Double-transformation: I, Sakura Haruno! Will crush the pirates!

Clang——!

After the resounding clang, both of their domineering auras vanished.

Then, everything went black before Ace's eyes.

The last thing we heard was Sakura's clear, loud laughter.

So enjoyable.

Chapter 337 The Arrival of the Old Lion

Underworld Pharmaceutical Factory.

After Caesar developed a special plant-based IQ enhancer and Crocus discovered a universal blood plasma substitute.

Today, pharmaceutical companies produce three types of drugs: plasma, enhancers, and cures.

Inside the factory buildings, which are protected from wind and snow, there are a total of six workshops and thirty-six production lines.

The hardworking and pragmatic pirates all wore special shackles around their necks, and IV tubes inserted into their bodies were connected to water tanks made of processed clouds above, with emerald green nutrient solution filling the droppers.

The silent, overhead surveillance Den Den Mushi faithfully recorded their efficiency, workload, yield rate, and number of times they slacked off. The data was then aggregated by a large computing Den Den Mushi in the factory's central control room and transmitted to the recording boards in front of each pirate.

Just then, the value on a pirate's record board reached a critical point.

The lightning from the heavens immediately released him from his shackles, engulfing everyone on the entire production line in the process.

The stark white lights flickered in the dazzling electric light, and screams and convulsions filled the air.

Then, the lazy pirate whimpered under the angry stares of his fellow "workers," and it seemed he was in for a beating when he went to rest that night.

Even so, he still dared not stop what he was doing, because crying—was also a form of time!

It is thanks to the hard work and dedication of these pirates that Carrera Pharmaceuticals has achieved its current success.

Of course, in return for the enthusiasm of these brothers, the factory also provides them with many benefits, such as: free overtime, minimum wage, six hours of rest, and year-round job opportunities, etc.

Most importantly, these pirates' wages compensated for the destruction they caused through plundering and raids.

After making up for the accommodation fees, food expenses, medical expenses, equipment usage fees, and the salaries of monitoring personnel, etc.

He could then remove his shackles, regain his freedom, and return to the sea to be a carefree scoundrel.

Inside the control room, Yamato, who had come to find Risaki, stared in disbelief. "Hey, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"They're all scum who gathered here for fame and fortune, what good people could they be! Letting them go free would just lead to murder and arson."

Li Ying snorted coldly and casually pointed to one of the production lines. "Do you believe that the criminals on this production line have killed more people than all the employees in the entire factory?"

"This...no way, they look so pitiful..." Yamato lowered his head, twirling two fingers in the middle, looking hesitant.

Ryougi then pulled her aside and began to instill in her the art of recognizing and employing talent, as well as the secrets to becoming a better shogun of Wano Country.

Just as the two were whispering and discussing how to transform that distant country into an empire of unwavering loyalty.

Sakura burst in carrying the unconscious Ace, tossed him toward them, and said, "I have some things to do, you guys take care of this kid for now."

After saying that, Sakura disappeared without looking back using the Flying Thunder God Technique. Sakura and Yamato saw that Ace was completely unharmed, but unconscious.

At the same time, they picked up the markers on the table and slowly approached him. After a series of scribbling sounds, the two wiped the sweat from their foreheads, looked up at each other, and smiled.

The mortal realm, the palace reception hall.

An elderly man with blond hair, wearing a floral haori and with a famous sword stuck in his legs, sat on a cushion.

On the small table in front of her were several small dishes and Sakura's special drinks.

"Hmm, good wine!" The old man drank the liquid in his cup in one gulp.

After a few rounds of drinks, he glanced at Guina, who was serving him.

He addressed the old acquaintance he had met in Alabasta, saying, "Kid, you seem to have gotten stronger. How about coming to work for me?"

To be honest, it's quite remarkable that Shiki, the admiral of a prestigious flying pirate crew and one of the former rulers of the seas, would extend such a respectful invitation.

If Kuina were an ordinary pirate, she might have bowed down in reverence, lamenting that she had drifted through half her life and regretted not having met a wise ruler.

And when they become enemies in the distant future, they can say, "There's nothing more to say, please take action quickly."

However, she is now a core member of another maritime tyrant's team. What is she after by switching sides to Shiki's team?

Surely it's not because he's old, is it?

"Not interested in!"

Kuina snorted and took out sword oil to maintain her two longswords.

"Don't be so cold~" Shiki persisted. "I'm planning something big soon, you just need to..."

"Invest billions of Berries, and then you'll appoint me as the right-hand man of the Flying Pirates?"

A cold voice interrupted Shiki's spellcasting, and a girl dressed in black ninja attire stepped into the hall, stepping through the illusion of time and space.

"Hehehehe!" Shiki grinned, seizing the opportunity, "If you're willing to come, you don't need to vote for Pele. The second-in-command position is yours for the taking!"

"That old man has some pretty good ideas!" Sakura laughed in exasperation at his shameless behavior.

He raised his hand and waved at Kuina, indicating that she could leave.

"Wait, let her stay!" Shiki raised his hand to stop them. "If I remember correctly, her surname should be Shimotsuki."

Upon hearing this, Kuina stopped what she was doing, and Sakura frowned and walked to the main seat to sit down.

In just a few seconds, she guessed Shiki's idea: "You want to use Kuina's name to take over Wano Country?"

"Yes, the title of Daimyo of Suzuhira was once held by the Shimotsuki clan for generations!"

Shiki rested one hand on his knee, and with the other hand, he raised a wine glass to Kuina, saying, "That idiot Kaido was waging war in Wano Country and got defeated by you again."

"If we could appear as heroes at this moment, and combine that with Shimotsuki's reputation, we could easily conquer the entire Wano Country!"

The old lion enthusiastically recounted his plan, but the script seemed vaguely familiar to Sakura...

Is that you? Crocodile Shiki!

"Then according to you, I can totally go it alone!"

The girl's emerald eyes swept over the wine in the glass, and she played with the rim of the glass.

“You won’t!” Shiki said with certainty.

The girl before him, like Roger, did not seek domination, not to mention that her current power was insufficient to support her in diverting her energy to deal with another enclave.

While Wano Country offers tempting conditions, it is currently nothing more than a huge mess.

The area is surrounded by numerous pirates on the outside and Kaido's remaining forces, as well as many mountain bandits and yakuza on the inside.

Such territory is more harmful than beneficial to Sakura at this stage; being too greedy will only lead to losing sight of the bigger picture.

It was precisely because he recognized this that Shiki went to great lengths to connect with all parties, so that he could have a stable base of operations in the future.

After listening to Shiki's long and detailed explanation, Sakura turned her questioning gaze to Kuina.

She sheathed her demon sword Muramasa and shook her head at Sakura, indicating that she did not want to get involved in this vortex.

Knowing Kuina's feelings, Sakura took a deep breath and said decisively, "Old Lion, we reject this proposal!"

"Sigh, as expected..." Shiki seemed to have anticipated this, and calmly took out a piece of paper from his pocket, using his ability to make it float onto Sakura's desk.

"Then, let me offer another suggestion!"

Chapter 338 Senior Sister Ling and Junior Brother Kai

In Wano Country, it was Sakura who first made a move against Kaido.

Strictly speaking, according to the rules of pirates fighting for territory, that territory should have been her spoils of war when Kaido was defeated.

Although Sakura didn't attack Wano Country, Shiki would have to consider Sakura's prestige if he wanted to take it over directly. Therefore, there are only two possible methods:

First, fight her and seize the land with greater violence; second, concede some of the profits and reach an agreement to divide the spoils.

She previously declined the proposal to co-govern the country, so now we can only open our coffers and let her choose what she wants.

"Huh? You actually have a mythical beast in your collection!"

Sakura discovered an unexpected surprise in the list that Shiki handed her.

Upon hearing the girl's voice, Shiki's eye twitched.

This fruit was originally intended for him to use in cultivating powerful subordinates in the future.

But right now he really doesn't have anything good to offer, so he had no choice but to put it on the trading list.

“I want this fruit.” Sakura stroked her chin. “And in the future, give me the right to purchase 40% of the shares in your arms factory.”

"Forty percent? Why don't you just rob someone? It's only half a percent, take it or leave it!"

This was the first time in all his years that someone had made such an exorbitant demand of him, and he was so angry that he was fuming.

Although it was done through a subscription, given that he planned to carry out a major purge after taking over Wano Country, Sakura's subscription at this time was essentially an initial investment in his military factory.

If she takes 40% of the profits from every transaction in the future, then won't he be reduced to begging on his knees after all his hard work?

"Thirty percent, isn't this robbing people?"

A bright smile graced the girl's sweet face.

Although Wano Country is a mess and she has no interest in taking it over, that doesn't mean she's not interested in getting involved in the military industry business there.

Beset by internal and external conflicts, many ambitious individuals are now eyeing this lucrative opportunity.

The death zone of a PUBG tournament is closing in on the final rounds.

At this time, the biggest and smallest fish in the circle usually become the primary targets of the surrounding wolves.

Unfortunately, Shiki, who possessed the power to move islands but lacked a large number of elite troops, ended up with both.

The biggest threat, the smallest force. If the situation gets out of control, Sakura can even foresee Big Mom riding Kaido chasing after Shiki, and then the harmonious scene of the World Government and the Navy blocking the bridge outside.

"One and a half percent, that's the most I can go. Otherwise, I'd rather go find Newgate!"

Shiki closed his eyes, his face ashen, and took a deep breath to calm his blood pressure.

Although a 15% share was still painful for him, it was still less than the cost of asking Newgate to help.

Stick your butt out and hold onto the wall; life goes on!

"Okay, then sign it!"

Sakura magically pulled an agreement from her pocket, which was a share purchase agreement for the military factory. Even the 15% share purchase clause was written in advance.

"Tsk!"

Shiki lit a cigar and took a deep drag.

Damn it, I got tricked by this girl!

He was unhappy, but he still had to sign the terms, because he knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Sakura watched him sign his name with a smile, then reached out and shook his hand.

"Well, happy cooperation~"

"Humph!"

.

.

On the other side, in the world of Toland Cake Island.

At the heart of the enormous castle is a banquet hall large enough to accommodate five hundred people, which is usually only used when entertaining distinguished guests approved by the Emperor Big Mom.

The spacious hall was filled with ministers from various nations, as well as two guests who did not belong there.

"Mommy, Mommy, I never thought you'd have a day like this, Kaido!"

A tall woman sat on a candy-like throne, surrounded by piles of caramel puffs.

While devouring her dessert, she mocked the man sitting not far away, whose body was wrapped in bandages, showing none of the worry she had shown a few days ago when she had her food cravings.

"And King, since your boss has already lost to someone else, why don't you just join my pirate crew!"

Charlotte Linlin raised her hand to the leather-clad man lying on the stretcher beside her, "There's no race as rare as you in this Totland~"