With the recruitment issue set aside, the rest of the discussion went smoothly. One wanted to sell, the other wanted to buy, and they quickly agreed on a price.
"If we provide all the materials, the price can be lowered further, right?"
"Of course. It benefits both of us if you handle those troublesome steps yourselves. However, some parts must be processed at locations I designate."
Trading on these seas had always come with the problem of transportation costs, especially on the Grand Line.
Unpredictable currents and rampant pirates made merchant ships' journeys extremely dangerous. The high prices of goods traded between islands were inseparable from this as well.
In the underworld, Umit still controlled the most shipping routes. Feld usually shipped goods through Umit too. Although the cost was slightly higher, it was more reliable.
It was a matter of foundation. Even though Feld had obtained special ships capable of crossing the Calm Belt through Oran, he still did not understand shipping well enough. He was only using those ships to cooperate with Umit to some extent.
If the Navy transported them itself, none of those issues would be a problem. Even if the cargo was robbed along the way, it would have nothing to do with Oran.
Besides, even if the Navy did not travel through the Calm Belt, it could still detour around the Red Line Continent.
The technical cost of Seastone ships was very low, and the method was simple. But before it was revealed to the world, it was still a secret. Even Vegapunk had not considered this angle yet.
Oran had not reminded Vegapunk or the Navy about it either. They could slowly figure it out on their own.
"Why the South Blue? I heard Feld prepared quite a few research facilities for you