In the area reserved for the emperors of the Underworld, several big shots besides Stussy and Morgans huddled together, speaking in low voices.
"That madman wants to unite the entire New World. What are we supposed to do?"
The speaker was the King of Shipping, "Deep Current" Umit.
The New World was the main market for their businesses. In the past, they had paid tribute to its Four Emperors to keep the peace. At Big Mom's Tea Parties, for example, they always brought lavish gifts. In return, the Big Mom Pirates left them alone at sea, allowing their businesses to run smoothly in the New World. They even handled large transactions for the pirates from time to time.
But now...
Oak said he would unite the New World and allow no other powers to exist. What were they supposed to do?
Were they expected to join him too?
Wouldn't that mean handing over everything they had built in the New World and losing every shred of independence?
That was an enormous fortune. Who would willingly give it up?
"Then we'll pull out of the New World!"
The King of Loan Sharks, Du Feld, spoke through gritted teeth.
"We'll move all our businesses out of the New World. Then we won't be on his turf.
Let's see how they manage without us. When he has a massive shipment to move, who'll carry it without your fleet?
Who'll handle their Underworld business?"
They needed the Four Emperors' protection in the New World, but the Four Emperors relied on them for many things too. Otherwise, they could never have lasted this long. The relationship between them and those great pirates was mutually beneficial.
Umit's shipping routes, for instance, were indispensable to the great pirates.
The great pirates held territory, and vast amounts of