette asked.

"No. What happened today remains a secret. Tell no one."

Charlotte Linlin’s eyes glinted with malice. "Knowing the Beast King Pirates’ arrogance, it’s only a matter of time before they provoke Phantom. We shall keep silent... and wait for the show to begin."

...

Leaving Whole Cake Island behind...

Vladimir raced across the ocean surface.

"Next is Whitebeard. But chances are, Blackbeard has already stolen the fruits owed to me from him. I will find Blackbeard first."

For others, tracking him down might be difficult.

But for Vladimir? It was simplicity itself.

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