Those Who Set Their Sights on This Country

Everyone in the room watched every movement on the screen, listening intently to every detail of what was said and done.

Yet seated in the center of the screen throughout was Nova, the king of the Tru Kingdom. Though only sixteen, he gave off an exceptionally mature and steady impression.

"How large is our population?"

Cobra suddenly asked the people seated behind him. He had never considered such a matter before.

The ministers behind him exchanged glances. They already knew the answer without needing to think about it.

"Your Majesty, our country has a vast land area, but most of it is desert. In terms of population, we may not even have as many people as the Tru Kingdom."

One of the ministers behind Cobra forced himself to say it.

Yet the moment those words left his mouth, even he felt rather embarrassed.

"Learn from them properly. A country managed by a teenager has already surpassed our nation, which has endured for a thousand years.

I have to say, this Tru Kingdom national conference broadcast has given us much to reflect on!"

Cobra did not blame the ministers behind him, since he himself had never thought about such matters.

Watching the people on the screen speak so eloquently, Cobra could not help but feel ashamed of himself.

"Father, what are you watching?"

Vivi, seated beside Cobra, finally asked the question in her heart in a quiet voice.

She could not understand anything before her, and could not even make sense of what those people were saying.

"Vivi, watch carefully. He will definitely become a king who leads an era. Even I have been deeply moved by what I'm seeing."

Cobra spoke calmly, with emotion in his voice.

"Your Majesty, I believe the Tru Kingdom's national conditions differ greatly from ours. Many things cannot be applied across the board."

As soon as Cobra finished speaking, the minister who had spoken earlier opened his mouth again.

"Do you think I don't know that? The key issue was never that."

As he spoke, Cobra turned to look at his daughter Vivi. With another sigh of emotion, he said, "The Tru Kingdom's king, Genji Chōno Nova—I met his father twice in the past. This child became king at fourteen, and now, at sixteen, he has already put the mess his father left behind in perfect order. Not only that, but in terms of the nation's economy, military, and every other aspect, it is completely different from what it used to be.

It could be said that under his leadership, the Tru Kingdom will soon become the strongest nation in the entire South Blue."

"Father, is that really true?"

Vivi asked in surprise.

"Mm... It is only a matter of time." Cobra smiled.

"Don't worry, Father. Vivi will definitely become even stronger than him in the future."

Seeing Vivi's earnest expression, Cobra smiled with the contentment of an old father, then continued watching the screen.

Elsewhere.

In a rather gloomy room, several old men were likewise watching the scene unfolding in the Tru Kingdom.

None of them looked pleased. Then, one old man with a goatee spoke directly. "Send CP2 there and inform the king of the Tru Kingdom that he is to join the World Government."

"Who would have thought that such a weak place as the South Blue could produce such a shrewd king? We should first send CP0 to investigate and see what exactly is going on in that country."

As soon as the goateed old man finished speaking, another bald old man dressed in a white robe and holding a long sword spoke up.

"Pirate King Roger's wife and child seem to be in that country, don't they?" another old man with a walrus mustache said.

"That's right. I remember this matter quite clearly. Pirate King Roger's wife is indeed in the Tru Kingdom," the bald old man holding the sword said.

"Just have Cipher Pol tell them to join the World Government. Leave everything else alone for now," the goateed old man said again.

"Then it's settled."

The old man with the walrus mustache said nothing further, and the others tacitly accepted this course of action.

This national conference of the Tru Kingdom had indeed drawn the attention of many kings. Some seriously reflected on their own actions, while others believed the Tru Kingdom was merely trying to attract attention.

Everyone had different opinions, but their views could not determine the future course of the Tru Kingdom.

The conference continued. The entire morning had been spent discussing only two matters.

Nova barely spoke throughout the whole process. He was simply observing everyone's attitudes. Most of those present were young people, each brimming with energy.

All he had done was throw out the topics, while Lostar handled all the remaining arrangements.

After all, they had discussed the matters to be addressed at this conference long ago. The reason for holding such a grand meeting was to let the nation's people know how the coming golden age would unfold.

Nova had no idea that so many people outside were watching his country's conference, but it did not matter at all.

He had even considered the matter of those old men from the World Government wanting him to join them long ago. But for the current Tru Kingdom, joining the World Government was not unacceptable.

After all, the people's economic standards were steadily rising. After joining the World Government, the only issue would be paying Celestial Gold. Yet for the future Tru Kingdom, the advantages of joining the World Government would be far greater than they were now.

After all, when their goods traveled across the seas in the future, they would no longer need to worry about being plundered by pirates. They could directly call upon the Marines to fight.

That was the greatest advantage of joining the World Government. The Celestial Gold they provided was nothing more than protection money.

But for the current Tru Kingdom, that was merely a drop in the bucket. Moreover, Celestial Gold was not limited to gold, silver, or jewels; goods could also be used in their place, provided the people at the top were satisfied.

"Your Majesty, should we take a break for lunch before continuing?"

Inside the main hall of the Tru King's Palace, Lostar quietly asked Nova.

"That will be all for this morning. Regarding economic and commercial development, notify everyone immediately. The relevant people in charge must hurry and ensure implementation. We will conclude this morning's discussion here and continue with other matters this afternoon.

The meeting is adjourned for now. If any of you do not understand something, be sure to communicate with Lostar immediately. Do not make mistakes again when carrying out your work. In our country, leaders will absolutely not be permitted to make such elementary mistakes."

Nova likewise rose to his feet and spoke directly to everyone in the hall.