Chapter 255 - 255: Underground Turmoil

Hera patted Ace's shoulder: "We're all buddies, what's there to be upset about?"

Ace nodded; the two of them felt as if they had returned to their time on Foosha Island.

Marco cleared his throat and said to the members of the Whitebeard Pirates:

"Since it's now Ace's era, let's rename our Whitebeard Pirates to the Spade Pirates. If Pops were here, he would agree too."

The others nodded. A new era had arrived, and this era belonged to Ace.

The storm on the sea continued, and the situation became increasingly chaotic. Especially in the shadows where light could not reach, the underground forces had fallen into disarray after losing Doflamingo.

"Shipping King" Umit, "Loan Shark King" Du Feld, "Storage King" Giberson, and "Mortician King" Drag Pietlow gathered together.

They shared their intel. The recent despondency of "Expert of War" Vinsmoke Judge and the arrest of "Joker" Doflamingo had severely impacted their interests.

Du Feld pounded the table in anger: "If this trend continues, in a few years, all my assets will be gone."

"And you, Shipping King, is your business any easier? Thanks to the New Navy, the Four Seas have calmed down. Is there anyone still looking for your shipping services?"

Umit felt a headache coming on hearing Du Feld's anger. As an underground emperor who built his fortune on shipping, his business was indeed taking a hit.

Not to mention the Marines he had been in league with; many had been purged. Now, the branch commanders would even arrest his men for rewards as soon as they heard who sent them.

It was said that Judge in the West Blue was still researching that sea train thing, which was a huge blow to his business.

But at this moment, he had no choice. Even Joker had been captured by Hera and sent to Impel Down. He didn't want to test whether his strength was greater than Doflamingo's.

Drag Pietlow was also worried. His assassination business couldn't even operate in places where the New Navy was stationed.

Especially since the New Navy had somehow recruited a new batch of recruits to replenish their forces. Previously, his subordinates looked down on the Marines because they were all female.

As it turned out, those women all possessed Two-Color Haki. His assassins were completely helpless against them.

"Do you have any ideas, Du Feld? Everyone's been having a hard time lately. If you have any suggestions, just say them."

"Storage King" Giberson's business hadn't been affected that much yet, but he had too many joint ventures with "Shipping King" Umit. The current shipping slump was starting to affect his interests as well.

Du Feld pounded the table and stood up: "I've realized that ever since that Hera appeared, our business has plummeted."

"Sir Crocodile, who used to have dealings with us, was defeated by her. Now, when I take the initiative to find him, he doesn't even want to see me."

"It's the same with Judge. After his daughter Reiju was taken by Hera, he actually stopped fighting and chose to stay in his base drawing manga."

"He even started a tourism business. It's simply a disgrace to us underground forces."

"And Golden Lion. I worked so hard to get in touch with him and invested a sum of money, waiting for him to occupy the East Blue, but he was also defeated by Hera."

"That old bird Morgans is making a fortune with the big news she generates, while only the few of us keep losing money."

At this point, Du Feld thought about the Berries he had missed out on and pounded the table again in anger.

Finally, he straightened his collar and said, "How about this, let's try to bribe her."

Giberson, listening to Du Feld strongly condemn Hera only to suggest bribing her, spat out a mouthful of water due to the contrast.

Du Feld looked at Giberson with dissatisfaction and frowned: "What, is my suggestion not good?"

Du Feld wasn't a fool. Hera herself had the genuine strength of an Admiral and had the hero of the marines as her grandfather. The companions around her were at least Vice Admirals.

Even her second-in-command Kuina could defeat Doflamingo, who had awakened his fruit and possessed Three-Color Haki. Although he was angry that Hera had damaged his business...

He could distinguish between having no money and having no life. Moreover, the relationship between the newly risen Gold Emperor of the underground and her was unclear; he didn't want Hera coming to his door.

Drag Pietlow seriously considered Du Feld's suggestion and shook his head: "Hera isn't short of money. There are rumors that she found the gold of the Sky Island. What can we use to bribe her?"

Du Feld said, "Don't worry. If money doesn't work, there are other ways."

Umit seemed to have thought of something: "You mean... but if it's about finding women, we aren't very good at that, are we?"

He thought about how all the Crew members Hera recruited after going to sea were female and quite beautiful. There were even rumors that the reason Hera helped King Riku and Cobra...

Was actually because of their daughters. It was said that Princess Vivi and Princess Rebecca persuaded Hera, which was why she went to save their countries.

Du Feld smiled: "Don't worry. Would I have called you all together if I wasn't sure? Speaking of which, she should be arriving soon."

Stussy, the Queen of the Pleasure District, wearing a long-haired fox-like mask, walked in from outside:

"Sorry, it took some time to find a suitable candidate. How are the discussions with Du Feld going?"

Drag Pietlow stood up to welcome Stussy while saying, "Since you are the one taking action, there will certainly be no problem. I wonder what we need to do?"

Stussy snorted coldly and said, "After bribing Hera, everyone will benefit. What, I do all the work while everyone shares the benefits?"

Umit and Giberson glanced at each other. So she was here for money. They also breathed a sigh of relief.

For them, any problem that could be solved with money was not a problem.

Drag Pietlow wanted to ask if there was any guarantee after handing over the money. For some reason, his assassination business was a major target for the New Navy.

Currently, his liquid capital was already running low.

Stussy glared at him through her mask: "Since when does a bribe come with a guarantee? I can only say I'll do my best. Or would you like to do it instead?"

Drag Pietlow looked at the unfriendly gazes of the other three and swallowed his follow-up question.

Right now, he couldn't expose that his strength was far inferior to what it used to be. Although these people were being polite to him now, as soon as he showed any weakness, they would pounce and devour him.

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