NOVEL WEB Chapter 219: Chapter 219
Therefore, the other captains also hoped that, aside from Marco, Foil Bista and Diamond George could significantly increase their strength as well.
Only then would they be stable enough to face the coming war.
"Amazing. Absolutely amazing!"
Marco was overjoyed by the surge in his strength. He flew to Jinbei's side, repeating his thanks.
"No need to thank me," Jinbei replied with a hearty laugh. "You were already stronger than me to begin with. Now that you've absorbed that crystal and reached quasi-Yonko level, it'll be a huge help to Dad."
Jinbei didn't care much for the two legendary crystals he had delivered. He was already thrilled just reaching admiral-level strength.
Besides, he knew that if he stayed under Kairos Flint's command and kept searching for Devil Fruits, his strength would continue to grow.
Right now, their top priority was to increase the power of the remaining captains.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard sat back on his massive sofa, sipping from a sake jug.
"Ace, my boy... I'm coming for you."
He looked into the horizon, a gleam in his golden eyes. "Roger, if you knew I made your son my godson... you'd probably be laughing in the afterlife."
He let out a booming laugh—completely unfazed by the looming battlefield ahead.
Whitebeard was confident. As long as he met Kairos Flint, he could trade for an extended life—five hundred years, to be exact.
With that, he would restore his vitality and return to peak form. Whether facing the Marines or Roger himself, he would fear nothing.
"Dad! I see Kairos Flint's ship—and... the Red-Haired Pirates are right next to them!"
Marco, soaring high in the sky, spotted the group from about three kilometers away. He immediately descended to report.
Whitebeard set down his wine and gave the order to increase speed immediately.
About twenty minutes later, their ships finally caught up with Kairos and his crew.
"Whitebeard?!"
The crew aboard the Red-Haired Pirates' ship noticed the approach and instinctively prepared for battle.
"It's fine. They're here for me," said Kairos, raising a hand to calm everyone down.
"No way... Whitebeard still hasn't given up? Is he trying to fight you?" Jesus Burgess asked, stunned.
Kairos couldn't be bothered to explain. "You'll see soon enough."
Soon, all three ships were lined up side by side.
Marco descended onto Kairos's deck.
"Hey Kairos, long time no see!" Marco greeted warmly.
Kairos nodded with a small smile.
Shortly afterward, Whitebeard himself stepped aboard with several of his captains in tow.
Now, nearly all the most influential pirate forces in the world were gathered in one place.
Diamond George carried a large box in his arms, while behind him, dozens of pirates had been tied up. Some even had sea-prism cuffs shackled to their wrists.
Terror was written all over their faces.
Seeing both Shanks and Kairos Flint on the same ship, the prisoners knew they were doomed.
They had feared Shanks—but Kairos Flint was a nightmare.
Rumor had it that no pirate who crossed paths with Kairos lived to tell the tale.
Many of them had no idea why Whitebeard had captured them. After all, he wasn't the kind of man who hunted pirates like this.
Turns out, they weren't captured for justice—but as offerings to Kairos.
The realization hit hard.
They were finished.
As expected, Kairos's eyes lit up when he saw the group of pirates in chains.
Beside him, Robin began listing off the details.
"Foxy the Silver Fox—80 million bounty. Paramecia-type Devil Fruit: Slow-Slow Fruit."
"Scratchmen Apoo—200 million bounty. Paramecia-type Devil Fruit: Sound-Sound Fruit."
"Caribou—110 million bounty. Logia-type: Swamp-Swamp Fruit."
"DiCaprio—100 million bounty. Logia-type: Jelly-Jelly Fruit."
One by one, Robin went through the reward list.
Of course, Kairos already knew who they were—he didn't need the introductions.
He hadn't expected to find someone like Apoo from the Worst Generation among them. That was a bonus.
Among the pirates were four Devil Fruit users. The rest were masters of swordsmanship or hand-to-hand combat, most proficient in both Armament and Observation Haki.
Over a hundred prisoners in total.
What a haul.
"The total bounty of these prisoners comes to 2.45 billion berries," Robin confirmed.
Kairos nodded, clearly pleased.
"Not bad, Whitebeard. You've brought me 2.4 billion worth of pirates. I suppose that deserves some praise."
The compliment made Whitebeard twitch internally.
To be praised like a subordinate—by someone decades younger—was a bit humiliating.
But for now, he had to hold back his pride.
He needed something from Kairos.
"Kairos," Whitebeard said directly, "I've brought six Devil Fruits, as you asked. I want to exchange them for life."
The statement silenced the deck.
Whitebeard wasn't wasting time. He was desperate to regain his youth and vitality—to protect his sons, his family, no matter the cost.
Shanks raised an eyebrow.
"Exchange... for life?" he repeated, confused. "What are you talking about?"
Kairos simply watched as Diamond George stepped forward and opened the box.
Inside were six Devil Fruits, colorful and varied in appearance.
They looked almost ornamental—beautiful but mysterious.
Kairos crouched down to inspect them, but even he couldn't tell their exact abilities.
He didn't have a Devil Fruit encyclopedia. He'd need to synthesize them later to unlock their powers.
"Alright. As promised, you can trade Devil Fruits for crystals—or for years of life," Kairos said, satisfied.
At that, Kairos gave An a quick glance. She stepped forward, carefully picked up the box, and carried it below deck to store the fruits.
Meanwhile, members of the Red-Haired crew were still confused.
"Did he just say... you can trade Devil Fruits for lifespan?" Jesus Burgess muttered, eyes wide. "What kind of power is that?"
Even Ben Beckman looked stunned. He took a slow drag from his cigarette, leaned against the railing, and asked,
"...Can you really give life to someone else?"