The atmosphere in the shipyard became somewhat subtle due to Roger's words.
Everyone looked at Barraba, waiting for him to react.
Especially those former sea serpent crew members who had just switched allegiance, their hearts were in turmoil.
They hoped Roger could completely suppress Barraba and avenge them.
Yet, they were also a little worried that pushing Barraba too far would lead to a destructive outcome.
Barraba's face alternated between red and white, his chest heaving violently.
He was clearly engaged in an intense internal struggle.
He wanted to refuse.
He wanted to point at Roger's nose and curse him, then take his last few subordinates and sail away on the sea serpent.
Then, using his connections, recruit a new crew.
It would definitely not be difficult to make a comeback.
But he didn't dare.
The torment of the curse tightly bound his soul.
As soon as he closed his eyes, he could hear the eerie gold coins whispering in his ears, and he could see his own ugly, skeletal form in the moonlight.
That kind of fear was ten thousand times more terrifying than losing money and power.
He needed Roger; he needed Roger to take him to break the curse.
This was his only way out.
"What... what do you want to adjust?"
After a long while, Barraba finally squeezed out this sentence through gritted teeth.
His voice was hoarse and dry, filled with endless humiliation and unwillingness.
When he said these words, he knew that he had completely surrendered.
Roger smiled.
He knew that this greedy and cowardly old fox had no other choice.
"It's simple."
Roger walked to the table covered with blueprints, picked up a quill pen, and began writing on a clean piece of parchment.
"Starting today, our two ships will form the 'the explorer Fleet'.
"I, Roger, will serve as the Fleet Commander-in-Chief."
"My the explorer will be the fleet's flagship."
"Captain Barraba, you will serve as the Vice Commander, and your sea serpent will be the fleet's frigate."
"All military operations and navigation routes of the fleet will be decided solely by me."
"You have the right to suggest, but no right to veto."
Every word Roger wrote was like a slap, stinging Barraba's face.
Commander-in-Chief? Flagship?
He, an old pirate captain who had been a captain for twenty years, was actually going to be a subordinate to a young brat and command a frigate?
This was a complete disgrace!
Barraba's fists clenched, cracking audibly.
Roger seemed not to notice his murderous expression and continued to write:
"As for the distribution of spoils..."
"In the upcoming operation, which is to Port Royal and Isla de Muerta."
"All treasures and spoils we obtain, including but not limited to gold, silver, goods, ransom, etc."
"I, and all the crew of the explorer, will take seventy percent."
"You, and your crew, will take thirty percent!"
Seventy-thirty!
As soon as this number came out, Barraba's eyes almost spat fire.
Before, he wanted to trick Roger with a ninety-ten split.
Now, Roger returned it in kind with a more equitable seventy-thirty split.
However, the one taking seventy percent had become Roger.
And he could only take a meager thirty percent.
"Roger! Don't go too far!"
Barraba finally couldn't hold back and growled.
"Too far?"
Roger stopped writing, looked up, and stared at him coldly.
"Captain, let's do some math."
"My ship, the explorer, has thirty-four crew members, is equipped with eight 12-pound cannons, has a sturdy hull, and is fast."
"Your ship, the sea serpent, how many people are left now?"
"Five? Six? Half of the cannons on board were even captured by me for you."
"The hull is old and full of holes."
"In the upcoming battles, whether facing the Royal Navy or the monsters of Isla de Muerta, who do you think will be the main force?"
"My thirty-odd brothers here will risk their lives and only take seventy percent; do you think that's a lot?"
"Your few people, following behind and cheering, can get thirty percent; what else are you dissatisfied with?"
Roger's words left Barraba speechless.
He couldn't refute it.
Because everything Roger said was true.
The current sea serpent, let alone serving as a frigate, would even be too slow to be a target in a naval battle.
The surrounding pirates, listening to Roger's well-reasoned analysis, looked at him with even greater admiration.
Especially Hanson and his men, who felt immensely fortunate.
Thank goodness they jumped ship early!
If they had stayed on the sea serpent.
Forget about getting thirty percent; it would be a question of whether they could even survive.
"Of course,"
Roger looked at the ashen-faced Barraba and added another sentence, delivering the final blow.
"If you think this plan is unfair, you can choose not to accept it."
"Then our cooperation ends here."
"You continue to cling to your curse, and we continue our great venture of making a fortune."
"You..."
Barraba was completely choked by these words.
He knew he had no room left to bargain.
Either accept this humiliating agreement and gain a chance to break the curse.
Or get out completely.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if using all his strength.
"Alright... I... I agree."
He squeezed these words through his teeth, then snatched the parchment.
Using Roger's pen, he scrawled his name at the bottom.
After signing, he staggered away as if all his strength had been drained, even forgetting to pick up the scimitar that had fallen to the ground.
His retreating figure was indescribably bleak and desolate.
Roger watched his departing back, then looked at the signed "unequal treaty," a victorious smile on his face.
From today onwards, in this Caribbean Sea, Roger finally had his own place.
A brand new pirate fleet was about to set sail!
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