"No, our Marine doesn't even have a Grand Swordmaster. If we participate, we won't even make it into the top ten, and it will affect our Marine's prestige."
Sengoku said.
"Although we cannot participate, there are many weapons, medicines, and even steel warships for sale at the Pirate Expo. Should we send people to buy some?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru asked.
"Although our military expenditure has increased a lot, it's all been used for recruitment. We don't have any extra military funds to buy things!"
Kong said helplessly. He was also envious of the Limitless Pirates' things.
The Limitless Pirates are even richer than the Marine, especially the construction of the massive Battle Pyramid and the astonishing Berries rewards for the top ten. These are things their Marine cannot afford!
"I'll ask the Gorosei for their opinion later."
The meeting itself couldn't reach a conclusion, and ultimately, they had to ask the Gorosei.
But the Gorosei only gave one conclusion: the Marine should just mind their own business, and not interfere with the Limitless Pirates' matters.
The Gorosei were truly a little afraid of the pirates in the New World. With the Sword Art Tournament being held, it's very likely that the great pirates of the New World will gather together. If the World Government were to take any action, it might once again cause those great pirates to unite against the World Government.
So, they chose to wait and see.
After the news that the Limitless Pirates were going to hold the World Swordsmanship Competition and the Pirate Expo spread, almost all major forces throughout the World began to head towards Venice Island in the Limitless Sea.
Especially many underground forces; many of them are representatives of special powers, such as the World Government and various Allied Nations, who support underground forces.
They cannot possibly attend the Pirate Expo held by the Limitless Pirates, but they cannot give up the potential profits either, so they sent representatives from the underground forces to the Limitless Sea to seek benefits.
And the most enthusiastic were the swordsmen from all over the World. This is a competition specifically for swordsmen. How could they, as swordsmen, be absent?
Around Venice Island and inside the Battle Pyramid, various facilities were already built before the announcement of the news, ready to welcome the arriving guests.
Within two months, many people arrived at Venice Island one after another. This huge island, capable of accommodating twenty million people, now seemed a bit crowded.
Many forces saw business opportunities on Venice Island and transported many goods here for sale.
Nox did not obstruct this situation at all, and even hoped that more merchants would transport goods from all over the World here. This would only make Venice Island more prosperous and bring more profit to the Limitless Pirates.
On the day the Pirate Expo began, Nox brought most of the Limitless Pirates' Executive Officers and Vice Captains to the port of Venice Island.
The port of Venice Island is always full, but there is also a large part of the port that is blockaded, and only those whose status is equal to Nox's can dock their ships in this location.
"Look, that's Nox, the Captain of the Limitless Pirates, and many Executive Officers and Vice Captains of the Limitless Pirates. They are all waiting at the port. Could it be that some great pirate is coming, and Nox is personally welcoming him?"
Many people, seeing that the previously blockaded part of the port was open, looked over and found that it was the Limitless Pirates waiting for someone!
Besides the tens of thousands of spectators present, the most important thing was that people from the World Economic News Agency were live broadcasting with den den mushi.
Anyone in the entire World with a new type of den den mushi could project the live broadcast screen through the den den mushi to see the scene on Venice Island at this moment.
"That, that's the Flying Pirates!"
The numerous onlookers present did not have to wait long. Soon, a huge ship appeared flying in the sky. Currently, the only ship that can fly in the sky is the Flying Pirates' Golden Lion's ship, which has this privilege and ability!
"gura rara rara, Nox, long time no see!"
Golden Lion's person and ship hadn't reached the port yet, still flying in the sky, but his overbearing and imposing voice, along with an endless amount of Haoshoku Haki, rushed over first.
The tens of thousands of onlookers present suddenly felt as if their heads had been severely struck. Even at such a distance, they couldn't withstand Golden Lion's Haoshoku Haki!
"Hahahaha, Golden Lion, it's indeed been a long time, over a year already!"
Nox's hearty laughter also soared into the sky. His blood-colored Haoshoku instantly intercepted all of Golden Lion's Haoshoku, preventing the spectators at the port from fainting.
"The sky, it's split open!"
Many people around the World watching the live broadcast had never seen Haoshoku Haki, let alone the clash of Haoshoku Haki.
What they saw now was the terrifying aura erupting from Nox and Golden Lion. Countless lightning bolts flashed out from the clash of their auras, and the clouds in the sky were split apart by the collision of their auras.
For ordinary people, this was simply a miracle, a miracle that could redefine their worldview!
"gura rara rara, Shiki, you guy, you said we'd come together, but in the end, you secretly sped up."
As soon as Golden Lion came down from the sky and landed his ship at the port, he heard Whitebeard's loud voice from behind.
"gura rara rara, Whitebeard, your ship is too slow."
Golden Lion showed no intention of admitting it.
"Yohohoho, I didn't expect us Rocks remnants to gather together again."
Following closely, John, Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, Brandon, World, and others also arrived one by one.
"Mama Mama, you old guys, you all rushed ahead of me to get here."
Next was Charlotte Linlin.
"Hahahaha, Charlotte Linlin, you're wrong, you were the one who rushed ahead of us!"
The last to arrive was the Roger Pirates.
"Oh my goodness, all the great Pirate Crew of the New World are here. The Limitless Pirates are too influential!"
The numerous spectators present, and those watching the live broadcast, were all dumbfounded.
Many of the great pirates present were people whose names they had only seen in newspapers.
Even for these small fry, these great pirates were like dragons that only show their heads but not their tails, unattainable existences. Now, these great pirates were all gathered together, and they, the small fry, were able to see them!
"Hahahaha, welcome everyone to Venice Island! I have prepared a banquet in the Battle Pyramid, with delicious desserts, Royal's new strong liquor, and lots of other roasted delicacies. Everyone, follow me!"
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Nox stepped forward and said with a smile.
These guys are all on the same level of combat power as him. If he doesn't entertain them well and they start fighting here, his Venice Island won't be able to withstand a battle of this caliber.
"Mama Mama, I love delicious desserts the most!"
"gura rara rara, Royal's strong liquor is really strong. Since it's a new liquor, I must have a good taste."
"Hehehehe, let's go, let's go. I also want to see what this Battle Pyramid is like."
"..."
The great pirates who came here all gave Nox face and didn't cause trouble here. Instead, they followed Nox towards the Battle Pyramid.
This group of the New World's strongest pirates, led by Nox, walked in front, followed by the Executive Officers of the various Pirate Crew. The previously somewhat crowded road on Venice Island was immediately cleared, creating an unobstructed path.
None of the people who were moved to the side dared to have any complaints, and they even voluntarily made way.
Are you kidding? Those are the rulers of the New World. Who would dare block their path? Are they tired of living?
When Nox brought Golden Lion and the others to the Battle Pyramid, even the well-traveled great pirates were shocked by the scene before them.
The massive pyramid-shaped building, immense beyond compare, soared into the sky. Even with the naked eye, the top of the pyramid could not be seen because its peak was obscured by the clouds in the sky.
There were many glass windows in several places on the pyramid. Through these glass windows, it was impossible to see what was inside from the outside, but from the inside, one could clearly see what was outside.
The entrance to the Battle Pyramid was sixty meters high. On each side of the massive entrance stood a Giant Race warrior, fully armored, holding a giant axe and shield, guarding it.
"Although I've seen it in the newspaper, the moment I see it in person is still very shocking. To be honest, Nox, how many Berries did you spend to build this Battle Pyramid?"
Roger asked, his eyes wide as he looked at the massive Battle Pyramid before him.
Not only the Captains of the various Pirate Crew, but also everyone around the World watching the live broadcast wanted to know the answer to the question Roger asked.
"The Battle Pyramid took about four years from the start of design to completion. The total cost was roughly one hundred and fifty billion Berries."
"If I hadn't robbed a lot of Celestial Dragons' treasures in God Valley and the Bala De Kingdom before, plus the arms trade over the past two years, I wouldn't have been able to afford this amount."
Nox said with a light laugh.
In reality, his money was endless. Saying this was just to make these pirates present feel a little more balanced. Otherwise, if they knew how rich Nox was, they might have some ill intentions.
"Hiss!!!"
Hearing Nox's words, everyone present, and even those watching the live broadcast all over the World, couldn't help but gasp. To spend one hundred and fifty billion Berries on a building, this is simply too extravagant!
And even more so, it was admiration for the Limitless Pirates. They openly talked about robbing the Celestial Dragons' treasures and even used the Celestial Dragons' treasures to build such a fighting sanctuary!