Sea Train Connecting the World
"Hehehe~~ Charge, Masira!"
On the now-stable 'Four Seasons Islands', Luffy rode on the back of a long-armed bear, with Sparky Duck Billy, following beside him.
Luffy, the 'Beast Tamer,' has volunteered to tame the Reinforced Beasts on the island to prevent them from attacking the island's inhabitants. Of course, Luffy's beast taming method always has only one trick:
Beat!
After you're done beating me, ask me if I'm convinced. If not, keep beating me!
All the Reinforced Beasts: We're convinced!
"Judging from the remaining images and texts, this place should belong to a branch of the Imeru Civilization from four hundred years ago..."
Meanwhile, Robin was exploring the island's ruins, with Franky and Brook acting as her bodyguards. —Because Robin's abilities weren't very effective against those tough, muscular beasts.
"This windmill can help you carry water to grind flour, greatly saving manpower..."
"Thank you, Usopp Master Usopp!"
"Hahaha, even if you call me master, I won't be happy~~"
A sniper with his nose pointing to the sky;
"I've already cleared the toxins from your bodies; you just need to rest and recuperate..."
"Thank you, Doctor Chopper!"
"Ugh, even if you call me doctor, I won't be happy~~"
The little reindeer twists and turns;
"Those two guys,"
Sanji impatiently placed the nutritious recovery meal in front of Zoro.
"Eat!"
?!
Zoro, his body wrapped in bandages, was doing rehabilitation exercises while lifting a massive rock, his face darkening as he stared at the rude Sanji. He hesitated for a second before deciding whether to accept this 'handout':
It smells so good!
After defeating the Golden Lion, the archipelago was designated as Roman's 'private territory'.
Don't think this is slavery—the common people on the island would love to have it. Any village or town in this world without a strong leader or joining a major power would immediately become Paradise for pirates.
The injured Straw Hat crew members recuperated here while continuing their respective adventures.
Poor Nami was being dragged around by Roman, constantly busy:
Holy Land Mary Geoise
"Hahaha, our 'White Dove' Admiral has arrived~~"
"Teacher, please stop teasing me."
Faced with Garp's teasing, Roman rolled his eyes helplessly. Since 'capturing' Golden Lion, Roman's rank had been promoted another level, and he was now Vice Admiral Roman. Within the Navy, he was tacitly considered a candidate for candidate Admiral, and the nickname 'White Dove' was quite legitimate.
He was wildly lauded by major newspapers as a "pillar of the navy's future," "the youngest Vice Admiral in eight hundred years," "Admiral's title within reach," and "the Fleet Admiral's seat is no problem," reminding Roman of the Yonko of his previous life...
If Roman and Big News Morgans weren't enemies, he would have suspected that the birdman was trying to flatter him to death.
"Vice Admiral Roman, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Garp, as a renowned veteran of the Navy and Roman's mentor, could certainly joke around with Roman at will. Others wouldn't be so tactless:
At least the serious-looking mayor of Water 7, Iceburg, had already stood up and earnestly extended his right hand to Roman.
"Mayor Iceberg, you're too kind."
The calm and composed Iceburg could say "Nice to meet you" without batting an eye, but Barry, the vice president of Galley-La Company behind him, looked shocked, making it obvious that something was amiss.
"Ahem, Barry."
Iceburg Guotou and calmly looked at his disciple and deputy.
"I know you admire Vice Admiral Roman, but please tone it down in such a serious setting."
"Ah, ah? Oh..."
I'm not a fan! Isn't that the Straw Hat crew's strategist? How did he become Vice Admiral in such a short time? And that secretary behind him... he must be the Straw Hat crew's navigator, right? Was he also a naval captain before?
This world is crazy, a cat is a bridesmaid for Rat!
"Yes, yes, I've admired Lieutenant Vice Admiral since I was a child..."
?!
You're a burly man with a thick beard, and I'm just a kid who's only been wearing a navy coat for less than a year. What kind of person have you been idolizing since you were a kid?
Roman couldn't complain, but fortunately, everyone present was a seasoned veteran and wouldn't ask questions they already knew the answer to. Of course, there was an exception: a certain silver-haired old man with a smug smile on his face, who looked as if he wanted to have "Luffy is my grandson" written all over his face.
"Then, the meeting regarding the proposals for the construction of the second and third 'Sea Train' will now begin."
Since the opening of trade routes by the multi-party joint shipping behemoth 'Marine Battleship Justice' (don't ask, it's just the name of Akainu Fleet Admiral), the distribution of supplies in the East China Sea and South Blue has been relatively smooth, but the Grand Line...
After all, many specialties from the Grand Line are practically miracles in the four seas; if they could be transported out, the profits would be dozens or even hundreds of times greater! However:
Transporting goods along the Grand Line has always been a major problem. With its raging storms, thriving pirates, and teeming with Sea Beast, it was common for ships, cargo, and people to perish at any moment. Furthermore, the carrying capacity of ordinary merchant ships was also a significant issue, preventing the nations along the Grand Line from actually benefiting from joint maritime trade.
Can we tolerate this? Absolutely not!
"So today we're sitting here to solve this problem."
With retired Vice Admiral Garp and Vice Admiral Tsuru in attendance, Roman spoke eloquently to the kings around the round table.
"The solution is the 'Sea Train.' With this tool, we can connect the islands and easily gather goods in one place. — Now, let's invite Mr. Iceburg from Water 7 to explain."
"Everyone,"
Although Iceburg is just a 'mayor', to be honest, the only difference between him and a 'king' is that he has a different title.
The Galley-La Company, controlled by Iceburg, is the economic lifeline and largest job provider of the entire Water 7. At the same time, the shipyard workers also serve as the city's armed forces, and the foremen with bounties of tens of millions are the 'Captains'.
It's fair to say that the vast majority of ordinary people in Water 7 experience three things in their lives: birth, joining Galley-La Company, and death. —Even if they don't directly join Galley-La Company, they're likely engaged in related service or outsourcing industries. This prompted Roman to remark:
Isn't this the Samsung Group from South Korea in my previous life?
Fortunately, Iceburg is a person of high moral character; otherwise, even if he were to be crowned king immediately, there would be Water 7.
Of course, it doesn't really matter to ordinary people whether their leaders are called 'King,' 'Head of State,' 'Chairman,' 'Mayor,' or whatever, as long as it brings them a stable life.
"Our company has over a decade of experience using the 'Sea Train' equipment, and to date, we have never experienced a single technical accident..."
"The Sea Train's tracks float beneath the sea surface, avoiding damage from ocean waves; at the same time, the unique noise emitted by the train passing over the tracks will cause Sea King to instinctively avoid it..."
"The Sea Train is capable of withstanding hurricanes of up to level 8 and high waves, and can travel unimpeded as long as there is no extreme weather..."
If the kings were left bewildered by this long string of technical terms, then Mayor Iceberg's next words immediately invigorated them!
"The ability to transport 500 tons of cargo at a time is mainly due to considerations of the marine environment—"
"The Iceburg King!"
A muscular king tapped on the table, too lazy to care about the other party's title of 'mayor,' and went straight to asking the question he cared about most.
"Just tell me how much a Sea Train costs!"
"······"
The king, known for his military prowess, frowned as he looked at the finger that the Iceburg was extending.
"One billion Beli?"
It's a bit pricey...
"No,"
This--
"Ten billion Beli?"
Another king beside him stroked his beard, thinking, "Even if several countries pool their money, it'll still be a bit of a burden..."
"It's 100 billion Beli."
?!
"Then what are we even discussing! Who can afford to build something this expensive? — And what if we get robbed by pirates!"
The Muscle King suddenly stood up, as if to leave. However, he was immediately pulled back by the Long-Bearded King beside him.
"Wait a moment, wait a moment, King Luciano. The Navy..."
The long-bearded king nodded to Roman.
"They haven't given a direct answer yet, so they probably won't let us come for nothing—"
"Right, Lieutenant Vice Admiral 'White Dove' Roman?"
"Please be patient, everyone."
Roman raised his hand and pressed it down.
"Our navy will also invest in the construction of the Sea Train, so there's no need to worry about Mr. Iceburg demanding an exorbitant price. —Sea Train capable of withstanding Category 8 hurricane waves is worth the price, and also:"
Roman placed a piece of metal on the table, causing the surrounding kings to look at each other in bewilderment. What did this mean?
"King Luciano,"
Roman flicked the metal block lightly, sending it sliding in front of the other person.
"Can you bend this piece of metal?"
"Hmph, what's so difficult about that!"
As a king renowned for his military prowess, Luciano was the strongest man in his country, capable of lifting thousands of pounds with ease! Mere steel—
Use force,
?!
I can't break it!
Her face turned red.
"Waaah—"
It still won't budge!
"Phew, I can't bend it." The Muscle King readily admitted his inability, then asked curiously, "Where did your navy dig this metal from? It's so strong."
This wasn't dug out; it's a product of Devil Fruit powers combined.
"Sea Train made of this metal are fearless against ordinary Sea King and swords and guns, and there are absolutely no safety issues! They can avoid being destroyed by pirates."
Don't forget that although the Sea Train in this world are very similar to the trains in my previous life, they also have the following characteristics:
Actually, Sea Train can run even without tracks!
The track's main function is to guide and drive Sea King; even if the track is damaged, the Sea Train can still move forward. It's just that traveling in unexplored waters carries more risks.
At the speed of the Sea Train, ordinary pirate ships would only be left to eat dust... no, to eat the waves.
"Gentlemen, we've ruled out natural conditions and human factors. — While the cost of building the Sea Train is indeed high, the returns are equally astonishing! If your country's special products can be transported to the South Blue and the East China Sea, you should be well aware of the profits involved."
"Um·····"
Several kings began to whisper among themselves, while their advisors behind them discussed the matter in hushed tones.
Nami, standing behind Roman as his secretary, watched the king treat her with gentle words, a man whose words could decide the fate of thousands, radiating an unusual charm.
For Roman, the ideal was to cultivate one's own virtue when poor, and to benefit all under heaven when successful.
Now that safety is no longer a concern, we can help make some changes to the world.
As the old saying goes: If you want to get rich, build roads first.
Stagnation and isolation will only lead to backwardness and vulnerability to attack. Only frequent trade and circulation can enable cities, nations, and even the world to develop. And the Sea Train of Water 7 is definitely a technology capable of changing the world!
If the islands were interconnected, people could exchange goods and resources, and many countries reduced to ruins could have avoided the tragedy of destruction. And many people wouldn't have needed to become pirates.
For example, the Wald Brothers' initial dream was simply to travel around the world.
··········
The World Government, the Navy, and several Affiliated Nation remained to discuss the funding ratio and the cargo quota for the Sea Train. Roman, as the initiator, left the meeting room with Nami, after a moment's thought, thought:
"Roman, do you think that if Sea Train become widespread, ships will become obsolete...?"
"You mean, will pirates be phased out?"
Roman immediately saw Nami's inner conflict. Rationally, Nami had actually hated pirates. But emotionally, Nami didn't want the Straw Hat crew to lose their place.
"Don't worry, the world is so vast. Who knows when the Sea Train will be able to cover the entire ocean?"
"Besides, we're more like adventurers than a pirate crew. —When have you ever seen Luffy do anything a pirate would do? Don't worry, it won't affect us at all."
As for the last sentence, Roman didn't say it:
As long as humanity exists, the struggle will never cease. —In fact, human progress has always developed through competition. Without competition, what's the difference between humans and salted fish?
Perhaps it won't be long before a new pirate hijacking the Sea Train appears on this vast ocean...
"Vice Admiral Roman!"
A school officer rushed over:
"The Marine Battleship Justice has encountered an accident!"
?!
Well, it seems Roman underestimated the people of this world.
A new pirate has appeared!