Bao didn't know that two super pirates who would later become world-renowned had already targeted him. However, he had already started to run away now. Always doing bad things will bring retribution. The wretched appearance of Mr. Bao with the number 9527, if it was known by everyone at the auction, would surely make them feel a great sense of relief and cheer! "Indeed, heaven's sins can still be forgiven, but self-inflicted sins cannot be forgiven!" Bao cried. It was all his fault for being too proud at first, indulging in his reckless behavior, and shouting out an ultra-high price of 400 million. He never expected to be counter-calculated by others. Worse still, because of the convincing image he had previously created, the auction organizers believed in his integrity very much and sent Adam's timber to his ship in advance.
What should he do now! Going to people now, crying and saying: I'm sorry, we don't want this timber anymore, we came here just to cause trouble, actually we don't have enough money! Please... This auction was jointly held by several of the most powerful chambers of commerce in the world. If they were really told the truth and admitted their mistakes, not only would it lead to the failure of the auction's final item, but also where would the face of these merchants who always value credibility go? For them, this is more serious than stepping on their private parts and insulting them for not being men!
There was really no way out. Bao entrusted Adam's timber to Fishman Tom, wanting to leave Water Capital by night boat. After all, the most dangerous place is the safest place. Neither the Chamber of Commerce Alliance or the Navy would expect the pirate to not carry the treasure with him, but instead leave it on the original island.
Under the pitch-black night, a group of people with strange and furtive behavior were rushing along. "You all need to be quieter, we're running for our lives!" The person leading the group lowered his voice and angrily shouted at those behind him. Under the faint starlight, Captain Bao's anxious face revealed his regretful urgency. Wasn't he the pitiful person about to flee to the ends of the earth?
"They are already very quiet, it's all because of these two big guys, walking like earthquakes, boom boom boom!" The little girl complained.
Indeed. Warrior from the Giant Tribe, naturally disconnected from thieves, regardless of what they do, the sound produced is 100 times that of normal humans! Although both Green and Red Ghosts had done their best to reduce the noise when their big feet hit the ground, it was still deafening.
"I'm sorry!" The two big guys apologized in red faces in low voices. Instantly, the whole island of Water Capital echoed: I'm sorry... I'm sorry...
Black lines covered Bao's forehead. "Forget it," Bao, who was deeply struck, helplessly bowed his head and said, "Let's change tactics, walk freely, don't worry about being exposed, rush back to the ship immediately!"
"Oh ho ho..." The two giants were happy and took big steps to sprint. Boom boom boom boom... continuous earthquake-like sounds woke up the residents of Water Capital who were sleeping soundly in their blankets. Angry residents began to curse who was knocking like thunder drums.
As this unique "farewell" sound played, Bao and his companions ran towards the merchant ship.
"Ho ho ho, able to even escape so spectacularly, such pirates are rare indeed!" When Bao reached the dock where the merchant ship was moored, such a hearty laugh suddenly came from the shadow of the ship.
"Eh? You! You are the Great Pirate Roger!" Recognizing the person, Bao was shocked almost to blurt out Pirate King.
He wasn't without thoughts of bringing Roger under his wing, but unfortunately, the disparity in strength between the two was too great; absorbing Roger's soul crystal might just make him explode on the spot.
"Hehehe, young pirate comrade, since you recognize me, why don't we make a deal?" Future Pirate King Roger slowly stepped out of the merchant ship's shadow, smiling as he said, "You sell me the Adam timber in your hand, and I will give you treasures, beli, and treasure maps of equivalent value, and owe you a favor, how about that?"
"What? The Pirate King owes me a favor! This deal is so good!" Bao was overjoyed upon hearing this. He was about to agree when another long laugh suddenly came from the other direction of the dock.
"How come everyone is laughing as an opening line now?" Bao turned around, and seeing the person, he was stunned again.
White Beard!
This strong man who stood up to Roger in his youth and became the undisputed first pirate after Roger's death left the deepest impression on Bao. After all, when Bao read books, Pirate King was already dead, and although White Beard needed intravenous treatment due to aging, there was no doubt that he was the first pirate. That fearless spirit, facing any approaching threat, having the courage to directly confront it from the front, was still imprinted deep in Bao's heart.
But, the White Beard standing under the starlight now was still very young. After all, there were nearly 39 years until Luffy set sail, this was a White Beard without an IV tube, an extraordinarily fierce White Beard!
"So, you're here for the Adam timber too, right, White Beard?" Bao stared intently at this idol with bright eyes, filled with excitement inside.
"That's correct, young man, I'm here to get the Adam timber before Roger." White Beard was as straightforward as ever, and he also admired the fishman teenager who was five or six years younger than himself. In the world, there weren't many pirates who could truly face his aura in the darkness of the school campus.
Bao's headache grew, this was a tough choice. If he gave the Adam timber to Roger, he would offend White Beard; if he chose White Beard, he would form enmity with the future Pirate King.
Even worse, the Adam timber was not in his possession now, but if he just told the truth, he might be misunderstood as being cowardly and fearful, looked down upon by both Roger and White Beard.
Thinking about this, Bao decided to retreat and take a firm stance, saying decisively: "I won't sell the Adam timber, but I can give you a piece of advice, which counts as a favor you owe me. The president of Tom's Workshop on this island, shipwright Tom, is the best shipwright master I've ever seen, he's also my crew member (Tom: I protest, when did I become your crew member?!), and he also owns some Adam timber. That's all I have to say, farewell!"
After speaking, Bao ignored the overwhelming momentum radiating from White Beard, the seemingly stunned Roger, and the admiring look in the little girl's eyes, and silently entered the merchant ship.
Once he entered the captain's cabin, he immediately ordered to set sail, dispersed everyone, and then lay down on the soft bed in the captain's cabin. His palms were drenched in cold sweat, and his heart was pounding loudly. White Beard's momentum was not easy to resist, the gap in strength was too large, several times making Bao's knees weak, almost kneeling down.
However, relying on his memories from his previous life, he firmly believed that these two men standing at the top of the world were both true heroes of unparalleled magnanimity, not petty people. Therefore, risking his life, he made a bet, betting that ignoring these two would allow him to smoothly escape here. The wager was his uncertain reputation, and the stake was his head!
He won the bet!