In the year 1509 of the Sea Circle Calendar, the East Blue seemed to be in a state of unrest.
First, William and his Morgan Pirates rose to prominence in the waters surrounding the Navia Kingdom. Then, "Red-Haired" Shanks and his Red-Haired Pirates, visitors from the Grand Line, made their way to Foosha Village in the Goa Kingdom. Finally, the militaristic powerhouse Germa Kingdom from the North Blue launched an incursion into the East Blue.
The Germa Kingdom, a nation built on military strength and advanced technology, had no fixed territory. Its citizens lived aboard ships that operated independently under normal circumstances but could merge into a single mobile nation when needed.
The majority of Germa's population was male, and nearly all were combat-ready. Its army, known as Germa 66, was infamous worldwide. It had even been depicted as a villainous organization in serialized comic strips, leading many in the East Blue—and even across the world—to believe that Germa 66 was merely a fictional evil army.
That illusion was shattered when Germa 66 appeared in the East Blue and swiftly conquered the small nation of Kokia.
On the day war broke out, a passing passenger ship witnessed the entire process of Kokia's discovery of Germa 66 and its subsequent fall. Armed with advanced weaponry and a highly professionalized military, Germa 66 overwhelmed Kokia with ease. The small nation stood no chance against such a formidable foe.
Surprisingly, Germa 66 paid no attention to the passing passenger ship. As the ship departed Kokia's harbor, the news of the war spread rapidly, sparking panic among the nations of the East Blue.
The Germa Kingdom was notorious for its history of conquest. Its activities had previously been confined to the equally perilous waters of the North Blue, where it had once dominated by waging war against four kings and emerging victorious. The kingdom had even captured photographs of its triumphs over the monarchs.
Anyone familiar with these stories could easily conclude that most nations in the East Blue would be powerless against such a military powerhouse.
The media in the East Blue seized on the incident, publishing sensational reports. While there was little concrete evidence, the coverage effectively fueled widespread fear and anxiety.
In the Navia Kingdom, within the capital city of Kalmar, King Norton I set down the newspaper he had been reading. With a troubled expression, he rose from his throne and began pacing, his mind weighed down by concerns for his nation.
Two attendants standing nearby exchanged glances before simultaneously lowering their gazes, avoiding any attention. They were all too familiar with King Norton I's tendencies.
Perhaps Norton I had good intentions and occasionally entertained the idea of being a wise and virtuous ruler. After all, how many monarchs—no matter how incompetent—would wish for their own realm to deteriorate? To them, the kingdom was essentially their family's legacy.
However, being a wise ruler required more than impulsive decisions and poorly conceived ideas. Take, for instance, the king's prohibition on alcohol. The Navia Kingdom's cold climate and hilly terrain meant that its grain production was low, yet its citizens had a strong cultural affinity for drinking. While some degree of regulation and reform might have been reasonable, Norton I, under the subtle influence of Count Arcadio, issued an outright ban on alcohol.
Did this king, who had never set foot outside the royal castle and whose citizens barely knew what he looked like, truly believe that his authority was absolute and universally respected simply because of his legal sovereignty?
The attendants silently mocked their ruler in their hearts.
The result of Norton I's prohibition was widespread public discontent, with most of the blame directed squarely at the king himself. Meanwhile, the ban failed to eradicate alcohol consumption. Instead, the underground trade in alcoholic beverages flourished, with Count Arcadio monopolizing the market. The profits from this illicit trade flowed directly into the treasury minister's pockets, untaxed.
The attendants were aware of this situation but had no interest in informing Norton I. The closer one got to the royal family, the more one realized that they were just ordinary people who had been extraordinarily lucky. Without the backing of the World Government, these so-called rulers would likely have been overthrown long ago in a world dominated by the strong.
Even as a king, a fool remained a fool. Norton I's ignorance and obstinacy, combined with his arrogance, made him favor the outwardly loyal and submissive Count Arcadio. As the Minister of Finance and the most senior of the four key ministers, Arcadio wielded immense power, controlling the kingdom's finances and enjoying a deeply entrenched family presence in the royal capital. He was far beyond the reach of a mere attendant.
If the king had been wise, the attendants might have dared to offer bold advice. But the current state of affairs was entirely the result of Norton I's own actions. Watching the king pace slowly and frown in thought, the attendants had no desire to risk their careers or lives by speaking up.
Finally, Norton I seemed to arrive at a solution. He turned to one of the attendants and said, "Summon the Minister of Finance."
The attendant quickly left to carry out the order. Before long, word came that Count Arcadio had arrived outside the hall.
When Norton I gave the order to admit him, the elderly Count Arcadio, his hair streaked with gray, entered the hall with hurried steps. Upon reaching the king, he knelt on one knee and performed a meticulous bow, struggling to rise as he inquired, "Your Majesty, what has happened?"
In truth, Arcadio already knew why he had been summoned. Norton I had read about the Germa Kingdom's incursion into the East Blue in the newspapers, and that was the reason for his call. Nevertheless, Arcadio feigned ignorance.
Norton I raised his hand in a benevolent gesture, as if to help the elderly minister rise, despite the considerable distance between them.
As a senior statesman left behind by the previous king, Arcadio had long been exempt from such formalities due to his age and position. Yet, unlike the other ministers, he continued to perform these rituals with unwavering precision, even ignoring Norton I's personal attempts to dissuade him. His steadfast loyalty and humility endeared him greatly to the king.
With a grave expression, Norton I recounted the news of the Germa Kingdom's conquest of Kokia. Though Arcadio was unimpressed internally, he outwardly adopted an increasingly serious demeanor as the king spoke.
"Your Majesty, what is your command?" Arcadio asked respectfully.
"To protect our citizens, we must expand our military and strengthen our defenses!" Norton I declared passionately. "If that deranged nation dares to target us next, I'll make sure they pay with their blood!"
Arcadio inwardly balked at the idea. As the Minister of Finance, he was acutely aware of the enormous costs associated with military expansion—a long-term expenditure with uncertain benefits.
What if the Germa Kingdom never targeted the Navia Kingdom? What if the newly built army proved no match for Germa 66?
Despite his reservations, Arcadio maintained his deferential facade. He responded with a firm "Yes, Your Majesty," without the slightest hint of dissent.
No matter what he thought privately, Arcadio had always been obedient in front of Norton I, which had earned him the king's complete trust.
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