One Piece: Capitalist Brook's Crew Expansion Plan-Chapter 69: Entering the New World

On another island, Charlotte Linlin and Streusen also caught wind of the news about Brook and his bounty.

"Linlin, this Brook is far too dangerous! He actually dared to kill a Celestial Dragon. We absolutely cannot join them! Otherwise, the World Government will hunt us down like mad dogs!!"

Streusen was clearly shaken. The Hell Pirates now had two notorious figures with bounties exceeding 500 million Belly each, and worse yet, they'd enraged the Celestial Dragons.

This was far beyond what Streusen had planned. He initially intended to manipulate Linlin into eliminating Brook, but now, that strategy seemed less than ideal.

Charlotte Linlin carefully examined Brook's latest wanted poster. So this was the rare-blooded man that Mother Carmel had urged her to protect?

Recently, Mother Carmel had been in less contact with her, instructing her to focus on Brook instead. At 90 years old, the nun was rapidly approaching the end of her life.

"Enough, Streusen. Aren't we already being pursued by the Marines just for being pirates? If we join Brook, we'll only grow stronger together! Then we can fight back against the Navy!"

Linlin was already picturing a powerful, unified family—one that could establish a nation where all races could live as equals.

"Set sail immediately! I want to join Brook the moment he enters the New World!"

Excitement flickered in Linlin's eyes. She had spent years wandering the seas with Streusen, never gathering any true comrades. Trapped under his manipulations, she had long grown weary of this life. Now, she finally saw a chance for change.

"Understood, Linlin!"

Streusen clenched his fists, his mind a storm of chaotic thoughts. He needed a new plan. Instead of leading Linlin to Brook, he'd take her as far away from that monster as possible.

With that in mind, he adjusted their course, fully exploiting Linlin's lack of navigational knowledge.

Linlin, lost in fantasies of her first meeting with Brook, remained completely oblivious to Streusen's treachery.

...

On Fish-Man Island.

Shakky, who never hesitated to spend money, had already stocked up on large quantities of Fish-Man Island specialties—everything from food to clothing—then tossed them all to Fisher Tiger to carry.

Tiger could only sigh. In mere hours, Shakky had spent more than he had in years. Were all pirates this rich?

She casually tossed him 100,000 Belly as a 'delivery fee.' For an impoverished orphan from the Fish-Man District, this small fortune made his entire day.

At last, he could buy the leather jacket and new trousers he had always wanted. More importantly, he could finally indulge in the rare merfolk-made desserts. Upon taking his first bite, he swore—it was the best thing he had ever tasted.

Seeing Tiger nearly moved to tears, Tom couldn't help but give him another 100,000 Belly, telling him to eat to his heart's content.

Meanwhile, Redfield hauled two crates of merfolk-crafted red wine, each bottle fermented from grapes handpicked by mermaid maidens. Even a noble like him couldn't resist the urge to splurge. Of course, it had nothing to do with the advertising—only fine wine could complement his elegant, aristocratic aura.

Silva picked up some Bubble Corals—handy tools that could generate mid-sized floating membranes, potentially useful at sea.

Crocus, on the other hand, struck deals with various poisonous Fish-Men, buying up large amounts of venom from creatures like the Blue-Ringed Octopus Fish-Man, the Stingray Fish-Man, and the Lionfish Fish-Man, each vial costing anywhere from hundreds to thousands of Belly.

Even more toxic Fish-Men eagerly lined up to sell their venom for extra pocket money. Never one to pass up a deal, Crocus welcomed them all with open arms, grinning from ear to ear as he amassed his collection of colorful poisons.

His ever-growing stockpile of large test tubes, each filled with deadly substances, made even the cowardly Antonio instinctively back away from the 'radioactive' ship doctor.

Antonio himself, slightly wealthier than before, indulged his obsession by purchasing more Den Den Mushi. His collection had already grown to several hundred, yet he still gleefully added more.

If not for the Hell Pirates' deep pockets, no other crew could afford to maintain so many of these 'little cuties.' His quarters had essentially become a surveillance hub.

Parrot, gifted in communicating with animals, had now become Antonio's assistant, feeding the Den Den Mushi and logging information.

Watching his crew recklessly splurge, Brook sighed in exasperation. Then, as if to prove a point, he stepped into the Fish-Ville Manor's luxury clothing boutique and bought dozens of extravagant outfits—yet spent less than 100 million Belly.

'While I'm at it...' he thought, purchasing a dozen exquisite instruments. Even then, he barely exceeded 100 million Belly.

Truly, men as frugal as him were a rarity.

...

On the Golden Ark.

Nearly everyone had returned with overflowing bags, satisfied with their shopping spree. But when they saw the massive cart Qilin Lion was pulling behind Brook—loaded with an absurd variety of items—they instantly felt like amateurs.

Compared to their captain, they were mere country bumpkins who had never seen wealth.

With exaggerated mockery, they accused Brook of being an extravagant spender before swarming in to claim anything they could use. freewebnoveℓ.com

Amid the laughter and teasing, Fish-Man Tom finished inspecting the ship's coating. Everything was in order. With that, they left Fish-Man Island, diving 10,000 meters deep into the sea, heading for the New World.

King Mars and Prince Neptune watched the Golden Ark fade into the distance, both heaving a sigh of relief.

Those lawless pirates had finally departed.

Though they hadn't caused any trouble, they had certainly stimulated the local economy. The Hell Pirates must have spent no less than 1 billion Belly on Fish-Man Island.

Indeed, these were truly wealthy pirates, sailing on a golden ship.

...

Rising from the 10,000-meter depths and passing through the gap in the Red Line was much faster than their descent.

"Captain Brook, do you see that?"

Redfield gazed in awe at the colossal fissure in the Red Line. Gargantuan claw marks were visible along its edges, sending chills down his spine—even a Conqueror's Haki wielder like him felt a flicker of fear.

"This world is filled with secrets, just waiting to be uncovered. Yohohoho~!"

Brook laughed, though deep down, he too was shaken.

A creature large enough to carve such marks into the Red Line? Terrifying. One swipe of its claws, and even the mightiest pirate ship would be reduced to splinters.

Whether this rift had formed naturally, then expanded by the Sea Kings, or if it had been forcibly torn open by some unimaginable entity, Brook didn't care to find out.

He was but a small, frail, and pitiful living skeleton. He had no desire to encounter such monstrous beings.

As sunlight finally broke through the waters above, Brook once again felt a sense of rebirth.

The New World awaited!

Two rising stars were ready to set sail aboard the Golden Ark!

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