“Marines have mastered this technique?”
In Kuja’s Palace, Gloriosa looked thoughtfully at Olga’s letter. This technique might be inconsequential to others, such as the Beasts Pirates who cared little about things like that.
Morgans might have dubbed them the Emperor of the Sea for publicity, but they can truly live up to that title.
After Morgans’ hype, numerous pirates attempted to challenge the emperor’s status, but the outcome remained the same – none succeeded.
Join, die, or get handed over to the Marines in exchange for a bounty; those who could escape with a few body parts intact considered it a favorable outcome. Moreover, many people even lost their fighting spirit.
Their defense relied on strength, but Kuja was different. Despite being a pirate kingdom, Kuja, while formidable, lacked the power of an Emperor of the Sea.
Especially the high-ranking officers have a significant disparity in strength, a point where they cannot compare to the Emperor’s crews. Kuja could survive peacefully, shielding its residents from external interference mainly due to the Calm Belt surrounding it.
This was their natural barrier. If it weren’t for Kuja’s ancestors mastering snake taming technique and the assistance of the poisonous sea serpent Yuda, they would also find it difficult to come and go on their own.
If this barrier was truly broken, it would mean the end of Kuja’s era of seclusion, allowing the Marines to freely cross the Calm Belt and attack them.
“Why would you know about this? It should be a secret within the Marines as well.”
Gloriosa, in her role resembling an advisory council in Kuja, wasn’t one to believe everything she hears. While this kind of warning message wouldn’t cause them any harm, it doesn’t stop her from being curious.
“Well, there’s a special channel for this, and their Seastone is something we sell.”
Although Queen was almost deified in the Marine Intelligence Branch, the high-ranking members of the Beasts Pirates still knew the truth. Embedding Seastone wasn’t a complex craft – anyone with hands could do it – but it increased the ship’s weight.
Even if Arceus hadn’t informed them, Queen who had worked together with Vegapunk for so long could have deduced this.
Moreover, because cutting Seastone was too difficult, the World Government had requested the Beasts Pirates to shape the Seastone in specific shapes during procurement. After taking a hefty processing fee, the Beasts Pirates happily took on the job.
“You-You sell them to..”
Upon hearing this, Gloriosa’s old face became somewhat peculiar. This reason was something she hadn’t anticipated.
“Don’t worry about these details. It’s not strange for pirates and the World Government to have some business dealings. Anyway, this information is true, so you’d better prepare yourselves.”
A pirate kingdom couldn’t be self-sufficient like ordinary countries, especially considering Kuja’s limited land area, which led to the formation of the Kuja Pirates.
In the past, their style was to plunder and retreat, bringing supplies back to Kuja, and then relying on the Calm Belt to repel enemies. This change would have a profound impact on Kuja.
“Of course, we have a solution too. Would you consider relocating?”
“Relocating?”
“Simply put, move the entire Amazon Lily and use the Beasts Pirates’ flag as protection, then even without the Calm Belt, the Marines won’t act recklessly.”
“So. You want Kuja to become your vassal?”
“Something like that. In the world of pirates, isn’t it common? Some people don’t even have the opportunity to raise our flag even if they want.”
The present Beasts Pirates were not the war-mongering crew of the original timeline. In terms of logistics development, the Beasts Pirates’ territory was even more superior to Big Mom’s.
In a sense, they are a small-scale World Government, holding absolute authority over the islands they rule.
Moreover, Olga’s words were not a joke; there are indeed people who want to raise their flag but don’t have the opportunity.
“This matter,”
Gloriosa was thinking about how to refuse the other party. She couldn’t just merge Kuja into a force that was completely unfamiliar to her because of a few words. However, the other party had sent an officer to talk about this matter personally, and they had also directly explained the new technology of Marine ships.
Since the Marines could do it, then they who sell the Seastone, could naturally do the same. Kuja wasn’t a match for the Marines, and similarly, it wasn’t a match for the Beasts Pirates.
Moreover, a mass relocation of the entire tribe was too difficult. But at this moment, Gloriosa didn’t anticipate Olga’s suggestion to move the entire island.
“No need to be in such a hurry; this is just a suggestion. In fact, you have another choice. The so-called Shichibukai of the Marines haven’t been recruited completely yet.”
Shichibukai was proposed a long time ago, with Crocodile securing one of the seven Warlords of the Sea positions after his battle with Bullet many years ago.
Its purpose was to balance the forces in the sea. As legitimate pirates with the right to plunder legally, the seven Warlords of the Sea couldn’t be chosen arbitrarily.
Enough prestige and strength were what the World Government valued. Back then, Crocodile met these criteria, which is why he was invited to become one of the seven Warlords of the Sea. With special motives, he accepted the invitation.
“Shichibukai.”
“That’s right. In the first half of the Grand Line, this status provides the best cover. Once you’ve gained legitimacy from the World Government, ordinary pirates won’t be able to deal with you.”
“What is your purpose?”
“Friendly assistance, such as holding occasional social gatherings. Besides, the seven Warlords of the Sea should also have access to some special information. We need that intelligence. At the same time, there’s the matter I mentioned at the beginning. You may be hesitant now, but you might join us voluntarily after a while.”
Gloriosa didn’t give any response to Olga’s words. What she said now was all potential futures, and even she couldn’t directly dismiss the possibility of such an incident from happening. Moreover, the two proposals Olga presented were indeed crucial for Kuja.
Without the protection of the Calm Belt, they indeed needed to find an alternative.
The idea of relocating wasn’t currently under consideration, but the position of the seven Warlords of the Sea also troubled Gloriosa. After all, becoming one of the seven Warlords of the Sea was not easy; it’s not something you could have just because you want it.
“If you agree, we have a way to help you stir up some trouble. If all goes well, the World Government will soon extend an invitation to you.”
“Thank you for your proposal. Rest for a while since you’ve come from afar. These matters need discussion before I can give an answer. Please bring the guest to rest.”
The person who arrived was Hancock. Since her return, she has been outside. In the Kuja, she held a significant position and was considered one of the strongest warriors among the new generation when she left Kuja.
“Let’s go, Sister Olga. I’ll show you Kuja’s mountain spring bath.”
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