[36] Seeds of distrust

The meeting between the Yonkos – Blackbeard Bartholomew, the Twin Terrors Jolly Roger and Rackham Ray, and Old Man Hawkins – took place on neutral ground, a secluded cove hidden from prying eyes. The air was tense, charged with suspicion and the undercurrents of recent rumors.

Blackbeard, imposing as ever, stood at the head of the gathering, his eyes glinting dangerously. "Let's cut the bullshit," he growled. "I've heard the whispers, the fking rumors about me colluding with the navy. It's a load of crap, and you all know it."

Jolly Roger, leaning against a barrel, smirked. "Maybe we do, maybe we don't. But word is you're planning to backstab us. You've got a reputation, Blackbeard. Not exactly the trusting type, are you?"

Rackham Ray, arms folded, added coldly, "And you can't deny you've been a bit... secretive lately. Makes people wonder."

Blackbeard's fist clenched in anger. "I don't have to explain myself to you rats. I've been loyal to this alliance, more than I can say for some."

Hawkins, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke up. "Enough of this squabbling. We're here for a reason. The Sea Wolves and Cassandra are growing too strong. We need to deal with them, regardless of our personal grievances."

Blackbeard turned his fierce gaze on Hawkins. "So, what? We just ignore these backstabbing rumors? Pretend like everything's fine?"

Hawkins sighed, a weary sound. "We don't have to trust each other. We just need to work together long enough to take down our common enemy. Then we can settle our differences."

Jolly Roger chuckled darkly. "Well, ain't that a comforting thought. Working with people who might stab you in the back the moment you turn around."

Rackham Ray interjected, "We did reach out to the Sea Wolves, but no deals were made. It was just... exploratory."

Blackbeard spat on the ground, his disdain clear. "Exploratory, my ass. You were planning to turn on me."

Hawkins raised his hands, seeking to calm the rising tempers. "Let's focus on the task at hand. We can tear each other apart later. Right now, we need to be united against Cassandra and her mercenaries."

The group fell into a reluctant silence, each leader lost in their thoughts. Finally, Blackbeard spoke up. "Fine. We'll stick to the plan. But after this, all bets are off."

Jolly Roger nodded in agreement, a sly grin on his face. "One week, then we strike. Let's see how these Sea Wolves handle a real storm."

***

In the strategy room of the Sea Wolves' headquarters, Elara and I sat across from each other, poring over maps and reports. She looked up, her expression a mix of admiration and skepticism.

"Wang, how can you be so sure this plan will work? We're playing a dangerous game, stirring up the Yonkos like this."

I leaned back in my chair, a confident smirk playing on my lips. "Because, Elara, the best way to deceive someone is not to convince them they're being fooled, but to convince them they're not being fooled. It's all about planting the seed of doubt and letting it grow wild."

Elara raised an eyebrow, her arms folded. "That sounds like some philosophical bullshit. But I can't argue with the results. The Yonkos are already at each other's throats."

I chuckled, tapping a finger against the table. "It's all about understanding human nature. People believe what they want to believe, especially when it confirms their fears or suspicions. Our job is to feed those fears, not dispel them."

She nodded slowly, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "So, we make them think they're uncovering the truth on their own. They don't feel fooled because they believe they're the ones putting the pieces together."

"Exactly," I said, pointing at her. "We're not lying to them; we're just guiding them to conclusions they're already inclined to reach. Everyone thinks they're too smart to be fooled, which makes it easier to fool them."

Elara leaned back, a wry smile forming. "You're a cunning bastard, Wang. I never thought I'd be part of something like this. Scheming and plotting like some shadowy puppet master."

I grinned, enjoying the thrill of the strategy. "Welcome to the big leagues, Elara. This is how power plays are made. It's not just about brute strength; it's about outthinking your opponents, staying two steps ahead."

She sighed, shaking her head in amusement. "Well, I have to admit, it's working. The Yonkos are busy watching their backs instead of focusing on us. We've bought ourselves some valuable time."

I nodded, my expression turning serious. "We have, but we can't let our guard down. This is just the beginning. Once the Yonkos start unraveling, we need to be ready to capitalize on the chaos."

Elara stood up, determination etched on her face. "Then let's make sure we're prepared. We'll strengthen our defenses, rally our forces. When the opportunity strikes, we'll be ready to make our move."

Q: Have you ever heard of "divide and conquer" strategy?