"Stop talking nonsense!"
Feeling trapped in a cycle of self-justification, Aramaki grew visibly furious.
"Brother Gurd, the Celestial Dragons are the gods of this world! The World Government they founded holds the right to rule over it!"
"Every corner of this world falls under the jurisdiction of the World Government. There's nothing wrong with setting up a toll station here!"
"As for the Non-Allied Nations, they don't have human rights."
"Brother Aramaki."
Gurd tilted his chin up, his gaze icy.
"Do you want to die here?"
"..."
Aramaki promptly shut his mouth.
Why so angry?!
Gurd snorted coldly and turned to Fujitora.
"Admiral Fujitora, do you share this fool's opinion?"
"This old man does not think so."
Fujitora shook his head. "To me, all lives in this world are equal—there is no distinction of high or low, noble or base. I agree with what you just said."
"Hey, Issho!"
Aramaki roared at Fujitora in frustration.
"Whose side are you even on?!"
"This old man stands on the side of justice."
Fujitora remained unmoved.
"Well said!"
Gurd clapped his hands.
"The Reverse Mountain Canal connects all seas except the New World—it's arguably the most crucial crossroads in the world!"
"Right now, over a hundred nations rely on this canal to reach Aluba Trade Port, gathering there to trade, purchase necessary supplies, and sell surplus resources."
"Fujitora, Ryokugyu, do you know what this means?"
"..."
Both men frowned.
Business matters were beyond their understanding.
"Let me tell you."
Gurd spoke calmly. "This means nations can exchange what they lack for what they need, earning extra income so they no longer have to exhaust themselves in endless militarization like before!"
"It means nations can easily pay the Celestial Tribute in the future, and countless impoverished citizens may receive some relief—enough to fill their stomachs!"
"It means war is no longer the only path to wealth. Through trade, nations can develop steadily, and conflicts will drastically decrease!"
"It means stability and peace for the world!"
"These are the greatest purposes of Reverse Mountain's existence!"
War carries risks. Many nations fight until they deplete themselves, with rewards far outweighed by losses.
If nations can maintain stability through trade, why risk annihilation by waging war? Peaceful development is far better—this world hasn't even reached a state of resource scarcity yet.
Even if some nations remain warmongers, they are the minority.
Click! Click! Click!
Camera flashes never ceased.
Nice!
Gurd stole a glance at the lenses and the crowd of reporters, silently praising himself before clearing his throat and continuing his speech.
"But now, the World Government wants to destroy all of this—to impose a staggering 70% tariff, blocking Member Nations from trading and preventing their people from eating their fill!"
"A 70% tariff can double the price of a loaf of bread from 30 Berries to 60 Berries , making it unaffordable for most citizens!"
"That's why we're here!"
"Even if it escalates into all-out war with the World Government, I will tear this place down and stop their tyranny!"
"The Hoenn Government's philosophy is to ensure our people can eat their fill, wear new clothes without patches, live happily with their families, and face life with smiles!"
Thud.
The notebook fell to the ground.
Tears streamed down the faces of the gathered reporters, their hearts filled with warmth.
Mr. Gurd was truly a man of such noble virtue!
Witnessing this moment was the greatest fortune of their lives.
They already envisioned the headlines.
[Fill the World with Love!]
The two Admirals were utterly dumbfounded.
They hadn't considered things from this angle—or rather, they lacked political awareness.
Ryokugyu had once been a small-town policeman, while Fujitora had worked as a debt collector's bodyguard before serving as an Army Commander for a certain nation—though that country had perished under his protection.
Only now did the two realize just how grave this mission was.
The most critical issue was the presence of so many reporters. If they voiced opposition, it could lead to severe repercussions.
But staying silent would be tantamount to endorsing Gurd's words.
That was even worse.
The World Government was about to be painted as the villain!
Aramaki broke out in a cold sweat and quickly glanced at Fujitora beside him.
"Issho, old friend—huh?"
Seeing the gratified smile on Fujitora's face, Aramaki clenched his fists, his expression darkening like the bottom of a scorched pot.
How can you still smile at a time like this?!
Damn it, think of something!
If all else fails, summon a meteor and pass it off as a natural disaster—wipe out all the reporters here!
The two weren't the only ones panicking. The Five Elders watching the live broadcast were equally frantic.
Saturn roared in fury.
"Cut the broadcast now!"
"Saint Saturn, the worldwide broadcast isn't under our control—it's being managed by the Hoenn Government. We can't shut it down."
"Damn it!"
Saturn's eyes twisted with rage as an invisible force enveloped the officer's body, causing it to explode like a cannonball strike.
His wrath claimed an innocent victim.
Saint Nusjuro clutched his forehead.
"We've been played!"
"That Gurd deliberately provoked us into raising tariffs to corner us in the court of public opinion!"
"His goal wasn't just trade—it was to promote the Hoenn Government!"
"It's too late for words now!"
"Order the fleet to open fire immediately! Eliminate the reporters on the shore—at the very least, we can't let the situation escalate further!"
"Tell Aramaki to locate the Den Den Mushi broadcasting the live feed!"
"Everyone, prepare to descend!"
The orders were swiftly relayed.
Reverse Mountain waters, Marine Fleet.
Inside the cabin of a large warship.
"We have no choice but to act!"
Saint Nusjuro drew Demon Cutter, his eyes brimming with killing intent.
The situation had spiraled beyond the World Government's control. Before it worsened further, they were forced to intervene.
But before landing, they needed to eliminate the troublesome reporters. The visage of gods could not be witnessed by mortals.
"Full speed ahead!"
"Prepare to fire!"
"Aim the cannons at the reporters on shore!"
Nearly a hundred warships suddenly accelerated, breaching the Hoenn Navy's exercise zone and rapidly closing in on Reverse Mountain.
The abrupt development left the Hoenn Navy momentarily stunned.
"Ara ara, what's this about?"
Kuzan frowned as he watched the approaching Marine fleet. This move defied his expectations.
Even if Gurd's exchange with the two Admirals had gone awry, the Marines shouldn't have lost their minds and launched an attack.
But he remembered Gurd's instructions—under no circumstances were they to strike first. The Marines had to fire the opening shot.
Reverse Mountain, shore.
Gurd faced the two Admirals, his disdainful gaze looking down upon them as if they were already defeated. He had thoroughly won this exchange.
"Hmm?!"
Suddenly, all three men turned their heads simultaneously!
"BOOM!!!"
A cannonball exploded violently nearby—right where the journalists were gathered. A single shot had already affected nearly half of the reporters!
"AAAAAHHH!!!"
Screams erupted one after another!
It was the Navy fleet!
"Bastards! Who gave the order?!" Aramaki roared in fury.
Though he too had wanted to clear away the troublesome reporters, as an Admiral, he could only entertain such thoughts—actually carrying it out was beyond him. The journalists weren't from Non-Allied Nations.
"Could it be...?!"
Aramaki quickly realized the truth.
There was only one possibility for the fleet to receive orders to fire without their approval—the Five Elders who had come with them.
The "Finance God of War," Saint Nusjuro!
Gurd cast a cold glance at the two Admirals.
"Is this the World Government's way of doing things?"
"..."
The two Navy Admirals wore ugly expressions, veins bulging on their foreheads.
Damn it!
(End of Chapter)