Whether it was abolishing the Heavenly Tribute or hunting down the Yonko, such ideas would have been utterly unthinkable in the past. But times had changed. The man now holding the reins of power was Rowen, a man known not only for his chilling decisiveness but also for his infamous reputation as the Scheming Dragon.
With his approval, any new decree, be it enforcement or financial oversight, was no longer a problem of authority, but merely a problem of execution.
Shuā!
Admiral Fujitora opened his cloudy, scarred eyes and bowed deeply.
"Lord Soryu (Azure Dragon), Fleet Admiral Akainu's words are correct," he said solemnly. "These eyes of mine, I gouged them out myself when I saw the soldiers of the Allied Kingdoms robbing poor citizens of their last grain to pay the Heavenly Tribute. I was powerless to stop it… forced to become an accomplice. The Heavenly Tribute, it is long past time to abolish it!"
The people have suffered under this system for far too long. This brutal tax had reached its terminus. After all, the Celestial Dragons are gone, aren't they?
Trafalgar Law and the others exchanged glances, a spark of revolutionary excitement in their eyes. They clearly supported the decision.
However…
"Lord Soryu (Azure Dragon)," A deep voice interrupted unexpectedly, "this subordinate believes we cannot yet abolish the Heavenly Tribute."
It was Chief Commander Kong.
Akainu's eyes widened in disbelief. He instantly bristled, barking angrily, "Chief Commander Kong! Are you suggesting the Heavenly Tribute still holds any necessary value?!"
"Of course it does," Kong replied, his gaze calm and unwavering. "If we abolish the Heavenly Tribute, then why should the Allied Kingdoms continue to follow the Government's banner?"
"Because of the pirates, naturally…" Akainu began, but froze halfway through his sentence, inhaling sharply. "My apologies… I spoke too hastily."
"It's fine," Kong waved dismissively. "The pirate threat is no longer what it once was. In recent years, except for those nations too resource-poor or too corrupt to sustain themselves, many non-Allied Kingdoms now live better than the Allied ones."
"If we abolish the Heavenly Tribute now, the Allied Kingdoms will seize the opportunity to secede, each fighting for itself. Old grudges will resurface… and when they clash, a global war will be inevitable. The consequences would be far worse than the pirate problem ever was."
Kong's fears were not groundless; they were a grim political truth. Even Wapol had dared to strike Princess Vivi. The tensions between the various kingdoms were a volatile powder keg.
"So we can't do this, and we can't do that… what are we supposed to do then?" Koby asked anxiously, his voice muffled behind his thick bandages.
He missed the faint amusement flickering across the faces of both Rowen and Kong, if he hadn't, he would have known the answer was already prepared.
Akainu caught the subtle exchange. While irritated at being kept in the dark, he couldn't help but feel a perverse twinge of entertainment. Watching someone else get caught in Rowen's machinations was always a show.
"Naturally, there's a way," Kong said, turning to the room. "Do you all still remember Lord Soryu (Azure Dragon)'s 'Global Village Plan' from years ago?"
"You mean the plan to build a transport network centered around Marine branches?" Bald Zero asked, thinking aloud.
"Exactly." Kong nodded. "According to reports, since the Hundred Beasts Pirates began their large-scale assaults, the total government funding spent on Marine branches across the first half of the Grand Line hasn't exceeded ten billion Belly."
Ten billion. It was a shockingly small number. Considering the massive number of bases, the daily personnel costs, and the logistics, their expenses should have been astronomical.
Seeing Akainu's eye twitch, Kong asked the question, then answered it himself: "Do you know why? Because those branches were rich enough to sustain themselves in war. And their wealth came from the islands connected by the transport network! The safety of each branch became tied not just to the Marines, but to those islands themselves. In the most critical battles, merchants even risked their lives to deliver supplies at night, just so the Marines could win."
He concluded: "In Lord Soryu (Azure Dragon)'s words, this is called economic interdependence."
"So your plan," Rowen said thoughtfully, "is to use that same model to bind the Allied Kingdoms' interests together? An excellent idea, but where will the funds come from?"
"In the past, the Marines expanded through loans from me," Rowen continued. "Though some repayment has started, our coffers are still tight. To tie together so many Allied Kingdoms… where's the money?"
Kong bowed respectfully. "My lord, the funds are right here, beneath Pangaea City, in the Holy Land itself."
The moment he said that, everyone behind him went wide-eyed with shock.
Damn it! Whoever said thick eyebrows meant an honest heart, I'll strangle them myself!
The money was there because that was where the Heavenly Tribute was stored every year! In the past, no one would have dared touch that treasure. But now, Rowen ruled.
And the way Kong and Rowen played off each other left no room for anyone to object. None of the people present were fools; they realized halfway through that this had been Rowen's plan all along. Kong was simply the trusted mouthpiece explaining the flawless, logical execution.
"The Holy Land will provide the funds to hire workers and build the Sea Train routes. Marines will maintain security. With both safety and profit guaranteed, merchants will flock to invest and form trade fleets!" Kong explained, energized.
"In this way, the Allied Kingdoms will gain enormous wealth, and once stabilized, the Holy Land can collect Heavenly Tribute again, effectively replenishing its own funds."
"Once this economic chain is established, the Allied Kingdoms won't be able to withdraw even if they want to. And when their kings grow greedy and try to act independently, their own merchants and citizens will revolt…"
"And as for each kingdom's internal strife, well, that provides ample room for maneuvering."
Fujitora finally grasped the full, intricate scheme, a wide, genuine smile spreading across his face. "So this is what you call economic interdependence… or should I say, economic hostage-taking? It seems this old man has much to learn."
This wasn't a trick. It was an open strategy, and in a twisted way, it was one made "for everyone's own good." The only reason no one had ever proposed it before was because no one else had the power, ambition, or vision to pull it off. That's what made it shine so brilliantly now.
"Not only that," Masked Zero added, stepping forward, his tone laced with genuine admiration, "compared to the small-scale economies of the non–Allied Kingdoms, the profits here will be beyond imagination. Once the money starts flowing, the number of nations begging to join the alliance will skyrocket. Another long-standing problem, solved."
He couldn't help but be stunned. A problem that had plagued the World Government for centuries, and Rowen had solved it with a single, sweeping plan!
Was the old government truly that incompetent… or was Rowen simply too brilliant?
"And once we've replenished our coffers," Rowen said suddenly, smiling slyly, "we can then gradually reduce the Heavenly Tribute."
Hissss…!
The collective sound of people sucking in cold air filled the hall. That was the real, devastating goal! A chorus of heads bowed immediately; no one dared to meet his gaze.
"However," Rowen continued, his expression turning cold and clinical, "there are two issues we must be wary of."
He looked straight at Akainu. "Since ancient times, wealth has always tempted the heart. There will always be scum who can't stand to see others prosper, and there will always be fools who risk everything, turning pirate to seize what isn't theirs. To prevent unrest and safeguard everyone's interests, we must have…"
His voice dropped, sharp as steel.
"...an army strong enough to silence any conflict before it begins."
There was no need to "solve" problems anymore. Solving the people who caused problems, that was the true path of kings.
The killing intent in his words was unmistakable. Akainu snapped to attention with a loud thud, saluting firmly.
"Mission guaranteed to be accomplished!"
"Excellent."
Rowen turned toward the window, gazing at the clouds drifting just beyond arm's reach. In that moment, his aura seemed to pierce the heavens.
This world… will become better in my hands. The one who reshapes it, who else but me?
Arms crossed over his chest, he spoke faintly: "Rob Lucci, Kalifa."
"We're here!" The two stepped forward.
"From today onward, you'll join the Marine Assassination Force, under the direct command of Vice Admiral Dante. Any objections, Fleet Admiral Akainu?"
The Marine Assassination Force, a name that made even Marines shudder. Rowen's intention in assigning the former CP9 and CP0 agents there was crystal clear: unifying his command under his most loyal officer.
Bald Zero shot Akainu a mocking look, expecting him to rage at being undermined. But to everyone's surprise, Akainu didn't show the slightest anger. Instead, he bowed respectfully.
"None at all!"
"Good."
Rowen's tone softened slightly as he looked to the others. "Fujitora, Law, you both still hold official Warlord status, and are, technically, part of the Government. No need to hide in the shadows anymore. Be more… active."
The corners of both men's mouths twitched, but they nodded. "Understood."
"Then it's settled. Akainu, Kong, Zero, the bald one, Jinbe, and you over there, stay behind. Everyone else, return to your duties."
"Yes, sir!"
Fujitora supported the bandaged Koby as they left. Rowen hadn't given Koby any assignment, and the young man didn't quite understand why he'd even been summoned. But the others knew. As Rowen's only disciple, Koby's future was boundless. This meeting had been nothing more than a way to build his presence, to ensure his name was known.
Bald Zero's face darkened as the others departed. He knew too well, the real, hidden matter was only about to begin. Rowen had said there were "two problems." They had only solved one.
Bang! The doors shut.
Akainu immediately stepped forward, molten heat erupting from his shoulders, filling the air with blistering pressure.
"How much longer are you going to hide, Dragon?!"
At those words, the cloaked figure standing silently at the very back pulled down his hood, revealing a fearless grin.
"Well," he said casually, meeting the Fleet Admiral's molten gaze, "long time no see, Akainu."
(End of Chapter)
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