After arranging matters concerning Fisher Tiger Shichibukai, Ortolan continued, "Secondly, because of the Revolutionary Army's collaboration with Shiki in burning Mary Geoise, the World Government are reacting very strongly. The CP Agency also suffered damage in this incident, so our Marines has no choice but to take on a certain task of eliminating the Revolutionary Army..."
Dragon didn't complain about the situation; he simply sat quietly on the sofa, listening to Ortolan speak.
"Therefore, our Marines will unite with some kingdoms in the New World to form a Sea Police Force, specifically for daily patrols and prevention of the Revolutionary Army, counter-infiltration and strikes, and so on. This force will be supervised by our Marines's Rear Admiral Vergo, and its formation will be overseen by His Excellency Doflamingo, the King of Dressrosa. We have already reached a certain consensus and plan on the specifics, and I am just informing everyone here first," said Ortolan.
Fisher Tiger sat on the sofa, listening to these words, and felt it was all very absurd. Could the sea surface really develop like this?
In front of the leader of the Revolutionary Army, the Marines told everyone that they were going to form a special team to deal with the Revolutionary Army, and even gave them a heads-up in advance.
Looking at the leader of the Revolutionary Army, he also appeared calm and showed no sign of panic.
Just as Fisher Tiger was thinking about these things, Ortolan continued, "I hope Spandine and Dragon can cooperate with this situation."
Spandine didn't even ask, and quickly nodded, saying, "No problem, we're ready to cooperate anytime!"
After a moment of silence, Dragon asked, "Me? How am I supposed to cooperate? You're not suggesting I pay a fixed number of the Revolutionary Army members every year as protection money, are you?"
"Dragon, what are you saying? We're like brothers, how could I let you do such an unjust thing? If you can betray your Revolutionary Army brothers today, won't you betray us tomorrow?" Ortolan said, feigning reproach.
Dragon's face twitched, but he didn't object to the "as close as brothers" claim.
"So what do you mean?" Dragon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You're not worried about the fact that we're just filling in the numbers; your Revolutionary Army doesn't need to take on that responsibility. Every year, you should at least cooperate with our Sea Police Force and Spandine's joint sweeping exercises in the New World, creating more conflicts and related news in various sea areas of the New World. Is that alright?" Ortolan asked.
Dragon pondered for a moment. This kind of pretense was also a form of camouflage for their Revolutionary Army. By suffering several defeats in the New World each year, the World Government would feel that their Revolutionary Army had been dealt a strong blow, which would put them at ease. Under this cover, they could grow stronger, which was quite advantageous.
There was no harm in it, so Dragon finally nodded and said, "No problem."
Spandine hearing this. With this, his performance within the CP Agency should steadily improve. Not only would he not be purged, but his outstanding achievements might even lead to his promotion to "Vanguard Admiral of the CP Agency -Revolutionary Army" or something similar, further advancing his career and making him richer.
After explaining these points, Ortolan smiled and picked up his teacup, saying, "Today, heroes from various factions, including the Marines, the Shichibukai, Whole Totto Land Totto Land, the Revolutionary Army, the Fish-Man Island Abyssal Force, and the CP Agency, have gathered here. This meeting has fully confirmed our cooperative relationship, as well as the benefits and responsibilities that everyone will share. I think this is a very good start. In the future, we can keep this tradition of small meetings. If there are any problems, let's not just come up and fight. We are all close friends and brothers. Isn't it inappropriate to do that? When problems arise and need to be solved, we can sit down together and resolve them peacefully."
Spandine the first to chime in, saying, "Yes, yes, fighting and killing can easily damage relationships. We're all friends. If there's a problem, let's sit down and talk it out. You understand my difficulties, and I understand yours. Let's find a compromise and help each other out. Who knows, it might turn a bad situation into a good one, a win-win situation where no one loses out?"
Fisher Tiger had deeply experienced the benefits and power of this kind of 'win-win cooperation', so he was the first to express his support.
In Fisher Tiger's view, this meeting was truly worthwhile. Not only did it provide Fish-Man Island with a window of opportunity at sea, but most importantly, it allowed him to integrate into this high-level tea party led by Marine Admiral, with the participation of many high-ranking Marines officers, as well as top forces from various parties such as the CP Agency, the Shichibukai Totto Land, the Revolutionary Army, and Totto Land Tea Party Island.
He went from an unknown gang leader on Fish-Man Island to a true big shot who could sit in high society and chat with top figures.
Fisher Tiger felt that this meeting might change the future of Fish-Man Island. He might really become the key figure who could guide the transformation of Fish-Man Island and rewrite the history of the divide and change between the sea and the ocean over the past thousand years!
As for Dragon, he knew very well that Ortolan's words were meant for Dragon and the Revolutionary Army.
After all, the Shichibukai present were all his underlings, the person from Totto Land Totto Land Island was his own brother, the Marines Admirals all followed him, and Spandine of the CP Agency was a lackey of Ortolan. Fisher Tiger's status as a leader wasn't high enough. To put it bluntly, these words were a direct attack on him, Dragon!
Dragon also tasted the bitter fruit of the last "Four Major Culprits Burning Mary Geoise," and fully understood the benefits of "unity is strength" and "win-win cooperation."
Are you kidding me? If they didn't unite and cooperate, did they really think their Revolutionary Army could burn Mary Geoise down? Dream on!
Once they cooperate and help each other, things that seemed impossible at first are easily accomplished!
So now, Dragon is showing some signs of change in his thinking. He can't fight the World Government alone, let alone a powerful figure like Ortolan whose connections are terrifying.
This guy is incredibly powerful, holds a prestigious position, and wields immense power, yet he doesn't have that arrogant personality. It seems like all the big shots in every industry are actually his good friends. How can you possibly fight against him?
Instead of fighting him, we should do as he said and become his 'closest friends and family, brothers and sisters', turning his power into our own!
Of course, Dragon was also very clear that while borrowing Ortolan's power and friendship could indeed provide great assistance, it would also inevitably lead to him extending his influence into the Revolutionary Army.
Leaving aside others, let's just talk about Dragon. Before the collaboration on burning Mary Geoise, although it couldn't be said that he harbored resentment towards Ortolan, there was still a sense of wariness, vigilance, and even a subtle hostility forged from being repeatedly blamed.
But now? Sitting here with him, drinking tea and chatting, talking about some ideology, but what we're really talking about is ideology. All the previous wariness, vigilance and hostility have long since disappeared. What is this?
This is actually an extension of Ortolan's influence!
As he thought about this, Dragon suddenly realized that he had unconsciously begun to feel that he was starting to prioritize Ortolan!
Looking around at the people sitting there, whether it was Doflamingo, Katakuri, or Moria, Spandine, Fisher Tiger, and others.
These people seem to have gotten used to this atmosphere centered around Ortolan without even realizing it!
Dragon knew that habits are very powerful. Once or twice is nothing, but three or four times will bring about changes, and five times will establish authority!
"This sea is not only a place of fighting and killing, but also a place of human relationships and stories."
For some reason, this thought popped into Dragon's mind: things that can't be done through fighting and killing can be easily done through human relationships, and things that can't be done through human relationships require fighting and killing to solve.
Looking back now, it seems that Marine Admiral Ortolan may have understood this principle a long, long time ago. Therefore, he holds power and force in one hand, and human relationships and friendships in the other!
Perhaps that is why he was able to achieve such great success and smooth sailing!
"A kingly aura!" Dragon was startled awake. He saw a kingly aura in Ortolan!
He possessed both the might of thunder, slaying Shiki, capturing Roger, imprisoning Red Count, and bravely fighting Whitebeard, and the kindness of rain and dew, never forgetting his friends who rose from humble beginnings. Even someone Spandine could be treated with gentleness and given his full support.
"Dragon? Dragon?"
Just as Dragon was thinking about these random things, Ortolan's strange call brought him back to his senses.
"What are you doing? Why are you suddenly spacing out?" Ortolan asked curiously.
Dragon quickly cleared his mind of those thoughts, shook his head, and said, "It's nothing... but you're right, there's no need for everything to be fought over. We can all sit down and talk..."
He knew that sitting down to talk was tantamount to acknowledging Ortolan's circle and status, but he couldn't refuse. It was a difference in size and strength. The Revolutionary Army had tasted the benefits and enjoyed the thrill of it... couldn't refuse Ortolan's invitation.
After all, if the Revolutionary Army were to be considered an enemy by the World Government and also become enemies with Ortolan, they would really have no chance of survival!