"Why would anyone want to be a lapdog for the World Government?" Hatcheson said with a look of disapproval.
Edmond glared at him, but Hatcheson remained unfazed.
As William's influence grew, the main heads of various departments under his command met less frequently, unlike the close-knit group they once were. Edmond belonged to the Four Seas Trading Company, while Hatcheson was part of the Morgan Pirates. Although the Morgan Pirates held some shares in the Four Seas Trading Company, William was the sole representative of these shares. As a result, Hatcheson and Edmond hadn't met often over the past year, and naturally, there wasn't much camaraderie between them. Hatcheson, being straightforward, didn't care about saving face for his colleagues and would voice his dissatisfaction directly.
However, Hatcheson's lack of social tact didn't mean others on the ship were oblivious.
The cadres of the Morgan Pirates enjoyed dividends from the trading company. As the business of the Four Seas Trading Company prospered, the money distributed to the pirates increased steadily. While it might not match the immediate profits from looting, it was stable and reliable. The saying goes, "A silver stream is better than a silver mountain," and within just a year, the bright financial prospects were evident. William's initial goal was partly achieved—binding the pirate cadres to this interest. People like Kuro, who were shrewd, didn't want to strain relations with the trading company in the current situation.
Kuro deliberately ignored Hatcheson's words and mediated, explaining to Edmond, "According to the newspaper, the World Government established the Seven Warlords of the Sea because of their influence. William is still relatively unknown in the East Blue. The higher-ups in the World Government probably haven't even heard of him, so how could they invite him?"
Time is a wonderful thing; it fades old memories and strengthens new ones. The smuggling incident was over a year ago, and Arcadio and Roy had almost completely forgotten the small players they had "crushed" at the time. They certainly didn't remember names like William's. After all, their main focus wasn't on William and his group. If the masterminds were so indifferent, what could be expected of the "accomplices" who knew even less?
On the pirate ship, the number of old-timers from Barbarossa's era was dwindling. Over the year, through a mix of rewards and intimidation, William had thoroughly taken control of the ship. He had even reverted to using his real name on the ship, keeping Stolt as a middle name for the crew's comfort, though people usually called him William. The crew found it odd, but as he was the captain, they wouldn't, and didn't dare, argue over his name.
As for Kuro, originally under Count Arcadio, William wasn't worried about him. Their shared experience in eliminating Barbarossa had brought him closer to William psychologically. During this process, Kuro personally witnessed William's ruthless cunning, which differed from the indirect pressure exerted by Arcadio's high status.
William methodically eliminated enemies from the Red-Beard Pirates, including Hayreddin, Reis, Barbarossa, and even Felton. Few on the ship understood the process better than Kuro. This created a different kind of pressure from William—a direct threat to life.
Simply put, Arcadio made Kuro fear him because of the power to ruin his reputation. In contrast, William's current influence made Kuro feel that angering him would directly threaten his life.
Moreover, William was now the leader of a major pirate crew and the owner of a promising trading company. Even without considering William's own combat prowess, his influence wasn't much less than Arcadio's.
On one hand, Arcadio had long underutilized Kuro, treating him as a dispensable pawn, indifferent to his desires, offering neither material nor spiritual satisfaction. On the other hand, William valued his talents, made him a key officer on the ship, and granted him shares in the trading company, providing both status and tangible benefits. Naturally, Kuro's loyalty lay with William.
In fact, during the Barbarossa incident, Kuro had already deceived Arcadio. Having done it once, betraying Arcadio and continuing to deceive him for William was a natural progression.
"Then we should do something big to get the government's attention," Edmond muttered. "It's a shame we have some fame in the East Blue, yet the captain doesn't even have a bounty..."
Sitting next to him, William frowned at this comment, rolled up the newspaper, and tapped Edmond on the head. "If you're idle, head to Frost Moon Village immediately. I'm going to the Isshin Dojo tomorrow, and others will be there too. You should go ahead and arrange accommodations."
"I'm not going," Edmond said, slumping onto the table, gripping its edge as if afraid William would have him dragged away.
Aramis, who had overheard William's thoughts on the ship's bow that day, glanced at him, noticing the deliberate change of topic, then looked away.
William noticed Aramis's movement but didn't mind.
The World Government and Marines focused their attention on the Grand Line, dealing with the influx of promising new pirates aiming for One Piece. They even established the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" system.
The greatest advantage of privateering licenses is that the government doesn't need to spend significant resources, funds, and time training Marines. They can immediately gain ready-made power. Someone as astute as William quickly grasped the underlying meaning: the current shortage of Marine forces.
Considering the weakening Marine presence in the East Blue, William's current strategic plan could be summed up in twelve words:
"Strengthen foundations, recruit talent, delay claiming kingship."
The World Government couldn't fully control the East Blue, especially the kingdoms and the villages and towns beneath them. Yet this sea held vast human and material resources, making it an ideal place to establish roots. Before this, William didn't want to attract the World Government's attention.
William wouldn't rashly head to the Grand Line like Selkirk or other new pirates without strategic planning.
The Grand Line, a pirate graveyard teeming with strong figures, was a place William certainly intended to go. However, he wouldn't blindly rush in unprepared. He needed a stable rear to sustain him.
The Grand Line saw countless pirates from the Four Seas enter with high hopes each year, only to flee like beaten dogs.
William didn't want to become such a laughingstock. When he entered the Grand Line, it would be with the assurance that he could establish a foothold there, never to be driven out in disgrace!
(Extra chapter for Sanjiang, and confirmation on Yasopp, the Empress, and the Seven Warlords. Specific time and reference have been posted in the related works section. Your reckless plot speculations have nearly run my legs off.)
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