Chapter 477: The Highest Commercial Balancing Body
Although the World Government did not dare to push the Marines too hard, they were certainly unwilling to let the Marines open new financial channels.
If they noticed such attempts, they would surely create trouble.
Now, seeing Aizen's arrival, Garp suddenly felt he had grasped the truth.
In reality, the World Government genuinely hoped Aizen would act to secure the Mythical beasts.
After all, the World Government's current financial situation was far from optimistic.
Although the world economy had become more dynamic and total output value had increased, their finances were wealthier than three years ago, before the world underwent drastic changes.
However, their wealth was shrinking rapidly as a proportion of the global total.
Not to mention the major transcendent forces, the constant rise of new powers and the situation in each member country were enough to give them headaches.
Many member countries, having caught up with the global economic surge after the reduction of heavenly gold, saw their financial levels soar immediately. The heavenly gold they paid to the World Government was no longer their primary expense.
With wealth in their coffers, some wise kings began training armies and forming national hunter groups, investing heavily in these efforts.
Even less astute rulers followed suit.
After all, if they did not adapt, it was not uncommon for ambitious nobles, skilled in scheming and building their own armies, to overthrow them and seize the throne.
This was especially prevalent in the South Blue, where the Dark Curtain promoted the idea that the strong ruled.
This led many South Blue countries to engage in invasions, a trend that influenced other sea regions to follow.
As this phenomenon spread, powerful allied countries, now armed with military might and wealth, began to defy the World Government.
They understood that the Marines' two patron saints did not stand behind the Celestial Dragons.
Even the Marines and the World Government maintained a certain distance.
Of course, regardless of the situation, the World Government itself wielded terrifying power.
Thus, member countries did not dare to go too far.
However, the World Government's status was no longer the god-like authority it once held.
This meant it was not as easy for them to amass wealth as before.
In the past, they had abundant heavenly gold.
Additionally, all industries were either controlled by the World Government or required substantial fees to be paid to them.
They also controlled the printing of Berry currency.
Together, these factors allowed the World Government, which created the Celestial Dragons, to treat money as insignificant.
But now, the heavenly gold had been halved.
In commerce, South Blue and West Blue had lost most of their market share, and North Blue was not faring much better.
In the first half of the Grand Line, the Miracle Chamber of Commerce dominated, while the second half was a chaotic mix of competing major forces.
Even in East Blue, private or national chambers of commerce had joined the All-Sea Chamber of Commerce, backed by the Night Eye Chamber of Commerce, to challenge the World Government.
This was a wake-up call for the Five Elders of the World Government.
In the commercial sphere, the entire sea had become their competitor—a surreal situation.
Most critically, they had lost control over Berry's printing rights.
These rights had been relinquished to several transcendent forces and handed over to the Supreme Chamber of Commerce. This was the highest industry-balancing organization, jointly managed by numerous transcendent forces.
Beyond the increased market output and regular Berry issuance, any additional printing required the Supreme Chamber of Commerce to convene a general meeting.
The matter would be discussed at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and decided accordingly.
This drove the Five Elders of the World Government to the brink of madness.
The bald Five Elder in charge of finances, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, barely knew how he left the trading chamber.
The reason was simple.
Under the Supreme Chamber of Commerce's ruling, additional Berry issuance distributed profits among major forces, with the World Government receiving the smallest share.
For years, since its founding, the World Government had printed money freely.
Now, they could no longer print as they wished, and their share of printed money was the lowest.
This was something even the most patient could not tolerate.
Yet, the World Government endured it.
They realized they were the ones who had to yield.
To be harmonious brought wealth, and bloodshed would benefit no one.
As the World Government, they had to set an example for the world.
Though the Five Elders smiled outwardly, their hearts were filled with frustration.
They had thousands of words to express, but to whom could they speak?
When their substitute was ready, the world would see blood.
Though less poetic, the Five Elders' inner anger was palpable.
They needed strength.
The Nine-Rong God's substitute orb, which they had already acquired, was their hope.
For now, these matters could be set aside.
The conclusion was that the World Government's finances were struggling.
Expenses for the Hunter Association, the Demon Pattern Association, and various costly scientific research projects were mounting.
Even the cost of maintaining many useless Celestial Dragons had been curtailed by the Five Elders.
Originally, supporting these wasteful Celestial Dragons posed no issue for the World Government.
Now, the Five Elders had begun fostering more elite Celestial Dragons.
Times had changed, and methods had to adapt. The Celestial Dragons could no longer be kept idle; a true foundation had to be cultivated among them.
There was also the need to nurture new, loyal forces.
All of this required resources.
The World Government hoped to secure these two Mythical beasts, which would serve as a significant gain.
At the very least, the Marines must not obtain them.
That was the World Government's stance.
However, Aizen did not act according to their wishes.
His interest in the Mythical beasts, spurred by Madara's actions and the potential for reputation, drove him.
Even so, Aizen did not openly deny their intentions.
It amused him to let the foolish and arrogant dream on.
"Hahaha, these two Mythical beasts are part of the Mythical Beast Conference." Garp said, laughing as he looked at the gentle, bespectacled man before him.
"As a demigod with such remarkable strength, if you can take them, I will not stop you."
"But I wonder if the demigods from other major forces will agree."
Garp took a roundabout approach.
The man before him could even defeat a demon Apostle.
A direct confrontation would likely be messy, and Garp would come out worse.
It was better to stir the waters and let the stronger figures deal with it.
Though usually laid-back, Garp was steady and sharp-witted.
"Really? My thanks, Vice Admiral Garp." Aizen said, nodding in acknowledgment.
He ignored Garp's mention of demigods from other forces.
At that moment, a ticking time bomb stood before him.
Madara, perched on Susanoo, saw Aizen looking up at him.
With his arms still crossed, he spoke calmly and said, "Are you finished?"
"That's all." Aizen replied, keeping his answer brief.
"Very good! Then let me show you, Sōsuke Aizen." Madara said.
"The power of my Eternal Mangekyō."
( End of this chapter )