Sengoku smiled bitterly, shook his head, and continued reading the bounty notice in his hand, mumbling with a bit of a headache, "It seems like another big pirate is about to rise in the East Blue."
Just recently, Ace had arrived and caused quite a ruckus in the Grand Line and the New World. Now, another big pirate appeared in the East Blue.
Could the weakest of the seas really be facing a major event?
The only thing to be thankful for now is that the Mok Pirate Crew is still in the East Blue and hasn't entered the Grand Line yet.
Thinking of this, Sengoku pondered for a moment before picking up a pen from the side, crossing out the 3 on the bounty notice, and writing a 5 beside it.
Then…
He raised his head again, looking at the nearby Navy soldiers, his tone serious, "Notify the approval department, there are no issues with the Navy's 16th Division budget application. Also, increase the military budget by 10%, but tell the commander of the 16th Division…" His eyes narrowed slightly, "They must stop the Mok Pirate Crew. They cannot be allowed to enter the Grand Line."
…
"No problem." Chacher looked at Nami, who was glaring at him with a pout, and said with a tired expression, "I've already had Udo apply for the funding. We'll be able to last a bit longer."
However.
"Military funds? Who knows how long it'll take before the Navy allocates the money, and even then, how much will it be? Even now, the 16th Division can't afford to train or buy equipment, let alone all the other things we need funds for."
Nami crossed her arms, unamused by Chacher's comfort. "I thought I'd be able to get some benefit from the Navy Headquarters, but instead, we're the ones having to supplement them? This is such a loss~"
She then glared at Chacher.
"You lied to me, telling me to manage the finances and saying the financial officer would see lots of money."
"This… wasn't exactly a lie. Didn't you see a lot of money?"
"I did see a lot of money." Nami scowled at Chacher, slamming the table. She shot him a side-eye.
"But before I could even hold onto it, it was all spent! You deceitful liar! I'm quitting! Do you know how painful it is to watch all that money slip through my hands? And you spent the 50 million Berries I had too!"
"…"
Chacher gave an awkward smile in response to Nami's accusations.
Nami not only held the title of a Navy Commander but also served as the financial officer for the 16th Division and the Conomi Islands.
She was incredibly sensitive about money and very responsible, keeping track of every single penny. Therefore, Chacher was quite satisfied with her work as the financial officer.
As for the so-called 50 million…
That was what Nami had painstakingly saved up from her years as a thief.
Of course~
He understood that Nami didn't really care about the fifty million. She was just complaining a little.
Currently, Cocoyashi Town's main income relied on canned oranges and orange jam.
Although with his help and the unique recipe left by Bell-mère, the sales of orange jam and canned oranges were doing fairly well, it was still quite difficult to support all the development and the navy's growth.
However...
"Navy training and purchasing equipment really costs a lot," Chacher stood up, walked in front of Nami, and sighed.
"But there's no choice, it's a necessary expense. Without strong strength to protect us, everything we're doing right now will be in vain."
Strength is everything.
Then, he looked at Nami seriously, locking eyes with her, his tone filled with both emotion and appreciation.
"You've worked hard these past few years! I'll think of a solution as soon as possible."
With that, his words...
His gaze...
It made Nami shudder, and her inner anger seemed to subside a little. She turned her head away. "I know, I know! I was just complaining."
She spoke with a tone of helplessness.
"Knowing full well that funds are tight, why do we still do things like chopping trees, fixing roads, and other trivial matters? Why are you in such a rush?"
She turned around as she spoke.
"I'll talk to Nojiko and the others to see if we can increase the production of the orange factory. Seriously~" As she walked out, she pouted and grumbled, "At this rate, Cocoyasi Village's canned oranges might not even be enough for you to spend, even if they reach the Grand Line."
Once her figure was out the door, Chacher let out a sigh of relief.
Then...
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he sat back down in his seat.
Seeing this, Miss Robin, sitting elegantly beside him, couldn't help but roll her eyes helplessly. "BOSS, you're really heartless~ to exploit a young girl like this?"
"Exploiting? What do you mean by exploiting?" Chacher took a sip of the tea Robin had poured for him with her ability and leisurely said, "I'm exploring the potential of this young girl. It's not exploitation! You see, hasn't Nami arranged everything neatly?"
"Heartless BOSS, do you think I'll believe that?"
"Of course, you're my most trusted secretary."
"Sorry, I don't believe it~" Miss Robin gave a cold smile, then furrowed her brows and said, "But Miss Nami has a point. Maybe some projects should be paused for now. We don't have enough funds to continue."
"Don't worry, funds are a small issue." Chacher took another sip of hot tea, speaking lazily, "It'll be difficult for a while, but I'll have Mok catch some pirates for additional funding. If that doesn't work..."
His eyes slightly flickered, as if an idea had crossed his mind, and a golden glint flashed in his gaze.
"I know where the City of Gold—Shandora—is. It's filled with gold. If we run low on money, we can just go there and dig some up."
"?!"
The legendary City of Gold?
Shandora?
Could it be that the City of Gold mentioned in the legend... had records of that history?
As if realizing something, Robin's expression changed. She quickly looked at Chacher, who was leisurely drinking his tea, ready to ask, but then it seemed like she noticed something.
The tension on Robin's face disappeared, and she too began sipping her tea leisurely, saying slowly, "The City of Gold? BOSS, do you know where it is? Since you're not worried, why not tell Nami about it?"
"I..."
However,
Before Chacher could finish his sentence,
At this moment...
"That's right, I also want to ask why you didn't tell me?" A voice suddenly came from the door, filled with meaning and a mocking tone, "The City of Gold? Gold everywhere?"
"???"
Startled, Chacher's hand shook, nearly dropping his teacup. He quickly turned around and saw Nami, who should've already left, standing there.
How long had she been there?
A forced smile immediately appeared on his face. He chuckled awkwardly and quickly said, "I just remembered, I was about to tell you! Hahaha, sorry, sorry."
He then quickly changed the subject, "By the way, why are you back? Is there something wrong?"
"I originally came to ask you about the swordsmanship instructor."
"Oh, that?" Hearing Nami's words, Chacher quickly joined in, glancing away as he cheerfully said, "I've already arranged it. If you calculate the time, it should be soon..."
But his words were once again cut off.
"But none of that matters now. What about exploiting my potential?" Nami clenched her fists, the sound of cracking echoing through the room.
She glared at Chacher, and then suddenly her eyes filled with tears, and she shouted loudly, "Do you have any idea how worried and scared I've been? The Navy Inspector group is coming, and we're out of money! Damn it, you had a way and didn't tell me? Do you think I worked so hard for nothing?"
"Sorry~"
"What good is an apology now? I'm really angry."
"Sorry, sorry!"
"Where is the City of Gold?"
"In Skypiea!"
"Skypiea? Is it really covered in gold?"
"Something like that. There's a lot of gold, and a city made of gold, but it should've already been mostly dug up by some idiot."
"Who? I don't care, those are all mine!"
"…"
Sensing something off, Chacher, who had been trying to calm Nami down, looked up and immediately saw the mischievous glint in her eyes.
I think you're messing with me!
Meanwhile.
Just as Chacher was helplessly discussing with Robin and Nami when to go prospecting for gold, at the Navy's 16th Division dock.
A young girl with a unique white long sword strapped to her waist was anxiously asking a Navy soldier on the dock, "Hello, is this the Navy's 16th Division?"
"Yes, yes, it is!" The soldier seemed stunned by the girl's appearance and stared blankly at her. "Commander Tashigi, why have you returned? Is there something urgent?"
"Tashigi? I'm not Tashigi." The girl shook her head in confusion, but after confirming that this was indeed the Navy's 16th Division, she seemed to relax. She then spoke with a serious expression, "I am Kuina, a fellow sword practitioner with Captain Chacher from the 16th Division. I've come specifically to find Chacher-san."
With that, the soldier stared blankly.
"Chacher-san?"
"Kuina?"
The Navy soldier continued to look at her with a confused and bewildered expression.
"Commander Tashigi, stop joking. Could this be another task from the headquarters?"
**********
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