"Reverse Mountain?"
"That's right!"
"Reverse Mountain is the only entrance to the Grand Line. The Hoenn Government relies on Reverse Mountain's connection to the Four Blues to conduct close trade with every sea!"
"As long as we set up toll checkpoints at Reverse Mountain, we can charge high import and export tariffs just like on the Golden Route, raising the cost of trade between Hoenn and the other nations!"
The Five Elders' eyes gradually lit up.
Brilliant!
This way, even if the World Government did nothing, it could rake in enormous sums while curbing Hoenn's development.
"What about the Affiliated Nations?"
"They have no right to bargain!"
Saint Nusjuro's gaze was icy.
"Those fence-sitters need to be taught a lesson. Also, we cannot let the Lubni Kingdom's royal family off!"
In the past, there would have been nothing wrong with the Lubni royal family's decision. Once they had squeezed a country dry, they could simply move somewhere else.
Just like the Amber Lead mines in Flevance.
But now, the Hoenn Government posed a serious threat to the World Government, and the Lubni royal family's defection to the enemy infuriated him!
They had to make an example of them!
Their tens of billions of Beli in assets could cover the World Military Draft's expenses while showing the Affiliated Nations the consequences of betrayal.
At Hoenn headquarters.
Good read a newspaper, which contained some news about developments in the New World.
The most active pirate lately was Katakuri. He had defeated several powerful fighters in succession and was still hunting strong opponents.
Quite a few of those fighters were prisoners who had escaped from Impel Down.
Golden Lion was recruiting subordinates, seemingly intent on restoring his former glory. Many factions already regarded him as one of the Four Emperors.
He might have