July.
At this time of year,
the Affiliated Nations across the world
sent Battleships carrying the Heavenly Tribute to the World Government, escorted by Navy Officers, World Government Agents, or powerful fighters from the Army.
Those guarding the Heavenly Tribute had at least Commodore-level strength, with the exact level depending on how dangerous the route was.
In the New World, for instance, an Affiliated Nation's tribute required at least a Vice Admiral-level guard.
Every year, this month was crucial for the World Government and the Navy.
Their development over the following year depended on it.
The Rocks Pirates had trampled the World Government's dignity time and again in the past.
To this day, plenty of Pirates and other factions set their sights on the Heavenly Tribute each year.
The Underworld had even developed an intelligence network dedicated to tracking the tribute's movements from every Affiliated Nation.
Every piece of information fetched a considerable price.
The World Government and the Navy had no way to stop it. Cut off one source, and another would appear.
Their only option was to use overwhelming force to destroy any faction that dared eye the Heavenly Tribute.
In time, once it seemed hopeless, fewer people would try.
Eager to secure a Headquarters for NESTS as soon as possible, Ignis set his sights on this year's Heavenly Tribute and began his operation during the transport period.
The map before him showed the World Government's Heavenly Tribute routes through the East Blue.
Kronos Kingdom had ways of obtaining such a map, but Ignis had not used those connections.
He had acquired the information from the Underworld.
Ignis had compiled it from the Underworld's analysis of the tribute routes used by the East Blue's Affiliated Nations.
Some of the information was false, of course. Some was genuine, and