"One hundred billion!"
That number exploded like thunder among the powers that be.
The Five Elders' breathing came to an abrupt halt.
The bounty of one of the Yonko — Whitebeard — was only 5,046,000,000 Belly!
One hundred billion Belly… that's nearly equal to twenty Whitebeards!
Even for the World Government, which had been amassing wealth for eight hundred years, this was a cost painful enough to make them bleed.
Moreover, the Marines' military budget had always been settled in cash.
This one hundred billion would completely drain the World Government's cash reserves.
But…
They looked at Sengoku standing before them, at the unmasked fury of a Buddha blazing in his eyes.
"..."
The Five Elders exchanged glances and, in each other's pupils, saw the same deep solemnity… and fear.
This was the first time the Marines, after years of being suppressed, had retaliated so violently, without considering the consequences.
The fallout could be catastrophic.
They had to agree, for now!
At worst… they'd increase the Heavenly Tribute and squeeze this loss out of the allied nations.
However…
From now on, they'd have to intensify their infiltration of the Marines.
They had to make the Navy understand, from top to bottom, that their justice was the World Government's justice.
Their very existence was to serve the Celestial Dragons.
They must never forget their place again!
"..."
The five finally reached a grim consensus.
"Fine."
Saint Saturn slowly nodded. "One hundred billion it is."
"Hmph—"
Sengoku stared coldly at the Five Elders' dark, ashen faces, a surge of satisfaction welling up in his chest.
Uncomfortable, aren't you?
Good.
You should feel uncomfortable!!!
For eight hundred years, you five decrepit old tyrants have ruled as you pleased. It's about time you tasted what it's like to be threatened.
Just wait.
When the Marines are fully prepared, there will come a day when it's you who'll suffer every single day.
The thought made the rage on Sengoku's face subside slightly. He nodded, accepting the decision.
Then he turned and strode straight toward the World Government's finance department.
He was going to personally retrieve the funds.
And he would bring every last Belly back to Marine Headquarters.
"..."
The Five Elders' eyes were locked firmly on Sengoku's back.
Only when the heavy doors slammed shut, cutting off his figure completely, did they move.
Bang!
Saint Warcury slammed his fist onto the table, veins bulging on his bald head.
"That bastard! How dare he?!"
"The Fleet Admiral… actually dared to threaten the World Government?!"
"Sengoku has lost his mind!"
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter growled, "What gives him the right?! The Marines' budget comes from us! Their authority comes from us!"
"Where does he get the nerve?!"
"That's exactly the problem."
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nasujuro's voice was like ice.
"We don't know where his confidence comes from. That's the most dangerous part."
"Sengoku's reaction was far too extreme. Completely out of character for him."
Saint Marcus Mars' long white hair hung low, hiding his grim expression.
"Just one man — Vergo — isn't enough to push him this far."
"Something must've happened behind the scenes… something we don't know about."
Saint Saturn's fingers tapped the table lightly, a dull rhythm echoing in the silence.
"Doflamingo is off-limits for now," he reminded them.
"That bastard knows too much. If we push him too hard and he exposes Mary Geoise's secrets, it could shake the very foundations of the world."
"So we're just going to let this slide?!"
A venomous glint flashed in Saint Saturn's eyes.
"We can give them the money…"
"But the Marines must be put back in their place."
He picked up the Den Den Mushi on the desk and dialed CP0's highest-priority secure line.
"Notify all allied nations: next year's Heavenly Tribute goes up by ten percent."
"And inform all agents embedded within the Marines to intensify infiltration. I want to know every little movement inside the Navy."
From the other end of the Den Den Mushi came a cold, emotionless reply.
"Understood!"
...
Alabasta, Rainbase.
This city was the one anomaly in the entire kingdom.
While the rest of the land was cracked and parched under three years of relentless drought, here, the rain still fell — nourishing, life-giving.
Rain was life. Rain was hope. And to the people, this rain was a "miracle" bestowed upon them by Sir Crocodile.
The Rain Dinners casino stood at the heart of Rainbase — a palace built entirely from money and desire.
Inside, the casino roared with noise, the air thick with the sweet, intoxicating mix of alcohol, perfume, and the scent of riches.
A man strode through the bustling crowd. His head was shaved, his lips thick, and tattooed across his chest was a massive "壱" character.
Baroque Works' top agent — Mr.1, Daz Bones.
Daz Bones
He reached the deepest part of the casino, arriving before a door adorned with the massive taxidermy of a crocodile.
Pushing it open, he stepped inside.
The office was luxurious, yet oppressive.
Exotic animal pelts hung on the walls, a thick carpet muffled every footstep, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of cigars… mixed with a faint trace of desert sand.
A tall figure sat with his back to the door behind an enormous desk.
"Boss, all the chief agents are gathered in the secure room, waiting."
Bones' voice was dry and metallic, like steel scraping on steel.
Creak—
The chair slowly turned.
The man facing them had slicked-back hair and a vicious horizontal scar running across his face.
An earring gleamed on his right ear, and his left hand was a massive golden hook that shimmered coldly in the light. Draped over his shoulders was a heavy black fur coat.
One of the Shichibukai — the "Sand Crocodile" himself, Sir Crocodile.
Sir Crocodile
He exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, his sharp face half-hidden behind the haze.
"Miss All Sunday hasn't returned yet?"
"No."
"After the emergency Den Den Mushi went off, all contact was lost."
"..."
Crocodile's fingers paused slightly as he held his cigar.
That woman, Nico Robin… he had never trusted her completely.
A woman carrying the ghosts of Ohara… a woman whose heart hid more secrets than there were grains of sand in the desert.
He'd kept her around only because she could read the Poneglyphs.
She was the key to unlocking the final treasure vault in his "Utopia" plan.
But now, it seemed the key had slipped away on its own…
Still… his plan was already at its final stage, and civil war in Alabasta was inevitable.
Once he obtained the Ancient Weapon Pluton, forget the Marines — even the World Government would have to bow to him.
For now, the priority was clearing out the Marines who had dared intrude upon his territory.
"Guha-ha-ha-ha—"
"Forget about her."
Crocodile crushed the cigar into the ashtray. "Tell all chief agents to come with me."
"Yes, Boss!"
Soon after, Crocodile led Baroque Works' chief agents out of Rain Dinners.
"Let's go," he said coldly, his golden hook gleaming under the casino lights.
"Time to hunt."