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Chapter 687: Going to Sea Breaks the 'Membrane'
Chapter 687: Going to Sea Breaks the 'Membrane'
"Hmph!"
Hearing Kuro's words, Sakazuki let out a cold snort but stopped glaring at Yi Xiao.
Yi Xiao closed his sclera, choosing not to retort further.
It wasn't because they were obeying Kuro, but rather that they retained enough basic judgment to avoid escalating tensions under these circumstances.
As Kuro had pointed out, why argue so fiercely over external matters?
Yi Xiao stated calmly, "I still maintain my position."
Sakazuki replied slowly, "Old man disagrees."
Their argument started flaring up again.
"This can be resolved."
Kuro smiled, stepping between them. He gestured first at Sakazuki, then Yi Xiao. "I’ll handle it, I’ll handle it."
Turning to Yi Xiao, he continued, "Brother, you don't hate all Seven Warlords of the Sea, just pirates like Donquixote Doflamingo. Think about it—if Luffy became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, would you still oppose the entire system?"
This caught Yi Xiao off guard.
He had 'seen' that young man. Under Observation Haki, he could detect no malice, only sincerity.
Even though he was a pirate.
But Yi Xiao didn't dislike him.
If that young man became a Seven Warlords of the Sea...
He realized he wouldn't mind that much.
Though the Seven Warlords of the Sea system still felt like a flawed institution needing abolition.
Pirates are pirates—there's no such thing as a legitimate pirate.
But for that young man, he felt his stance soften.
He had to admit this. He wasn't someone who stubbornly refused reason.
Yi Xiao fell silent.
Seeing this, Kuro's lips curled into a smile. He turned to Sakazuki.
"In the end, it's about selecting the right candidates for the Seven Warlords of the Sea. The World Government's poor choices have made the system increasingly ineffective. Some pirates use their status to pursue personal agendas.
I think the Seven Warlords of the Sea system shouldn't be decided by the World Government. What do they know about pirates? Besides pirates themselves, only the Navy—our enemies—understand pirates. We should choose the candidates ourselves.
People like Hawk-Eye, Snake Princess, or the pre-reform Bartholomew Kuma—those are the types we should be recruiting."
Kuro paused, then continued, "We can't deny pirates have their own ambitions. Every pirate who ventures out and achieves renown does so with clear purpose.
But as long as their goals and ambitions don't conflict with the Navy's interests and they possess sufficient strength, they should qualify as Seven Warlords of the Sea. Someone like Donquixote Doflamingo—we could control who becomes a Seven Warlords of the Sea if the Navy held that authority."
"Kuro, you know upper management won't approve this", Sakazuki said gravely.
Kuro smiled, "Compared to abolishing the Seven Warlords of the Sea system entirely, they'll agree to this. The World Meeting is coming up. The meeting's policy decisions have always been strictly enforced."
The World Government may fail in many areas, but one thing they do well is adhering to decisions made at the World Meeting.
That's their foundation—collecting protection fees from member states year after year. They naturally maintain this consistency.
If member states unite and propose a request, the World Government will comply.
Including abolishing the Seven Warlords of the Sea system.
If Yi Xiao keeps pushing this, the Seven Warlords of the Sea system will be abolished.
That wouldn't suit Sakazuki's wishes, nor those of the old guard Navy admirals.
Certainly, some old-school Navy members despised the Seven Warlords of the Sea system—Smoker, for instance.
But Smoker understood priorities. He knew the system had pros and cons—maintaining balance was crucial.
Donquixote Doflamingo might not match the Four Emperors in strength, but he wasn't weak either.
Diamond Jozu was reduced to a puppet in his hands.
In terms of Ability usage, he excelled.
At that level, he'd be a solid silver medalist in the New World pirate hierarchy—surpassing Triad Star Generals and Triad Calamities easily.
Add a few more like Donquixote Doflamingo, and challenging the Four Emperors wouldn't be impossible.
Of course, someone at Hawk-Eye's level would be even better.
Pirates fighting pirates isn't bad. Why should the Navy sacrifice themselves?
"This matter, old man will raise with upper management."
Sakazuki clenched his cigar between his teeth. "Let's table the Seven Warlords of the Sea issue for now. The World Meeting is coming up—we need to prepare. Ensure security in nearby sea areas. Also, start considering candidates to escort representatives from various nations to the meeting.
Kuro, old man wants you to go to Fishman Island."
"What joke is this?!"
In an instant, Kuro's voice shot up an octave. Then he reconsidered, clearing his throat to speak more calmly.
"Ah, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki—I'm not suited for Fishman Island. My G-3 Base isn't completed yet. I need to maintain peace in the surrounding sea areas. Otherwise, how can member states from the New World pass through here?"
Fishman Island?
You can ask Kuro to go to the skies, but sending him to sea is absolutely out of the question!
Going underwater is too dangerous.
Even the Navy has no guaranteed safety when navigating deserted islands. The sea passage through a 10,000-meter deep strait requires coated membrane protection. If caught in deep-sea currents, no matter how strong you are, you'll perish in the Grand Line—without exception.
Whether or not you're a Devil Fruit user, breaking the membrane means death.
Going to sea inevitably breaks the membrane, regardless of which 'membrane' you're referring to.
Unrated? No way. Leaving safety to fate and luck? Kuro would never do that.
Perhaps Navy technology could ensure safety, but Kuro refused to surrender control to the unknown.
His safety precautions forbade such decisions.
"Come to think of it, is Fishman Island really attending this year?" Kuro frowned. "Didn't they usually skip the meetings?"
"Yeah, this year Fishman Island wants to attend."
Sakazuki nodded. "The World Government agreed. Seems they want to discuss relocating Fishman Island to land."
Kuro shrugged, "That's surprising. Relocating landward will bring many accidents."
Merfolk and fishmen actually live well in the deep sea. Moving to land...
Would seriously compromise their safety.
At 10,000 meters deep with strong currents, merfolk and fishmen naturally thrive underwater. Rarely captured by humans—especially mermaids, who rarely surface.
Once they move to the Grand Line...
The World Nobility and those seeking mermaid/fishman slaves will be watching hungrily.
This world isn't that innocent or safe.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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