After leaving Sun and Moon Island, the Bellamy Pirates sailed straight on, quickly arriving in the next sea region.
Arriving in the waters around Carnival City was like emerging from a narrow alley onto a broad thoroughfare. In this area, there were a total of five islands—three large and two small—surrounding Carnival City in a circular formation.
Carnival City, the largest island located at the very center, was an extremely special place even on the Grand Line. As its name suggested, it was an island with a highly developed entertainment industry. The terminus of the Sea Train was located here.
The dedicated Sea Train line passed through a total of seven islands: Enies Lobby → Water 7 → City of the Spring Queen → Nine-Color Island → Blue-White Island → Gourmet City → Carnival City.
Through this special line, countless people could easily travel between these seven cities. Because of this, these seven islands were collectively known as the "Seven Waters." To be able to cross half of the Grand Line so easily, without needing to go to sea, without facing pirates, and without paying any exorbitant costs... the Sea Train truly lived up to its title as a miracle of the sea.
But perhaps the shipwrights who built this miracle never seriously considered it: in the context of this incredibly chaotic world, was convenient transportation truly a good thing for the common people?
After all, Water 7 was right next to the Sabaody Archipelago, where the slave trade was conducted almost entirely out in the open. The infamous Human Auctioning House operated brazenly on Grove 1 of Sabaody. The most laughable part was that Marine Headquarters, Marineford, was right next to the Sabaody Archipelago. The round trip between Marineford and Sabaody took less than a few hours, yet the Marines acted as if they were blind and deaf, seeing nothing and hearing nothing.
Some things simply didn't hold up to scrutiny.
When the Bellamy Pirates arrived at Carnival City, it was nighttime. This island was unlike any other Bellamy had ever been to. It was late at night, yet the island was brilliantly lit.
"Electric lights!"
After more than two years, he was finally seeing traces of electricity in this world. Bellamy understood that they were gradually approaching the true center of this world. The closer they got to Mary Geoise, the more fantastical the technology they would encounter. In comparison, the Four Blues were like backwater country villages. Most people in the Four Blues were still lighting oil lamps, while every home here already had electricity. The disparity was truly absurd.
Bellamy looked at the Eternal Pose in his hand. The angle of the needle had changed dramatically. "Judging by this tilt, the Boin Archipelago is still very far from us." But if they took the Sea Train, they could quickly reach the nearest sea region. With the Eternal Pose, they wouldn't have to worry about getting lost.
This ship was definitely a goner, but he had to take the clones with him. Such useful tools weren't always available for purchase on the Grand Line. If he could take them, he certainly would.
"Go to the black market and buy some hooded cloaks. Buy a few extra. We're leaving on the Sea Train tomorrow." They would rest here for the night.
"Right, Captain." Drake nodded and took some men to buy supplies.
Bellamy looked at the brightly lit city and fell into thought.
An entertainment city this big... Doflamingo and the Gold Emperor must have businesses here.
Since he was already here, it wouldn't feel right not to get some payback.
The underworld was a very deep and murky place, with many industries being forcibly monopolized. The Gold Emperor and Doflamingo were both overlords of the underworld; they naturally monopolized certain sectors. The Gold Emperor's businesses were, nine times out of ten, casinos. As for Doflamingo, it would either be arms shops or auction houses. Although the city was large, if you just looked for the biggest and most luxurious establishments, you were unlikely to be wrong.
"Ross, I'm heading into the city. You and the others guard the ship."
"No problem, Captain."
"Contact me if anything happens." Bellamy gave a small leap, jumped off the ship, and walked briskly towards Carnival City.
The closer he got to the city, the stronger the modern atmosphere felt. The roads were not only wide but also exceptionally clean. Bright streetlights lined both sides of the streets. Even though it was late at night, the streets were still bustling with pedestrians. It truly resembled a modern metropolis.
Walking down the street, Bellamy observed the passersby for a while and soon discovered that a large portion of them were not common civilians.
Are they nobles and wealthy merchants here for entertainment?
The very purpose of this city's existence seemed to be to provide entertainment for these people.
"They're all so carefree."
The overall atmosphere of the city was very relaxed and leisurely. The people who came here to have fun seemed to have no worries at all; everyone had a smile on their face.
Bellamy slowed his pace and wandered through this peculiar city. Theaters, casinos, amusement parks, food streets, shopping streets, auction houses... the entertainment facilities were countless. This city was simply a paradise for the rich.
Walking down the commercial street, Bellamy suddenly felt the strange illusion that he was back on Earth. This thick commercial atmosphere didn't feel like the world of pirates at all. His intuition told him that this island, this city, had become this way in large part due to the Gold Emperor.
"They must have a lot of businesses here. I'll have some fun tonight."
With such a large volume of customers and so many wealthy people coming here for leisure, the city's daily revenue must be in the hundreds of millions. The profits involved were enough to drive people mad. The Gold Emperor alone certainly couldn't handle all the business. Even with Doflamingo as a partner, the two of them could probably only take a thirty-percent cut of the profits here. But even just thirty percent, in such a prosperous place, would be a terrifyingly large number.
If Bellamy really destroyed the Gold Emperor's and Doflamingo's businesses in Carnival City, they would truly be heartbroken enough to cough up blood.
He had seen enough. Bellamy prepared to find a place to start. His first target was, naturally, Doflamingo's auction house. He had already found its specific location during his stroll earlier—in the very center of the city, the most prosperous area. Nearby, there was also a lavishly decorated, large-scale casino. Although Bellamy wasn't sure who it belonged to, it was, nine times out of ten, one of the Gold Emperor's establishments.
"Even if it isn't, it's definitely related to him."
The Gold Emperor had a near-monopoly on the underground casino business. Bellamy wasn't worried about hitting the wrong target.