"United Kingdom?!"
Tsugikuni Yoriichi had only just begun outlining his vision for the United Kingdom, yet after hearing the plans that followed, Zephyr's face showed a trace of surprise.
In recent years, Zephyr had also been planning the New Marines' path forward.
The New Marines' current military government model clearly could not last forever. In a place like the New World, every nation faced the enormous threat of pirates, and the New Marines, such a powerful military force, naturally held great appeal for those countries.
It was only by relying on the New Marines' banner that they could peacefully "plant their flag" across most islands in the New World and expand their influence.
But that military government model could not be applied in the Four Blues or the first half of the Grand Line.
In a place like the East Blue, pirates were certainly a threat on the sea, but pirates of that caliber were nothing to fear for powerful nations. They were little more than a persistent rash.
The New Marines' military government model was clearly unworkable in such places. Powerful countries had no need to find themselves a "father" to fend off pirate attacks.
The reason the World Government could thrive in places like the Four Blues was mainly the prestige it had accumulated over history. Of course, the primary reason was the overwhelming power of the Celestial Dragons and Marine Headquarters.
Wiping out a non-member nation every three years—who wouldn't be terrified by that?
The World Government's thunderous methods were naturally enough to deter every nation that tried to slip from its control, making their citizens obediently pay Heavenly Gold.
It was precisely because of the World Government's methods that the slave trade could never disappear from this world. The World Government had to ensure that everyone