Negotiations

Vidal's 'March period' is drawing to a close. During this time, not only are the monsters and monstrosities in Sabaody suffering, but the navy personnel who were previously demoted to menial tasks are also enduring immense hardship.

Because they discovered that the so-called training was not what they used to be.

It is a new and highly complex tactic that has never been seen before.

This was difficult for them, who were used to fighting with brute force. During the battle, they also had to pay attention to the position and situation of their comrades at all times, and think about when to cooperate, when to provide cover, and when to split up and attack.

Furthermore, teamwork is also crucial. The angle and speed of the strike must be coordinated with those around you. Only in this way can you withstand an attack that one person could not normally withstand.

As for cover and split attacks, the marines who taught the techniques said that if used properly, they could defeat a larger force with a smaller one.

At first, they didn't believe it, but they had to bite the bullet and memorize and learn it.

As for the lack of training, that's simply not true. It's not only because they're reluctant to give up their previous military rank, but also because they don't want to become prison guards in Impel Down.

Going to Impel Down as a prison guard, ostensibly to watch over the criminals, is really just like locking yourself up inside!

Isn't the air in Sabaody sweet?

"Excellent, all 2,421 people passed." Vidal was very satisfied with the result.

These men were, after all, professional naval officers with years of experience, and they behaved quite well under the coercion and enticement of having their ranks restored and being sent to Impel Down.

Regardless of how well they practiced their Three-Three System Tactics, their attitude of participating in training on time deserves a chance.

Besides, he's in dire need of manpower right now, and he'd be reluctant to send these people to Impel Down!

And how could he possibly recommend these people to Impel Down?

Impel Down and the Navy are two separate entities; even his teacher, Sengoku, could only inquire whether they needed anyone.

So Vidal was just fooling them from the very beginning, hehehe.

"Hey, it's time." Vidal glanced at the clock on the wall and smiled.

"Let's bring in the video."

"Yes!"

Noel Colonel quickly turned off the room lights and then began operating an Image Den Den Mushi. After a short while, a circular virtual image divided into many squares appeared in the air, with male and female faces appearing one after another in each square.

That's right, this is the world version of an online meeting!

"You've kept me waiting quite a while, Brigadier General Vidal."

"Our income in the past three months is more than 40% less than in previous years!"

"Your navy has put so many Den Den Mushi on the island, it's disgusting."

These people started complaining in a sarcastic tone as soon as they appeared, while Vidal watched them expressionlessly until everyone gradually quieted down.

"Are you done talking?"

"Now it's my turn to speak."

Vidal leaned back in his chair and glanced around at the strangely shaped group of people.

"I'll tell you what I want first."

"First, I will take control of all regions except Region 20, especially Area 0 and 10. All your forces must withdraw."

"Secondly, the navy will have the right to request intelligence about the island from you in the future, and you must do your best to cooperate."

"Third, you are forbidden from damaging the Den Den Mushi on the island. If I find out, you will bear the consequences."

"Fourth, each of your factions must pay me 100 million Beli in protection fees every year!"

His words left everyone in the video speechless; he really dared to make such an outrageous request!

"Heh, aren't you being a bit too arrogant?" Kinoshita, sneered. "Grove 0 and 10 are lawless areas. You think you can just take them away with a word?"

Vidal glanced at the guy and instantly recognized him as Kinoshita Flying Pirates' leader in Sabaody.

Even before this meeting, he had someone compile a rough outline of these people's information.

"Intelligence sharing? You mean we'll have to tell you whatever your navy wants to know?"

This woman's Shalin. She is a subordinate of the current Queen of the Pleasure District in the New World and is in charge of managing the brothels in the Inn Street.

"And each faction gets 100 million, and there are eleven factions here in total. Doesn't that mean you earn at least 1.1 billion Beli every year?"

"Why should I!" This time it was Peidi, the Finance Minister of 'Totto Land'.

Big Mom hasn't had that many children yet, and some of them haven't grown up, so many outsiders are in charge of government affairs.

At this moment, Vidal suddenly held up one finger. "First, I can call back the shipyard's warships and stop verifying ship identities. Second, I can relax the patrols in each district, allowing those guests who have traveled from afar from the amusement Paradise to return and spend money there, including at the shipyard."

As soon as he finished speaking, the group fell silent for a long while. After a moment, someone asked in confusion, "That's it? That's all?"

"Isn't that enough?" Vidal retorted.

"You're just giving us back what we had before!" Kinoshita roared.

"And what do you mean by 'relaxing patrol efforts'? It means patrols are still in place, right?"

"Of course, now that I've reinstated control, I can't just give up halfway." Vidal shrugged, looking completely matter-of-fact.

As for returning what you previously owned...

At this point, his face darkened, and he coldly stared at the group. "I snatched that from you. You haven't forgotten our previous encounter, have you?"

"In that case, I can certainly sell it to you as a bargaining chip!"

"You!"

"That's outrageous!"

"If it weren't for Marineford backing you, do you think you'd have the right to make these bullshit demands of us?"

Vidal spread his hands and laughed, "That's right, I have Marineford behind me and Mary Geoise above me, what can you do about it?"

The location of the Sabaody Archipelago is particularly stunning.

Even Golden Lion Shiki's Flying Pirates would have to be prepared for total annihilation if they wanted to attack.

Is this trivial matter really worth Shiki making such a fuss about?

Risking the entire team for a few hundred million in profits?

So, these seemingly powerful mini-bosses in the videos are actually nothing special.

If Vidal had truly blocked all their sources of income in Sabaody, it might have angered the bigwigs behind them, but for now, he had kept the situation under just the right control.

He said he was willing to compromise and let them continue to make money, just a little less than before, maybe ten or twenty percent less at most.

Is it really worth risking your entire fortune in Sabaody just to earn a few hundred million less?

Bullshit!

This is the beauty of balancing people's hearts.

"Call--"

Those who were more level-headed immediately understood this: by doing so, they had essentially lost their biggest bargaining chip and could no longer use the powerful figures behind them to threaten Vidal.

"Tell me first how you plan to relax patrol controls!"

Vidal had long anticipated that these people would have no choice but to compromise, as the two sides were simply not on the same level in terms of capital.

To reiterate, the location of the Sabaody Archipelago is extremely advantageous to him!

"It's simple, replace most of the marines on patrol with automated Image Den Den Mushi, but there are some conditions attached."

"Come on, let's talk this over."

Look at the location of the Sabaody Archipelago, is Vidal's idea correct?