Queen's Tea Party

"I see... I thought it was a big deal, why were you guys so nervous?"

After understanding the cause and effect, Ron breathed a sigh of relief.

When he heard the first half of the story, Ron thought Garp meant for him to make a choice between the Marines and the World Government – whether to prioritize the World Government's rules or the Marines' orders?

It was like a test.

If he chose the Marines, he would be a Ron loyal to orders, and the World Government would have nothing to say. If he chose the World Government, he would be a Ron loyal to the World Government, and the Marines would have nothing to say.

But this seemingly identical choice was actually a taboo in official circles!

The best way in this situation was to ignore it and not make a choice!

He could imagine that no matter how he chose, his small frame couldn't bear the pressure from either of these two behemoths. This test would also become an obstacle on his path to becoming stronger in the Marines. When he had nothing left to learn in the Marines, his only way out would be to become a pirate.

"The officials force the people to rebel?"

No, this was just a question about loyalty.

At most, he would receive compensation from the Marines or the World Government in some aspect, while he himself would be deeply mired in trouble.

Regarding Ron's complaint, Garp gave him a look of complex emotion and didn't explain much.

This matter was indeed excessive on the Marines' part, but the reason behind it was on him...

The Marines hadn't produced only one genius like Ron over the years; there was also his son, Dragon.

Dragon had rebelled against the Marines a few years ago and established the Revolutionary Army, spreading the rebellious doctrine of freedom and equality under the World Government's high-pressure rule, which greatly angered the Five Elders. This pressure was transferred to the Marines, causing Fleet Admiral Sengoku a lot of headaches.

Thus, because of Dragon's betrayal, Sengoku's distrust of new Marines grew day by day. In order to tie Ron firmly to the Marines, he did not hesitate to make Ron participate in this perilous trial.

If Ron hadn't forcibly changed the attitude of the Five Elders with the Lightning Stimulation Method, giving Sengoku more options, things might have really turned out as Ron worried.

Was this also "Justice"?

Ultimately, he was the one who had let Ron down!

Garp sighed inwardly, then clenched his fist.

Forget it!

You just focus on growing up safely. The complexities above will be cleared by me and others for you!

If anyone wants to target you, they'll have to step over my corpse first!

However, regarding Ron's optimism, Garp still reminded him, "This mission isn't that simple, Ron. Do you really know who your enemy is?"

"Huh?"

Ron frowned and asked, "Besides Fred, is there anyone else?"

After Baroque Works completed the transaction of ambushing General Jade, all that was left was to wait for Fred to take power and collect the reward. From a bird's-eye view, Ron could clearly say that Baroque Works daring to interfere in Hana's internal affairs now was definitely for money!

Because that Dancing Powder thing was incredibly expensive!

Alabasta had been suffering from a severe drought for a full three years, to the point of shaking the nation's foundation and causing rebellions!

The amount of Dancing Powder consumed during this period, and the Belly required, was an astronomical figure!

Fred must have promised a huge reward to get Baroque Works... or rather, the insidious and cunning Desert Crocodile, to get involved in Hana's quagmire.

So, after the Marines arrived, with the old scoundrel's reputation at sea to deter them, Baroque Works was the least of their worries. Doing something troublesome for no money, which could also lead to their tracks being discovered, ruining their grand plan of stealing the country and losing the chance to avenge Whitebeard, Crocodile would have to be out of his mind to continue helping Fred!

"Of course, there are others, and... quite a few!"

Garp said with a serious expression, explaining, "Not to mention the hidden intentions of Baroque Works, Fred has united with other affiliated nations this time to form an alliance and pressure the Queen! No one can guarantee what they will do... We can deal with investigating Baroque Works, but others can only rely on you!"

Ron looked up, completely bewildered.

"Holy crap!"

This nephew is truly a talent!

No offense, but Fred is a genius... at least when it comes to rebellion.

Look at what he's done!

If nothing unexpected happens, the pirates causing trouble in Hana were also bought by him.

So, he first secretly bribed pirates to create chaos on the border, forcing the Queen's confidant, General Jade, to go out to suppress them, only to fall into an ambush and his fate unknown. Then, with his well-informed intelligence network, he found Garp's route and blocked him halfway without a second thought. And now he has united with other affiliated nations to form an alliance. Even if the Queen has a backup plan to deal with him, can she deal with the pressure from a group of kings from economic, military, political, and other aspects?

The flowers they give to the Celestial Dragons every year are not enough to make the Celestial Dragons condescend to support her.

Indeed, Hana doesn't need to pay the Heavenly Gold, so there's no pressure from that. What they need to pay annually is the best batch of flowers; they are the only ones on the Grand Line, holding a special status.

Even if all the countries jointly exert pressure, the citizens can still live and work in peace for the first few years.

But for a country to prosper, it's not just about how much it spends, but how much it earns. Shipping trade with other countries and the clearing of pirates require a large amount of money! If all the countries jointly boycott Hana, within ten years, the once prosperous Hana will surely become a barren land on the Grand Line!

Rather than wait until then to be forced to abdicate, Queen Rosa, who loves her people like her own children, might as well hand over the throne now!

I have to say, this move by the nephew is truly ruthless!

It harms others without benefiting himself!

To feed the hungry wolves with the flesh and blood of Hana, I'll bet the Queen can't bring herself to do it!

However, this isn't a dead end...

The reason the allied nations are willing to form an alliance with Fred is nothing more than a matter of interest. Taking advantage of the chaos in Hana, they've rushed in to get a piece of the pie. If the Marines can offer those countries greater benefits, they'll toss Fred into the trash heap in a heartbeat.

Of course, that's the least likely scenario. Where would the Marines get so many benefits to distribute?

Besides that, finding out Fred's crimes is also a solution.

Once he's convicted, the Marines will have sufficient reason to act against Fred.

It's not the Marines acting that's scary; it's that they made a deal with the criminal beforehand!

This is nothing like making a deal with royalty!

Pirates are a thorn in the Five Elders' side. The crimes of colluding with pirates and Baroque Works are something even high-ranking government officials can't withstand!

At that time, the allied nations, fearing they'd be implicated, would absolutely distance themselves.

The next morning, inside the Marine encampment.

Ron was wolfing down his food, sparks of electricity flickering around him. He didn't stop training even while eating.

Clang...

Another huge basin of sea beast meat was completely devoured. He set down the basin, let out a satisfied belch, and leaned back in his chair, picking his teeth.

Sunlight streamed through the mottled green vines outside the window. The head chef, assigned by the Queen to be in charge of meals, sweated coldly and asked cautiously, "Mr. Ron, are you full yet?"

These three looked no different from ordinary people in size, but their appetites were on a monstrous level!

Having been a head chef in the royal palace for many years, he'd seen it all. Even the pickiest guests had praised his cooking. Yet today, the head chef was questioning his own existence.

He realized that besides taste and atmosphere, there were some diners who were picky about portion size!

Three people had eaten the food meant for twenty!

Truly worthy of Marine Headquarters!

If they kept eating, he'd have to serve the breakfast meant for himself and the other chefs.

"Well, about seven or eight tenths full... It's best not to eat too much in the morning; it's not easy to digest."

What else could the head chef say? A smile was all he could offer...

Damn it!

As the lightning circulated, it stimulated his muscles, creating fatigue. The food was quickly digested and absorbed, filling his body. Feeling the bloating in his stomach subside, Ron leaned closer to Garp, who was also picking his teeth, and asked quietly, "Vice Admiral Garp, what do you think the tea party this afternoon will be like?"

Apologies, everyone. Today a friend opened a new Pig Stomach Chicken restaurant, and I went to support them. I only just got back now. It's strange, really. As a Sichuan native, I used to love spicy food a few years ago, but now my tastes are getting milder. I only like mild spice for things like Tiancan Tofu, cold noodles, Liangpi, duck necks, chicken wings, cold skewers, dry pot ribs, beef, quail, pig stomach, and crayfish. I especially like stews. So, I couldn't help but eat a bit more.