Bonus Chapter for reaching 100 Powerstones.
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Lately, I've been mostly managing our base or visiting different places, so it's been a while since I've been on a ship for this long.
"Kuro, I brought as many documents and books about Mary Geoise and the World Nobles as I could find," Hina said, dropping a stack of paper on the desk.
"Ah, thank you."
"But there isn't much on this ship, and they don't say anything important anyway," she added apologetically. "I just grabbed these from the recreation room, so it's mostly basic introductions."
"No, that's important," I assured her.
I've been so focused on military and development stuff that I haven't gathered much other information.
"Sometimes you learn from what is written, and sometimes from what isn't written."
Miss Hina has been stuck to me 24/7 as my "guard," so I've accidentally been treating her like an assistant. I take the pile of books she brought and put them on the table.
I thought a Marine ship would be more plain inside, but this chair is actually pretty nice.
They spend money on surprising things.
"Well, I probably won't learn much in ten days, but it's better than nothing," I muttered.
"Yes... I guess so," Hina replied, looking around the cabin. "We've been on the ship for a while now. Is everything okay? Are you comfortable?"
"Yes, the food is good. Private First Class Spaniel's cooking tastes like ours. The bed is firm, which I like."
Honestly, I was ready to live on water, but the meals are great, and I even get wine.
I got a private room instead of a cell.
But still, why Hina?
I know sending an Admiral for one pirate is inefficient, but why her?
You shouldn't assign a young girl to look after a pirate.
When I offered my hands for cuffs, Kizaru refused. I just left my 'Cat Claws' behind and changed my iron-plated shoes for normal leather ones...
Is this really okay? Well, CP9 is on board, so I guess so.
"Hey, Kuro," Hina called out.
"Hm?"
Don't just put your hand on my shoulder and look over. It's just the newspaper you brought.
Shouldn't you be more... suspicious of this situation?
...Come to think of it, she's been by my side ever since we met in Mogwa.
"Admiral Aokiji said it too, but do you really need to go this far?" she asked, pointing at the headline.
"There is definitely someone working against the World Government," I replied.
Probably that shady, pink-wearing, sunglasses guy.
"Someone?"
"Yes. People who want chaos, whether they want to bring down the government or not."
But it's not just him.
This trouble in the West Blue doesn't have the same gaps as when I was a Marine slave.
It doesn't feel like one mistake will ruin everything.
Did someone smart join him? Who in Doflamingo's crew could do that...?
Maybe that mucus guy got serious...
Or maybe it's someone I don't know?
"The World Government is my enemy, but this much chaos hurts the people," I explained. "Damage leads to poverty, poverty leads to hunger, and hunger turns people into rioters."
Actually, pirates who are just looting for survival, not treasure, are already popping up all over the West Blue.
Development is one thing, but the key is how well Hancock's First Fleet can keep the peace near Mopuchi Country...
Hancock has become surprisingly reliable in a short time, and Amisu is there too, so it should be fine.
They can handle the unit tactics I've been thinking about.
Other areas? I'll lend forces if needed, but I'll trust Kuzan's skill for now.
"If thieves increase, the people suffer more," I said.
"Is that what you mean by... someone's goal?" Hina asked.
"Probably. They must have a goal beyond that, but..."
Since they ordered burning instead of looting during the pirate alliance incident, they definitely wanted chaos first.
I don't have enough info to know what they want next.
"If productivity drops, they can't feed the people or pay the Heavenly Tribute."
"To avoid that, member nations will attack other countries?" she surmised.
"That too, but the tribute will still drop significantly. Then, won't the Celestial Dragons complain?"
Hina makes a very disgusted face at the word "Celestial Dragons."
Like, really disgusted.
"I don't think they can be patient," she said flatly.
"Yeah. I think so too."
They might say, 'Why should our lives suffer because of commoners? Squeeze more from the remaining countries...'
...This is bad. I just imagined it, but it feels so real it gives me a headache.
"I can't imagine how they'll act or what orders they'll give. In some cases, it could cause revolutions everywhere."
Honestly, I don't think that's a bad thing. But...
"In that case, the value of non-member nations will go up too much. To be blunt, it's bad for us. We want to quietly increase productivity and get rid of hunger in the West Blue first."
Specifically, I want to create a situation where 'Black Cat' territory is a big reason why poverty in member nations decreases...
...Miss Hina, what's with that face?
"Kuro."
"Yeah."
"Stop being a pirate," she demanded suddenly.
"Don't be ridiculous."
I'm a wanted man.
There's Robin, and Mihawk, who apparently hunted Marines even though he's not an official member.
Besides, even if it's my own fault for doing whatever it took to survive, I have a role now.
"It's weird that you're a pirate," Hina insisted. "Hina thinks it's weird."
"I can't help it. My role is to gently stop the Celestial Dragons when they do something stupid, and kick them if they don't stop."
That's exactly what a pirate does.
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