On the deserted island, Xia Qiu looked at Vivi not far away and asked with concern, "How is your injury?"
Vivi replied, "After bandaging, I've recovered a lot."
"I asked you here mainly about what you told me three days ago."
Xia Qiu nodded and suddenly said, "You said the Blackbeard Pirates attacked the Drum Kingdom and drove King Walpol out of the country?"
"That's right."
Vivi hummed and said, "The President told me to keep an eye on the Blackbeard Pirates' information, and I've already arranged for people to investigate."
"This matter is very important."
Xia Qiu cautioned, "Be careful and don't let them discover our tracks."
The current Blackbeard Pirates have five members, and their strength is not to be underestimated. If they were discovered, it would be a considerable trouble for Baroque Works.
"Don't worry. They have no intention of hiding their identities at all right now. Wherever they go, they make a big scene. It's very easy to investigate."
Vivi paused and then said, "Moreover, the people I sent out don't know about me or Alabasta, and the ones who contact them are all loyal subordinates of Alabasta."
Xia Qiu nodded. Blackbeard had just left the Whitebeard Pirates. His determination to leave likely meant he had obtained the Dark-Dark Fruit, and he had been lurking for many years to find this fruit. After leaving, he gathered companions to make a name for himself, harboring immense ambition. He was currently in the accumulation phase, trying to spread his name and hoping to find an opportunity to gain a higher position.
However, Crocodile died a year and a half earlier than in the original story, and there was a new Shichibukai. This meant Blackbeard couldn't try to capture Luffy, the culprit who wreaked havoc in Water 7, to pledge allegiance to the Government and obtain a Shichibukai position. Of course, he eventually captured Ace and handed him over to the World Government, thus obtaining the Shichibukai position. Therefore, how Blackbeard planned to ascend to power was unknown.
"There's one more thing."
Xia Qiu turned his head, looked at Vivi, and asked, "You told me the Drum Kingdom is in a state of chaos."
"That's right."
Vivi nodded and said, "Walpol left with the guards and some soldiers. The entire Drum Kingdom is in chaos, and the citizens are still observing. They desperately need a leader."
Xia Qiu asked, "So you want us, Baroque Works, to get involved? To control the entire country?"
"I didn't..."
Vivi was about to deny it, but seeing Xia Qiu staring at her, she shook her head and chuckled, "I do have that idea."
"Why?"
Xia Qiu asked in confusion, "Why do you want us to interfere in another country's affairs? Your personality isn't like this. Or is it because you were bullied by Walpol when you were young and attended the World Government conference with King Cobra that you've come to hate him?"
"How did you know?"
Vivi asked, somewhat surprised, upon hearing Xia Qiu's words.
"I naturally have ways of knowing," Xia Qiu said softly, then added, "Answer my question."
"It's certainly not for that reason."
Vivi said, "I just feel that the citizens of this country are somewhat pitiable."
Xia Qiu nodded and said, "Tell me your thoughts."
Vivi said, "Because the Drum Kingdom is relatively close to Alabasta, and because of my childhood experiences, the first country I had my intelligence personnel infiltrate after establishing the intelligence department was the Drum Kingdom. I learned that Walpol took all the doctors in the country, executed those who didn't serve him, imposed harsh taxes, causing the entire country to suffer, and the people dared not get sick. Their income was meager, and they could barely survive."
Xia Qiu said, "But Walpol has already left. Perhaps they can elect a suitable King?"
"It's difficult. Firstly, Walpol might not return. Once he does, the entire country will revert to its former state."
Vivi said, "Secondly, Walpol took many things, treasures, and doctors. Only one doctor is still practicing in the entire Drum Kingdom. Lastly, can the King elected by this country lead it to prosperity, reverse the current dire situation, or have the ability to lead the people to wealth?"
Hearing this, Xia Qiu nodded. Vivi's speculation was not wrong. Walpol would return to the Drum Kingdom two months later, when Luffy arrived, and attempt to reclaim the country. If not for Luffy's help, the country would have plunged back into darkness. In this timeline, without Nami, it was uncertain whether Luffy would reach the Grand Line or even take this route. Of course, this was not the reason for Vivi's concern for the Drum Kingdom. Her primary concern was that the Drum Kingdom might not be able to find a suitable leader and might not be able to turn the situation around.
Xia Qiu looked at Vivi and asked curiously, "But why would you interfere in another country's internal affairs? Especially a forced interference?"
"As long as the outcome is good, that's enough," Vivi said softly.
The original Vivi was more idealistic in her actions, hoping for peace and prosperity for the people, and wishing for everyone to live happily, achieving this through ways that satisfied everyone. However, through her cooperation with Xia Qiu and the information she obtained through the intelligence department, she now realized that this was too difficult.
Xia Qiu smiled and said, "Then why choose us? How much better can Baroque Works be than Walpol?"
"You are more evil than Walpol," Vivi suddenly said. "You kill, you plunder, you disregard human life. You are far worse than Walpol."
Xia Qiu said, "Is that so?"
"But you are a very good partner."
Vivi added, "I've always believed there are four main types of transactions. One is plunder, where you take everything from the other party, drain their potential, and exploit them for profit. The second is exploitation, where you extract all the value from the target, leaving them only the ability to survive. The third is cooperation, where both parties contribute and mutually obtain what they desire. The fourth is investment, where you contribute a portion and await returns. This investment can help the other party, and their growth during the investment process brings immense benefits, while you also grow and gain even greater profits."
"Walpol was the first type, taking the doctors and imposing heavy taxes, leaving the entire nation struggling to survive." Vivi looked at Xia Qiu and said, "The second type is still terrible, a method I've abandoned. But the third and fourth types each have their advantages, and the fourth type offers greater benefits and greater advantages to the other party, though the risks are clearly higher. Baroque Works' modus operandi is a combination of these two. For example, you cooperate with Alabasta, establish casinos, invest in various industries, inject a large amount of capital, and even the profits earned within a year cannot cover your initial investment. However, everything you do improves social facilities, attracts a large population, and the population drives the development of the entire city. City development brings abundant business opportunities, people's living standards improve, and more comprehensive social facilities are built, thus attracting more people. You, in turn, utilize more people, making the casino revenue increasingly higher, from which you get a share. At the same time, the industries you invest in within the city, such as the real estate you purchased, the shops you opened, the nightclubs, and the bodyguard services you provide, all bring you a steady stream of income. Your partner, on the other hand, gains a prosperous city. In two years, a city's fiscal revenue surpasses that of all other cities, and it's foreseeable that Aru-Ma City will become even more prosperous in the future. In terms of harvest, we gain far more than you, but without these investments, your income would be reduced by at least tenfold."
Hearing Vivi's words, Xia Qiu smiled and nodded. After agreeing to help Vivi build Aru-Ma City, he not only invested in casinos but also secretly bought land, developed buildings, and ventured into various industries.
As Aru-Ma City became increasingly prosperous, Baroque Works' income grew.
Vivi continued, "There's also establishing an intelligence organization. You used my identity, provided funds and personnel to help establish a powerful intelligence organization. Nominally, it belongs to me, but you hid your strength and revealed it after the organization was established, forcing me to obey you, thus allowing you to gain the greatest benefits. However, you also adhered to the agreed terms, not overstepping your bounds, thereby ensuring the stability of our cooperation. This organization is now shared by us. To date, this intelligence organization has been of great help to Alabasta and also very beneficial to you. It can be considered mutually beneficial. It seems we have both cooperation and mutual benefit here. Additionally, I work for you, and you increase my strength."
Vivi added, "As long as an agreement is reached, you have never violated it. And in our cooperation, your partners will gain enormous benefits."
Xia Qiu let out a cold snort and said, "I just want to gain more."
It's better to draw water slowly than to drain the pond dry; only a fool would kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Vivi said, "Therefore, I hope you can use the same method to control Drum Kingdom. I believe you will at least do a better job than Walpol."
"Drum Kingdom has very little value. It's a winter island with extremely harsh weather," Xia Qiu said slowly. On the Grand Line, there are spring, summer, autumn, and winter islands, and each island has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, each being distinct.
To traverse the Grand Line is to circumnavigate the globe, requiring one to experience all sixteen seasons.
But regardless, winter islands are the places with the harshest weather.
Vivi smiled and said, "But I believe you can do it."
"You really trust me."
Xia Qiu shook his head and said, "A country has some value, more or less. But I have a question: what does Alabasta plan to do during this process?"
"Nothing at all."
Vivi replied, "On the surface, neither the country nor I can interfere in Drum Kingdom. Any involvement would constitute a serious diplomatic crisis. In secret, Alabasta will have no intentions either. Sending you to Drum Kingdom is solely my idea, so I have no plans to seek anything. However, I can deploy all intelligence personnel."
"Then let's proceed according to my plan," Xia Qiu said. "I've already made arrangements. We'll depart in two days."
"Alright."
Vivi hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Can you tell me your plan?"
"You'll know in two days," Xia Qiu said softly.
"Then I'll come here again in two days. I'll take my leave for now, Mr.0." Vivi curtsied slightly and turned to leave.
After she left, Xia Qiu walked to the side, intending to continue his training, but a voice rang out, "So your organization is called Baroque Works, and not only Princess Vivi is involved, but the entire Alabasta Kingdom is cooperating with you. Alabasta has betrayed the World Government."
"They cooperated with Baroque Works because of my threat and the future benefits they would receive. During the cooperation, they gained too many advantages. A country that had been dry for a year received rain again, a deserted city regained its vitality, people's incomes increased, and the lives of the populace improved."
Xia Qiu said slowly, "If you consider this a betrayal, then what about the Shichibukai established by the World Government who used drought to kill so many people and attempted to control the Kingdom of Alabasta? And the country subjected to Walpol's tyranny? Did their loyalty make their countries better?"
Leaving these words behind, Xia Qiu walked away, leaving Lucci sitting there with a gloomy expression.
...
East Blue, Silvan Island. Marcel, shirtless, swung his broadsword, his muscular body covered in sweat.
"Nine hundred and ninety-nine, one thousand."
After completing a thousand sword swings, Marcel moved aside and picked up a huge dumbbell to train.
"Time to eat."
A voice came from inside the house. Marcel nodded, went to the well to draw water, took a bath, changed into clean clothes, and returned to the house. He first went to the bedroom and looked lovingly at the infant sleeping soundly in the cradle.
"Dinner's ready, what are you doing?"
Nojiko appeared in the doorway, looking at Marcel, and said irritably, "Mother and your siblings are already in the dining room."
"I'm coming."
Marcel immediately followed his wife to the dining room. The food was already served. Besides his mother, there was also a younger brother and two younger sisters, all seated by the ship.
Their houses were close together, with two houses connected. Since Nojiko had to take care of the child, Marcel's mother often came to cook here, and his two sisters would help.
"Brother, when are we setting sail?" Marcel's younger brother asked curiously.
Marcel replied, "Tomorrow morning at eleven."
"Setting sail so soon? You should help Nojiko with chores and take care of the child," Marcel's mother, Kaya, said irritably.
"I only train in my spare time," Marcel said, scratching his head and looking apologetically at Nojiko. "I'm sorry, I'll make time."
"It's fine," Nojiko waved her hand, not minding at all. "You're clumsy and can't help much anyway."
"Mm."
Marcel nodded somewhat awkwardly.
Kaya said softly, "Marcel, why are you so determined to practice swordsmanship now? And you plan to fight pirates?"
"I want to protect merchant ships from pirate raids and ensure the crew's safety," Marcel said in a low voice.
"How can you possibly deal with pirates by yourself? Two fists are no match for many. Can you defeat an entire pirate crew?"
Kaya looked at Marcel and said, "You're the captain of a ship. Fighting pirates will only provoke their anger. Other merchant ship captains don't fight pirates like you do. Anyway, as long as you report it, the merchant association won't hold you responsible for your losses, so why fight every time? You have Little Evant now; don't do unnecessary things. Even if you don't think of yourself, you should think of your family. Do you know how heartbroken your family is every time you get injured?"
"You're right."
Hearing this, Marcel lowered his head in shame. "I'll be mindful."
"But he'll do it again next time."
Nojiko finished speaking, looked at Marcel, and said, "Because he doesn't just want to stop pirates; he yearns for battle. Am I right?"
"Nojiko?"
Marcel looked at his wife.
"So Hachi was here. Every time you came to find me, you'd fight with Hachi for so long, I was quite jealous of him. After Nami took Hachi out to sea, you lost your sparring partner and temporarily put down your sword. But when you saw Nami and Hachi's bounties, when you saw what they were doing, you got very excited and secretly picked up your longsword to train again. Then you started fighting pirates, getting covered in wounds, but you also captured many pirates. I even heard from other merchant ship captains that you gathered quite a few skilled fighters and even made a name for yourself at sea. Although you say it's to stop pirates, in reality, you just want to fight and adventure. Speaking of which, you must envy Nami and the others, right?"
"I don't envy them at all."
Marcel shook his head, his eyes becoming firm. He reached out and took Nojiko's hand, saying, "I won't fight pirates anymore."
"Is that so?"
Nojiko sighed, pulled her hand out of Marcel's palm, picked up her chopsticks, and began to eat.
Marcel lowered his head, picked up his chopsticks, and shoveled rice into his mouth.
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