Most policies are at their most perfect when they exist only on paper. Once implemented, decision-makers often discover a host of practical issues during execution.
The policy of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is no exception.
Take, for instance, Crocodile, who currently plays the role of a savior hero in the Alabasta Kingdom. Based on his actions, he could be considered to be fulfilling the duties of a Warlord: eliminating the ignorant pirates swarming into the Grand Line from the four seas and maintaining local peace. On the other hand, the elusive Gecko Moria is nothing short of a disaster among the Warlords. Not only has he failed to restrain his ruthless nature from before his recruitment, but he has become even more excessive.
The Florian Triangle, already a perilous region shrouded in mist over most of its sea routes, became even more treacherous after Gecko Moria took up residence there. According to intelligence gathered by Gin from the Marines, the number of ships disappearing in the area skyrocketed to over a hundred annually after Moria's arrival, leaving behind countless terrifying legends. This caused a steady decline in traffic through nearby sea routes, leading to economic downturns and the loss of prosperity.
The only reasons Moria still retains his position as a Warlord and holds the favor of the World Government are likely his reputation and strength.
After helping the crew with tasks on the deck, William, Selkirk, and Gin retreated to a sheltered spot at the stern to smoke and chat.
The crew had grown accustomed to the trio by now. They neither liked nor disliked them, but one thing puzzled them: among the three strangers, the obvious leader was the youngest-looking one, "Baker," which was the alias William had given.
Even though William had deliberately grown a beard, the crew could tell from his features that he was much younger than Gin and Selkirk. In fact, Gin and William were the same age, but Gin's prematurely aged face often led people to mistake him for someone in his thirties.
"This ship set out from Pucci. The owner, that woman named Portia, is the only daughter of a small-time merchant there. Her parents died in an accident, and after inheriting the family business, she personally took charge of the ship to establish a trade route to the Sabaody Archipelago," Gin explained while William listened intently, nodding occasionally.
Gin's experience working undercover within the Marines had honed his abilities significantly. Years ago, when they were just starting out, William wouldn't have trusted the hot-tempered Gin to gather intelligence effectively. But now, not only did Gin complete the tasks William assigned him, but he also uncovered additional useful information.
"Pucci?" Selkirk asked, puzzled.
"It's the famous City of Gastronomy, one of the destinations first connected by Tom's sea train network, along with Water 7, Saint Poplar, and Saint Reia," William said, lighting his pipe and exhaling a slow stream of smoke. His expression grew pensive. "This young lady has some guts, choosing to sail to the Sabaody Archipelago instead of taking the safer sea train."
One of the most infamous features of the Sabaody Archipelago is its slave trade. The area is teeming with slave traders, and even many bloodthirsty pirates fear it like the plague. Its reputation is so notorious that it frequently attracts the Celestial Dragons, the so-called World Nobles.
These beings are a thousand times more dangerous than slave traders. At least with slave traders, people might dare to resist. But in the presence of the Celestial Dragons, most wouldn't even entertain the thought of rebellion.
Nezumi, who had served in the Grand Line as a Marine officer, once shared a "joke" during a drunken confession to William. In truth, it was a horrifying story he had witnessed firsthand.
It happened when the Celestial Dragons were purchasing slaves on the Sabaody Archipelago. They spotted a beautiful young girl on the street and, ignoring her protests, decided to take her as a wife.
As the girl stood trembling and helpless, her twin sister stepped forward, offering to take her place as the Celestial Dragon's bride. In a fairytale, this act of bravery and sacrifice might have led to the ruler being moved and granting the sister a reward. But in Nezumi's account, after the sister stepped forward, both twins were taken away by the Celestial Dragons. There was no hero to stop the injustice—not even the self-proclaimed righteous Marines present, including Nezumi himself.
William knew exactly what kind of person Nezumi was. He didn't believe for a second that Nezumi had ever been a naive, idealistic young man whose personality was shattered by this event. However, William did believe that any Marine with even a shred of conscience, raised under the banner of "justice," would be deeply affected by witnessing such a scene.
This world is a cruel place. For a wealthy young woman to venture into the unfamiliar and dangerous Sabaody Archipelago in the name of opening a trade route—William saw it as either bravery at best or recklessness at worst.
"Maybe she feels safer with a Marine on board," Selkirk said, glancing toward the bow where the female Marine was stationed. He then turned to Gin. "Did you find out anything about her?"
"She's a close friend of the ship's owner. What's the word for that?" Gin furrowed his brow before recalling, "Ah, 'best friend.' She's a minor figure, not worth mentioning. She's probably here to scare off small-time pirates—like a scarecrow in a field."
As the three exchanged intelligence, they suddenly fell silent, then began telling crude jokes. Their laughter echoed across the stern just as Captain Joey Fello emerged from below deck. Spotting the trio gathered together, he hesitated for a moment before walking over. William, pipe in mouth, looked at him with feigned confusion.
"I hear you three have been spending a lot of time together, whispering about something," Joey Fello said as he approached. His tall stature gave him an imposing presence, especially when speaking to Gin and Selkirk, who had to look up at him. Only William, equally tall, could meet his gaze.
William smiled amicably. "We don't know anyone else on the ship, so we're just talking among ourselves."
"This is my ship. I don't want any trouble on board. Got it?" Joey leaned in close to William, his eyes bulging as he spoke.
William lowered his gaze, pretending to be intimidated. "I understand. We're just hitching a ride. We'll disembark at the Sabaody Archipelago. Don't worry."
Joey turned his attention to Gin and Selkirk. Selkirk remained leaning against the railing, staring at the sea, while Gin averted his gaze when Joey looked his way.
Satisfied, Joey ordered sternly, "Stop skulking around together. You'd better get to work on deck with the others. Consider it payment for your passage."
"Just finishing our smoke. We'll head over right away," William replied with a placating smile. Only then did Joey stride off.
After Joey left, Selkirk, who had been gazing at the sea, asked, "His ship? Isn't the owner that girl, Portia?"
"Most of the crew are his people. Portia may have bought the ship, but Joey Fello is the one who truly controls it," Gin explained.
"I don't care whose ship it is. Once I'm on it, it's mine. And I decide where it goes," William said with a smirk. He whistled softly, and a stream of white vapor shot from his mouth like an arrow. It wasn't smoke from his pipe but a small burst of steam, drifting around the ship before dissipating in the sea breeze.
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