A Three-Step Strategy for the New Marines!
Leaving aside the lower and middle-level combat capabilities.
The New Marines's top combat force, roughly speaking, includes five people: Zephyr, Storm, Kizaru, Aokiji, and Fujitora.
In contrast, the Old Marines only had Sengoku, Garp, and Akainu.
Moreover, two of the "three" in the Old Marines belonged to the category of "remnants of the Old Era".
The New Marines not only includes three "Admiral in their prime": Kizaru, Aokiji, and Fujitora.
And then there's Storm, that terrifyingly young super monster!
How can we even compare?
Unless the World Government is willing to provide strong support to the Old Marines and send two Admiral- level combatants to join the Old Marines at once.
Otherwise, the balance of power between the New Marines and Old Marines will inevitably be disrupted!
But then again...
Top-tier combatants at the Admiral level—where can you find them so easily?
Therefore.
This was driven by the strategic goal of buying time for the development of the New Marines.
Zephyr and the others decided to send Kizaru back to the Old Marines!
In this way, the top combat power ratio between the Old Marines remained at four to four.
Although the New Marines still includes Storm, a monster who is excessively strong.
However, the balance of power between the Old Marines was barely maintained.
In this way.
The New Marines can also avoid direct pressure from the World Government.
"Didn't we discuss the development strategy for the New Marines together before?"
Zephyr recalled their previous conversation and spoke meticulously.
"First, eliminate the Pirate Emperor of the New World, then confront the Old Marines with its flawed ideology, and finally, take down the World Government."
That's right!
This is the New Marines's "three-step" strategy.
"All right."
Storm glanced at Kizaru and nodded reluctantly.
"I agree with this plan."
If it weren't for the Buster Call that happened on the Ruschired Island.
Storm had a pretty good impression of Kizaru.
But now?
Kizaru was only able to survive because of Storm's consideration for Zephyr and the others!
Otherwise.
Storm had already thrown Kizaru into the "Void Great Prison" and given him a "life imprisonment package"!
This is what happens when you betray him!
After gaining Storm's approval, Kizaru couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
To be fair...
Kizaru felt quite a bit of pressure when facing the little monster, Storm.
In particular, there is a considerable rift between him and Storm!
Kizaru now only hopes that after returning to the Old Marines, he can work hard to wash away the negative impression he left on Storm.
As for returning to the Old Marines and immediately turning against the New Marines?
Kizaru never even considered it.
The idea of "justice that changes course with the wind" is nothing but a joke.
From Kizaru's perspective...
No matter how bad Storm's personality is.
It's still better than those wicked Celestial Dragons!
As Admiral, Kizaru had previously acted as if he was "playing dumb."
That's simply because he sees absolutely no hope of promoting justice!
As long as "Heavenly Tribute" exists.
As long as the "World Nobles" exists.
As long as the "World Government" exists.
So the Navy's "justice" is nothing more than a glamorous facade.
The navy is essentially just a "tool" for the World Government to rule the seas!
Kizaru had already seen this through.
That's why he chose to "give up".
Now.
At Storm's instigation.
New Marines was established.
Moreover, they summoned five powerful figures at the level of Admiral all at once.
Even setting aside the New Marines.
Storm also has a "Dawn Pirates" under his command, as well as an entire "Dark World".
A force of this scale can at least rival World Government!
It was this level of power that allowed Kizaru to see the true "dawn of justice".
Ambiguous Justice is still justice!
Kizaru made a wrong choice once before, and he won't make it a second time.
Various thoughts flashed through Kizaru's mind.
He smirked, adopting his usual slick and lazy demeanor.
"Oh, and don't forget to pay my salary when I return to the Old Marines!"
"If the salary is paid in time, the navy will be kicked out of service," right?
Storm gave Kizaru a disapproving look, then pointed at Zephyr and the others, as well as the naval warship beneath his feet.
"Look at the state of the New Marines! Is this the time to ask for 'salaries'?"
Kizaru blinked, inexplicably feeling that Storm's words made a lot of sense, but he still refused to back down at this moment.
Money doesn't matter.
The main reason is that Kizaru doesn't want to lose face in front of Storm!
The Pirate Emperor dismissed Admiral with a single, persuasive remark...
Kizaru is about to lose all face!
"... although but..."
Kizaru managed to come up with a flimsy excuse.
"Storm, aren't you very rich?"
"I'm quite wealthy now."
"Storm said in a low, somber tone."
"But are you sure the New Marines wants to use my money? The money of a Pirate Emperor?"
Using the Pirate Emperor's vast wealth to fuel the development of the New Marines...
That sounds so strange.
Let alone Kizaru.
Zephyr and the others, who had been silent until now, all sensed something was wrong.
"Money..."
Zephyr had a bit of a headache.
"How can the New Marines develop without sufficient military funding?"
Marines, weapons, warships, logistics...
The New Marines needs money in every aspect!
And it's a huge amount of money!
If Storm were to "support" him, then of course there would be no problem.
After all, Storm is very rich, Gild Tesoro is very rich...
But Storm's words were like a thorn in the hearts of Zephyr and the others.
Even setting aside Storm's status as the Pirate Emperor...
Let Storm use his own money to support the Navy...
This whole thing is very strange.
If the New Marines does accept Storm's "financial support"...
So, is the New Marines a "righteous New Marines" or simply the "Imperial Guard of the White Dragon Emperor"?
"If you ask me, the New Marines actually has many ways to raise money."
"Storm said it in a rather rough way," he said.
"First, of course, we need to get money from the Old Marines! As long as we can turn the Old Marines into the New Marines, then the Old Marines's personnel, weapons, equipment... everything will belong to the New Marines, right?"
Upon hearing this, Zephyr and the others nodded in unison.
Even Fujitora, the only one with a relatively thin skin, thought it was a good idea.
As long as lives aren't taken indiscriminately, absorbing the Old Marines's strength into the New Marines is definitely an excellent development strategy.
"Secondly, we can get money from pirates!"
Storm added.
"There are so many pirates in the New World. If the New Marines takes down a group of them, they can steal all their treasure!"
"It's not just about the pirates' treasure; we can also take the pirates' bounty posters to the Old Marines to claim the bounties!"
"Eating from pirates, the Old Marines, and the World Government... that's a win-win situation!"
If there was any psychological pressure Zephyr and the others felt about dealing with the Old Marines...
Then, Zephyr and the others will have absolutely no burden in defeating the pirates!
It is only right and proper for the navy to fight pirates!
"Finally, it's about getting money from the Member Nations."
Storm shrugged and stated the real, fundamental solution.
Do you remember the plan I mentioned before?
"Let the G1 Branch and the G5 Branch switch places, and then make the original G1 Branch the headquarters of the New Marines."
"The reason I chose to swap locations between the G1 Branch and G5 Branch, rather than with other Marine Branch in the New World, is because there's a country surrounding the current G5 Branch— "
"The Kingdom of Dressrosa!"
Aokiji pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Storm, if I remember correctly, the Dressrosa Palace should be your 'territory'?"
That's true.
Storm shrugged and said calmly.
"Dressrosa was originally World Government Member States, but its rule was later usurped by the Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo through illegal means. I defeated Doflamingo and planted my flag in the Kingdom of Dressrosa."
"However, although I planted my flag in the Kingdom of Dressrosa, I did nothing for the country, nor did I collect any 'protection money'."
"If, in the future, the G1 Branch, which swapped positions with the G5 Branch, becomes the headquarters of the New Marines, then it will be able to collect a certain amount of... well, military expenses, from the Kingdom of Dressrosa."
The correct term should actually be "protection fee".
But Storm looked at the New Marines leaders in front of him.
They swallowed the words "protection fee" and used a milder term instead.
"But..."
Yixiao raised an objection here.
"Dressrosa is Member Nations of the World Government, right? That country is already paying a very high amount of Heavenly Tribute. If we also make them provide funding for the New Marines, wouldn't that have a huge impact on the citizens of Dressrosa?"
"You made a mistake, I laugh— Admiral Fujitora."
Storm paused for a moment, then switched to a more formal form of address.
"If the New Marines headquarters is indeed stationed near the Kingdom of Dressrosa, then why is Dressrosa still handing over the Heavenly Tribute?"
The Member Nations pay Heavenly Tribute to the World Government.
The fundamental reason is that it can secure the protection of the World Government!
How does the World Government protect its Member Nations?
It's all thanks to the navy!
The World Government rules the seas, and the navy is the outward manifestation of the World Government's ruling power.
According to an Admiral Ryokugyu wished to remain anonymous—
Ordinary small countries outside of World Government do not have "human rights"!
The Old Marines only protected World Government Member States.
Some navies even resort to plundering non- Member Nations to generate revenue for themselves.
Once the New Marines's headquarters were established near the Kingdom of Dressrosa.
Therefore, security forces in the waters surrounding Dressrosa will certainly be maximized.
In that situation.
Unless the Riku Royal Family thinks the residents of Kingdom of Dressrosa aren't suffering enough.
Otherwise.
Why does the Kingdom of Dressrosa have to pay Heavenly Tribute to the World Government again?
In addition.
The sheer amount of "Heavenly Tribute" levied by the World Government on its Member Nations is well-known worldwide.
Dressrosa New Marines can better protect Dressrosa without even needing to provide the original Heavenly Tribute!
He smiled Satori.
"I understand... I have no further questions."
"There's one more thing."
Storm added.
"Near the Kingdom of Dressrosa, there are other countries similar to the Kingdom of Prodence, as well as several islands."
"If the New Marines chooses to locate its headquarters at the nearby G5 Branch, then with the 'military funds' provided by the Kingdom of Dressrosa, the New Marines should be able to smoothly get through the initial development stage, right?"
"Storm..."
Zephyr looked at Storm with great satisfaction.
"It was definitely the right decision to have you join me in forming Marine Guerrilla Unit!"
"That's what I think too."
Storm smiled, then stood up and looked at the group of people in front of him.
"I'm off to raid the G1 Branch now, anyone want to join me?"
"Relocating headquarters is of utmost urgency!"
Third update.
Goodnight everyone!