Chapter 124: The Kings Gather
“This issue······”
Shakky showed a troubled expression.
“Is it expensive?”
Looking at Shakky’s expression, Koala immediately shrank her neck, her timid emotions overwhelming her curiosity.
She was not wealthy and did not have much money to spend.
Such a large organization as the Revolutionary Army could not be sustained solely by enthusiasm for ideals; as long as they were human, they had to face issues of food, clothing, housing, and transportation. Boiling it down, Revolutionary Army officers also received salaries. Without money, mere enthusiasm could not last long.
Although Koala had joined the Revolutionary Army in her mid-teens, as a child back then, she definitely had no salary and instead received training from the Revolutionary Army. Only in the past two years, starting to formally participate in operations, had she slowly saved up some money.
“The price······ If I had detailed intelligence on this matter, I could definitely sell it for a good price.” Shakky sighed, “Unfortunately, I don’t have the details on this either. I’m also very curious about how the conflict between Beasts and the Black Prince exactly came to an end!”
The clash between two Overlords of the New World,
Such a matter was not only of interest to Koala and Shakky; the World Government, the Navy, the Seven Warlords······ all sorts of demons and gods had been using every means these days to investigate the details of that battle, trying to find out how the battle between Elus and Kaido exactly ended.
Originally, everyone thought that this great war between Beasts and the Black Prince might erupt into a war sweeping the entire New World, but the result was an anticlimactic end, all thunder and no rain, which described exactly this situation.
Elus and Kaido had a great battle near a deserted island outside the Eckmond Kingdom’s sea border. At that time, spies embedded in both fleets also successfully sent back some photos, but those photos only clearly captured the appearances of Drought Jack and Executioner Dillon······
They did not capture Elus or Kaido at all.
They were just photos of exaggerated light and shadow effects in the scenery, silver-white lightning flashing wildly through the clouds, ink-green light piercing the cloud layer, gale winds rolling up tsunamis dozens of meters high······ These photos could not be said to have no meaning at all, but obviously, for the Newspaper Company, their utilization value was quite low.
In any case, no matter how hard they tried, there had been no results so far.
There were spies from various influences in both the Beasts Pirates and the Eckmond Kingdom.
However,
This time, both Elus and Kaido were very cautious. One did not want the World Government to know that Caesar had fallen into his hands, and the other did not want to lose this sole manufacturer of artificial Devil Fruits, so they both tightly controlled the related intelligence with maximum effort, with only true confidants handling the related trade activities.
At the very least,
It would not leak out immediately, if not completely prevent any wind from getting out.
“I see!”
Koala was somewhat disappointed but also somewhat relieved.
It was fine if there was none; without it, she did not have to worry anxiously. Otherwise, if there was intelligence but she could not afford it······ that would be the most upsetting.
“By the way, the day before yesterday, the Eckmond Kingdom’s fleet had already arrived at Red Port. The Black Prince also came, accompanying King Berville. When they appeared at Red Port, the alert level in the Holy Land was raised several notches. The Five Elders directly sent CP0 members to the port to greet the Black Prince······”
Shakky proactively shared the latest current events she had grasped.
She was the undisputed number one information broker on Sabaody Archipelago. Not only was she well-informed on Sabaody Archipelago itself, but more importantly, after staying here for so many years, her intelligence network had long extended from Sabaody Archipelago into the Holy Land.
Back then, taking advantage of Fish-Man Tiger’s rampage in the Holy Land, she had also helped Amazon Lily rescue three sisters. The youngest of those three sisters was now the Emperor of Amazon Lily, evaluated by the world as the “world’s number one beauty” for her peerless beauty, and also one of the Seven Warlords······
The reason Dragon specifically sought out Shakky was because he valued her infiltration of the Holy Land.
The Revolutionary Army also had spies placed in the Holy Land, but unfortunately, there were few in number and low in status, unable to play the expected role so far, so they had to borrow external force like Shakky.
“Is it okay to tell us such intelligence directly?”
Sabo asked doubtfully.
“Isn’t your boss exactly wanting to know about these matters? News related to the Holy Land won’t cost extra. When the matter is over, it will be settled directly with your superior.” Shakky blew a smoke ring, smiling as she spoke, “Of course, if you don’t want to hear it, I can also not say it.”
————
On the Sea,
With gale winds and torrential rain, towering waves rising like successive mountain peaks, rumbling thunder rolling in the clouds. Yet in this harsh weather, over a dozen strangely shaped snail ships navigated calmly between the wave peaks.
“The weather in the Grand Line changes really fast!”
“This is the Grand Line; its greatest feature is its unpredictability. Paradise is still mild. When you go to the New World, you’ll know what harsh weather is. Among the pirates pouring into the New World each year, nearly half are not defeated by the New World’s powerhouses but sunk by the New World’s storms.”
“Is it that impressive?”
On the palace balcony, the members of the Vinsmoke Family were gathered here.
To be precise, the princess and princes were summoned by their father, His Majesty the King of Jermma Kingdom. The family gathering together was naturally not to discuss family trivialities, but Judge, who knew exactly what kind of goods his modified children were, putting leashes on them in advance.
If it were in North Blue, he would not care how the children stirred things up.
However, the next destination was the Red Line, Marie Geoise. There were Celestial Dragons, a group even more arrogant and untouchable scum. If they offended those elites among trash, kings among scoundrels, even Jermma Kingdom might not escape unscathed.
Hearing the skeptical question from his youngest son, Judge, he smiled, “Remember the Edd War? Don’t forget how the Pirate King turned defeat into victory, defeating the Golden Lion who had already gained the upper hand. Even such a strong person unfortunately fell victim to a sudden storm. Judge, do you think you’re already more impressive than the Golden Lion?”
Vinsmoke Judge was stunned for a moment, and this green-haired youth shut his mouth.
With such an example raised, how could he refute?
As modified humans, they lacked normal emotional concepts, cold and ruthless like robots, but because of that, they could view problems rationally and clearly recognize their own level. Consciously not opponents of legendary great pirates like the Golden Lion, and even the Golden Lion had suffered from a storm, perhaps they really could not underestimate the Grand Line’s ever-changing natural climate······
“The Grand Line is different from North Blue; the survival competition here is even more brutal than in North Blue. This is not to dampen our own morale. Germa 66 fears no enemies, but we have no need to make enemies everywhere. Conquering North Blue is the ultimate goal for our clan’s revival······”
Judge was deliberately tempering the spirit and will of these children.
When he felt he had said enough, he solemnly instructed:
“Reiju, Ichiji, Niji, Judge······ Once we arrive at the Holy Land, remember absolutely not to conflict with Celestial Dragons. If you see those guys with bubble hoods on their heads, leave immediately.”
“Father, I’ll watch over my younger brothers.”
Reiju smiled elegantly, her beautiful face like a poisonous butterfly.
“Tch, who needs you watching!”
“Reiju, my affairs don’t need your management.”
The siblings, whose relationship was anything but harmonious, immediately started arguing.
But this argument did not last long.
Unknowingly, the fleet had passed through the storm-covered area. Standing on the balcony, they could see from afar the astonishingly tall canopy of the redwood trees.
————
Red Port.
Warships flying the flag of Alabasta Kingdom entered the port. On the opened gangway, King Cobra, with a worried expression, mustered his spirits. Accompanied by his daughter, he disembarked. After a not-short period of turbulence on the sea, he once again stood firmly on the soil of the Red Line.
Here again!
Cobra looked up at the towering continent hidden in the clouds and mist, his mood extremely complex.
“Holy Land······ Sigh!”
The World Conference; it was not his first time attending. As one of the top superpowers in Paradise, plus the status as descendants of the Nefertari Family, one of the Twenty Kings, Alabasta had a permanent seat at the World Conference. Even when Cobra was still a prince, he had been brought several times to attend.
However, years of conference experiences brought nothing to be proud of, only endless fatigue.
The seemingly grand World Conference had never truly played any role over the years. After many efforts and many failures, Cobra finally realized that the World Conference under the current system was just a signboard propped up by the Holy Land to deceive the world.
The true holders of world power were the World Government and Marie Geoise, not the fifty kings with varying thoughts and no hierarchy of status.
But for the status and power of Alabasta Kingdom, he attended every conference without fail, and even knowing there was little hope, he repeatedly proposed agenda items one after another, trying to make the world better.
The world did not improve because of his futile efforts; instead, Alabasta, which had been at peace for many years, inexplicably fell into war.
A drought of extreme strangeness.
Rebel forces rising up due to lack of water resources—if not for the good reputation accumulated by the Nefertari Family over ten-plus generations supporting them, the royal army would always hold the advantage. If the same happened in other countries, the king’s head would probably be chopped off.
Under such circumstances, Cobra could still set out for the Holy Land to attend the World Conference.
Of course,
Loving his people like his own children, Cobra felt only deep sorrow and unease in his heart. He suspected the domestic rebellion was related to that great pirate recognized by the World Government, but that guy had manipulated public opinion to win the people’s hearts and was even considered a hero by many citizens.
Plus having the status of a Seven Warlord, without irrefutable evidence, he could not touch that person at all.
To uncover the truth, his daughter boldly infiltrated the organization that person had established. All this made him, His Majesty the King, so angry and powerless. Sitting in the royal palace but helpless due to the gap in martial power, he simply brought his daughter and left the kingdom to attend the World Conference, preparing to seek help from the outside.
“Vivi, thank you for your hard work.”
Cobra turned his head to look at his obedient daughter beside him and sighed deeply.
“It’s fine, Father. This is what I should do as princess.” The girl with clear and beautiful features and long aqua-blue hair smiled kindly. She too looked up at the Holy Land before her and murmured, “I hope this time we can find a way to deal with that crocodile.”
“Yes!”
Cobra agreed.
But there was not much hope in his eyes. Having attended so many conferences, he deeply understood that the kings of various countries were all ‘selfish.’ Any king with a normal brain would always act to protect his own country with every word and deed; no one would risk their own interests to help others.
Even Cobra himself would not drag Alabasta into adventure.
And he did not think anyone would disregard that crocodile’s threat.
However,
As long as he could pull his daughter out of that dangerous organization, it would not be a wasted trip. When he learned Vivi had joined that Baroque Works, his soul nearly flew out in fright. If that crocodile discovered Vivi’s whereabouts, could it end well?
Fortunately, Vivi had joined not long ago and was just an insignificant peripheral member. It did not take much effort to get her back, but Vivi was clearly still not giving up, so he brought her to the Holy Land together.
“Let’s go! First, go see those old friends.”
Cobra reined in his chaotic thoughts and headed toward the Holy Land. Having come so many times, he knew the way well and did not need a guide. Taking the bubble elevator to the Holy Land at the top of the Red Line, after settling their lodging, he took Vivi to visit several friends who had already arrived.
Alabasta Kingdom had quite a few friends.
Although Cobra’s character was secretly mocked by many kings as pedantic and foolish, few would refuse to be friends with such a fool. Compared to dealing with those sly fox-like guys, a kind and sincere good person like Cobra was naturally much more relaxed.
