Raise It Another Fifty Percent, Trash Lives Aren't Lives

Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.

"What did you say? Gran Tesoro is destroyed, Gild Tesoro has mysteriously disappeared? Are you kidding me? If he's missing, what are we going to do with that huge sum of Heavenly Tribute?!"

"Marshal... Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is absolutely true. Now the entire ocean is completely devoid of Gran Tesoro, and this year's Heavenly Tribute..."

Frustrated, Sengoku waved his hand repeatedly, and only after receiving the signal did the lieutenant general turn and leave.

"Gran Tesoro, that guy created a money empire that controls a full 20% of the Beli circulation. Who exactly has this Gold Emperor fallen into?"

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Squeak...

A languid figure walked into the office, then turned and looked up, his complexion slightly better.

"You've returned just in time, Borsalino. Immediately take men and track down Gran Tezzo..."

"I've just returned, please spare me. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, there should be a more suitable candidate than me. How about Kuzan?"

Slumped on the sofa, looking exhausted, Borsalino waved his hands repeatedly, but Sengoku just snorted coldly.

"Stop interrupting me. Kuzan has his mission. He recruited several capable Marines during this Great Marine Conscription. Once someone fills a position, they can take over the position of Admiral."

"I heard that you were not mistreated by Vegapunk's side and even idly attended bonfire parties."

"Take men and search immediately. At the very least, find a trace of Gulan Tezoro. A ship that is tens of thousands of meters long, I don't believe he would just disappear for no reason."

Sighing inwardly, Borsalino turned and left. All he did was order him around. Didn't working people have any dignity?!

Bahru bahru bah...

"Moshi Moshi, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I am Kuzan. The recruitment of soldiers for this headquarters is complete. There are two men qualified to serve as generals, one of whom is a blind swordsman named Ichisei..."

"The other one is Ryokugyu. Among all the marines, only the two of them performed the best and were strong enough."

Only at this moment did Sengoku's expression finally return to calm. After waiting for so many days, he finally received good news, which could be considered a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

"What about inside the navy?"

"Aside from Gion and Tokikake, there aren't any particularly outstanding individuals, but compared to the Marine Admiral, they lack the absolute overwhelming strength..."

Sengoku was not surprised by Kuzan's assessment; he simply nodded slightly.

"Now, grant these Admiral Candidate. If any general is promoted or leaves office, the general position will be decided among these men..."

"You return quickly and lead the warships to the naval branch near Whole Cake Island to closely monitor the alliance between Kaido and Charlotte Linlin. These two are definitely not simple when they get together."

Click!

A moment later, after the naval recruitment was completed, the files of all the members who joined the navy, including the personal files of the vice admirals, were presented to Sengoku.

"Three Marine Admiral and two Admiral Candidate with admiral-level strength—that should finally quell the restless pirates..."

"Perhaps there is a way to completely end this chaotic era of pirates."

With a jumble of thoughts running through his mind, Sengoku stood up, pulled out the files on his life and Ryokugyu, and hurried toward Mariejois.

Inside the meeting room, after reviewing the abilities of the two men and considering the evaluation of Marine Admiral Kuzan, Jaigolusia Satan nodded slightly.

"Kuzan's strength is evident to all, and his assessment is unlikely to be wrong. It's good that we were able to recruit two lieutenant generals with the strength of generals at this time."

"According to the Navy's secret intelligence network, Caesar Clown is currently under the command of Kaido of the Beasts, and according to recent investigations, they are creating Artificial Devil Fruit."

Sengoku remained expressionless, but upon hearing this, Jaigolusia Satan's expression turned serious, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

A mere low-level scientist dared to betray the Navy and join the Four Emperors. Sooner or later, we will thoroughly settle accounts with him and that group of pirates!

"Artificial Devil Fruit, this isn't Vegapunk's creation... That Caesar Clown is really troublesome. What's the success rate of the Devil Fruit he creates?"

"It's about 10%, which is still far less than Vegapunk's abilities, but we still have to be careful. If they were to create it at any cost, it would be an unavoidable danger."

After a moment's thought, Sengoku presented the data from the document, which Jaigolusia Satan Saint dismissed with a disdainful smile.

"A ten percent success rate is nothing compared to Vegapunk's previous plans. Such a low probability failure is hardly a qualified project!"

"Now, we will summon all the Seven Warlords of the Sea and send their Lineage Factor to the Marine's Eighth Research Institute. Once this plan is successful, the Navy will no longer need to feign compliance with these pirates."

With a deep, unfathomable gaze, a document marked "Top Secret" lay quietly in the corner of the table beside Jaygolucia Satan.

A Feasibility Study of the New Pacifista: Seraphim...

"Has Vegapunk's scientific research, which Seven Warlords of the Sea, progressed to this point?"

"That's right. The technology of another 500 years of the world, that's the charm of the Brain-Brain Fruit, or you could say the ability of the host chosen by the Brain-Brain Fruit."

"That's why we've decided to increase this year's Heavenly Tribute by fifty percent to support Vegapunk's research..."

"I remember there was an independent nation recognized by our World Government that possessed considerable wealth. Now is the time to make them bleed."

Upon hearing this, Sengoku's expression changed drastically. Seeing his unusual expression, Jaigolusia Satan asked casually.

"What's wrong?"

"In fact, not long ago, Gulan Tezoro, also known as the Gran Tesoro, mysteriously disappeared and its whereabouts are still unknown."

"Then let the World Government member states increase their Heavenly Tribute by another fifty percent in recent years. As long as this chaotic era ends, we will spare no expense."

When the cost was mentioned, Jaigollucia Satan's face turned ashen, but he dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction.

They can't control those above them, nor can they control these leeks. As long as the flames of revolution are completely extinguished, the World Government can rest easy for generations to come.

"Another 50% increase? Some small countries are already impoverished; such exorbitant Heavenly Tribute would leave those who can't even afford to eat..."

"That's a matter for those kings to worry about. As the Fleet Admiral, you must stand firm on your position and expel evil!"

For a moment, the Sengoku remained silent and could only leave dejectedly.

"Hmph! What does it matter if a bunch of weeds die of disease or starvation? They're just garbage that can be burned once and then another batch will grow. They're not worth paying any attention to..."