The Path [Seeking Collection]

Hearing Aokiji say this, Dawn immediately understood.

After all, the Ishtar Kingdom was a major grain-producing country, and the Marines were a military force that didn't engage in production. How many troops were stationed at Marine Headquarters alone? How much grain did they consume daily?

Logically, a military force's food supply should be handled by the country or organization behind it—a nation would use its own grain to feed its army and protect itself.

But expecting the World Government to directly supply the Marines with grain was impossible.

After all, the Celestial Dragons lived on the Red Line. Expecting those pigs to allow grain to be grown on their land for the Marines? That would be brainless.

So the World Government probably just gave the Marines a military budget and let them solve the problem themselves—much simpler.

And with demand came a market. The Ishtar Kingdom was likely one of the Marines' grain-supplying nations.

The North Sea Marine Branch went without saying. Its geographical convenience would naturally make the Ishtar Kingdom its main grain source.

Though they wouldn't hand over their entire food supply lifeline to the Ishtar Kingdom, it was still a high-quality source.

And Marine Headquarters was even more so. This violent organization wouldn't put all its grain supply in one place, and the Marines in the New World had more options.

But even so, the Ishtar Kingdom, as a developed agricultural and pastoral nation, was still one of the largest grain suppliers across the Four Seas and the New World.

"Then what about my identity as a Marine?" Dawn was still puzzled. This only explained the relationship between the Ishtar Kingdom and the Marines, not the personal connection.

"Ah~~~Ha~~The supreme commander of the Ishtar Kingdom's Marine Branch is concurrently held by the king. The Abraham family has always had a tradition of military service, so there's no conflict there."

Aokiji yawned and said, "Though the branch doesn't have many personnel, since most of the people join the national army to protect the country from pirate invasions."

After speaking, Aokiji yawned, waved his hand, and went back to his room. Meanwhile, Adolf, seeing Dawn's confused expression, explained:

"Your Highness, this is a tradition of the Abraham family. It's said to temper the heir's character and give them some ability to protect themselves, hence this custom.

"Later, by the time of your great-grandfather's generation, due to close ties with the Marines, the place of military service shifted from the family's own army to the Marines. And because of their close cooperation, His Majesty is the supreme commander of our country's Marines."

"Since the Marines cannot directly participate in wars between nations, the Ishtar Kingdom's Marine Branch is only a symbolic garrison led by His Majesty."

What kind of nonsense was this? It felt like a localized adaptation, like "one country, two systems."

Hearing Adolf the steward's explanation, Dawn couldn't help but look strange. This system felt oddly familiar somehow.

Alright, Dawn was utterly speechless at this plot twist. If this were a novel, even the author probably wouldn't know what genre they were writing, right?

Changing the formula on a whim, damn it! Changing the background at the drop of a hat?

But the foreshadowing was laid in the first chapter—what could I do?

Still, on second thought, having a prince's identity wasn't bad? And it seemed the relationship with the Marines was pretty good too.

Though he was a bit dazed by this dramatic turn of events, Dawn still felt it wasn't a bad thing.

"By the way, Adolf, did... uh... my fa... the old man not have any more children?" Dawn asked awkwardly.

"Your Highness, ever since you went missing, His Majesty and the Queen have missed you deeply. They've both been in low spirits and haven't had any more children."

Alright, it seemed this body's parents were good people... Pfft, no, wait. A benevolent monarch?

Having an extra identity out of nowhere wasn't so bad? And it wasn't a tyrannical king, plus the relationship with the Marines was good—this was acceptable...

"Your Highness Dawn, when might we be able to head to the North Sea? I can't wait to bring this news to His Majesty the King and Queen Rovena." Adolf's face beamed with a bright smile as he spoke.

"Wait a bit. This trip's main purpose isn't training—we're just the vanguard. We'll talk after this matter is settled. Without a warship's help, we can't cross the Four Seas."

Dawn waved his hand. For him, witnessing the Great Pirate Era was an opportunity he couldn't refuse.

After all, this was the beginning of a new era!

And wasn't it the symbol and label of these great heroes?

Emmmm...

That wasn't wrong. Luffy and the Worst Generation were all relatively young—some hadn't even been born when Roger was executed.

And the heroes they met on the sea who were in their prime had rarely not experienced Roger's execution.

Those who had experienced Roger's execution seemed to undergo a transformation in mindset, and their future achievements were impressive.

Take Hawk Eyes, Crocodile, Moria, Doflamingo, and the others, for example.

Though aside from Hawk Eyes, most were Luffy's opponents, their achievements as Shichibukai were no small feat, right? After all, they were the third force besides the Marines and pirates.

As someone a step slower, though younger than these people, still of the same era, Dawn certainly wanted to witness the beginning of this era with his own eyes.

Marines? Pirates?

To be honest, the Marines were just a platform for Dawn to develop his own ambitions. In this world, there was no black or white—those were merely in the hands of those who held "truth."

And "truth" was power.

Or rather, with power, you could spread your own "truth."

Those without power who still dreamed of realizing their ideals were just spouting laughable, hollow words.

Wasn't that the case with Doflamingo and King Riku?

Evil, wielding power, manipulated the kind-hearted king and ascended to the throne of a good king. If not for Luffy, that country would have remained in Doflamingo's grasp forever.

Facing this chaotic world, the weak child Dawn chose to lie low, using the Marines' umbrella for shelter and protection.

At the same time, Dawn would also provide labor for the Marines' efforts—namely, by fighting pirates.

Of course, the reason he chose the Marines in the first place was that their alignment toward "lawful good" happened to match Dawn's own alignment.

As for becoming an adventurer like a pirate?

Just look at how many enemies that "chaotic good" goofball Luffy has. If it weren't for his background and being the protagonist, he'd have been dead long ago.

And joining a pirate crew or a mafia organization to develop would be even more idiotic.

Whether it's the pirate faction or the mafia, the entry requirements are too high, and they live high-risk lives every day—not conducive to Dawn's development as a child.

After all, if you want to join the Four Emperors' faction, you have to have something to offer, right? Plenty of people want to join the Four Emperors—who do you think you are?

Without strength, you probably wouldn't even make it to their territory before dying on the road.

So, since his past life had made him lawful good, and he had no particular desire to be a pirate, why would he choose a hell-mode start?

Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?

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