The matter of building a city on the Red Line, although not finally confirmed yet, Rosse also knew it was more than half done.
The Red Line is like the equator, completely cutting the ocean into two halves, and with the Grand Line perpendicular to the Red Line, evenly dividing the whole planet into four parts, known as East, South, West, and North Blues.
At this time, the Red Line encircled the entire planet, cutting off the Grand Line into a front and back half.
The so-called New World refers to the second half of the Grand Line.
The starting point of the first half is at the Reverse Mountain on the Red Line.
Except for forcibly entering through the Calm Belts on both sides of the Grand Line, Reverse Mountain and Mary Geoise, as two connection points between the Grand Line and Red Line, are the only two channels linking the Four Blues and the Grand Line.
The ships of pirates and ordinary people are mainly sailing ships, and it is basically impossible to pass through the Calm Belt into the Grand Line.
Even if it's powered ships, trying to pass through the Calm Belt full of Sea Kings is almost nine deaths and one life.
For ordinary people and pirates who want to enter the Grand Line, it's impossible to borrow the path through the World Government's headquarters.
Even nobles of member countries may not necessarily be allowed to set foot on the Red Line, let alone borrow the path.
Therefore, Reverse Mountain became the only passage connecting the Four Blues and the Grand Line. Controlling Reverse Mountain is equivalent to choking the lifeline of all pirates.
As long as a city is established at Reverse Mountain, locking down the channel from the Four Blues to the Grand Line, the pirates of the Four Blues will forever be confined to the Four Blues, and the pirates of the Grand Line can only remain on the Grand Line, unable to enter or leave.
Of course, there are still capable and extraordinary individuals who can cross the Calm Belt, but such people are extremely few, and catching one means one less.
For the pirates now, most of them grow and develop first in the Four Blues' newbie village, then go to the Grand Line to undergo the baptism of the Marine, and finally go to the New World to participate in the Pirate King competition.
If this mode is cut off, the probability of strong pirates emerging will be halved.
Considering the long term, Rosse naturally did not want pirates to be too rampant.
He and the World Government have internal conflicts, while pirates and the Revolutionary Army are external conflicts. Even if he has no strength to overthrow that one above, at worst he could retreat and settle for second best by becoming a Five Elder Star and muddling along. It's better than letting pirates and the Revolutionary Army take advantage.
The free world created by Luffy and the Revolutionary Army, no matter how good, is still inferior to his current freedom.
With a basis for cooperation, Rosse was even more relaxed chatting with Saint Mars.
"How was this time's Marine assessment?", After chatting about the World Government, Rosse shifted the topic to the Marine.
Every time the Heavens Hunt had the Marine dispatch admirals and a large group of people to protect, it wasn't just because people were needed here, more so it was a loyalty test.
Most people joined the Marine for the name of justice, and some others for self-protection or safety.
No matter which reason, the World Government wants loyalty.
This loyalty doesn't have to be fanatical, but at least must be able to tolerate the actions of Celestial Dragons and provide protection.
Each Heavens Hunt is a screening. The previous Ohara incident was also similar, likewise a loyalty test by the World Government.
To get promoted to Marine Admiral, one must pass similar tests.
"That Admiral Sengoku is the same as always, neither happy nor sad, as if he completely saw through our intentions. But that user of the Glint-Glint Fruit is rather interesting," Saint Mars, as an examiner, cheerfully commented.
The Marine is indeed under the control of Saint Saturn, but admiral-level promotions are still collectively assessed by the Five Elders, after all, the Marine belongs to the World Government, not the private army of any one faction.
"That's normal, his personality is a bit lazy. But if the benefits and status are enough, he won't stand idly by," Rosse looked into the distance, watching Borsalino slaughtering all over the island, with a smile on his face.
If Borsalino really wanted to kill, he could probably do it even faster than Rosse.
But Borsalino, when assisting the Celestial Dragons in their slaughter, wasn't moving fast. He mostly used the Glint-Glint Fruit's ability to drive pirates and slaves towards the Celestial Dragons, saving them the trouble of searching for people.
And if there was a potential danger to a Celestial Dragon, Borsalino was always the first to rescue.
Judging from his performance, Borsalino could be called perfect, absolutely a bodyguard worthy of the Celestial Dragons.
In comparison, Sengoku's performance was much more ordinary. He merely stood silently where the Celestial Dragons gathered, neither fighting nor doing anything, just watching from the side.
"Currently, there's only one vacancy left for Marine Admiral. Borsalino should have no problem. Once Kong comes to Mary Geoise, let's promote him," Saint Saturn said calmly.
"Once Kong is promoted, is Sengoku the only candidate for the next Fleet Admiral?", Saint Mars frowned.
Borsalino's outstanding performance made him feel somewhat less favorable towards Sengoku.
Sometimes inaction is indeed a form of attitude, but maybe Sengoku had simply become numb after coming too many times.
But regardless, being overshadowed by a newcomer is a fact.
"Currently, he's the only choice. The others don't have enough qualifications," Saint Saturn lightly shook his head, his gaze turning to Rosse.
If there's another choice, it would only be Zephyr, but that's more like picking the tallest among dwarves, at most acting temporarily.
"Kong is not that old, and his performance is good. There's no need for him to retire to the Holy Land so early. Since this generation like Sengoku has no particularly promising talents, it would be better to directly cultivate Sakazuki's generation," Rosse smiled and suggested.
If he had said this before, Saint Mars would definitely not have listened.
But after defeating Shamrock, he had become the strongest among this generation of Celestial Dragons, with a corresponding status and influence.
"Sakazuki, huh... that's a double-edged sword," Saint Mars slightly frowned.
After personally destroying Ohara, Sakazuki was promoted to Marine Admiral with their tacit approval.
After becoming an Admiral, Sakazuki immediately slaughtered through the New World, completely killing madly, slaying pirates on sight.
In terms of achievements and strength, he absolutely upheld the prestige of the World Government, but his character of even implicating allies was truly unsuitable for being the head of the Marine.
"The main problem is there are no better choices. We can't possibly let Sengoku and Garp both be promoted," Rosse shrugged.
"Garp is absolutely out of the question. Sengoku...", Saint Mars immediately rejected Garp without even thinking. Garp couldn't even pass the loyalty tests, not to mention being promoted to Admiral, let alone Fleet Admiral.
Unless the Marine had no one left, they wouldn't even consider Garp.
As for Sengoku—
Saint Mars, being an old fox, could naturally see Rosse's intentions. Whether it was Rosse's personal opinion or the Jaygarcia family's stance, it showed rejection toward Sengoku.
Since the Jaygarcia family, who managed the Marine, had given up on Sengoku, he naturally couldn't become Fleet Admiral.
Now, even though the Marine was full of talents, choosing a Fleet Admiral was still difficult.
"Forget it, let your family propose a plan. We'll discuss it at the Five Elders meeting later," After thinking for a long time, Saint Mars also shook his head and decided to stop bothering with this matter.
Anyway, as long as the Celestial Dragons' rule wasn't affected, letting the Jaygarcia family toss about was fine, since they were all on the same side.
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