Chapter 26

Some time before.

Mihawk who had just finished reading the information book given by Ars immediately went to return the book to Ars who was currently explaining the dungeon information to Aokiji and Garp.

"Are you going to enter the dungeon soon?" Ars asked with interest.

Garp and Aokiji immediately turned their attention to Mihawk.

Mihawk nodded, "I have to do some hunting on the first floor to get some items that will be useful later to help get up to the fourth floor"

Mihawk immediately turned around and walked towards the dungeon entrance. Mihawk's departure gets the attention of Shanks and others.

"Hey, Eagle Eyes, why don't we go into the dungeon together? More people are more attractive" Shanks offered this with a smile.

"No need" Mihawk immediately rejected it and continued again, "We have different goals. Besides, it's impossible for you to leave right now. There's definitely something you need to talk about."

Without waiting for a reply from Shanks, Mihawk immediately went into the dungeon.

"I think I got rejected again, Dahahaha…" Shanks said with a happy laugh.

"You are so uncool, Boss" Lucky Roo said mockingly then continued with a laugh followed by another.

"I think it's time for us to talk about the plans we're going to do inside," Ben Backman said in a serious tone as he exhaled the smoke from the cigarette he had just smoked.

"I think so" Shanks also smiled and looked at Ben Backman, "Ben, what do you think about the plan we are going to do in there? You must have already had that plan in mind, right?"

Ben Backman nodded, "Each floor in the dungeon has 10 areas that can be controlled and currently on the first floor there are only 9 areas that can be controlled because one area is currently controlled by the Kuja pirates. We don't need to fight for territory with the Kuja pirates because right now there is still quite a lot of territory that we can take. Each group will only be able to control a maximum of 6 regions from all areas on the dungeon floor. In my opinion, it is better for our group to control 3 territories on the first floor, two territories on the second floor, and one territory on the third floor."

"I agree with Ben's plan." Hongo as the ship's doctor had a broad mind and could immediately understand Ben Backman's plan, "Even though currently the dungeon has very few adventurers doing hunting. However, in the future dungeons will have more adventurers who will do the hunting. Even though there were many adventurers doing hunting. Not necessarily the adventurer will do the hunt on a higher floor. Of course there will be many adventurers, especially adventurers with less strength, who will hunt on the first floor. It can be said that the territory on the first floor will become the region with the most abundant income and will also become the target of large groups such as the Marines, the World Government, as well as the other Sea Emperors."

"If that's the case. We have to put a strong guard to guard the territory on the first floor so it won't be easy to get to other groups" Limejuice said calmly, "At the very least, their Boss and Ben should set their guard there."

"Who will be the third officer?" Yasoop asked with great interest about this.

"I think it's better to put Limejuice there" Snake said calmly, "Although the strength between us doesn't have a big difference. However, I think he is more suitable than the three of us. We can be assigned to a higher floor"

Yasoop and Lucky Roo have no problem with that. After all, this problem is only a matter of protecting territory, who will fight to represent the territory they control when someone dares to challenge for the territory.

"What do you think, Boss?" Bonk Punck asked Shanks with interest.

"No problem" Shanks smirked, "I have faith in your power. Anyone is not a problem to guard the area. However, the two areas on the first floor had to be me and Ben who looked after them to keep them safe. At least, if Kaidou or whoever fought the two of us. We still have a chance to win the battle."

"Then it's confirmed," Ben Backman replied calmly.

"What about our position?" Lucky Roo asked excitedly while eating the meat.

"Yasoop and Roo can be placed in the territory we will control on the second floor temporarily for Snake. You can be placed on the third floor area. What do you think?" Shanks asked while looking at them.

"I have no problem with that" Yasoop said with a smile, "I am interested in who will dare to challenge me later"

"Maybe it's your son?" Bonk Puck said with a grin.

"My child? Maybe" Yasoop also smirked with a smile, "I will wait for the day he will go to sea just like me"

"Speaking of your son, Yasoop. Is it possible that he will board Luffy's ship?" Snake asked while looking at Yasoop.

"Luffy? Wow, it's been a long time since we've seen that kid." Limejuice said in a slightly nostalgic tone, "I'm sure he's grown up by now. Does he really still stick to his words?"

"He's still holding it" Shanks said with a grin, "Try to remember that old Garp expression. He was very angry with us. That means Luffy is currently still clinging to his stance on becoming a pirate. We just have to wait for news of Luffy wreaking havoc on the ocean later and will know when he has started sailing."

"Hahahaha…" Lucky Roo laughed excitedly, "That kid really is a trouble maker. I'm sure by the time the boy goes to sea, the Navy will have a headache taking care of him."

The entire crew of the Akagami group themselves have good relations with Luffy or it can be said that all commanders of the Akagami pirate squad have good relations with Luffy and can even be said to be good friends.

"Okay. We're back to our topic of conversation." Ben Backman rearranged their topic, "Regarding the issue of territorial control. We'd better take the area that is close to the floor to go up to the top of the dungeon. Besides we can control the territory that we have. We can also arrange payment issues to move up to the next floor."

"Isn't that a problem?" Limejuice asked while frowning.

"I don't think it's a problem" Hongo suddenly said, "Ars previously said that he wouldn't interfere in matters in the dungeon as long as it didn't go overboard. Taking payment to use the stairs up to the top floor is not an offence. Ars also said that we can do anything in our territory including to take our own payments for hunting by adventurers provided we don't take all the bounty they get to a maximum of only reaching 50%. Besides that, I believe we have no plans to do that and also, the actions we take can be said to be very good because they can help screen out people who will later rise to the top floor. Are they really worth it or not?"

"Hey, Hong. You're almost like a Marine." The previously silent Howling Gab suddenly said in a mocking tone.

"Dahahaha… I think so too. You're almost like a Marine, Hongo" Shanks said with an excited laugh, "I agree with Ben's plan. We can take areas that are close or even areas that have floors to climb to the top floor for us to master. We don't have to charge extra for people hunting in our area. After all, we have also obtained it as a right to the thought of the territory. We just simply charge those who want to go up to the top floor with a fee equal to the value of the reward of the monsters defeated for the second and third floors. What do you think?"

"If we do this. There's a chance they won't let us move freely, Shanks" Snake said calmly.

"It doesn't matter if they don't let us make moves. Later I will take care of the area. If they dare to take it, please come right away and challenge me. I wonder who dares—"

*Cough*

Before Shanks could finish his sentence, Garp immediately cut him off while looking at him with a serious look, "I think your guts have gotten really big, brat! I think you haven't felt this iron fist of mine in a long time."

Shanks was silent for a moment and didn't dare to continue the sentence because at this moment he was remembering the past trauma he experienced because of Garp.

"Bahahaha… Boss, are you scared?" Yasoop asked mockingly.

"Hahaha… Boss seems like you're scared of Garp. You're not cool, Boss" Bonk Punch and Monster immediately mocked Shanks with laughter.

"Dahahaha…" Shanks who was previously silent laughed excitedly then said in a low voice, "It's not that I'm afraid. I respect elders."

"Bastard Akagami Boy! I heard it!" Garp immediately shouted back and looked at Shanks with a look full of anger.

This time Shanks couldn't help but laugh nervously at Garp's gaze.

"Cough~ Ben, looks like we have nothing more to talk about, right? We'd better start making moves now. We have to hurry to take the territory we have planned."

"You just want to run away from the trouble you're creating." Ben Backman looked at Shanks with a blank stare which he returned with a nervous smile.

The Akagami pirate group immediately packed up all their belongings and then walked into the dungeon. Meanwhile, Garp and Aokiji were still continuing to listen to Ars' explanation and they were currently reading any information on the items that could later be exchanged.