If we're talking shipping capacity, Umit claiming half the market share might sound reasonable. But in truth, shipping capacity isn't the decisive factor here.
For the smuggling trade from the North Blue to Totto Land, the two key elements are influence in the North Blue and influence in the New World. Only when both are in place can the business work.
Otherwise, try buying goods in bulk from the North Blue at cost price. Even if you managed that, once you got them to the New World, would Charlotte Linlin really pay you for them? If she doesn't take your life, consider yourself lucky just to have delivered the cargo.
Umit understood this very well. In the end, if he didn't join the venture, Ortoren and Doflamingo would only be delayed in their expansion by a couple of years. If he did join, then everyone would make money together. It wasn't as if his participation was irreplaceable.
That's why it was Umit himself who came running to ask Ortoren for a place at the table. And after seeing the Sea Train project along the way, he knew that was what truly concerned the foundation of his business.
As Issho said, he wasn't Ortoren's friend yet. To become one, he had to show sincerity.
But how to show sincerity? By giving money? Even though he was the Shipping King, he wasn't as rich as Lu Feld, that money-printing giant who had casually sent two hundred billion Bellies in cash to G-5. How could Umit possibly measure up?
Anything above two hundred billion was beyond him. Anything below was too embarrassing. It was an awkward spot to be in.
Still, when it comes to industry influence and the survival of one's trade, you go all in—even at a loss. Let alone now, when it only meant sacrificing some profits.
After a brief pause, Umit raised a finger.
"Four hundred ships. I want ten percent of the profits. Is that acceptable?"
Ortoren was genuinely surprised. While influence was the deciding factor in this deal, considering the value of four hundred ships, if Umit had asked for thirty percent, Ortoren would have thought it worth negotiating.
After all, Umit's scale spoke for itself. If he started with four hundred ships, then later, as things grew, adding more would be only natural. That would help expand the business faster and allow G-5 to shake off its financial strain and start turning a profit quickly.
But he hadn't expected him to ask for so little. Only ten percent?
"Maybe I should just let Doflamingo cover that ten percent..." A sly thought flashed through Ortoren's mind. Originally, he had figured that if Umit asked for thirty percent, he'd haggle it down to twenty, then split that with Doflamingo, each paying ten percent.
But now it was only ten percent. Why bother splitting it at all? Doflamingo could easily handle it, right?
That thought came and went quickly. Ortoren dismissed it. Better to stay straightforward. His credibility and reputation in business were important. Doflamingo had been his partner for years, someone he got along with well. He had always taken his role seriously, never pulling dirty tricks.
As the boss, he couldn't be plotting against his own people. If he pushed Doflamingo too far, who would follow him afterward?
"Forget it, I'll just take half a percent myself..." Ortoren calculated, but then shook his head. That would seem stingy and pointless. Better to cover it all himself and let Doflamingo appreciate it.
All these thoughts passed in an instant. After weighing it twice, Ortoren decided not to haggle with Umit. Four hundred ships for a ten percent cut—if he still tried to argue, that would just look bad. Maybe the deal would still go through, but it would almost certainly be the last.
So he wouldn't push the burden onto Doflamingo either. The ten percent Umit asked for would come from Ortoren alone.
"I think we're getting along quite well. We were introduced by Mr. Feld, and this is our first time working together. As Benn Ortoren, I still have some pride in this business. Since you've already settled on just ten percent, if I try to haggle now, that would really be taking advantage!"
Ortoren set down his teacup and extended his hand.
Umit quickly grasped it and gave it a firm shake. "Thank you for your support, Vice Admiral Benn..."
"Support is too much—let's just work well together and make progress side by side," Ortoren replied with a smile.
From there, their conversation shifted to the details of cooperation: how things would be carried out going forward, methods of handover, financial oversight and management, annual revenue, route arrangements, and ship modifications.
When the subject of ship modifications came up, Ortoren became even more eager to meet Kaidou. With four hundred new ships added, crossing the Calm Belt without Seastone technology was impossible. But implementing that technology demanded huge amounts of Seastone—and right now, G-5 didn't have a drop left to spare.
They simply couldn't squeeze it out!
Even so, Ortoren kept his composure, chatting casually and pleasantly with Umit and the others.
Only after the atmosphere grew more familiar did Umit bring up another matter.
"Vice Admiral Benn, as it happens, the Heavenly Yaksha and I have done some business together in the past..."
"Yes, yes, Doflamingo mentioned it. He said that after entering the New World, many of his ventures relied on your shipping capacity..." Ortoren nodded.
Back when the Donquixote Family was still in the North Blue, they had worked with Umit before, but that was purely business. At the time, Doflamingo's level wasn't high enough to really match someone like Umit.
But the New World was where Doflamingo truly spread his wings. In the original story, his growth there was explosive—rising from a small tyrant in the North Blue to one of the underworld's rulers in just a few years. After that, it was Umit who couldn't quite keep up with Doflamingo's level.
Now, the Donquixote Family hadn't been in the New World for long. They had planted their roots, yes, but their network wasn't yet fully established. Their dealings with Umit were still just normal business, and the heads of both sides had never properly sat down to get acquainted.
Umit exchanged a few modest words, then got to the point.
"Now that I'm part of this cooperation you're leading, I finally have a genuine connection with the Heavenly Yaksha as well. Since we're both partners, it wouldn't be right if I paid respects only to you and not to him. That would be inconsiderate. So, I was wondering if you might introduce me to the Heavenly Yaksha?"
"Of course, of course..." Ortoren was pleased with Umit's attitude this time. He recognized him as a friend and had no intention of making things difficult.
After agreeing, Ortoren added, "To be honest, my relationship with Doffy is very close. Now that we're friends as well, I can definitely put in a word with him. If you've got something you want to discuss with him, I'll help smooth the way."
That was exactly what Umit had been waiting for! After making so many concessions and showing such goodwill, this was the line he needed to hear.
His face broke into a bright smile. "Since you say so, I won't hold back. On the way here, I came across a fascinating new technology. Issho-sama told me it's called the Sea Train—a project under the Heavenly Yaksha, soon to be laid across G-5, right? I'm very interested in getting involved in that technology and business. Vice Admiral Benn, do you think the Heavenly Yaksha would find it acceptable?"
The Sea Train project, from its technology to its construction, was actually directed by G-5 from behind the scenes. Doflamingo was merely a front, a figurehead that Ortoren had put forward as the legal representative.
Naturally, such a venture was clearly full of potential. It wouldn't be right to let Doflamingo shoulder all the risk without any gain. That's why Ortoren had generously given him a ten percent share of the profits.
That cut was essentially a gift—Doflamingo didn't need to lift a finger. He only had to bear the name and take the nominal responsibility.
So in truth, this was something Ortoren could decide entirely on his own.
As for Umit wanting to join, it was all upside for Ortoren. The laying of the Sea Train tracks was an infrastructure project, a long process. The venture had huge prospects, but the returns would take time.
But in reality, neither Umit nor Ortoren cared about the Sea Train's short-term profits. What mattered was its influence.
Umit cared about its massive transport capacity, which could shake his shipping empire. And because of Doflamingo's reach—and Ortoren's power behind him—Umit didn't dare sabotage the Sea Train with dirty tricks. Since he couldn't beat it, he had to join it. That way, instead of losing influence, his standing in shipping might even grow thanks to the Sea Train.
For Ortoren, the Sea Train meant greater control and efficiency. Islands that had taken his troops ten days or half a month to reach could be reached in a day or two once the tracks were laid. "We move when we want to move."
That kind of influence and capability was what mattered most to him. Compared to that, profit was secondary.
If Umit wanted in, Ortoren was happy to share the profits, as long as it meant spreading the Sea Train faster and wider, covering as much as possible in the same timeframe.
And it wasn't just Umit. If Lu Feld wanted to invest, Ortoren would welcome him just the same.