As everyone knows, that's the wealth that the World Government's member states offer as Heavenly Tribute to the Celestial Dragons every year.
And anything connected to the World Nobles…
Whether in the Four Blues or the Grand Line, almost anyone with an ounce of sense understands the consequences!
But, Momonga felt a bad premonition.
If it were only the Heavenly Tribute…
"Sengoku, if it were only the Heavenly Tribute, the World Government wouldn't have sent you an order directly, would they?"
Tsuru spoke then, her face serious.
Hearing this, the shocked Vice Admirals widened their eyes.
Could it be…
"Something more serious than the Heavenly Tribute being stolen happened in the North Blue?"
Their hearts stirred, and many eyes in the conference room focused on Sengoku.
Sengoku felt the weight of those gazes.
Then, with a darkened face, Sengoku nodded amidst everyone's rising unease.
Gritting his teeth, his face extremely serious, he added:
"That's right… the most troublesome thing in the North Blue isn't the Heavenly Tribute, but that on that ship, is the youngest son of the Rosward family, who resides in the Holy Land."
Rosward… family's youngest son?
Hm?
Wait…
"Saint"? That title.
Hearing this, "Co-could it be?!"
"Ce-Celestial Dragon?!"
Immediately, the Vice Admirals who reacted first, instinctively gasped.
Then, a wild thought flashed through their minds.
North Blue!
Someone there had truly gone mad!
Daring to target the Heavenly Tribute was tantamount to defying the World Government!
And with a Celestial Dragon… possibly even a future heir to a Celestial Dragon family… Even though the Vice Admirals present had experienced many events, they couldn't help but feel a tremor.
What kind of madman had emerged in the North Blue… to dare to commit such a reckless act!
The Route Between the North Blue and the Grand Line is Blocked!
…
On the other hand, North Blue.
Shortly after the Navy Headquarters received the order to adjourn the meeting, near the Reverse Mountain strait, a crucial passage.
This was the only way to enter the North Blue from the Grand Line, or to sail from the North Blue into the Grand Line.
No ship was exempt.
Not even the warships escorting the Heavenly Tribute.
And today, was the time for the first batch of warships collecting the Heavenly Tribute from the North Blue to return.
A single-person vessel, was moored here.
At the same time, this insignificant vessel, facing the boundless sea, was blocking the path of a 'behemoth'!
At this moment, in the command room of the giant warship escorting the Heavenly Tribute, Rear Admiral Lotte, in charge of this escort mission, was racking his brains.
How to please the incredibly noble guest from the Holy Land.
If that incredibly noble guest was pleased, and put in a good word for him with the Fleet Admiral, he might be directly transferred to Navy Headquarters!
So Lotte had used all his skills to be a sycophant.
But even so, "Beauty… wealth, slaves, wine, everything I could offer has been given," Lotte looked up, unwillingly towards the 'restricted area' on the second deck of the warship, where no one was allowed to approach.
"The noble guest on board is about to leave the North Blue. If I miss this chance to curry favor, my future might be over."
Seeing the route on the nautical chart getting closer and closer to the Grand Line, Lotte suddenly let out a low growl: "No, I absolutely can't let this go. I've bet everything… let me think, what else can I do, what can I do…"
"Ri-right…!"
Lotte's eyes suddenly noticed a slave who had been tied to the front of the warship two days ago, enduring the sun and wind.
A thought flashed through Lotte's mind.
Based on his observations these days, the noble guest seemed to enjoy watching the futile struggles of ants before they were crushed.
If… Lotte's heart stirred.
If he could… find a few towns along the way!
And then claim that there were pirate nests to wipe out…
Anyway, the dead wouldn't talk.
Whether they were civilians or pirates wasn't something he could decide with a single word?
On the contrary, if he truly pleased the noble guest, his future might be secured!
As for whether the matter would be exposed later,
Lotte wasn't worried.
After all, once successful, he would be transferred away from this hellhole of the North Blue.
Anyway, the commoners of the North Blue were constantly harassed by the mafia and pirates, struggling even to eat.
So since they were going to die sooner or later, it was better to provide value for him, Lotte, no, future Rear Admiral Lotte, than to be burned, killed, and robbed by pirates later.
The thought arose, and a cruel light appeared in Lotte's eyes.
However, before he could show off his sycophantic skills, suddenly, the entire warship escorting the Heavenly Tribute came to an abrupt halt.
And because it stopped so suddenly.
Rumble…!!
The giant warship shook violently.
Rear Admiral Lotte lost his footing and fell to the ground.
But he ignored his bleeding nose, and with a terrified expression, quickly looked towards the forbidden area on the second deck of the warship.
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