One Piece:The Merchant King of Grand Line

The Merchant King of the Grand Line

Chapter 14: A Deal With the Devil

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The Revolutionary Army's Call

The weeks after I made my decision to reach out to the Revolutionary Army were a blur of calculated moves and discreet communications.

It wasn't easy. The Revolutionaries operated in the shadows, avoiding direct contact as much as possible. They were careful, precise, and dangerous—qualities I admired.

But I had a way to break through their network of secrecy. A contact.

Sabo.

I'd done some research, and the chief of staff to Monkey D. Dragon was the ideal person to make a deal with. He was ruthless, but pragmatic, and if I could convince him of the value of artificial Mythical Zoans, I'd have the Revolutionaries in my corner.

The meeting was set in a hidden dock on a remote island. A place the World Government wouldn't think to look for covert meetings.

I wasn't alone. King, my trusted right hand, accompanied me, his expression as impassive as ever.

We stood on the outskirts of the dock, observing the area. The sun was low, casting an ominous glow over the ocean. I checked the time on my wrist.

"This is the place," I muttered. "Sabo should be here soon."

King grunted. "Do you really think he'll be interested in your deal? The Revolutionaries aren't known for working with outsiders."

I shrugged. "That's because most outsiders don't offer them something they can use. We do."

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Sabo's Arrival

A figure appeared in the distance, walking steadily toward us, his silhouette cutting through the haze.

I recognized the revolutionary commander immediately—Sabo.

His iconic blue scarf billowed in the wind as he approached, his eyes scanning the surroundings, ever cautious.

We exchanged brief nods before he spoke, his tone cold but not unfriendly. "Lancaster. King."

"Thank you for meeting with me, Sabo," I said, offering a firm handshake. "I hope the location wasn't too inconvenient."

Sabo's eyes flicked to King, then back to me. "You're asking for a lot, Lancaster. Mythical Zoans? That's dangerous territory."

I smiled. "I'm offering you a tool, Sabo. A way to enhance your fighters—to give the Revolutionaries an edge over the World Government and the Emperors. The Zoans I'm developing are unlike anything anyone has ever seen."

He raised an eyebrow. "And what's the catch?"

I met his gaze evenly. "No catch. I just need guarantees. A steady buyer for my fruits, and an assurance that the World Government doesn't interfere with my operations."

Sabo looked thoughtful for a moment. Then he spoke again, his voice low. "The World Government won't let something like this slide. If we work with you, you'll become a target. And so will we."

I nodded. "I'm aware of the risks. That's why I'm asking for your help. You can't beat the Government without the right weapons. And right now, I'm offering you the perfect weapon."

There was a long pause. Then Sabo glanced at King, his expression unreadable.

Finally, he spoke. "I'm not making any promises yet. But I'll take your offer to Dragon. If he agrees, we'll make a deal. But understand this, Lancaster—if we're going down this road, there's no turning back."

I knew this was the best I was going to get. I extended my hand to seal the agreement. "Understood."

Sabo shook my hand. "I'll be in touch."

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The World Government Strikes

As we parted ways with Sabo, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were moving too quickly. The pieces on the chessboard were shifting fast, and I had to be three steps ahead to stay alive.

I'd barely made it back to my headquarters when news reached me.

Cipher Pol was mobilizing.

The Government's forces were escalating their efforts. They weren't just watching me anymore—they were actively seeking to shut me down.

A direct assault was coming.

I went into immediate lockdown mode. The underground research facility was sealed. My personal fleet of ships was moved to hidden locations. And my employees were put on high alert.

King was at my side, his eyes sharp as ever. "They're moving fast. They won't give us time to breathe."

I paced back and forth. "We need to move first. If we wait, we'll be cornered. It's time to make our move."

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The Revolutionaries' Response

The next day, I received word from Sabo.

They had brought the offer to Dragon—and, much to my surprise, Dragon agreed.

The Revolutionary Army was officially going to become my first major customer.

However, Sabo's message wasn't entirely positive.

"The World Government knows about your research, Lancaster. They'll come for you. They've already started gathering a fleet."

I wasn't surprised. But now, I had a lifeline. The Revolutionaries' involvement would make me far more difficult to eliminate.

But I also had to make sure my value to them remained high. If I failed, I'd lose not only the Revolutionaries' support but also the leverage I needed to avoid the World Government's full wrath.

"Start the Mythical Zoan production immediately," I ordered my research team. "We're giving Sabo everything we've got. Every piece of fruit we can spare."

As I oversaw the process, the weight of what I had done started to settle in. I had crossed a line. I was now officially entangled with forces that could either save me or destroy me.

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Big Mom's Threat

As if my problems weren't enough, word also reached me that Big Mom's forces were getting closer.

I had expected her to be patient—to wait for me to crack under pressure. But now, I realized she wasn't the type to wait for anything. She wanted to control the game, and she was closing in on me.

I couldn't afford to wait any longer. I had to make myself even more valuable—and more dangerous.

I called a meeting with my top advisors. "We need to expand our influence. And fast."

King frowned. "How do you plan to outpace Big Mom and the World Government? You're already tapped out in resources."

I grinned. "Not yet."

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The Final Piece

My next move was going to be a gamble. But it was one that could tip the scales in my favor.

I had learned of a secret facility that belonged to a former Marine Admiral—a man who had been involved in a classified project to create artificial Sea Kings.

If I could get my hands on that technology—combine it with the Devil Fruit research—I could make an army of Sea Kings.

A force no one would be able to contend with.

It was time to take the final step into the deep end.

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Next Chapter: Rising Tensions

(Victor's alliance with the Revolutionaries grows stronger, but the World Government and Big Mom close in. A new threat emerges from the shadows.)