Half a month passed in a flash.
The influence of the [Masterpiece of the Century] gradually became apparent. For many member nations, the World Government had shown goodwill, so they naturally no longer needed to hold back.
Moreover, Admiral Ryokugyu had been awarded the "Iberian Peace Medal," further convincing member nations that the World Government had abandoned war.
East Blue, Kingdom of Goa.
As a remote small country in the East Blue, the Kingdom of Goa had become a model of an isolated society by eliminating unnecessary elements, earning it the title of the most beautiful kingdom in the East Blue. It had even received praise from the Celestial Dragons and gained the right to participate in the World Conference.
But this did not change the fact that the Kingdom of Goa was still a remote small country.
For this reason, the royal family had long been ambitious, eager to enhance national power, annex surrounding islands into the Kingdom of Goa's territory, and elevate the kingdom to the ranks of major nations.
But boosting national power required money!
Only with money could they train more soldiers, purchase more weapons, and wage wars. Self-sufficiency alone was far from enough.
The Royal Palace.
The king received an envoy from Hoenn.
"Aruba Port?"
Hearing the trade proposal from the envoy, the king was tempted.
Many of the goods were necessities, such as salt and sugar. Most importantly, Groudon Company sold weapons!
Under the jurisdiction of the World Government, large-scale arms trade was illegal. If they wanted weapons, they either had to buy them at exorbitant prices from the World Government or smuggle them in secret.
This was one of the main reasons many member nations struggled to grow stronger.
Relying solely on domestically produced weapons was never enough. Once their weapons were depleted, it meant losing the war.
But the Hoenn Government was outside the World Government's jurisdiction!
According to the envoy, Groudon Company could deliver weapons to the Kingdom of Goa—they just needed to pay an additional transportation fee.
But that wasn't a problem!
Transporting weapons themselves would also consume significant time and money, not to mention the high risks involved.
And most importantly of all.
Groudon Company accepted land as payment. If they didn't want to pay in cash, they could sell unwanted territory to Groudon Company, which would send personnel to assess the land's value.
This suited his intentions perfectly.
"Those unruly peasants—I've long wanted to get rid of them!"
The king sneered.
Colubo Mountain, Uncertain Terminal, Windmill Village, and others.
The Kingdom of Goa only needed the prosperous, clean urban areas. As for the trash outside, it was best to clear it all away.
Only then could it truly be called an isolated society!
Sell it all!
With money and weapons, he could conquer new islands, expand the kingdom's territory, and gain even more wealth!
Similar situations were unfolding in many World Government member nations.
Though they feared the Hoenn Government's ideology like a tiger, the temptation of affordable, high-quality goods and the opportunity to export their own resources was too great to resist.
Many goods could be bought and then resold to their own citizens at higher prices, with the price difference alone guaranteeing massive profits.
All that Berries !
It wasn't just member nations—even islands not affiliated with any country but under the World Government's jurisdiction began to entertain ideas, especially merchant groups.
Water 7.
After the Judicial Island incident, Water 7 returned to its former state, and the injured mayor, Iceberg, had recovered.
Now, the Galley-La Company was preparing to build a new Sea Train and lay out new routes.
Iceberg's office.
The newly recruited 10-year-old genius secretary Alice adjusted her glasses.
"President, have you seen the newspaper?"
"I have."
Iceberg nodded slightly, with a copy of the news right beside him.
Alice fired off suggestions rapidly.
"President, I believe we should proactively initiate cooperation with Groudon Company. Currently, Groudon Company's scale far surpasses our Galley-La, and their business scope covers..."
"Right now, our company needs to further reduce material costs. The timber from Spring Queen City and the steel from Puki are being sold to us at high prices precisely because there's no competition!"
"If we can cooperate with Groudon Company, they'll surely feel pressured, and we can turn from passive to active!"
Though just ten years old, the girl showed remarkable sensitivity to market trends.
Alice suggested, "President, I hope you can personally visit Aruba Port for an on-site inspection!"
"That's exactly what I planned to do."
Iceberg nodded helplessly.
This new secretary was exceptionally capable, just too strong-willed. Every time she reported work, he felt like he was being lectured.
As for Groudon Company, he had actually been keeping an eye on them for a while, given their staggering market share in the New World.
Ever since Groudon Company established Fortuna Community on Sabaody and opened shops there, their products had gradually appeared in Water Seven as well.
This time, with Groudon Company setting up a trade port in Alabasta, it was indeed a rare opportunity for cooperation.
"Alice."
Iceberg asked, "What do you think about setting Alabasta as the terminal for our next Sea Train route?"
"I hadn't considered that."
Alice pondered seriously and soon nodded in agreement.
Even without considering Groudon Company, Alabasta's market size was substantial, and it had the steel needed for shipbuilding.
"Then it's decided!"
Meanwhile, at Hoenn Fortress.
"Yo, Kuzan!"
Gurd arrived at the Fleet Admiral's office and casually took a seat on the sofa.
Having returned, he was feeling quite relaxed.
Kuzan was also at ease, reading the newspaper.
Currently, the Hoenn Government's sphere of influence wasn't vast, and with the Beasts' deterrence, Pirates didn't dare provoke them lightly, so his workload wasn't heavy.
"Ara ara, you've been quite busy with big things this time!"
"Got lucky this time."
Gurd smiled, taking out some snacks.
Luck had played a part, but not entirely.
With two new Admirals in the Navy, they would naturally prioritize sending them out for exposure. Whether it was Ryokugyu or Fujitora who came, the outcome wouldn't have differed much.
Ryokugyu was forced to plant trees.
Fujitora would probably have volunteered to help—that guy had a strong sense of justice and would likely feel guilty about Alabasta's suffering under the Warlords of the Sea.
Gurd would have preferred Fujitora as the Admiral.
Currently, the Hoenn Navy didn't have a single Admiral yet.
"Say,"
Gurd crossed his legs, munching on rice crackers.
"Kuzan, you've been Fleet Admiral for a while now. In all this time, haven't any of your former subordinates come to join you?"
"It's not that easy."
Kuzan scratched his head.
Officers usually had families and responsibilities—they couldn't just resign on a whim when they had loved ones to care for.
He didn't feel right about dragging others into this.
"Tch, useless."
Gurd clicked his tongue in disdain.
"You should reach out to them proactively. Take that smoke-loving Smoker for example—I think he's quite decent. You could try recruiting him."
"Smoker won't listen to me. That guy's stubborn as hell."
Kuzan sounded nostalgic.
He wondered how Smoker was doing at G-5.
"By the way!"
Gurd suddenly remembered something.
"Your friend Saul is still alive."
"Saul?!"
Kuzan shot to his feet, his face filled with shock.
"Saul is alive?"
"Alive and well!"
Gurd suggested, "I saw him in Elbaf. Why don't you go meet him and try to bring him over to our side?"
"This..."
Kuzan scratched his head in distress.
He wasn't ready to face Saul yet.
The past still weighed heavily on him.
Gurd looked at him with exasperation.
"The most urgent matter for the Hoenn Navy right now is increasing the number of officers! Otherwise, how are we supposed to compete with the World Government?"
"You're the Amity Navy Fleet Admiral now. Recruiting is your responsibility—don't push everything onto me. I'm busy enough as it is."
"If you can't find people, then poach them from the World Government!"
"..."
Kuzan's forehead broke out in cold sweat.
Poaching… wasn't that a bit too shameless?
But… maybe it was worth a try?
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