One Piece: King of the World

Chapter 283: Pirates Can Never Be Killed, Right?

Teach spoke in a hushed tone, outlining his plan in great detail. His voice carried a hint of excitement as he laid everything out.

"Once we have a hostage in our hands, we gain the upper hand.

With the old man's personality, he won't abandon his crew.

Even if he knows it's a trap, he'll still charge in headfirst. As long as we set things up properly...

The Whitebeard Pirates will be finished!"

Teach's excitement was evident as he shared his thoughts.

Claudius, sipping his tea, nodded occasionally, giving the impression that he agreed with Teach's plan.

Standing nearby, Nia, the head maid, couldn't help but feel confused.

"Why is His Highness even asking this? Isn't this exactly what he and Fleet Admiral Sengoku discussed before?"

Claudius noticed Nia's puzzled expression but didn't bother explaining.

Participation, it was all about making Teach feel like he was an important part of the plan. Claudius knew exactly what kind of person Teach was—an ungrateful, backstabbing wolf. There was no way Teach would genuinely work for someone else without thinking he was using them in return.

So, the best way to handle him? Let him believe he was the one in control.

Claudius had already predicted that Teach would propose a plan like this, which was why he allowed Teach to speak freely. If there were any differences, Claudius could subtly "suggest" some adjustments to steer things in the right direction.

When the time came and everything unfolded as planned, Teach would look at the situation and think, "Damn, Claudius really trusts me. Everything is going exactly as I planned!"

That sense of self-importance would make Teach feel more secure and more reckless.

Teach was cunning, adaptable, and good at judging situations, but he had a fatal flaw: arrogance.

When the operation began and he saw things playing out just as he envisioned, he would inevitably grow overconfident.

And that, in itself, was another layer of control.

If Claudius ever decided Teach was no longer useful, his arrogance would make him easy to deal with. But if Teach still had value, allowing him to become complacent would only make him more reliant on Claudius.

A pawn was most useful when it believed it could reach the other side of the board.

After all, a piece that thought it was winning would struggle harder to stay in the game.

Teach continued presenting his plan, his words filled with confidence. Claudius nodded, pretending to be deep in thought. After a while, he finally spoke.

"What you're saying makes sense. The plan is solid, and the strategy is feasible. But Teach, Whitebeard's division commanders aren't easy targets.

The World Government has attempted similar operations before. The Marines have put considerable effort into this kind of plan... yet nothing has ever come of it."

Hearing Claudius acknowledge his strategy, Teach couldn't help but puff up with pride.

"Ze hahahaha! Your Highness, that's only because I wasn't there!"

Claudius laughed. "I see. So, you're willing to take on this mission?"

Turning to leave, he suddenly paused, as if remembering something. Then, with a hesitant expression, he glanced back at Claudius.

Claudius smirked.

"Hah. You're really selling this act, aren't you? No wonder you played dumb under Whitebeard for so long."

Feigning mild confusion, Claudius raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"

Teach coughed awkwardly. "Ahem... Pardon my boldness, but... does Your Highness possess one of the Road Poneglyphs?"

A wicked smile played on Claudius' lips. He gave Teach a meaningful look before replying,

"Quite knowledgeable, aren't you? Most people don't even know those exist.

Yes, I do.

I took one from Whole Cake Island back in the day."

Of course, it was actually Dragon who had acquired it, but there was no way Claudius would tell Teach that.

Hearing this confirmation, Teach's heart burned with greed.

"Your Highness... what do you plan to do with it?"

Claudius chuckled.

"You certainly have ambition, Teach.

Enel, Doflamingo—many pirates serve under me. If a Pirate King must rise, it's far better for him to be secretly controlled by the World Government than to allow the seas to descend into endless chaos."

"In this world, pirates can never be completely eradicated. I understand that much.

But if you prove yourself, who knows? You might just get a chance."

Teach was stunned.

"Damn... This guy really thinks big."

It wasn't enough for Claudius to control the Warlords. Now, he wanted to create a World Government-approved Pirate King?

At that point, Marines would be under government control... and pirates would be, too.

Wouldn't that make the entire world his?

Teach inwardly marveled at the sheer audacity of the idea.

But outwardly, he smiled and said, "I will do my best to prove my worth to Your Highness!"

Claudius waved a hand dismissively.

"Good. Now go."

***

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