237 Chapter 237

237

The Going Merry was parked in the middle of the desert, the small ship was mostly used as a shed, where a small camp was set up. A small party was being held due to a new member joining the crew.

With most of them having fun down in the camp, Luffy had invited Ace and Sabo to the navigation room to hold a small meeting.

It's not that he wanted to withhold information from his crewmates. But they were brothers, and some things were better said behind closed doors. Though Luffy did know that the newest member of the crew was snooping in.

So did his brothers, but all three of them ignored it. If Luffy didn't point it out, they wouldn't either.

"I still can't believe that you are actually planning to become a Warlord," Ace said, leaning back on his chair, and looking at Luffy. "Working for the World Government. I never saw that happening…" he lightly chuckled. "I was offered the same position a few years back you know… but I had declined. So it's just surprising that you are aiming for that spot."

"Yup, even though some of my memories are still a bit hazy… I wouldn't have imagined Luffy turning out like this." Sabo said, chuckling. "It's like he's a completely different person."

Luffy laughed but for a different reason.

"Shishishi… A new person," Luffy corrected with a chuckle. Sometimes it's better to just laugh at things rather than explain stuff. And he didn't plan to anyway. "The World Government might be corrupt but they are the system for now… so it would be better if I joined their side. This way I can gain many benefits from them. And well… You know, grow in strength and influence… before sticking a naginata into their corrupt ass."

Ace chuckled. "I can't say I agree with this one, but you do you, bro."

"Eh… I actually see it as a good thing that he's joining the Warlords, using his head for once." Sabo said, earning an eye roll from Ace.

"Of course, you would say that… you were always the planner," Ace said, a fond expression on his face. "But you… Luffy doing it seems a bit odd."

"Well… I still plan on becoming the pirate king if that's what you guys are worried about. And being a Warlord has its perks… if I didn't have any plans. I wouldn't have minded allying with the Whitebeards."

Ace blinked, "Really? Well… we would have loved to have you, as a crewmember or as an ally." He said, "But what do you mean you can't join our crew?… you can still leave the Warlord idea and join us… we are the strongest Yonko crew after all" He said the last words with pride.

Luffy nodded, "I don't doubt it. And if Whitebeard agrees we can be unofficial allies… you know, like Jinbe."

"Hey, how do you even know that?" Ace blinked.

Luffy deadpanned, "One of my crewmates used to be in the same crew as him, remember? The six-armed Fish-man, Hatchan, the one that makes takoyaki."

"Oh, the takoyaki guy." Ace nodded, finally recognizing him. "Hmm… so you want to be an unofficial ally. Good idea I suppose."

Luffy nodded. "Yes, if there's any help that's needed the Whitebeard pirates can call us. But on the front, you guys can't claim me as an ally."

He didn't know how strong Shanks was, but he didn't lose his arm in this world so his strength wouldn't be any less either. There was even some news of Mihawk having a yearly duel with Akagami. Having his help would have made things easy.

But he knew he couldn't just ask for an alliance when it comes to 'Red Hair' Shanks. Sure, he could call the Yonko at any time, he did have his number. But unless he proved himself, it would be stupid to ask for an alliance.

Whitebeard on the other hand, he could just ask Ace for it. That was also the reason why showed off his strength to his brother.

Whitebeard had most of the islands under him in the New World, having more allies than any other Yonko. His only weakness was his old age, and his declining health.

'I need a position among the Warlords for several reasons…' Luffy thought, 'It would be the best way to gain the attention of other Warlords. I need to at least recruit Jinbe in my crew, and if possible Hancock as well.'

The Marines would have a war against the Beast Pirates, so he was sure Jinbe wouldn't resign from his position as a Warlord. So it would be a good way to get him as an ally that way.

Sabo was also curious about this matter. Luffy was very open about helping the Revolutionary Army, and him joining as a Warlord would be good. As that might give them some more inside information besides Kuma. Internally he smiled, it seems Luffy had grown up.

"You see… as a Warlord I can mainly gain access to a lot of freedom. Mainly from the Marines. And even though I'm strong… I'm still not at the level where I can openly go against the Word Government." Luffy said, "It's not me that I'm worried about. It's my crewmates."

Ace, and Sabo both frowned but didn't interrupt the boy.

"Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Zoro, and Kuina all of them have families or friends back on their island. And one of the World Nobles has been targeting me due to my father… but he failed two times already… what if he gets ideas and attacks their family and friends instead? Maybe Makino and Usopp's village would be safe due to our connections… but what about the others?"

Luffy had tortured the CP agent who tried to blow up their ship back on Drum Island. The CP agent talked like a duck, spilling every single thing he knew.

Even though the information he had was already known, it wasn't that much. He did tell him who the attacker was though. Saint Camael, the bastard that was after him.

Luffy continued, "Other than the bastard known as Saint Camael… it seems that the other World Nobles don't care about me. The Five Elders don't care either. My first bounty was too sudden and done by the Saint Camael, that bastard is really out to get me… so if I become a Warlord, that specific Celestial Dragon would have to stop attacking me. Or at least be more sneaky about it. Maybe I can face his attackers and assassin head-on… but my crewmates can't. And I already did gain quite a good rep as a hero… so why not use it?"

"That's… interesting," Ace said.