Mobius: This Is Part of the Plan

What happened at the entrance was only a minor interlude. During that time, Mobius's room in Ryugu Palace had already been tidied up again.

After briefly parting with Shyarly and Hatchan, Mobius had barely sat down when a servant came to inform him that Neptune had invited him to a banquet.

After making a few small adjustments to his appearance, Mobius followed the attendant and soon arrived at the banquet hall.

Because of Neptune's size, Ryugu Palace's banquet hall was enormous. It could accommodate not only ordinary giants, but even ancient giants like Harald.

A wine cup the size of a small mountain was set before him. Harald calmly picked it up and drank deeply without pause.

Looking around, Mobius saw Whitebeard surrounded by many of his children, Harald standing before a group of giants, and Neptune beside his wife and children.

Seeing Mobius arrive, Neptune happily waved him over.

The moment Mobius took his seat, Neptune impatiently said:

"National Advisor, tell us about your plan. Whitebeard and the others are here!"

Turning to Neptune and seeing his utterly innocent eyes, Mobius once again reflected that becoming king really required nothing.

"A plan? Gurarara, brat, Neptune told me you had a plan that could change the seas and needed me for it. Is that true?"

Whitebeard set down his wine cup and looked at Mobius with a scrutinizing gaze.

This young man had a remarkable presence. Even Whitebeard could not quite see through him, yet Neptune had never mentioned him before. Naturally, that made Whitebeard suspicious.

Neptune was merely an average man. Him becoming king was no different from any random ordinary person becoming king.

"Hello, Fish-Man Island's National Advisor. I am Harald."

Harald, on the other hand, greeted him honestly, his attitude gentle.

As expected, there were quite a few differences between a king and a pirate.

The thought crossed Mobius's mind, but he did not dwell on it. Negotiations and exchanges were simply like this.

If he had not been familiar with the story and known these people, he would have been completely lost as well.

"It is only an idea, Captain Whitebeard."

"Would you like to hear it? Neptune said you seem to be rather short on money. Perhaps my idea can make you wealthy."

Mobius made the joke, immediately causing Whitebeard to choke. Whitebeard shot Neptune an annoyed glare.

What was wrong with him being poor? Was his poverty getting in anyone's way?

Whitebeard was very displeased, but he did not argue. Instead, his attitude became noticeably more restrained.

Mobius had brought up a private matter, which meant Neptune trusted him. With such an intermediary, Whitebeard naturally had the patience to listen.

"Gurarara, then I'm very curious how you intend to make me rich."

His bandit-like air was on full display. Whitebeard demonstrated exactly what it meant to be a rough brute.

Harald glanced at Whitebeard and secretly shook his head. This was precisely why he had rejected Rocks back then.

Though he still regretted it painfully to this day, if Harald had to choose again, he would still refuse.

"How should I put this, Captain Whitebeard? Among the pirates of the New World, you currently stand at the forefront. Roger is dead, Golden Lion is in hiding, and Kaido, Big Mom, and Wang Zhi lack sufficient prestige."

"Among those called Emperors of the Sea, your territory is the largest, highest-quality, and wealthiest."

"Yet despite possessing such vast territory, Neptune says you are very poor. That actually surprised me."

Whitebeard's face darkened after hearing that. What did this brat know?

There were thousands of people aboard his ships. How much did food, drink, and daily necessities cost? And what about the regular operations of the more than forty ships under his command?

Not to mention that he had to support his hometown so it would not repeat the tragedies of the past. That cost money too.

No matter how much protection money he collected, it was never enough!

"What do you want to do?"

Whitebeard snorted a few times before asking. What if this brat really could solve it? He truly was short on money.

"It is very simple, Captain Whitebeard. How do you think the Giant Kingdom became prosperous?"

Mobius looked at Harald and smiled.

"Elbaf?"

Whitebeard turned his head, swept his gaze over the giant king a few times, then shook his head.

"He is a king, while I am a pirate."

In Whitebeard's simple understanding, pirates could only survive through plunder. They could not do business.

Harald's mouth twitched. For once, he actually felt intellectually superior.

"Yet right now, you are attending the banquet of the King of the Ryugu Kingdom."

Mobius struck straight at the heart of the matter.

"This..." Whitebeard hesitated before speaking again. "That is different. Neptune and I are friends."

"Harald, King of Elbaf?"

"He is also a friend."

"Then, Captain Whitebeard, if becoming friends with kings allows you to communicate with them, is this really difficult?"

Whitebeard was stunned again. His previously limited way of thinking left him unable to respond.

"If you become friends, there will be communication. With communication comes exchange. With exchange comes trade. With trade comes money. Once money starts flowing, how can you be poor?"

"Captain Whitebeard, have you never considered developing trade within the territories under your command?"

"It need not be complicated. You only need to find a route that connects the islands under your command, one with relatively calm weather, and that becomes a trade route."

"If you hold such a trade route in your hands, I do not think it would be possible for you to remain poor."

With the simplest words, Mobius painted Whitebeard a bright future.

Not only Whitebeard, but even the crew under his command understood. Their breathing grew slightly hurried.

"Even tolls—three percent per hundred, or even one percent per hundred—would amount to an enormous sum. Not to mention protection fees, investments, attracting outside merchants, and so on."

"I imagine Your Majesty Harald understands this very well?"

Looking at Harald again, Mobius saw him nod decisively. The Giant Kingdom had developed precisely through trade and exchange!

"Then, Captain Whitebeard, an Emperor of the Sea is still an emperor. Becoming friends with kings should not be difficult, at least for Beli's sake."

"Or are you saying that the mighty Whitebeard Pirates cannot find even one of the safest sailing routes through the territories under your command?"

"How could that be!?"

Before Whitebeard could speak, Marco, who had returned to the side, could no longer hold back.

"The navigator aboard the Moby Dick is the best navigator in the New World!"

"Then what is the problem?"

"Doing business requires capital. Besides, I imagine Whitebeard's credibility is insufficient because he is a pirate; Neptune has lived deep beneath the sea for too long and lacks prestige; and Harald cannot directly join in. What should be done about that?"

A sudden female voice rang out, making Whitebeard, who was still thinking, abruptly feel that it sounded familiar.

"That is why Fish-Man Island would seek you out. After all these years of accumulation, this place still has some funds."

"As for an intermediary, the New World has no shortage of kings. Just find a reliable and honest person to serve as the legal representative..."

Mobius replied instinctively, then suddenly realized something was wrong.

Whose voice was that?

Everyone turned in unison toward the source of the female voice.

A beautiful woman who still retained her charm smiled back at them. Beside her stood a man with blond-white hair whose bearing had likewise not diminished with age.

"Shakky, Rayleigh? How did you two end up here too?"

Whitebeard's wary expression vanished. There were truly a lot of old friends here today.

Mobius blinked and looked at Neptune. Was Ryugu Palace some kind of public restroom? Could anyone come and go whenever they pleased!?

Yet Neptune looked delighted. "Rayleigh, and Shakky, you finally came!"

A good person could be a friend, but he must never be allowed to become the leader. Mobius gained another insight.

Looking at Jinbe again, Mobius found that the blue fatty was also grinning happily.

Even Harald relaxed somewhat. Clearly, he was acquainted with these two as well.

The power of social connections... What? I am joining them right now? Then it is fine.

Mobius quickly collected himself and even felt that the two had arrived at exactly the right time.

At Neptune's warm invitation, Shakky found herself a seat, and Rayleigh sat down beside her.

While responding to their old friends, both of them kept their eyes on Mobius. They were clearly very curious about this young man.

"Young man, what is your name?"

Shakky asked with a smile.

"Mobius, a member of the Naval Science Unit and Fish-Man Island's National Advisor."

Mobius said it directly, instantly freezing the atmosphere.

"The Navy!?"

The Whitebeard Pirates looked at Mobius, their eyes filled with mixed emotions. Only Whitebeard's expression remained unchanged.

Rayleigh and Harald were the same.

Shakky nodded, equally unconcerned, though certain memories surfaced in her mind.

Naval Science Unit? Vegapunk... Miss Bakkin... Stussy~

Could there be some connection here?

Shakky's increasingly seasoned smile became gentler. "Then, young Mobius, could you continue explaining your plan? I am quite curious too~"

Mobius met her gaze, thought for a moment, and said, "Is that personal curiosity, or the curiosity of the former Empress of Amazon Lily, Lady Shakky?"

Shakky smiled and spoke softly. "Both, little Mobius~"

What a dangerous woman. Mobius sighed inwardly. Age really did make a difference.

"Little Mobius, you seem to be thinking something improper~"

"Not at all. I was merely thinking that Uncle Rayleigh is truly fortunate to have such blessings."

"Cough."

Hearing that, Rayleigh straightened up and sat properly.

"He is indeed fortunate~" Shakky shook her head. "But this is also my fortune~"

After saying that, the two looked at each other, their faces blooming with happy smiles.

Mobius's body stiffened. Oh no, I got shown up by their affection!?

Neptune smacked his lips, naturally leaned back, then put an arm around Otohime. The two gazed at each other, their faces equally full of happiness.

Harald shifted his gaze away. He was married and had two sons, but Ida...

Whitebeard sat steadily. He was unmarried and had no wife, but...

Looking at his children, Whitebeard smiled as well. He had never been alone.

"Mm..."

"Let us get back to the plan."

Mobius tried to steer the topic back. This atmosphere was too strange.

"Where was I? Right, find a suitable king to serve as the legal representative. Better yet, have the initial leader be an experienced merchant."

"How about..."

As if considering it, Mobius looked at Shakky. Should he drag this former world beauty into it?