"A pirate nation?"
"That's right. The people you're currently dealing with are known by that name."
After confirming there were no suspicious elements aboard the ship, I returned to Mopti's port and escorted Amis to our usual meeting room with Bege. His subordinates are waiting at the port, at least they're not enemies this time, and since it's Bege, they must have information worth discussing.
Even if they're subordinates, we can't treat them roughly by refusing them shore leave. Of course, we can't let them into the city center since some citizens have a phobia of the mafia, but we need to guarantee them some degree of freedom.
"We're in the middle of creating the framework for that very thing, and now this happens."
"Heh heh heh. A certain family is angry about your recent activities. They say you took over a place that was producing raw materials for drugs."
"We didn't take it over, we destroyed it..."
"What you think you did and what the other side thinks you did are two different things. Especially when it involves something shady."
In fact, one of the main sources of income for the citizens here was cultivating crops used for drugs. The mafia bought them cheaply, processed them into illegal drugs, and sold them at high prices. They used the profits to buy cheap food and sell it at inflated prices in the black market here. That's what they were doing.
Of course, that wasn't the only thing they were involved in...
Well, we burned everything. We considered using the fiber for other purposes, but we feared that allowing it to remain would inevitably lead to a decline in our efforts, so we set fire to everything, seedlings, seeds, the lot. We've also issued orders to thoroughly eradicate any plants growing wild in the mountains.
"Let's get back to the matter at hand, Kuro. The Mogwa Kingdom. Though it doesn't extend all the way to the western sea, it's a member nation with a high-quality navy of its own."
I thought the meeting with Bege could be one-on-one, but Daz and Amis refused. Amis is standing by my side, and there's a man on the other side who looks familiar, this guy is the one I convinced to evacuate the ship in a hurry back then.
"Mogwa... It's indeed a country close to this one, but a pirate nation? I thought member nations were supposed to be punished severely if they had ties to pirates?"
The discussion turned to excluding the Seven Warlords. In the epilogue of the Alabasta incident in the original story, the marines said something like that and confronted the general of Alabasta... what was his name? Chaka?
"On the surface, they may not be related, but there are quite a few who are secretly allied with pirates. Take the Eight Treasure Navy, one of the most powerful pirate groups in the West Sea. Even with a 500 million Berry bounty on their heads, they're still supporting naval forces."
...Isn't Flower Country part of the Grand Line? Damn, I guess I should really memorize the geography. I've only checked the places I've been involved with or plan to be involved with in some way.
Actually, if pirates from the Western Sea are appearing in the latter half of the Grand Line story, that means there must be some who are traveling back and forth by at least twenty years from now. Right now... I haven't heard any such stories yet, but eventually we'll have to prepare countermeasures with the Four Emperors in mind... That's so far away...
It's not just my life at stake, but the lives and dignity of my comrades too, so I can't just give up and walk away... Clemens... Where's Clemens...?
"Well, it's true that if our alliance with pirates is too obvious, the Navy will come after us. That's why Mogwa is taking a different approach."
A different approach... But why would we ally with pirates in the first place? If there's a reason, what is it? Income from plundering? A nation that relies on such things is out of the question. Then, military strength? But we can't do that on our own... Is there something we can't accomplish with our own army?
"...Pressure on other nations?"
The World Government isn't a single nation, it's a collection of nations. And the relationships between nations aren't exactly friendly. Even twenty years from now, those shady, corrupt, sunglasses-wearing thugs were selling weapons like SMILE. There's bound to be a spark somewhere.
"Heh heh heh, that's exactly it, Kuro."
"It's a hassle... but we can't just cut ties completely."
Then, even if they know it's illegal, there might be those who want to gain an advantage over other nations or hinder them.
"Their cunning lies in not directly negotiating with pirates but using their own military forces to manipulate them effectively."
"In other words, they're using naval forces not as tools, but to manipulate pirates in the direction they want."
"Exactly. You're sharp, Kuro. That's it."
Amis took a sip from the wine glass he'd brought, savoring the taste.
"As expected of the mafia, you look good with a drink."
"After all, this is the age of great pirates. There are plenty of people who want to seize gold, food, ships, and weapons to prepare for their ventures."
"Of course, that weakens national power. But if we have the strength to drive them out..."
"It becomes a weapon to weaken the surrounding nations. However—"
"We've started eliminating them one by one. From their perspective, that's not amusing. It reduces the efficiency of dragging down the surrounding nations."
"On the contrary, the other member nations are welcoming you. For some reason, rumors about the marine slave incident seem to be spreading."
Ah, I heard that from the supply team. Apparently, there were people talking about us while we were restocking at the tavern.
"Rumors with unnecessary embellishments are a hassle..."
Even if we concede that distrust toward the Celestial Dragons—the World Government—might spread due to the marine slave incident, the content itself is problematic. Amis and the others might be viewed through a suspicious lens. It's not exactly pleasant.
"Yeah... I know you hate that kind of thing, but whether it's infamy or fame, take what you can get. The more cards you have in your hand, the better."
"Hmph."
Now that you mention it, you're right. With the number of people we have to feed and protect exploding, being known for anything other than the bounty on your head—whether it's respect or fear—can be useful.
"...Alright. I'll accept it, Bege."
"Good, do that. But the real problem is the pirate nation."
Bege, you can smoke your cigar, but at least say something, you bastard. Amis is glaring at you.
"Those who have been suppressed by force fear that they will be struck back when that force weakens."
"That's true. In terms of ensuring the safety of their own people... well, such methods can be considered legitimate in a way..."
Using force is undoubtedly strong, and the more people you have, the higher the chances of success, but it's tough without a sense of balance.
"...Bege, just before you arrived, we were attacked by a group with unusually well-equipped gear. Their equipment and ships were brand new, so I thought they were new pirates."
"It was probably Mogwa's navy. They probably planned to crush you guys and forcibly seize this island, where the civil war has been temporarily quelled, even if only in name."
That's probably right. I also know what happened afterward. The residents of this island are non-member nationals. They probably planned to forcibly increase their productivity by turning them into slaves or serfs.
Now that the pressure from the pirates in the nearby seas has been reduced, it's only natural that they would increase the pressure from their own country until the residents recover.
"We arrived at a good time. A country that resorts to such petty harassment couldn't possibly defeat you. They must have realized that. So, what will they do next?"
...Nothing good, I'm afraid. They lost all those ships and weapons. They gave the crew small boats to escape, but... In any case, they'll be looking to replenish their forces soon. And they'll do it quickly...
"Are we the target?"
"Probably. But that's not all. The neighboring countries have already figured out that the reason pirates are swarming their shores is because of Mogwa."
"If that's stirring things up, it must be annoying."
"Yeah. It's utterly unreasonable."
Just when we need to build a track record of securing production capacity to unite the non-member states, why does a dispute among member states have to come flying in? You idiots!
Either way, we need reconnaissance, damn it. Should we send someone unknown to investigate?
"So, since your territory in the neighboring countries might also be targeted, we should cooperate to reduce Mogwa's pressure..."
Saying that, Bege smiled.
"You're quick on the uptake, Kuro."
"You're not the type to help without expecting something in return, are you?"
"Heh heh heh. So, what do we do?"
"You know what this means, don't you? A de facto declaration of war against the allied nations..."
"This is a path we can't avoid. I'm in, Bege."
"Ha ha ha! That's the spirit, Kuro!"
"Yeah."
"An alliance."
***
"The allied nations are using pirates to launch indirect attacks on other allied nations... What a..."
"I apologize for causing you such distress, Your Highness."
After the alliance was decided, they were escorted to the old guard barracks inside the port and met with the royal family to explain the situation. In some cases, they might invite Bege and his crew into the palace.
Behind us, Hancock is kneeling on one knee with her head bowed. This was something unimaginable in the original story, so I initially doubted my eyes, but it seems that "since the master is showing respect to someone, I cannot help but follow suit."
...Rescuing them before they experienced slavery is having an unexpected impact. They've even been taught proper etiquette by the former marines. You were such a good kid? Sorry, but you're so reliable that I might end up giving you a lot of work.
"It's fine, Kuro. You don't need to worry about it."
His chestnut-colored hair, which had been left untended and grown out until recently, had been trimmed slightly.
"Despite being a pirate, you treat me, my mother, and my sister with respect. Amis and the other members of the royal guard protect us when we go out into the town... Thanks to that, we're slowly able to offer some comfort to the people as members of the royal family... It's something I couldn't have imagined just a short while ago."
When we first met, the princess—perhaps out of despair, often made remarks that seemed to be trying to gauge our mood as pirates, but she has gradually started to speak to us properly.
"...The queen..."
"My mother has entrusted everything to me... no, I think she actually wants to entrust it to you, Kuro."
The Queen, the highest-ranking member of the royal family who refused to sit on the throne, rarely appears in public. She doesn't seem to be in poor health... perhaps she distrusts people, or perhaps she is afraid...
"Kuro."
"Yes?"
"Will the World Government ever attack this island?"
...Yes.
"Probably. Even if we leave here, if this place becomes prosperous, the World Government will want it in some form or another."
Probably, but... For the World Government, the fact that they are literally the 'world' is their greatest weapon. If there's a country that tries to become prosperous outside of their grasp, they'd want to incorporate it into their world unless there's a compelling reason—like being under the control of the Four Emperors or the Seven Warlords.
(That's why the alliance plan is necessary... but there's no core country or figure to unite it.)
"...We've had no place to flee for ages. If you hadn't come, we'd be at the mercy of the underworld and sold off by now. ...In fact, my father and brother were."
We searched for the former king and prince here, but it seems they were sent to the East Sea, the country of Tequila Wolf, known as the "Bridge Country." If they're still alive, they're probably being forced to work as laborers.
"Kuro."
"Huh?"
"These are the words of the royal family of this country."
"Please proceed with your plans, including the one you mentioned earlier, as you see fit."
"I believe that will bring freedom and prosperity back to this country."
...Well, it's nice of you to say that, but...
"But I'm a pirate?"
"No. Even if people call you a pirate..."
"I've never seen a knight as noble as you."
Such praise might just complicate the situation further!!
***
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