Distribution Ratio, Deep-Buried Conflict

Holy Land Mary Geoise

The Hall of Power.

"... In summary, the 'Joint Giant Ship' takes a month to complete a single voyage and transports 100,000 tons of supplies each time."

While the world-shaking "cross -Calm Belt ocean transport" was still just a topic of conversation among journalists, Roman had already been urgently summoned to Mary Geoise to speak eloquently to the Five Elders.

"Because the maiden voyage was conducted on a warship, most of the space was wasted. Furthermore, due to insufficient preparation, only a mere 100,000 tons of supplies were carried. However, the profits generated were already astonishing..."

Roman pointed to the blueprints in the Five Elders' hands. It was a sketch of a giant container ship from his previous life, drawn from memory. He then transmitted it to Franky (the 'Chatboard' 2.0 that Nami used), and it was then drawn up by the world's top shipwrights.

"This is a ship that I obtained from a pirate shipwright using a little 'trick'. It's specifically for transportation."

As for what 'methods' were used, and that pirate shipwright...

Roman then continued casually:

"Please rest assured, gentlemen, ninety percent of that boatman's flesh and blood no longer exist in this world."

The cruelty is palpable, but:

This is the truth.

"This ship... it basically has no protective capabilities, right?"

Roman nodded in response to the question from the blond-haired, golden-bearded old man.

"That's right, this is a ship specifically designed for cargo transport. With the enhancement of World's abilities, once the various technologies mature, it could even transport millions of tons of supplies at a time!"

This is still based on the terrifyingly unpredictable weather along the in the Grand Line.

"As for safety, that's not a problem. Boa Hancock, the 'Empress' who sails the Calm Belt year-round, has promised to disband the original Kuja Pirates and form a protection team to escort you..."

"At the same time, the Navy will also allocate three Vice Admiral and one Candidate Admiral as defensive forces to ensure absolute safety."

"The profits from a million tons of cargo could easily buy an entire country. Compared to that wealth, the so-called Greatest Treasure is a joke!"

Roman wasn't just making empty promises; the mere fact that the Navy had arranged a 100,000-ton transport operation this time was enough to make the Five Elders uneasy, even to the point of exposing naval spies—

That's right! It's perfectly normal for the World Government to have people planted in the Navy.

They immediately summoned Roman, the central figure in the incident, back to the Holy Land for questioning. Roman didn't disappoint; upon his return, he produced the blueprints for a giant ocean-going transport ship. And if this were added...

"The profits for this year will far exceed hundreds of billions of Beli."

Even the bald old man in a yukata, who always had a stern face and carried a samurai sword, couldn't help but be moved.

This world's technology isn't actually weak—after all, a thousand years ago, the 'Skypieans' from the moon brought a wealth of technological knowledge. However, as the old saying goes:

In this world, everyone focused on developing technology and Devil Fruit for combat, resulting in the existence of artificial intelligence and intelligent robots a thousand years later. Ordinary people, on the other hand, became increasingly backward; for example, someone might set sail with just a small raft and a barrel...

"Very good, you did a great job!"

This made the five old men nod in satisfaction, and they became more amiable towards Roman.

Although they considered Roman not 'mature' enough—sharing such immense wealth with the navy and the Amazon Lily —he still possessed the trump card of his transport ships. This allowed the World Government to intervene in maritime trade, and...

Is there anything you want?

Roman smiled proudly at the 'reward' from the five old men at the pinnacle of world power.

"If I want something, I'll go get it myself."

·······

"What an arrogant brat!"

"If you could bring in hundreds of billions of Beli every year, you'd become arrogant too—like that Gilde Tesoro."

"How could that idiot possibly be compared to us Celestial Dragons?"

"Heh, just a mad dog who doesn't know his own limitations. We'll kill him sooner or later."

After Roman left, the five elders in the Hall of Power chuckled and chatted. Although the Celestial Dragons' rule was unbreakable, they knew their own place; the positions of the Five Elders weren't easy to hold.

Since Affiliated Nation have the obligation to pay 'Celestial Gold' every year, the World Government has the responsibility to protect Affiliated Nation; the countless pirates alone consume most of the World Government's energy.

In the New World, the powerful have drawn lines in the sand, openly establishing cities and calling themselves nations! They covet the throne at the pinnacle of world power, forcing the World Government and naval experts to be on high alert.

Although 'that' person is invincible in the world, she usually stays in the garden of the Holy Land day after day, year after year. Unless a powerful enemy attacks the Red Line, she doesn't concern herself with anything, remaining as aloof as a god.

With the advent of the Great Pirate Era, numerous powerful figures emerged, roaming the Four Seas and flooding the Grand Line. This indirectly stimulated the expansion and development of the Navy, leading the Five Elders to sometimes lament that the Navy had become too big to handle.

At the same time, the Affiliated Nation and non-French countries are also stepping up their military buildup!

It's perfectly acceptable for a major power to have pirate crews. For example, the Flower Country's "X Treasure Marines" is a private naval force called pirates, but in reality, it's the Flower Country's private naval force, and there are quite a few powerful individuals among them with strengths in the hundreds of millions.

Rumor has it that Ochoku, a combatant in the Knox Pirates, was from the Flower Country...

These days, ordinary Celestial Dragons only dare to act arrogantly in Sabaody. Once they venture out to the open sea, it's hard to say when they might disappear. This makes the Five Elders wish they could reduce the allowances of those 'useless' individuals to keep them in line.

Instead of letting those 'useless' people squander that money, it would be better to train more skilled bodyguards.

Now it's all good—

"Very good, very good."

With this route, the financial strain should be alleviated to some extent...

Bang!

"That's absolutely outrageous!!"

A loud slamming sound came from the Fleet Admiral's Office, making the passing sailors shudder again and instinctively quicken their pace.

"Even if the deal falls through, we can still be on good terms, Akainu Fleet Admiral."

Roman calmly waved his hand, watching Akainu pull out a cigar from the drawer, and couldn't help but sigh once again that the position of Fleet Admiral was truly difficult to hold.

"Seventy percent! The World Government is actually going to take seventy percent of the profits from maritime trade?"

Enraged, Akainu took a deep drag on his cigar, making Roman's brow twitch. The cigar smoke filled his lungs... smack smack smack...

"Why don't they just rob it?!"

Roman rolled his eyes at Akainu's roar.

"Because seizing requires strength, it's much easier to just have the navy hand it over."

Ah, this...

"What nonsense is Roman talking about?" Vice Admiral Tsuru chimed in helplessly. "The World Government did contribute, too—they promised to provide a massive transport ship capable of carrying millions of tons, and not to pursue the matter of World's attack on the World Noble ..."

"The people were arrested by our navy! What business is it of theirs? Even if they're sent to Impel Down, I can release them immediately!"

Impel Down has always followed the lead of the Marine Headquarters. Although it is one of the three major agencies under the World Government, it is more like the Marines' backyard. Releasing someone out is something the Fleet Admiral can do with a single order.

Meanwhile, Enies Lobby, one of the three major organizations loyal to the World Government, was recently bombed into ruins by the Navy.

The relationship between the Navy and the World Government is truly... well, let's just say it's complicated.

"And you want to take 70% of the profits from a mere transport ship? — Why don't I just hire the shipwrights from Water 7?"

Oh, I'm sorry.

Roman leaned back on the sofa beside him, seemingly unconcerned. These were the blueprints drawn by the top shipwrights of Water 7.

"Seven percent chance is absolutely impossible!"

Akainu stood up, preparing to confront the Five Elders directly. Vice Admiral Tsuru reluctantly got up and followed, though she had a feeling something was amiss, but now was the time to fight for the Navy's interests, and other matters could be put aside for the time being.

"Alright, I'll go and continue capturing pirates too."

Roman stood up, wearing Rear Admiral's coat—yes, Roman was probably the first naval officer in history to be promoted to a higher rank based on money.

Sake reddens the face, wealth stirs the heart!

Even if Akainu, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and the Five Elders themselves don't have much need for money, the vast corporations they manage still have significant influence.

That's a system that requires a massive amount of money to maintain! Therefore, they certainly won't give up on Roman offering this huge 'cake,' in order to deal with the increasingly turbulent sea and their own beliefs. Between the Navy and the World Government—

It's important to understand that neither Akainu nor the Five Elders are willing to back down; the issue of cake distribution alone is enough to keep them arguing for a while. And the conflict will almost certainly escalate during the argument, until—

Hehehe~~

Before that day arrives, we must strive to gain some control over the navy. Money and guns are the two magic weapons our ancestors summarized as the key to victory.

Stepping out of the Fleet Admiral's Office, Roman's smiling face returned.

I wonder how everyone else is doing? Although we've been in touch by Den Den Mushi Paper, I'd still like to go and see for myself. So, the first stop is:

Kamabakka Kingdom!

Let's check on Sanji first, then Ivankov and Ivankov will go see Ryu. That's a great decision!

"Boss, the fleet is ready."

Borgin, who had been promoted to colonel, walked over, causing Roman to come to his senses and nod.

"Well then, let's have a 'big clean'!"

Since Borgin and Isca were already colonels, Rear Admiral Roman commanding three warships already constituted a considerable force. The next step was to continue accumulating military merits and training others.

Whoosh—!

On the boundless sea, a pure white fighter jet cuts through the sky, flying straight toward Kamabakka Island.