At this moment, Tokikake had temporarily set aside his petty jealousy and gained a new understanding of Caelan's ability.
Even the Warlords, who often disregarded the World Government's commands, showed complete obedience in front of Caelan. Moria's arrogant demeanor had vanished, replaced with meek compliance.
It was worth noting that even Marine admirals rarely received such cooperation from Moria.
Gion couldn't help but wonder what kind of method Caelan used to make someone like Moria follow him so willingly.
"Well, since you seem curious about my method, Miss Gion, how about coming aboard my ship and finding out for yourself?"
Caelan replied playfully, without a hint of modesty.
"Haha, dream on! That's never happening!"
"If Gion ever joins you, I'll eat a battleship on the spot!"
Tokikake burst out laughing, feeling that Caelan was overconfident.
Gion had deep ties to the Marines. How could she possibly abandon all that and follow Caelan?
Gion frowned slightly. While she had no intention of joining Caelan, Tokikake's words felt over the line.
Caelan didn't argue with Tokikake, simply smiling in response.
"For now, please help me with the bounty exchange."
Caelan pointed at the thousands of pirates and spoke calmly.
"Understood."
Gion gave Caelan a long look, then led a group of Marines to begin tallying the pirates.
Soon, the total count was complete.
"Mr. Caelan, your standards are... pretty low."
"Can you tell me whose corpse that is?"
Tokikake pointed to Brook, clearly unimpressed.
Most of the thousand-plus pirates were small fry with bounties in the thousands, some not even listed. And then there was this skeleton, who knew where those bones had been dug up from? They looked like they'd been dead for decades.
"Forget about him."
Caelan sighed and tossed Brook back to Moria's ship.
Brook's skeleton-only form made it hard to collect a bounty. Still, his Revive-Revive Fruit ability had value, so Caelan decided to leave him under Moria's command.
"Excluding the skeleton, the remaining pirates total 300 million Berries."
Gion chuckled and handed over a suitcase.
"Until we meet again."
Caelan took the bounty and turned to leave.
"Haha! Gion, did you hear him?"
Tokikake pointed at Caelan's departing figure, laughing as if it were a joke.
As if Gion could ever be lured away by someone like him. He'd never have to eat a battleship in his life!
"I'd like to see what kind of tactics he plans to use to win me over..."
Gion murmured softly.
Tokikake drew in a sharp breath, his gut twisting with dread.
He'd pursued Gion for years, yet she had never looked at him that way.
No way... could she really be falling for him?
Tokikake stared at the retreating Wind Rider, his face contorted.
…
After leaving the Marine base, Caelan visited a nearby island and exchanged the rest of the treasure for Berries. Including the pirate bounties, he earned a total of 500 million Berries.
His synchronization progress rose from 83% to 88%. His strength grew once again, leaving just 1.2 billion Berries' worth before completing the current template.
"Next, we set sail for the New World. I should be able to complete the synchronization on the way."
Caelan reclined in a beach chair, lost in thought.
Ahead lay Sabaody Archipelago and Fish-Man Island. And if a few short-sighted Celestial Dragons happened to cross his path, he might make an extra stop at Amazon Lily.
He didn't want to provoke the Marines just yet, but if the Celestial Dragons brought trouble, he wouldn't hesitate to slaughter them.
A mere World Government couldn't stop him. His goal was to become one of the Four Emperors.
In any case, his progress should be nearly complete before reaching the New World.
If not, then he'd pay a visit to Doflamingo. The Donquixote Family was filthy rich.
Once synchronization reached 100%, he could unlock a new template and gain even more power.
Heracles template was already enough to let him rampage through the seas. If he acquired another...
Just thinking about it thrilled him.
"Master, please enjoy your afternoon tea~"
As Caelan was deep in thought, a soft and sugary voice drifted to his ears.
Perona, dressed in her maid outfit, approached with a tray of snacks.
"So it's Perona-chan. You're getting more and more like a real maid."
Caelan took the snack tray and patted her on the head.
At first, she had been shy. But over the past two days, he noticed that she had started to enjoy it.
Not only did she perform her duties well, she even made extra donuts for everyone.
"No! I just made too much and didn't want it to go to waste!"
Perona swung her twin ponytails with a red face, trying to sound proud.
"What a dishonest little girl. Who makes dozens of donuts just for themselves?"
Vivi slung an arm around her shoulder, teasing her.
The other girls, all snacking on donuts, chuckled at her flustered expression.
"Ah! Don't overthink it! I really just made too many!"
Perona shrieked and ran off to the cabin, her face bright red.
"What a strange bunch..."
She curled up inside the cabin and muttered, but her smile couldn't be hidden.
After spending a few days with everyone, she found the atmosphere on the ship surprisingly nice.
Nami and Robin said they wanted to punish her, but all they did was make her a maid—which wasn't even that bad.
And while Caelan had a nasty personality, he was still kind and easy to get along with. Aside from constantly teasing her, he had no major faults.
But she didn't mind the teasing, either.
Compared to the gloom of the ghost castle, Perona much preferred the warmth and laughter on the Wind Rider.
…
On the ship trailing behind the Wind Rider.
"Did Perona make this? It's really good."
Moria took a bite of a donut, savoring the taste.
"It's average."
Brook said flatly.
Over the past two days, he had officially become one of Moria's subordinates.
After all, knowing when to bend and when to fight was the mark of a true man!
He still had to stay alive and fulfill his promise to Laboon.
"You just don't appreciate it! These are the best donuts in the world!"
Moria shouted, punching Brook on the skull in irritation.
"That's right, that's right!"
Hogback nodded furiously in agreement.
Though he also thought the flavor was just okay, he wasn't stupid.
"You've got good taste."
Moria patted Hogback on the shoulder, feeling pleased.
These were Perona's creations, so of course they were the best!
As he looked toward the Wind Rider ahead, Moria felt reassured in his decision.
There was hope for revenge against Kaido, and Perona was happy.
Being a little leader under Caelan? Not bad at all.
(To be continued.)
***
For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)