Human trafficking.
Arms smuggling.
Shipping.
Warehousing.
Mercenaries.
Assassins…
These shadowy trades—the filthiest businesses in the world—circulated trillions of Berries every year through the hands of their operators.
The Underworld was outrageously profitable.
And the World Government, through sheer force, controlled nearly half of it.
The Underworld Emperors were well aware of this reality. None dared resist.
But Roldy was different.
If he truly unified the Underworld, how would the World Government's share be calculated then?
There was no doubt—he would wash it clean in blood through absolute violence.
The atmosphere in the Room of Authority grew suffocatingly heavy. The Five Elders felt far more pressure than Sengoku ever could.
"Then… let's temporarily concede it."
"What?! The Underworld trade cannot be handed over!"
"Oh? Then tell me—how do we avoid that? Start another war with Roldy ? The Sabaody conflict just ended. What now? The five of us personally mobilize alongside every Marine Admiral?"
"But if we concede, the World Government's finances will collapse instantly! You know how our 'compatriots' spend money. Not one of them spends less than 1,000,000,000 Berries per month—each! And that's only their personal allowances! What about government officials? Salaries? The Marines, Army, Air Forces? Where will military funding come from?"
"Perhaps… we attempt negotiations with Roldy ?"
"Unlikely. He is not the reasonable type."
"If we cannot fight and cannot concede, then expenditures must be reduced! Decrease the nobles' monthly allowances. Cut military budgets…"
The debate escalated.
Soon, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn and Saint Shepherd Ju Peter erupted into open argument.
Ju Peter proposed reducing funding for the Science Division. Other sectors had already seen cuts of 20–30%. If research spending were also trimmed, those funds could be redirected to the nobles.
After all, if the Celestial Dragons grew dissatisfied, matters might even reach Imu.
But Saturn was not only one of the Five Elders—
He was also a scientist.
The current Science Division answered directly to him. The research underway was intoxicating, impossible to halt. In fact, he believed the current budget was insufficient.
"Science funding cannot be reduced. In approximately six months, the 'Fire Seed' project will enter a new stage. At that time, funding must increase by another 30%."
An outrageous demand.
Yet when the words Fire Seed were spoken, all objections ceased.
The Science Division's work existed solely to serve Imu—the sovereign who determined the Five Elders' very lives.
The Fire Seed could not fail.
"Very well. We proceed with the agreed spending reductions. At the same time, dispatch an agent to contact Roldy . Let us hope his appetite is not too large."
The Underworld's profits were astronomical and growing at an absurd rate each year. No matter his methods, Roldy could not possibly consume it all.
While his ultimate objective remained unclear, it was unlikely he wished to provoke a direct, full-scale war with the World Government—at least not yet.
If negotiations granted him a tolerable share, perhaps he would relent.
To demonstrate sincerity—
The negotiator would be Stussy.
Elsewhere — Whole Cake Island
After receiving the Five Elders' orders, Stussy hung up the Den Den Mushi with a complicated expression.
The tea party had ended. Roldy and his group planned to remain overnight on Whole Cake Island. The Underworld Emperors had also stayed.
According to information from Morgans, Roldy intended to unify the entire Underworld.
If they left too early and missed something crucial, none of them dared gamble on that tyrant's temper.
"...What a headache."
Stussy lit a slender cigarette.
She changed into an elegant outfit. Then reconsidered—and changed again into a short white skirt. She deliberately unbuttoned three buttons of her blouse, revealing a provocative glimpse of cleavage. A touch of perfume completed the transformation.
Only then did she approach Roldy 's room.
Before her pale fingers could knock—
A voice came from within.
"Enter."
Pressure surged through her chest. Taking a steady breath, she pushed open the door.
Big Mom had arranged lavish accommodations. The room reeked of luxury.
Roldy sat at a table, cigar between his teeth, a glass of whiskey in hand.
When he saw Stussy enter, a meaningful smile curved his lips.
"Queen of the Pleasure District, Stussy. Or should I say… clone of Miss Buckingham Stussy."
His tone was casual—dangerously so.
Roldy was no fool. The moment he saw her face, he recalled the former Rocks Pirates member—Miss Buckingham Stussy—the scientist rumored to have had certain entanglements with Whitebeard.
What intrigued him was not the gossip—
But which force possessed the capability to clone a former member of the Rocks Pirates.
"Mr. Roldy , forgive the intrusion."
Stussy gave a graceful bow, subtly leveraging her charm in an attempt to seize psychological initiative.
It failed.
The instant she stepped inside, she felt locked onto.
She did not doubt that even the whiskey glass in his hand could kill her in an instant.
"It seems my attire is of no use."
She lightly bit her red lip, every movement seductive.
Roldy remained expressionless.
"Mr. Roldy … may I ask directly—do you intend to unify the Underworld?"
"Yes. So you came to pledge loyalty?"
His reply was light.
"Yes… and no."
Bang!
The whiskey glass shot past her ear and shattered against the wall.
Glass fragments scattered across the floor.
"I occasionally enjoy speaking in riddles," Roldy said coldly. "But I do not enjoy others doing so."
His gaze was icy—
As though it could pierce straight through her soul.
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