Since the beginning of the Great Pirate Era, the seas seem to have become the domain of pirates, with new pirates setting sail every day.
No sea area can claim to be absolutely safe, including sea areas where naval branches are located nearby.
Although most pirates would run away when they see the Navy, there are always some who will provoke them and even disregard the Navy.
Every now and then a monster will appear, like Shiki the Golden Lion who single-handedly stormed into the Marine Headquarters.
However, an anomaly appeared in the waters near Firefly Island. The Power Gear had been fighting pirates and assisting ships in distress around it for some time.
This service is currently free, as it's in the initial stage of a startup and doesn't yet have a strong reputation.
Firefly Island is also taking this opportunity to train its own troops, at least to improve its accuracy before taking on business.
The soldiers on board were also improving, and thanks to the powerful performance of the Power Gear, they suffered no casualties.
Ironclad warships had an absolute advantage over wooden ships and old-fashioned cannons. Even in close-range combat, the ship's armor could protect the crew to the greatest extent.
"They've really been a great help. These past few years as base commander have been the most relaxed I've had since joining the Navy."
At the Navy's G6 branch, Bruglas remarked that the pressure on the G6 branch had decreased dramatically since the establishment of Firefly Island.
"It's a pity, though, as I'm about to go to the new world. This place will be handed over to the younger generation."
Naval base commanders are generally quite stable, and Bruglas's trip to the New World was the result of her own initiative.
The G6 branch was relatively stable and did not require a strong general to guard it, so she took the initiative to go to the New World, intending to engage in more dangerous battles.
As for the new base commander of the G6 branch, Bruglas recommended Firemount, a young vice admiral of the new generation of the Navy.
He has a relatively stable personality and is still growing. He is one of Zephyr's disciples and has met Oran a few times; they have a fairly good relationship.
The internal relationships within the Navy are quite complex. There are different factions within the Navy itself, and sometimes fierce arguments break out due to differing opinions.
Not all navy personnel were friendly towards Oran; some disliked him.
Having someone here who doesn't get along with Oran would be bad for no one.
Putting aside everything else, the pirate reception point in the square saved the G6 branch of the Navy a lot of trouble.
At this time, the G6 branch could still see some people wearing dark blue uniforms. Those people were sent by Oran to work for free. In short, the Navy was asked to help systematically train these people and lay a good foundation.
The navy has systematic methods for training rank-and-file soldiers. While these methods may not make them exceptionally strong, they can make them more familiar with naval warfare.
Once these people return after completing their studies, Piltover can use them as a foundation to create a virtuous cycle.
If it's the training method of the Navy's Six Styles, then the Navy still needs to think about it for a while, since individual combat strength is very important on the high seas.
Although someone skilled enough can grasp the basics after watching it a few times, knowing how and teaching are two different things.
Some people are exceptionally capable but can't mentor students well, while others have mediocre experience but can help freshmen cross the threshold.
The six-style training method he devised on his own is not the same as the systematic training methods of the Navy and CP.
But naval artillery bombardment was irrelevant; it just meant a few more auditors in the recruit camp.
In any case, judging from the current situation, these people will be helping to fight pirates after they finish their training, so it's not a big problem.
Now, the Power Gear also has a Skull Band Officer, and Brooke has taken the first step in her debut.
Incidentally, Oran suddenly realized that Brook was actually quite skilled at naval warfare command.
Brook's background as a former member of the Kingdom's Guard and the former acting captain of the Rumbar Pirates gives him an understanding of naval strategy.
Meanwhile, in Alabasta's capital, Arubana, the twelfth king, Neferutari Cobra, was receiving a report from his guard captain, Icarim, on the recent events.
Although it is a kingdom that has existed for eight hundred years, the number of royal families in Alabasta is not large. Each king seems to follow a policy of fewer births and better births. There is little infighting within the royal family, and each king's term of office is quite long.
"Is it another ship from Piltover?"
"Yes, Your Majesty Cobra. I heard it was on the orders of their king that the ship, led by his captain of the royal guard, has been fighting pirates in the nearby waters."
Many of our ships have benefited from their kindness during this period, but that country has somewhat unique circumstances.
"This is not a problem; just treat it as a member state."
The time hasn't come yet, and Piltover remains a non-member state. The Five Elders' original promises haven't been made public, and outsiders don't know that Piltover will naturally become a member state once the time comes.
As the most unique of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, this non-member country also has a somewhat official nature.
Cobra wasn't the kind of king who discriminated against non-member states. Icarum said that because of the overall atmosphere on the high seas; the relationship between non-member states and member states was inherently quite delicate.
With the special legal status granted by the Seven Warlords of the Sea, it wouldn't be a problem to treat them as a member state; the only issue is that we wouldn't see them at the World Conference.
"Your Majesty Cobra, should we respond? After all, our people have indeed received help from them."
"Yes, that makes sense. I remember that country sells a lot of things to foreign countries, right? Is there anything we need?"
Cobra's attitude was clear: since the other party had provided assistance to his countrymen, he would give them an order in return.
Although profit is not everything, it is something that can never be avoided.
Cobra knew a little about Piltover, after all, this neighbor possessed weapons of mass destruction.
Fortunately, this neighbor wasn't a criminal, otherwise the people of Alabasta would really be losing sleep.
"There are some, but Your Majesty Cobra, I have a suggestion. All the ships they have rescued indicate that their ships are fast and can move without the aid of wind. Perhaps we could buy ships, or the technology in this area."
Those who were rescued consistently spoke highly of Piltover, not only because of the voluntary assistance, but also because of Kate's appearance.
In Alabasta, cats also have a relatively high status.
The first half of the Grand Line lacked understanding of the Mink Tribe. To the Alabasta people, the cat-like fur creatures like Kat were similar to their kingdom's guardian deity, so the information Icarum gathered was mostly well-intentioned.
Ikaram's suggestion was the result of much consideration.
These days, most merchant ships sailing on the sea have some armed characteristics and possess some degree of self-defense capabilities.
However, fighting was not their primary mission, and equipping them with warships was impractical.
For merchant ships, speed is all that matters. As long as they can keep up with most pirate ships, they can avert most crises.
As for the technology of warships.
This is not particularly important to Alabasta. As one of the few large countries with a vast territory, Alabasta already maintains a large military force, mostly ground forces.
As a member state, or even a descendant of one of the twenty kings of the past, having a navy to escort them at sea, the significance of developing maritime power is actually not great.
Anyway, no matter how much we develop, we can't compare to the navy. We don't have many opportunities to go to sea normally, and even if we go to sea on official business, the navy will help us. So we might as well focus on developing other things.
If Piltover is willing to sell related items, then the outcome would be a win-win situation.
"No wind needed? That sounds good, but who should make the talk?"
"Let me go. They have helped our people so much, we can't be rude to them."
Apart from Oran, probably no other country would dare to implement a monarch offline system like this; the king going abroad still requires careful consideration.
Ikaram intended to represent, but a female voice interrupted him.
Neferutali Titi, wife of Cobra, is the Queen of Alabasta and currently the highest-ranking person in Alabasta besides Cobra.
"Titi, you..."
"Your Majesty, it might be more appropriate for the Queen to go instead. Don't forget, King Oran is a recipient of the Iber Medical Prize, and the medical standards there are among the best in the world."
"If Her Highness goes, she can also help to recuperate."
Alabasta's own naval power is not strong, meaning it cannot protect the security of all the seas within its territory, but it does have the ability to handle short-distance travel for the royal family.
Titi's health was not very good, and after careful consideration, Cobra made the decision to send Titi to Piltover to represent Alabasta.
Meanwhile, a similar situation occurred on Fishman Island.
After Oran personally taught them how to better deal with the pirate invasion, Neptune and his crew took action.
When Whitebeard heard that his friend wanted to borrow his flag to protect the island, he agreed without hesitation and even went to Fishman Island himself to teach those pirates who tried to cause trouble a lesson.
This island is now my territory!
The effect of this one sentence even surpassed the efforts of the Ryugu Kingdom over several years. During this time, Shaq also tamed several sea beasts and, with the harpoon given to them by Oran, destroyed many pirate crews in the vicinity.
The environment of Fishman Island has improved at a visible speed. They have achieved good results in deterring others with force. Pirates passing through Fishman Island have become more polite under the threat of force.
And now, it's time for the second step.
Neptune announced in the Ryugu Kingdom that the improvement in the situation on Fishman Island was due to the help of many humans. Among the humans were vicious pirates, but there were also people willing to treat them as equals.
To express their gratitude to these humans, the Ryugu Kingdom plans to send a team to the surface world to expand their interactions with them.
Then, things got stuck again.
"Shall we go to the land of humans?"
"Although someone helped us, are those humans really trustworthy? Or are they lying to us?"
The contradiction of Fishman Island lies in its yearning for the land while simultaneously fearing it, and its desire to live freely under the sun while also being afraid of its environment.
Many children from Fishman Island dream of having fun at the Soap Bubble Park in the Sabaody Archipelago, but most of them have heard since childhood that the Sabaody Archipelago is dangerous and that they should never sneak up there.
Although it's under the World Government's nose, the Sabaody Archipelago and its surrounding area are practically a haven for human traffickers. Humans themselves have to be careful here, let alone these demi-human races.
Even though the royal family of the Dragon Palace Kingdom said that humans had conveyed goodwill to them, they still found it hard to believe that the number of volunteers had remained at zero.
Fishman Island remained skeptical of the royal family's words. Even though some people expressed gratitude for Whitebeard's protection, they were only warmer on Fishman Island. When it came to actually going to unfamiliar places, they were still very worried.
"This won't do. The people have too much suspicion about humanity. If this misunderstanding persists, then discrimination will never disappear. There are good people among humanity too."
"Shaq also sent news about Fishman Street. There are almost no people on his side who are willing to go, and a few who are interested have been dissuaded by their friends."
Neptune followed with a sigh. It seemed that Oran had shown them the right path, but walking it would be extremely difficult.
"It seems we need an example."
People are always skeptical of the unknown. Only when they see that someone has done it and is safe and sound can more people follow suit.
"Otohime, you mean..."
"I'll go. The reason why mermaids and fishmen gather on Fishman Island is because of Eve, isn't it? Eve gave Fishman Island the sun and weather changes that belong to the deep sea."
We are not a race that lives in darkness; we have always longed for sunlight, and the things that are readily available on land are precious to us.
I don't want our descendants to hide in the deep sea forever. Someone has to take the first step. Since we proposed the plan, shouldn't we be the ones to take the first step?
I trust Mr. Oran's character, and I am the Queen of Fishman Island. My journey to the mainland and my safe return will prove it's a safe place.
Because of her unique gentleness and understanding, Otohime was highly respected on Fishman Island. Her physical weakness was also common knowledge. In a sense, there was indeed no more suitable candidate than her.
As Otohime's husband, Neptune knew very well that although Otohime was physically weak, she was very determined about things she had decided on, and in the end he agreed to her idea.
The next day, the first name appeared on the volunteer list – Otohime.
"Lady Otohime actually..."
"And is Boss Shaq going too?"
"The humans they all believe in must be good people, right? Good people like that white-bearded one? Maybe we can try trusting them."
Both delegations from different countries, led by the same princess, began preparations for their voyage, with Firefly Island as their final destination.
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