Capítulo 256: Chapter 256: Distribution Ratios, Deep-Rooted Conflicts
Holy Land Mariejois, Power Hall.
"...In conclusion, the 'Joint Giant Ship' takes one month per voyage, transporting one hundred thousand tons of goods each time."
While the world was still shocked by the 'crossing the calm belt long-distance transport,' Roman had already been urgently summoned to Mariejois, where he was speaking confidently to the Five Elders.
"Because the first voyage used a military ship, most of the space was wasted. And due to insufficient preparation, only a small amount of 100,000 tons of supplies were carried. But the profits generated are already astonishing..."
Roman pointed at the blueprint in the hands of the Five Elders. It was a rough sketch of a giant container ship from his previous life, which he had drawn based on his memory, then transmitted to Franky. Franky, one of the best shipwrights in the world, had brought it to life.
"This is a ship I got using some 'methods' from a pirate shipwright, specially designed for transport."
As for what 'methods' were used, and who the pirate shipwright was...Roman casually continued:
"Rest assured, gentlemen, ninety percent of that shipwright's flesh is no longer in this world."
The harshness was clear, but...
It was the truth.
"This ship... doesn't really have any defensive capabilities, does it?"
In response to the elderly man with golden hair and a golden beard, Roman nodded.
"That's right. It's a ship made specifically for transporting goods. With the power of World, and once all the technologies are perfected, it could transport millions of tons of supplies at a time!"
This was still in the context of the dangerous and unpredictable weather of the Grand Line.
"As for safety, that's not an issue. 'Empress' Boa Hancock, who sails the Calm Belt year-round, has promised to disband the original Kuja Pirates and form a guard to escort the ship..."
"At the same time, the Marines will assign three Vice Admirals and a candidate Admiral as defensive forces to ensure everything goes smoothly."
"The profits from transporting a million tons of goods could easily buy an entire country. Compared to this wealth, the so-called great treasure is just a joke!"
Roman wasn't just dreaming big. Just the 100,000-ton transport operation by the Marines this time had made the Five Elders restless, even exposing spies within the Marines—Yes! It was normal for the World Government to place people within the Marines.
They immediately recalled Roman to the Holy Land to ask questions. And Roman didn't disappoint them. Upon returning, he presented the design for a giant deep-sea transport ship. If they added that to the mix..."This year's profits? Easily over 100 billion Berries."
Even the usually stern, bald old man with the samurai sword couldn't help but be moved.
The technology in this world wasn't actually weak—after all, a thousand years ago, the 'Sky Island people' who came from the moon had brought a wealth of technological knowledge. But as the saying goes:
Everyone in this world applied technology and Devil Fruits to fighting, so much so that, after a thousand years, things like artificial modifications and intelligent robots had been developed. Ordinary people had fallen behind, like how someone could still go to sea on a small raft with a wooden barrel..."Good job, you're doing well!"
The Five Elders nodded in approval, their demeanor toward Roman much friendlier.
Though, in their view, Roman wasn't yet 'mature' enough. He was sharing such enormous wealth with the Marines and the Amazon Lily Kingdom, but luckily, he still had the trump card of the transport giant ship. With that, the World Government could intervene in deep-sea trade, and...
"Is there anything you want?"
Facing the offer from the top of the world's power, Roman smiled proudly.
"If I want something, I'll get it myself."
..."What an arrogant kid,"
"If you could bring in 100 billion Berries every year, you'd be arrogant too. Just like that Gildo Tesoro."
"How could that idiot compare to us Celestial Dragons?"
"Heh, just a fool who doesn't know his place. We'll kill him sooner or later."
After Roman left, the Five Elders in the power hall laughed and chatted. While the Celestial Dragons' rule seemed unshakable, the truth was, it was hard to sit in their positions.
Since allied nations were required to pay the "Sky Gold" every year, the World Government had a responsibility to protect those nations. The countless pirates alone consumed most of the World Government's energy.
In the New World, the strong have drawn their own boundaries and openly built cities to form nations! Always eyeing the throne of world power, forcing the World Government and the Marines' top experts to remain on guard.
Although 'that' person is invincible in the world! But they spend their days in the Holy Land's garden, year after year, as if they were a god, high above. Unless a powerful enemy strikes the Red Line, they won't interfere with anything.
With the arrival of the Great Pirate Era, powerful pirates have risen from all corners of the world, flooding into the Grand Line. This has indirectly stimulated the expansion of the Marines, causing the Five Elder Stars to sometimes lament about the Marines becoming too powerful to control.
Meanwhile, member nations and even non-member nations are ramping up their military preparations! For large nations, having pirate crews is almost a normal thing,
like the 'X Treasure Navy' of the Kingdom of Flowers: They're called pirates, but in reality, they're the Kingdom of Flowers' private naval force, and many of their members have strengths in the hundreds of millions.Now, ordinary Celestial Dragons only dare to act arrogant in Sabaody Archipelago. Once they leave the Grand Line, they're not guaranteed to return alive. The Five Elder Stars can't help but wish they could reduce the pocket money of those 'useless' Celestial Dragons to make them stay quiet.
Rather than letting those funds be wasted by the 'useless' ones, it's better to use them to train some elite bodyguards."Very good, very good."
Now, this new shipping route will help ease the financial strain...——————————"That's ridiculous!!"
A loud bang from Fleet Admiral's office made the passing Marines shudder and quicken their pace.
"Where's the righteousness in business deals, Fleet Admiral Akainu?"
Roman calmly waved his hand, watching Akainu pull a cigar from his drawer, and couldn't help but once again feel that the Fleet Admiral position is truly difficult to hold.
"70%! The World Government actually wants to take 70% of the profit from long-distance trade?"
Akainu angrily took a deep puff of his cigar, making Roman cringe. The cigar went straight into his lungs with a sharp "tsk, tsk, tsk...""Why don't they just take it by force?!"
Facing Akainu's roar, Roman rolled his eyes.
"Because taking it by force takes effort. It's much easier to have the Marines hand it over."
Ah..."What nonsense is Roman saying," Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed, picking up the conversation, "The World Government isn't doing nothing — they've promised to provide a transport ship capable of carrying millions of tons, and they won't pursue the matter of World attacking the world's nobles..."
"They're the ones we captured, so what does it have to do with them? Even if we send them to Impel Down, I can release them right away!"
Impel Down has always followed the Marine Headquarters' orders. Although it's one of the three major agencies under the World Government, it's more like the Marines' backyard. Releasing a prisoner is something that can be done with a word from the Fleet Admiral.
On the other hand, another agency loyal to the World Government, 'Enies Lobby,' was just recently reduced to ruins by the Marines.
The relationship between the Marines and the World Government, well..."And they want 70% of the profits with just a transport ship—do they think I won't find shipbuilders from Water 7?"
Ah, sorry.
Roman casually leaned on the sofa, showing a blueprint drawn by Water 7's top shipbuilders.
"70% is absolutely impossible!"
Akainu stood up, ready to confront the Five Elder Stars directly. Vice Admiral Tsuru also reluctantly stood up to follow, although her instincts told her there was something suspicious in this matter. But right now, it was time to fight for the Marines' interests, so she set her doubts aside.
"Alright, I'll go back to catching pirates then."
Roman stood up, putting on his Rear Admiral coat. —That's right, Roman is probably the first Marine officer in history to be promoted with 'money' as the reason.
Sake, the red face, money stirs the heart!
Even though Akainu, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and the Five Elders don't have much need for money themselves, their massive organizations:
These require a vast amount of money to keep running! So, they won't give up on Roman offering up this giant 'cake' to deal with the increasingly chaotic seas and uphold their own beliefs. Between the Marine and the World Government—You should know that neither Akainu nor the Five Elders are people who would 'back down.' The distribution of the cake is already enough to keep them arguing for a while. And the conflict will definitely escalate during the argument until—Hehehe~~
Before that day comes, it's necessary to secure a portion of the Marine's influence. The two key weapons for success, as our ancestors said, are the purse and the gun.
Walking out of the Fleet Admiral's office, Roman returned to his smiling face.
I wonder how the others are doing? Although we have mobile paper to keep in contact, it's still better to go 'personally' and check. The first stop is:
Isla Bonita!
First, check on Sanji, then meet with Ivankov to see Dragon. It's decided~~
"Boss, the fleet is ready."
Bolkin, who had been promoted to Captain, came over, bringing Roman back to his senses. Roman nodded.
"Alright, let's go for a 'clean-up' then."
Since both Bolkin and Isuka are now Captains, Roman, a Rear Admiral, commands three warships, which makes him a fairly influential force. Next, it's time to continue earning military merit and training others:
Whoosh—!
Across the vast sea, a pure white fighter jet cut through the sky, heading straight for Kamabaka Island.
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