Now that Sengoku thought about it, Finn had given sets of that Amber Lead tableware to the Fleet Admiral, Chief of Staff Tsuru, Instructor Zephyr, and even Garp.
But Finn himself? He didn't use Amber Lead.
Is this bastard secretly trying to kill us all?
At that moment, Finn was too surprised by the intelligence Chief of Staff Tsuru had just provided to notice that Admiral Sengoku was mentally constructing an elaborate assassination conspiracy.
In truth, Finn also owned a set of Amber Lead tableware, but he'd left it behind at G-7 when he transferred back to Headquarters, so he hadn't been using it. He'd seized all those sets from pirates over the years. They were quite rare and beautiful, so he'd given one to each of the senior officers as gifts.
While Admiral Sengoku was secretly plotting how to expose Finn's "true face," Chief of Staff Tsuru shook her head. "No, there's nothing wrong with Amber Lead itself. Finished Amber Lead products won't make people sick."
"Ah, that's a relief," Sengoku said immediately.
Finn, I misjudged you.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Tsuru blinked at him in confusion.
What's a relief? I haven't even explained what the problem is yet. Is there something wrong with your brain, Admiral?
Sengoku realized his mistake and quickly waved his hand. "No, no, Tsuru, please continue."
Tsuru nodded, then continued. "We've received some information from the World Government about Amber Lead Disease. As I said, finished amber-lead products are harmless. However, during the mining process, a trace amount of toxin is released. The toxin itself isn't particularly dangerous to humans in small quantities. What makes it terrifying is that it's hereditary."
The moment Tsuru finished, Sengoku's eyes widened with shock. "Hereditary? Amber-lead has been mined for over two hundred years, nearly three hundred now. That's at least four or five generations…"
"Exactly," Tsuru said gravely. "Not long ago, the 'white disease' that spread through Flevance was actually Amber Lead Disease. The World Government summoned many renowned doctors for consultations. They all reached the same conclusion: this disease is incurable."
"Then… how many patients are there in Flevance?" Fleet Admiral Kong asked, his expression extremely serious.
"I'm afraid no one in the country will be spared," Tsuru said quietly.
Finn wasn't surprised. He'd known this was coming. But for many of the Marine officers present, the revelation was shocking. An epidemic capable of destroying an entire nation.
"Is it contagious?" Kong asked.
Tsuru hesitated. "I don't believe so. But there are reports claiming the disease is contagious…"
Both Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong frowned. Contagious?
That would make it even more dangerous. A terminal illness capable of wiping out a country, and it spreads?
"It shouldn't be contagious," Finn said suddenly.
"What makes you say that?" Kong asked, turning to him.
"Flevance is the economic center of the North Blue. It's consistently ranked as the wealthiest kingdom in the region. Merchants from all over the world travel to and from Flevance constantly. If the disease were contagious, it would be impossible for only Flevance to have cases of 'white disease.' I believe this is a simple hereditary condition."
"Tsuru," Kong said, "are there cases of white disease, or rather, Amber Lead Disease, anywhere else?"
"No, there aren't," Tsuru confirmed.
Kong and Sengoku both exhaled in relief. Finn's reasoning made sense. If the disease were truly contagious, it wouldn't be limited to Flevance alone.
At that moment, Borsalino spoke up, his tone curious. "Well, even if Flevance is on the verge of collapse and its people are suffering from Amber Lead Disease, what does that have to do with the Marines? I'm not being callous, I sympathize with them, but this seems like a medical issue. We can't control it."
Finn nodded in agreement. "I'm wondering the same thing, Chief of Staff. Why bring up Amber Lead Disease? Has Flevance asked the Marines for help? But even if we sent all our military doctors, I doubt it would make a difference."
Flevance's situation was dire, but it wasn't the Marines' responsibility. There was nothing they could do, even if they wanted to help. The disease was terminal. Incurable.
Suddenly, a phrase came to Finn's mind: She was too young then, and did not know that all the gifts bestowed by fate had already been secretly marked with a price.
That was Flevance in a nutshell. Nearly three hundred years ago, they'd discovered amber-lead, and it had brought them immense wealth. Every citizen of Flevance had benefited enormously. For three centuries, their lives had been comfortable, prosperous. They were the richest nation in the North Blue.
The people of Flevance often called amber-lead a "gift from fate." Now, the price of that gift was coming due, and it would claim their lives.
It was tragic, certainly. But Finn was still confused about why Tsuru had brought it up.
"This brings us back to what I mentioned earlier," Tsuru said. "The price of amber-lead has been rising steadily."
Fleet Admiral Kong looked puzzled. "Tsuru, please continue."
"There's no doubt that Donquixote Doflamingo is a complete bastard," Tsuru said. "But if you look at his track record over the past decade, you'll find that he has an unparalleled sense for business. We have to admit, he's an extremely skilled merchant."
She paused, then continued. "After I discovered that the Donquixote Family had begun participating in the amber-lead trade, I started paying closer attention. What I found was that in this massive amber-lead market, Doflamingo is just a small player. There's a much bigger force controlling the business."
"Who?" Sengoku asked.
"The World Government," Tsuru said quietly.
"The World Government?" Sengoku blinked, then nodded slowly. It wasn't surprising, really. The World Government engaged in all sorts of business ventures. There was nothing unusual about it.
"So?" Finn asked, genuinely curious now.
"This caught my attention," Tsuru said. "Through investigation and consultation, I've determined that the collapse of Flevance will cause a massive upheaval in the amber-lead market. Normally, such a collapse would destroy the market entirely. But if the World Government backs it, after Flevance falls, amber-lead will become extinct in a very short time. Once it's extinct, the price of existing amber-lead will skyrocket. If I'm right, the World Government and Doflamingo are stockpiling right now, waiting for the day when profits explode."
Finn, Sengoku, and Kong all understood immediately.
Tsuru was suggesting that the Marines should also buy amber-lead and profit from the coming disaster.
"Tsuru," Kong said slowly, "you're suggesting the Marines should participate in this as well?"
Tsuru nodded. "Over the past few years, the Marines' economic situation has improved significantly. As far as I know, Headquarters has substantial funds on hand. We could invest some of it and see what happens."
Sengoku frowned. "Isn't that… wrong? We're the Marines, an army of justice. Flevance is about to be destroyed. Not only can we not help them, but we'd be profiting from their blood and suffering. That's…"
It had to be said, compared to Doflamingo and the World Government, the Marines still had some integrity. Sengoku wasn't a man without principles. Flevance was in a miserable state, and for the Marines to profit from their tragedy felt deeply wrong.
We're not demons. We're Marines.
Finn smiled and nodded. "That's right, Chief of Staff. Isn't it too unjust and immoral for the Marines to do something like this?"
Fleet Admiral Kong sighed. "Let's not discuss this further. Flevance… it's tragic."
The other Marine officers chimed in, agreeing. As a force of justice, it would be morally indefensible for the Marines to involve themselves in this matter. They were Marines, moral role models. How could they stoop to such a thing?
Several Vice Admirals even suggested that the Marines should initiate humanitarian assistance to Flevance instead.
But then Momonga spoke up with a smile. "Besides, in recent years, the Marines' profits from the Calm Belt operations have begun to materialize. Everything's on track. Compared to that, how much could we really make from amber-lead? It's not even that attractive…"
Chief of Staff Tsuru gave Momonga a long, meaningful look. Then she spoke, her voice calm but deliberate.
"According to my estimates, after this crisis, the amber-lead market from Flevance could generate leverage worth tens of trillions of berries. Possibly even hundreds of trillions. That's the power of monopoly. Flevance is the only country in the world that produces amber-lead. Amber-lead has been popular globally for nearly three hundred years. It's the epitome of luxury metals, far more valuable than gold. Whatever amber-lead we acquire now, we'll reap ten times that amount in berries in the future."
Sengoku's breath hitched. "How many berries?"
"Tens of trillions. Possibly hundreds of trillions," Tsuru repeated.
Fleet Admiral Kong leaned forward. "Tsuru, are you certain?"
"I conducted a detailed investigation before this meeting," Tsuru said without hesitation.
Hearing that confirmation, both Sengoku and Kong felt their resolve waver. That much money was impossible to ignore. If they thought about it carefully, if those funds ended up in the hands of pirates like Doflamingo or unscrupulous merchants, wouldn't that be a waste?
By comparison, if the Marines obtained those berries, they could improve their strength faster and better protect the Four Blues. That would be justice.
The moral standards from moments ago suddenly didn't seem so important anymore.
Sengoku glanced at Kong. After a brief exchange of looks, Sengoku spoke. "I think we should discuss the Flevance matter again, shouldn't we?"
The Marine Vice Admirals immediately became enthusiastic. No one was interested in being a moral role model anymore.
But at that moment, Finn slammed his hand on the table.
"Look at yourselves!" he said, his voice sharp with indignation. "Are you really going to lose your way for a little money? For some berries? We are the Marines, an army of justice! How can we do such a thing? Do you still have the moral standards of Marines? I, Finn, am ashamed to be associated with you!"
The room fell silent.
Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong both froze, stunned by Finn's outburst.
What the hell? Since when did Finn become so morally upright? Aren't you the most shameless one among us?
But Finn stood at the moral high ground now, his righteous condemnation making Kong and Sengoku feel oddly… ashamed.
Maybe we misjudged him. Maybe Finn has a higher moral standard than the rest of us when it comes to issues like this.
But then, Finn pulled a Den Den Mushi from his coat pocket. "I just remembered, I haven't told Smoker something. You two go ahead and continue the discussion. I'll step out and contact him."
Without waiting for a response, he stood and walked toward the door, already dialing.
"Hello? Smoker? Where are you? Water 7? Good, good. Drop everything you're doing and head to the North Blue immediately. You know Flevance, right? Yes, the one that produces amber-lead. Right. Gather all the funds you have access to. We can also apply for a loan from Headquarters if needed. When you get to Flevance in the North Blue, don't worry about anything else. Just buy up as much amber-lead as you possibly can. Yes, as much as you can!"
Finn's voice echoed down the hallway as he closed the conference room door behind him.
Inside, Admiral Sengoku, Fleet Admiral Kong, and the assembled Marine officers stared at the closed door in stunned silence.
After a long moment, Sengoku spoke, his voice filled with grudging admiration.
"The young are truly formidable. When it comes to being shameless and lacking moral integrity, I, Sengoku, acknowledge you, Finn, as the strongest."
Give me back all the shame I just felt!
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