Chapter 342: Red Port!
"This is the Red Port..."
Standing atop a massive whale, Nicholas looked up to admire the immense port before him.
"I've heard there are two such large ports on the Red Line, one here in the New World and the other at Sabaody Archipelago."
"Yes," Dragon replied, gazing at the massive port. "These two ports have histories spanning thousands of years, constantly expanded by the Celestial Dragons to their current grandeur. The giant 'elevators' that traverse the Red Line are located within the port."
"Many say that trade at Sabaody Archipelago is prosperous, but what they don't tell you is that trade here is even more flourishing. The Red Line gathers wealth from all over the world."
Nicholas nodded in agreement. As the largest continent intersecting the Grand Line, the Holy Land Mariejois on the Red Line could indeed be considered the center of the world.
"Jinbe, are you ready? There will be many other races of slaves besides Fish-Men and Mermaids, so we must control the port."
"Don't worry, we've brought many elites. The port will not fall before the plan is complete!" Jinbe confidently declared.
"Yes, Nicholas, rest assured."
The participants in this operation included Nicholas, Dragon, Morley, Karasu, Ivankov, Tiger, Jinbe, Urouge, and thousands of elite Ryugu Palace Poseidon soldiers.
Karasu's summoned flock of crows would act as their scouts. Upon reaching the Red Line, they would rely on these crows to start fires and create chaos.
Nicholas, Dragon, and Tiger would infiltrate the Holy Land Mariejois.
The rest were tasked with seizing and controlling the port.
...
Representatives escorting the Heavenly Tribute from various places also arrived at the Red Port below the Red Line. Their journey was not smooth, especially for World Government member nations from the New World, with more than half of their fleets attacked by pirates and outlaws.
After all, the New World has always been synonymous with lawlessness. The World Government's name holds no real threat there. Furthermore, the Heavenly Tribute represents a significant fortune. If successful, a brief period of laying low would allow one to live lavishly. As long as they avoid Navy and World Government-controlled islands, they can live quite comfortably. And if they fail, the World Government and Navy are unlikely to trouble them over such minor incidents in the vast ocean.
As one ship after another arrived, the Red Port became bustling with activity.
These representatives from the New World brought their countries' Heavenly Tribute to the Holy Land Mariejois!
Soon, the World Government officials waiting at the Red Port led these representatives towards the bubble cable car that ascends directly to the top of the Red Line.
Under numerous watchful eyes, the delegations boarded the bubble cable cars in an orderly manner.
Accompanied by the sound of cables rubbing, the bubble cable cars began their ascent.
Everyone in the Red Port watched the bubble cable cars rise, each carrying vast amounts of wealth.
No one noticed the several eyes on the sea quietly observing everything.
"Now that the Heavenly Tribute has been transported to the Red Line…"
Nicholas narrowed his eyes and said playfully, "Let's give the Celestial Dragons an even bigger surprise during their celebration! Begin the operation, everyone. If you sense that you can't match the enemy, retreat immediately! Our enemies are the World Government and the Celestial Dragons who have ruled for 800 years!"
"Understood!"
Though everyone agreed verbally, their eyes flashed with a unique glint.
After all, while many are unafraid of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, they might be the first since the Rocks Pirates to actually draw their swords against them!
Moments later, a group of large crows carried Karasu and Fisher Tiger, following Dragon and Nicholas to the top of the Red Line.
Fortunately, the operation didn't involve many people, so Karasu's crows only needed to carry him and Tiger.
Soon, the four of them smoothly reached the top of the Red Line.
The first thing they saw was a green forest and, in the distance, the grand architecture of the Holy Land Mariejois.
"Is Mariejois in the middle of that forest?" Tiger asked, pointing to the majestic buildings within the forest.
He could hardly believe that one day, as a Fish-Man, he would personally reach the top of the world.
"Yes, that's the Holy Land Mariejois, the top of the world," Karasu said, his voice somber through his mask.
"Well, if we're planning a surprise, we should start by infiltrating," Dragon said.
"No problem," Dragon said, looking at Karasu and Tiger. "Karasu, you and Tiger wait for our signal. Once chaos breaks out, start the operation quickly. Try to get the slaves to the bubble car port. Escape as many as you can."
"Understood."
Karasu nodded seriously. He knew that even if they freed the slaves, getting them out was a major issue. The bubble car's capacity was limited, and if they didn't escape before Nicholas and the others retreated, they'd be trapped and likely killed.
...
On the moving walkway to Pangaea Castle outside Mariejois.
"Did you notice, Nicholas?" Dragon asked, looking down at the walkway.
"Of course. You might wonder why, with the World Government's current technological capabilities, they still use such primitive human-powered systems instead of mechanized ones," Nicholas said.
Dragon looked puzzled at Nicholas, who continued, "Actually, mechanized walkways would be more comfortable, but stepping on such cold machinery wouldn't provide the thrill of trampling on life."
Nicholas looked at Pangaea Castle with a sigh.
Dragon frowned, seemingly not understanding.
"The thrill of trampling on life?"
Nicholas turned his gaze from Pangaea Castle and explained to Dragon, "To the rich and powerful, the common people are no longer the same species as them, just as someone might say 'why not eat meat' when someone is starving.
To the Celestial Dragons, humans aren't the same species as them either. They are the descendants of gods. They once called themselves gods, took over the homeland of others, and almost exterminated them.
For them, material possessions are no longer a pursuit. They seek spiritual pleasure."
Dragon's face changed as he thought of something, but he said nothing more. His gaze towards the towering Pangaea Castle grew colder.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
-- Power
stone