Fang Huo knew that God Valley, a non-member nation, must maintain some trade with the outside world.
At the very least, Shanks and Shamrock's mother was pushing a rather luxurious Stroller down the street with the twins.
That wasn't the kind of product you'd expect in an isolated, non-member country.
Overall, God Valley was fairly prosperous and stable.
It wasn't chaotic and lawless like Whitebeard Newgate's hometown, Sphinx Island.
Even the Celestial Dragons admitted God Valley was rich in resources—worth seizing.
"As long as Rocks is careful, the Celestial Dragons' Knights will need at least a decade to sniff out God Valley."
"In ten-odd years, who knows how powerful I'll be."
"Still, I'll give Rocks a heads-up when the time comes."
Fang Huo set his worries aside; Rocks was probably even more cautious than he was.
After all, God Valley was Rocks's home, where his family lived.
"Shishishishi—Fang Huo, make a prophecy: is Rocks off to stash treasure, or did he really go home?"
Golden Lion Shiki's eyes blazed with curiosity; the world knew almost nothing about Rocks.
The same was true for them, the officers of the Rocks Pirates—they knew next to nothing about their captain.
They wanted more intel, to lay a few small escape routes for the day they quit the crew.
"Five-billion-Berry consultation fee."
"Rocks's heavenly tribute haul is worth ten billion; I'm giving you half off—aren't I a great friend?"
Fang Huo didn't refuse outright; he simply smiled at Shiki, Silver Axe, and Ganzi.
"Screw you! Why don't you just rob us?"
Shiki and Ganzi cursed on the spot—they'd only asked casually, never expecting Fang Huo to open his mouth so wide.
One question for five billion Berries? Selling Rocks wouldn't cover the bill.
Yet Fang Huo, the Supreme Great Succubus, had seen his underground bounty climb again.
A group of Female Celestial Dragons had already formed a ten-plus-member task force to capture him.
Together they pushed Fang Huo's secret bounty to five billion Berries.
A man like that could belong only to them!
Now every Bounty Hunter and Great Pirate in the Underworld was going wild.
To everyone, Fang Huo had become a walking, talking treasure trove.
Catch Fang Huo and you could retire in luxury at once.
"Better than robbing, actually!"
"Want to hear it? Then pay up—IOUs accepted."
Fang Huo's wicked grin scattered Shiki, Ganzi, and Fierce before he could extort them.
Never mind whether they could even grab Rocks's treasure; the thought of owing Fang Huo five billion made the deal feel like a rip-off.
Why risk getting killed by Rocks when Fang Huo could claim half the loot just by talking?
Dirty—too dirty!
Scheming bastards have the darkest hearts!
"If Rocks caught wind of your little ideas, you'd all be dead men!"
"Family is the one line you never cross."
Whitebeard Newgate shot the money-crazy officers a cold glare.
"Relax, relax—I was only asking. I wouldn't dare eye Rocks's treasure."
Golden Lion Shiki quickly passed the buck and killed the topic.
He had no wish to earn the hatred of Rocks, Newgate, or Fang Huo.
"Family and crew—no hurting them, period."
Bolo Gram fully agreed with Newgate; he valued the man more every day.
Thank heavens the ship still had stand-up guys like Newgate, Fang Huo, and Sanbel; otherwise he could never survive a strength-first pirate crew.
"Fang Huo, are we family?"
Charlotte Linlin suddenly turned and asked; friends and crew no longer satisfied her.
"Shishishishi, Linlin, think we're playing house?
We're just pirates Rocks gathered for profit."
Golden Lion Shiki sneered; he had no patience for sappy talk of bonds.
Ganzi and Fierce subtly nodded—they knew they'd leave the Rocks Pirates and strike out on their own someday.
Rocks couldn't chain them for life!
"Yes, now and in the future."
Ignoring Shiki, Fang Huo spoke softly to Charlotte Linlin.
"Great!"
After glaring at Golden Lion, Charlotte Linlin charged joyfully at Fang Huo.
She liked her new family member, Fang Huo.
"Family, huh?"
Newgate wore a faint, gentle smile.
Golden Lion looked sick; he couldn't believe an ambitious Prophet like Fang Huo would buy into something as flimsy as family ties.
Ganzi and Fierce stared oddly at Fang Huo—what a con artist.
Only a teenage girl like Charlotte Linlin would fall for it.
"Fang Huo, I want to be family too—marry me, okay?"
"But you have to promise to love only me for life."
Stussy clung to him, all doe-eyed devotion.
"Stussy! Fang Huo belongs to everyone, just like the matron—how can he love only you?"
"Besides, he's going to be my first mate."
Charlotte Linlin shoved the greedy woman aside in irritation—no monopolizing Fang Huo, not a chance.
What do you mean, 'everyone's'? You're too young to know what love is."
Stussy glanced at the Big Fatty Girl, unable to fathom why Fang Huo valued Linlin.
Wasn't she sexy and pretty enough?
Or did Fang Huo have unique tastes—perhaps he liked them big and plump?
"I do know love! I love Fang Huo the same way I love the matron!"
Charlotte Linlin snapped, suddenly loathing the petite woman.
"Stop wasting time—those who need training, train!"
"Sanbel, let's go."
Fang Huo couldn't be bothered; he took the most honest Fishman, Sanbel, for special training.
He reckoned that earnest, down-to-earth Sanbel would someday surpass flashy, arrogant guys like Babel, Fierce, and Ganzi.
"Aye, first mate!"
Sanbel grinned honestly and followed Fang Huo to the Gym for more Gravity training.
"Hmph—"
Seeing Fang Huo leave, Stussy couldn't be bothered quarrelling with the illiterate big fatty.
As a science researcher, she was the most educated officer on board.
Illiterate pirates like Linlin, raised without schooling, solved everything with fists—impossible to talk to.
Only a smart, handsome man like Fang Huo could brighten her mood.
Yet Fang Huo's policy of not initiating, not rejecting, and not taking responsibility left her speechless.
Winning Fang Huo's heart would be hard!
But the thought of Fang Huo's powerful Mutant Talent filled her with drive.
Whether bearing Fang Huo a super-child or using science to clone another Fang Huo, she had to claim him.
If possible, she'd monopolize the Supreme Great Succubus and make every other woman envy her!
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