You bastard! I used the girls as a weapon, but you turned it against me!?
What a tough guy. He does not give up easily!
Look! The girls are terrified! Especially that proud-looking one who didn't even want to be here!
"...This is sudden," I managed to say, keeping my voice level.
"We knew about your skills since the battle at the regional headquarters," Saint Topman Warcury replied smoothly. "And this topic has come up before. ...When you requested this meeting, Saint Peter proposed it. He asked if we could welcome you as a Celestial Dragon."
...That Warrior God of Agriculture?
He seemed easier to talk to than the other Five Elders...
Wait? I can guess what this bald guy is thinking. But was the offer actually real?
"Your skills are rare," Warcury continued. "You have martial strength, leadership, and amazing political skill. You are on a different level compared to the kings of other countries."
First of all, the current system where anyone can be a king if they pay the Heavenly Tribute is bad.
I understand that having a royal bloodline makes a country stable.
But the system needs support.
There are too many terrible rulers, like Wapol in the stories, or the Mogwa Kingdom I saw myself.
"If my officers get equal rights, my territory gets autonomy, you don't interfere with my people, and I can live down here in the 'Lower World'... then I might consider it," I countered.
"Becoming a Celestial Dragon yourself isn't enough?! Just make your subordinates your servants!"
"I want to build a future with the people who trust me. Celestial Dragons can treat people like property. It is normal for me to be careful."
"Such a thin—"
"Also," I interrupted, "I would be a complete outsider. Would the other Celestial Dragons really accept me as an equal?"
"...Hmph."
He went silent?
I thought he would have an answer ready.
Maybe he wants me to be a Celestial Dragon but work as a bridge between the Government and Navy?
...Wait.
....
Wait a minute. Is he actually serious?
They prepared that Proof Chip. They definitely had a plan. But making me a Celestial Dragon?
If they agree to everything I said, maybe it is okay.
I would have more power over the Navy than a Warlord.
I can't give stupid orders, but securing their cooperation is huge.
The future is scary, but if I control Jaya and other key islands now, I can focus on building things.
CP agents will watch me, but if they help connect me to others, that is a plus. Like Spandine is now.
Maybe I can even stop the Celestial Dragons from causing trouble outside.
...If I do that, the regular Celestial Dragons will eventually get mad and kick me out. It would turn into a war. But that is a problem for later.
"Also Celestial Dragons live in the Holy Land, not the Lower World," Warcury stated firmly.
"I see. So living in the Holy Land is the first rule."
"...!"
If I talk too much, they might erase me. I should be careful.
But the Holy Land...
Which is it? Is it just tradition? Or is there a real reason they must live there?
I understand the tradition part.
Rulers need mystery. Living in a special place makes them look special.
....
—Huh?
Did I just miss something?
"Also, if I live in the Holy Land and become a 'perfect' Celestial Dragon, I won't be able to achieve results like I do now."
Whatever. I just want to finish this.
Please let me work and then let me sleep.
I am reaching my limit.
I need at least four hours of sleep soon, or my brain will stop working.
Even short naps aren't helping anymore.
"I can work with the Navy because I know the knowledge and feeling of the Lower World," I argued, my words slurring slightly. "If I lock myself in the Holy Land, my men and I will just become useless consumers."
...Oops. Did I just insult the Celestial Dragons?
I really need to sleep. My talking is getting sloppy.
"You offered this because you see value in me. That value exists because I am free. Please understand that."
I really believe this.
If everyone in a group thinks the same way, they become strong, but they lose flexibility.
Maybe that is why the Navy is stuck under the World Government. They cannot escape that way of thinking.
Well, if a military is not organized, that is a problem too.
"Kuro. ...Why do you fight?" Warcury asked abruptly.
BECAUSE OF YOU IDIOTS!!!
I wanted to make money under the Navy's protection! I wanted to find a nice wife and live in luxury! I wanted to avoid this endless death march! My wish to live an easy life is ruined because of you!
I worked hard to make connections with kings, nobles, and the Navy. It all vanished in an instant... well, I got the connections back, but this is too heavy!
"You want a military trade city," Warcury mused. "Do you want your own nation?"
"No..."
It was supposed to be just a port town!
It only became this big because of you guys! Dammit!
"I only want one thing."
Since I became a pirate, I need power and a reason to fight the Government. But if I could trust you people, I would have accepted the offer!
The Celestial Dragons are the problem.
"I want a world where human dignity isn't stolen. Saint Warcury."
Hina, please keep your head down.
You look like my secretary right now. If you look up, stand in front of me.
And please hide me.
"I do not want to destroy the world. I do not want to steal, and I do not want my men to steal."
"That is why we should stay outside the Holy Land," I concluded. "We will help if needed, but we are the Black Cats. We prefer running on the ground rather than flying in the heavens."
Actually, if I became a Celestial Dragon, I couldn't go outside. I would just live in luxury. I would get bored in a month.
What do they do for fun in this era?
Maybe ordering Vegapunk around would be fun, but I don't know him.
In the end, my greatest entertainment is making things.
I cannot stand a life of just consuming.
Honestly, I liked farming with Mihawk. Designing the bar for Rayleigh and ordering the alcohol was really fun.
"You prefer being a pirate?" Warcury scoffed. "You will regret this, Kuro."
Of course. There hasn't been a single day without regret.
"A life without regret is not a human life."
I answered with whatever came to mind. Saint Warcury stared at me, muttered "Hmph, perhaps...", and turned to leave.
"Ah... May I have a moment, Saint Warcury?"
I won't let you leave yet.
You threw a dangerous pitch at me. I need to take first base. It is only fair.
"What is it, Kuro?"
"I want you to return the favor."
"A favor? You are adding conditions to our offer?"
...He didn't take it as a rejection?
Or did he choose to interpret it that way? Well, that is fine.
"I played the role for your advertisement poster perfectly, didn't I?"
He put his hand in his pocket so I wouldn't see it shake.
He realized I was watching him.
So, this was their plan from the start.
They want to use me as a stepping stone. They want to recruit talented people from the outside to the Government.
"...When did you figure it out?" he asked quietly.
"I suspected it from the start. I was sure when you showed the Proof Chip in public."
If you achieve great things, you can become a Celestial Dragon.
Whether I accept or refuse, they want to create a precedent and spread the rumor. They are probably already spreading it.
First to the Marines, then to the workers and engineers... Ah.
So that is why they agreed to hire workers instead of using slaves.
If they used slaves, they would die in the Holy Land. But hired workers will go home and tell everyone the story.
My mistake. I should have gone to deliver the report myself instead of sending Spandine.
"So, what is your request?" Warcury demanded. "What do you desire?"
Good. He realizes I know, so he is listening.
"I would like you to issue a personal apology to Commander-in-Chief Kong and Fleet Admiral Sengoku, as well as a formal statement of apology to the Navy."
...Why are you so surprised?
Your eyes are popping out.
"If you promise those two things, most problems will be solved. Except for the compensation for the victims."
"...I understand the first request. But a public statement—"
"You can make the details vague. The Government has to pay a penalty, but you have a reputation to keep. If the Navy demands you reveal everything, I will handle the negotiation."
I also need to discuss compensation for the released Marines and funerals for those who died in the Holy Land. If I get the Government to talk to the Navy about that, it is a good start.
If it involves the soldiers and families directly, I should let the Five Elders and Sengoku handle it.
If I get this promised, my job is done.
After that, the reconstruction of the Holy Land—accepting the workers and confirming the evacuation (isolation) of the Celestial Dragons—then I can leave.
"Very well," Warcury nodded slowly. "I will take this back to the others along with your earlier conditions."
Yeah, the five of them need to talk together.
"...The apology should be fine. You should check the statement before we release it."
....
Eh?
Why are you involving me?!
"Is there anything else?"
Eh?!
"What do you mean?" I asked, baffled.
"That was for the advertisement role. You also have the merit of defending the Holy Land and defeating the Golden Lion."
...Ah. They need to prove my achievements to justify making me a Celestial Dragon.
They also want to show that the Government rewards good work.
Refusing is bad. Accepting is better for both sides. ...What can I ask for?
Money? No, I plan to make my own currency later.
Supplies? It would be rude to ask for supplies while we are using materials for reconstruction. Plus, I am supposed to be providing support.
I need something that doesn't give the Black Cats direct profit, but advertises us...
"Then, one thing," I said.
"Oh?"
"Please search for the King and First Prince of the non-affiliated Mopuchi Country, who went missing in an 'unfortunate accident'. I want them returned to Mopuchi Country."
....
Hey, why is that so surprising?
"With the Government's spies, it should be easy."
If they aren't dead, they should be at that bridge... probably.
Yeah, if they aren't dead.
"Please, I am counting on you."
--
"...I thought I was going to die," Spandine groaned once the Elder had left.
"That is my line, you idiot!"
Spandine is kicking me. It hurts.
You don't have to kick so hard...
"You rejected a crazy offer!"
"I didn't reject it. I just gave conditions."
"That is basically the same thing!!" he yelled.
Well, yes.
But he said he would take the offer back. So the deal isn't dead yet.
I think it's impossible, though.
People outside probably heard us. I should talk to Sengoku tomorrow.
"Hey, Kuro," Spandine asked, calming down. "What did you mean by the advertisement poster?"
"Hm? Oh, exactly that. I was the advertisement. They want people to think that if they keep achieving things for the World Government, they might become a Celestial Dragon."
I refused, but the fact that the offer existed is enough.
"That sounds incredibly suspicious."
Well, the Navy has been used by them, so you would think that.
....
But Spandine, you shouldn't be nodding.
"Well, we don't know how they would treat you," Spandine muttered. "They might lure dangerous people to the Holy Land to trap and kill them."
"Yeah, that is possible."
If I refuse, I am a sinner who refused a Celestial Dragon.
I need enough military power to resist them, or life will be very hard.
...I see. They could use my past research as an achievement and then put me under their control.
Or maybe they planned to make me a Celestial Dragon, then strip my rights later to create a 'Celestial Dragon that people are allowed to hit'. ...No, that would hurt their brand.
Though the Celestial Dragon reputation is already terrible.
I used to think, "It's only the descendants of twenty kings." But after 800 years, there are a lot of them. I saw the data for reconstruction. It's surprisingly high.
No wonder there is so much hatred...
"Hey Kuro, what's wrong?" Spandine asked.
"Huh?"
"You had a really difficult face. Are you hungry?"
Really?
"Hey little girl, did you check for poison? Let's eat. I'm starving," Spandine grumbled.
"Shut up. Why are you even eating here?" Hina shot back.
"The Government told me to stay with Kuro."
"So they sent you?"
"Look at those girls earlier. There are no decent people available to send."
Come to think of it, those girls ran away as soon as Saint Warcury left.
They probably saw Sengoku or Zephyr outside and fled.
"...I see. That is true," I nodded.
"Here, dinner. ...It's military rations."
You two have become good friends.
Is it okay for the Government and Navy to be this close? ...Maybe it is.
"Hey, Hina, Spandine."
The food isn't on fancy plates like usual. It is simple bread, dried meat, and pickled vegetables in a jar.
It is emergency military food, but it tastes okay and fills the stomach.
"What is it, Kuro?"
"...What do you think 'mostly correct' means?"
"Huh?"
They both stopped putting pickled vegetables on their hard bread and looked at me.
Sorry for interrupting your meal, Spandine, Hina.
I want to move on to tomorrow's adjustments, but I should ask this now.
"When I fought Shiki, we talked a little to buy time," I explained.
"The Golden Lion," Hina nodded.
"...And?" Spandine prompted.
"I asked him about his goal. He attacked the Holy Land to create a stepping stone for world chaos. He wanted to spread the food crisis from the West Blue to the whole world. He wanted to gather resources and slaves... people... from everywhere to weaken the affiliated countries."
Yeah, that part is correct. It has to be.
"That leads to active underworld movements and long-term chaos. Chaos brings poverty, and poverty increases pirates and other dangerous elements."
"...Yeah, that would happen," Spandine agreed, chewing. "Plus, some Celestial Dragons are moving to gather slaves and money. I heard they stripped some non-affiliated countries of everything."
That is disgusting... truly the scum of the world.
Even Spandine is frowning.
As a CP agent, he has seen how they treat slaves. He is probably gathering things for them right now on their orders.
Hina from the Navy obviously hates it too.
"Yeah. I told that rooster-head bastard that—"
"And he said 'mostly correct'?" Hina guessed.
Exactly.
"Mostly correct means... maybe 20 or 30 percent is wrong..."
"Or something is missing... right?"
"Yeah."
They said while biting into their instant sandwiches.
It can only mean that.
"Don't worry about it, Kuro," Spandine said, waving a piece of bread. "20 or 30 percent is just an error. Focus on the reconstruction. If we don't, the orders from the Celestial Dragons will just keep increasing."
"Yeah, I know. The negotiation moved forward, so I will get serious. But..."
"It really bothers me."
--
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