Joining the World Government?

After saying that, the two of them headed back directly. However, while on the road, Junhe could not resist asking, "Your Majesty, what are the New World and One Piece?"

"The New World is the latter half of the Grand Line, where the truly powerful gather. Those who can survive there are almost all the strongest among the strong.

"As for One Piece, it has always been called the Great Treasure, but to this day, no one knows what exactly is inside it.

"The only ones who knew were Pirate King Roger's crew. Laugh Tale, the place known as the final island, is where it is kept."

Nova explained as he walked.

"The Great Treasure? Doesn't that mean there's a lot of money?"

Junhe was practically drooling as he spoke excitedly.

"What are you even thinking? No one knows what One Piece truly is. If it were really just heaps of gold and treasure, do you think Pirate King Roger's crew would be living so miserably after his death?"

Nova said helplessly.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. I hardly know anything about these matters," Junhe said awkwardly.

"We'll set off in three days. When the time comes, I'll take you all to see what the Grand Line is like."

Nova said with a smile.

He had originally intended to take a trip through the Grand Line last time, but the Roa Kingdom's invasion had delayed everything.

This trip to Mary Geoise happened to be a good opportunity.

No matter which route they took, they had to pass through the Grand Line to get there.

The Tru Kingdom no longer feared joining the World Government. The country had once been dirt poor and unable to pay the Celestial Gold, but things were different now. With food in the granary, what was there to worry about?

However, to join the World Government, the king of the country had to travel to Victory Mary Geoise and pay respects to the Celestial Dragons. There was no other choice.

Nova had long since investigated these matters. Although he truly did not want to do it, they had no other option for now.

Junhe accompanied Nova down the long flight of stairs. The platform above was still a complete mess, and the horrifying scars left behind by the battle remained on that open ground.

The CP Department had been completely wiped out this time, yet outsiders had not noticed the slightest disturbance. The Tru Kingdom remained as it had always been.

What they needed to handle next was the matter of negotiating their trip to Mary Geoise.

Everything within the country was developing steadily, though they still had a long way to go before reaching their ideal goals.

Even so, the Tru Kingdom's current development was already enough to make the surrounding nations jealous.

Since the Roa Kingdom's defeat, not a single neighboring country dared challenge the Tru Kingdom's authority.

However, after residents of the surrounding nations learned of the benefits enjoyed by Tru Kingdom citizens, many people living near the borders had begun flocking toward this country of their own accord.

They racked their brains and even fought tooth and nail to join this country, hoping to abandon their former lives and nations.

Nova did not reject this development. On the contrary, he welcomed their arrival.

For a nation, the economy did not determine everything. Population growth meant that the economy could grow rapidly. Nearly everything they did now focused outward, while domestic administration had achieved almost seamless coordination. They barely even needed the National Guard for the country to remain peaceful and secure.

The largest country in the South Blue was not determined by territory alone.

After learning that the Tru Kingdom intended to join the World Government, many ordinary citizens did not understand. To them, joining the World Government meant paying enormous fees, but they had never considered that those fees did not need to be paid by them at all.

Left with no choice, on the day after announcing its intention to join the World Government, the Tru Kingdom issued notices throughout the country explaining the benefits of joining the World Government and declaring that the fees paid to the World Government would not be borne by any citizens.

Only after receiving this notice did the people's anxiety begin to ease. After all, many of them had experienced such things before.

The Sorbet Kingdom, a country bordering the Tru Kingdom, was a member state of the World Government. Its territory directly bordered the Tru Kingdom, and quite a few Tru Kingdom citizens had come from there.

The Sorbet Kingdom paid its Celestial Gold by relentlessly demanding and squeezing its own people, leading to overwhelming public resentment. Yet as a World Government member state, those lofty nobles were the true rulers of the entire country.

The people worried because the Tru Kingdom, where life had been comparatively good, had suddenly announced its intention to join the World Government as well. They feared they might face the same problems as before.

But after the notice was issued, these people gradually chose to trust the country.

After three days had passed, Nova appeared at Naniwa Port once again.

Unlike before, Nova was setting out this time in his capacity as king, traveling along the Grand Line toward Mary Geoise.

This time, they did not choose the bulky National. Instead, they selected a smaller, lighter vessel.

The ship was roughly fifty meters long. It was much smaller than the National, but it was superior in many other aspects.

Standing at the port, Nova turned to Gogoya and asked, "Have everything been prepared?"

"Your Majesty, everything has been prepared. The fifty bottles of rose perfume you requested, two thousand sets of exquisite clothing, a golden scepter symbolizing your status, and various accompanying items have all been placed aboard the ship."

Gogoya took out a small notebook and began reporting.

"Your Majesty, I would also like to go with you this time. Could you let me accompany you and see the New World?"

Lostar stood there, looking at Nova with an expectant expression.

Nova smiled, then patted Lostar on the shoulder and said earnestly, "You'll have plenty of chances to travel in the future, but this time is different. The country still hasn't stabilized. Once the economy has been fully developed, you can go whenever you want."

"That's right, Lostar. We aren't going out with His Majesty for leisure this time. If there's another opportunity next time, I'll definitely speak to His Majesty properly and personally take you out for a trip!" Junhe said with a grin.

"I understand..."

Lostar said with a disappointed expression.

"Since everyone is here, let's set sail already! I really want to see what kind of state Mary Geoise is in now!"

Nova said.

This was Nova's second time leaving the country. Unlike before, he now had a clear destination, and all that remained was to advance toward it.