Chapter 40 – Ator Is Too Ruthless: Military-Commerce Joint Venture
"Traveling the four seas with Father, I came to understand in depth just how different each sea is. Because of that, I believe there is enormous business potential here!"
"Mother, look at my analysis of the South Blue. Although it lacks the very best craftsmen, its industrial output surpasses the other seas—especially its firearms industry, which is second to none! Most of the Navy's standard-issue guns and ammunition are sourced from the South Blue!"
"And if you look at the North Blue, it has perhaps the most entrenched underworld culture of all four seas. The West Blue is similar to an extent—but the concentration of criminal syndicates inevitably leads to constant fighting."
"In the North Blue, aside from those kingdoms aligned with the World Government, very few states have the strength to resist the encroachment of the gangs. Nearly every kingdom is effectively controlled by a handful of major crime families."
"And that's not even all—though the Vinsmoke family that once waged bloody war across all four seas has declined, their name alone still carries enormous intimidation in the North Blue!"
"So, if we establish a shipping route right here where the four seas meet near Reverse Mountain, those northern kings certainly won't mind having a little extra firepower on hand to protect themselves!"
"What's more, now that the seas have finally calmed after so much upheaval, we're entering a long period of relative peace. I'm sure the Navy would be happy to see even fewer pirates setting sail for the Grand Line. That leaves us with enormous room to maneuver—even to the point of promoting the construction of two new branch bases!"
Stunned. Absolutely dumbfounded—Golly stared at her son, momentarily feeling as if he were a stranger.
An arms business…? And not just any business—he was planning something this big right from the start?
He was only ten years old, wasn't he? If she remembered correctly!
And he wasn't finished. Ator seemed to grow more and more excited as he spoke, his words spilling forth in a torrent:
"And also, Mother—the Navy's annual military budget is a constant headache. I asked Big Brother Sakazuki about it—he said it's the biggest problem every Fleet Admiral has to grapple with. In fact, nearly forty percent of that budget goes just to buying weapons!"
"But as long as we control this shipping route and reach a partnership with the Navy, once the South Blue arms merchants get a taste of the profits, the prices will definitely come down!"
"Of course, they're not fools—so the Navy would still need to continue placing some orders themselves, just in smaller quantities. Then we could step in to fill the gap. And even if we only took a tiny portion of the leftover profits, it would still be more than enough to sustain all the residents of Sky Island!"
"And finally, don't forget—the North Blue is also Big Brother Sakazuki's homeland. Most of the brothers we've sent from the Nasdaq family into the Navy come from there too. I'm sure they won't reject my proposal!"
"And besides—yes, war inevitably brings blood and tears. But it's a necessary process—a price we must pay for a better tomorrow! I believe they'll understand me. Father will understand me. Once the North Blue falls into conflict, the victor will bring lasting peace to the entire sea."
When he finished, Ator looked at his mother with an expression full of hope, exactly like a child eagerly waiting to be praised.
Golly was so utterly shocked that she could scarcely find words.
Even though she knew little about business, she understood just how much profit Ator's plan could bring the Nasdaq family.
Indeed, many powerful merchants might have dreamed of such a thing—but they simply didn't have the ability to pull it off! Maritime shipping was the greatest obstacle faced by traders across all the seas—let alone an operation that would span oceans.
But it wasn't impossible—so long as one controlled the crossroads of the four seas.
Moreover, if Ross were willing, he could even use air transport instead of sea transport to cross the Calm Belt—but that was far from a simple undertaking!
Unless Ross abandoned everything else and focused solely on commerce, the only viable option would be to rely on modifying an "airborne processing cloud" into a cargo vessel.
But that was extraordinarily difficult! With current technology, it would be nearly impossible, and the Nasdaq family had no professional research teams.
Even if they managed to get it running, there was still the question of unloading—on the seas, there were very few people who could leap a hundred meters in a single bound unimpeded, never mind moving cargo safely at the same time.
And now, this small child named Ator had proposed such an audacious concept—and not only that, he had carefully recorded every step of his plan, backed by solid logic, with a success rate so high it was frightening.
Just as he said, the Navy would never reject such a proposal—because the military budget they'd save each year would be astronomical! Enough to fund all sorts of operations—from expanding the fleet to issuing new bounties—while freeing themselves from the World Government's constant stranglehold.
As for any dissent within the family—there might be some voices of caution, but they would be few and faint. Because the truth was undeniable: war always brought mass casualties—and the peace that followed them.
Ator had merely accelerated the process. In fact, broadly speaking, he was preventing a longer, more drawn-out future of suffering and bloodshed.
In short, his merits canceled out his faults—even if no one would ever openly acknowledge it.
"Mother understands now, Ator. Go ahead—pursue it boldly. Your mother still has some money left. Tomorrow, I'll arrange the funds and manpower you need!"
At that moment, Golly looked at Ator with heartfelt warmth, unable to hide the joy and pride on her face.
Did you see that, Ross?
This is our eldest son—a rising star who will bring long-term prosperity to the family, an irreplaceable cornerstone of our legacy!
Even if he had no strength to protect himself, the family would spare no effort in assigning guards to shield him!
"That's amazing! Love you, Mom! See you tomorrow!"
Ator was overjoyed. Clutching his notebook, he ran off happily. His urgency made it seem like someone was eagerly waiting for his report.
Golly chuckled behind her hand. Still just a kid. But… wasn't that exactly how he should be at his age?
Besides, didn't that prove something even more important? Ator had already gained supporters—this news was probably meant for Sakazuki and the others.
But still...
"Sorry, Ator," Golly whispered with guilt in her voice. "This is something I have to tell your father. Please forgive me."
This wasn't a decision she could make alone.
However, she could promise one thing—as long as Ator didn't want Ross to know, then no one would dare bring it up in front of him.
A child's pride must be protected. That's the responsibility of a parent—not something to flaunt or mock carelessly.
---
That night, in Castle Ross — top floor.
Ever since her pregnancy, Golly had been sleeping in a separate room. That way, even if she tossed and turned in her sleep—or even sleepwalked—the baby wouldn't be affected.
The room was right next to Ross's, close enough that he could sense any disturbance.
Ross took the safety of their children dead seriously.
When Golly pushed open the door to the master bedroom, Ross was in bed, nestled close with the only one of his three wives who wasn't pregnant—Molent Molla.
The bed was enormous—large enough to comfortably sleep seven people at once.
"Hm? Golly?" Ross blinked in surprise at the sight of her. "Can't sleep alone tonight?"
He assumed she was just feeling lonely and wanted to sleep beside him. It happened from time to time, and Ross wasn't the possessive type—he understood how isolating it could be for a pregnant woman to sleep by herself.
"It's not that," she replied. "Ator came to see me today. There's something important I want to discuss with you..."