178 The Meeting in the Royal Palace (2)
"These are not important, Black. Continue with the intelligence regarding the Kraken Kingdom." Seeing that the discussion below had completely veered off course, King William couldn't help but shake his head.
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent; the king's dignity was still evident.
Next, it was the Minister of Defense's turn to speak. His voice was cold and slightly hoarse as he said, "There are members of the Cipher Pol in the Kraken Kingdom. According to our investigation, it is Zoro, the president of the Black Brown Tree Merchant Association Guild, the largest merchant guild in the Kraken Kingdom. This war was proposed by this Zoro."
"It's this guy! I told you everything was fine. We controlled public opinion in the Kraken Kingdom, and Kraken would collapse in a few years and then be reclaimed by us. But then this happened!" Upon hearing this, the Minister of News, who controlled public opinion in the entire kingdom and even other kingdoms, slapped his thigh and said angrily.
For many years, he has been secretly controlling public opinion in the Kraken Kingdom of the Kraken Kingdom, stirring up internal conflicts, and cooperating with spies from the Guard Department. Over the years, many chaotic events in the Kraken Kingdom have been instigated, organized, and guided by him.
In the Kraken Kingdom, his task was to incite hatred against the royal family and resistance against the war among the people.
The start of war, regardless of the final outcome, will likely ignite hatred among the people of the Kraken Kingdom towards the Tiresfa Kingdom, which is something that annoys them. In any case, public sentiment is still very important.
The Carterotge family has been able to maintain control over the Tiresfa Kingdom is not only because of their immense power, but also because they have won the hearts and minds of the people. The distance between the royal family and the people is not so great, but rather quite close.
The renowned Princess Isabella is a prime example, representing the royal family's approachable nature.
Many of the kingdom's orphanages were established with funds from the eldest princess.
"Calm down. Zoro's situation is not unexpected; it was inevitable. It's difficult for our actions to escape the World Government's notice. It's normal for them to notice and then try to stop us." The highly respected Hindenburg raised his hand to calm him down. "Such things have happened many times over the years."
Even so, many ministers were still indignant. This incident, while not undoing all their efforts over the years, would certainly destroy half of it.
"Anything else?" William asked, looking at the Minister of State for the War, Black.
"Zoro played a significant role. The Black Brown Tree Merchant Association has been able to develop so rapidly in just a few years, which must be due to the support of the World Government, to the point that it has now seized a large portion of the Kraken Kingdom's commerce."
"Due to the Kraken Kingdom's emphasis on its military, other economic developments are extremely weak, and commercial trade is underdeveloped. Currently, many products and supplies are heavily reliant on the Black Brown Tree Merchant Association. Moreover, many of the supplies provided to the Kraken Kingdom are materials for building military equipment, which is why the guild has gained the trust of the Kraken Kingdom."
"However, there are also contradictions between the two sides. The Kraken Kingdom family is somewhat wary of the Black Brown Tree Merchant Association, but they haven't shown it openly. According to our intelligence, the proposal for war was put forward four months ago, but it has only recently begun to be implemented."
After he finished speaking, Minister Blake of the State of Wei fell silent.
"The Black Brown Tree Merchant Association must be dealt with, otherwise it will become a huge problem. If this continues, it may become a puppet of the World Government and a weapon against us," said Finance Minister Oscar with a solemn expression.
"Furthermore, we are also aware of the military strength of the Kraken Kingdom. In terms of war equipment, we are a level below, and their destructive power is very strong."
"Soldiers in war are basically unable to resist. If the Kraken Kingdom has sufficient raw materials, given the speed at which their arsenals can manufacture weapons, our army will suffer heavy losses once war breaks out."
Not only him, but everyone else felt the same way, somewhat wary of the Black Brown Tree Merchant Association. "Do you know how strong Zoro is?"
"I don't know. I have a feeling they're CP0 agents. I can't quite figure them out. It seems they've mastered Life Return to a certain level and can control their power." Blake shook his head slightly, but that was essentially the answer to the question.
The World Government's CP0 has a small number of members, but they are all elites, and at least half of them are required to remain in the Holy Land Mary Geoise to protect the Celestial Dragons.
The rest carry out various secret missions around the world. In terms of strength, apart from some with special abilities, it is necessary for these agents to have the strength of Vice Admiral.
In other words, once it's confirmed that this Zoro is a World Government agent and has concealed his abilities, his strength should have reached the level of Vice Admiral Zoro.
"Look, if the war can be stopped, that would be best. If not, we'll just assassinate Zoro, destroy all the Black Brown Tree Merchant Association's merchant ships, and assassinate the Kraken Kingdom's general," a minister said with a headache.
"We don't need to hide anything. We've been secretly fighting the World Government for years. They have their ways, but there's nothing we can do about it. Even if they really do take action, we can withstand it."
Another minister stood up abruptly and said menacingly that the current situation was very unfavorable to them, which made him somewhat irritated.
"If you really have to take action, leave it to me, or your brother." Meinz stepped forward with a smile. "Zoro's strength shouldn't be too great for us. With our abilities, we can take him down without him even noticing." As he spoke, a faint ripple appeared around Meinz, and a faint silver light flashed.
"When that time comes, one of you will step forward. As the heirs, you are destined to take the lead, and this war will be your debut show." William smiled on the throne, looking at Meinz with a smile.
"Next is the Kraken Kingdom's arsenal and weapons research institute. I think this is something we need to face seriously." Everyone listened to Blake's words with some surprise, some heaviness, and some worry. They hadn't expected Blake to say such a thing.
"Our intelligence agents have investigated the inside story of the arsenal. The weapons haven't been updated further; according to their research, it will take several more years."
"However, there is a secret research institute within the arsenal, specializing in manufacturing weapons of mass destruction for war, which the Kraken Kingdom has been researching for years."
Here comes the important part: everyone listened attentively.
"This research institute is guarded by powerful individuals. Therefore, in order to gather intelligence on this secret research institute, we lost an important intelligence officer who, in the crucial moment before his death, transmitted the information he knew."
"However, his status as an intelligence agent was not exposed. It was all planned to create a loophole in this secret research institute, causing something to be leaked."
"The body of this intelligence officer was found decomposed beyond recognition; there was no way to save him," Blake said calmly.
"Poison gas!" Chancellor Oscar exclaimed, his brow furrowed. Leakage and corrosion were already quite accurate warnings. This weapon of mass destruction on the battlefield was also a taboo, because its destructive power was simply too great.
In war, killing one person only requires one slash, but if artillery is used in close combat, it could kill more than ten people and injure more than ten others.
Poison gas spreads rapidly, and once released, there's no escape. Hundreds or even thousands could be affected instantly. In war, it's impossible to use it only once; the resulting losses would be enormous.
The important point is that if one doesn't die, it will cause immense suffering, making one wish they were dead.
Therefore, this is strictly prohibited at sea, and even if research is conducted, it must be done in secret.
"No, there are also germs in it," were the only two words the intelligence officer conveyed.
"How dare they!" Admiral Hindenburg glared angrily, slamming his hand on the table with a loud "smack," causing the chair he was sitting on to crack with a "crack," as if he could barely control his strength.
The others, however, seemed to have a hint of fear in their eyes.
Germs are far more terrifying than poison gas. They spread faster and are contagious. Even if an antidote is developed, it will take a long time, and by then, enormous damage will have already occurred—damage numbering in the hundreds of thousands or even millions.
In this world, there are several forbidden islands. Apart from plants, there is no other life on these islands. The only thing that can be considered life is bacteria, and the entire island is covered by bacteria.
These are all death islands. They were originally inhabited islands, but because someone was researching bacteria and lost control, these islands became dead islands.
These bacteria are isolated by the ocean.
Bacteria are truly terrifying. If they were to spread completely across this enormous island, potentially hundreds of millions of people could die.
"This matter must be taken seriously, and it can only be entrusted to you. Relying on your abilities, Meinz." William's voice was very serious, as was the voice of everyone else.
"Hmm!" Meinz, who had been smiling all along, also became serious, knowing how terrible germs could be.
The Bacteria Fruit and the Virus Fruit are widely recognized as the most terrifying Devil Fruit, even surpassing the Venom-Venom Fruit in their ultimate effect.
Devil Fruit User Devil Fruit with partially developed abilities, such as the Bacteria Fruit and Virus Fruit, possess the power to kill an island, wiping it out of all life.
"However, we'll need to rely on my brother's abilities. To be honest, his ability to conceal himself is stronger than mine, so I need his assistance." Meinz thought for a moment, then nodded. "Only in this way can I dismantle this research institute and bury it at sea without being discovered."
In this world, the ocean can bury some lives. Even poisonous gases and germs will not spread along the ocean; they will die after being buried there, even germs.
"Yes, with the combination of air and shadow, no one can detect you." Hindenburg was very familiar with their abilities, and these two Devil Fruits were the Tiresfa Kingdom's collection for many years. He gave them to them after they demonstrated their talents.
"Then when Rediat returns, we'll leave it to you to handle, before the war begins." King William smiled, confident in their strength and ability, and also pleased. He had no children of his own, so he had always treated the two of them as his own.
They are all the future of the Tiresfa Kingdom. As long as one of them is alive, the Tiresfa Kingdom will become even stronger.
"Finally, the royal family of the Kraken Kingdom recently acquired two Devil Fruits. According to intelligence, one is the Zoan- Zoan Ancient Species Kraken Fruit, and the other is the Paramecia Passion Fruit." After they finished speaking, Black began to recount the intelligence he had obtained.
"The Kraken Fruit has been eaten by King Levinsky Jones of the Kraken Kingdom, and his strength will undoubtedly increase significantly."
"What about the Passion Fruit?" Although the Kraken Fruit is a rare Ancient Species, it is powerful but not particularly precious to the Tiresfa Kingdom. Compared to rare Ancient Species, this Paramecia Devil Fruit, which has a support-like ability, makes them take it much more seriously.
This auxiliary ability can be maximized on the battlefield, even achieving a terrifying effect.
It can change a battle, a campaign, a war.
It can ignite people's passion, unleash greater fighting spirit, and enhance their combat effectiveness. This ability to influence emotions is terrifying, its scope of influence is enormous, and the medium of influence is very simple—simply sound.
In addition, it can reduce enthusiasm, elevate the self, and weaken others.
Although it is less Inspire Fruit than the Inspire Fruit and can be considered a lower-tier fruit, the Inspire Fruit can only encourage, while the Passion Fruit has a dual effect.
"We don't know where it is or who ate it," Minister Blake of the State of Wei shook his head. "But we do know it was sent to the front lines, and their target is obvious."
They all understood that "it seems the Passion Fruit is their main force in this war, while the poison gas and germs are just a precaution, a secret weapon hidden behind the scenes. In any case, these two are things that must be dealt with." Hindenburg frowned; the Passion Fruit's ability had a tremendous impact on a war.
"Where did they get these two Devil Fruits? Why haven't we had any information about them?" Oscar, the finance minister, was puzzled. He looked at Black, who should have the information, as should the others.
Blake did not disappoint them. "Black Brown Tree Merchant Association," Blake said calmly. Those five words were enough for everyone present to understand everything.
The World Government, the World Government hiding behind the scenes, has made its move. These two rare Devil Fruit were provided by the World Government. Otherwise, if the Kraken Kingdom were searching for Devil Fruit, the Tiresfa Kingdom would definitely have received the news and stopped them. However, they had not received any news before.
"Then let's discuss our strategic deployment. We must take this war seriously."