https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-687-Going-to-Sea-Breaks-the-Membrane-/13538992/
Chapter 688: Is That Skin of Yours Navy's or the Government's?
Chapter 688: Is That Skin of Yours Navy’s or the Government’s?
After temporarily putting off the matter of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and ensuring the two had stopped arguing, Kuro left the Fleet Admiral's office and headed toward Gramps' office.
He had done his part too. The old Navy, including Kuro himself, believed the Seven Warlords of the Sea system shouldn’t be abolished.
But the members could be replaced.
As long as Yi Xiao didn’t interfere, the outcome of the World Meeting remained uncertain.
What exactly is the World Meeting?
The official answer is a gathering in Mariejois where rulers of member states and the World Government discuss major global political events. Held every four years, not all member states qualify—only fifty out of nearly two hundred.
These fifty are the "strong nations" within the World Government.
Officially, it’s a summit. But unofficially, it’s a battlefield for clashing interests.
Not all member states are peaceful allies. Powerful nations bring smaller ones along, each fighting for their own interests, continuing the struggle in a new form of warfare.
This has nothing to do with the Navy.
But one thing is certain—the inclusion of Fishman Island will trigger a new wave.
The existence of the Revolutionary Army isn’t simply due to accusations of World Government corruption. Objectively speaking, the World Government isn’t doing badly, except for one major criticism: the world nobles.
From start to finish, the Revolutionary Army opposes only these super-privileged world nobles and the institution of slavery.
Slavery is an official privilege of the world nobles.
As for how many non-world nobles secretly keep slaves? Unknown.
Kuro had cleared out quite a few so-called noble slaveholders in Shabondy.
For Fishman Island to migrate to land requires a fundamental prerequisite: abolishing the world nobles’ privileges.
Though the World Government officially abolished slavery, they uniquely preserved this right for world nobles. Essentially, all laws are powerless against them.
They’re outlaws above the law, each one a Zhang San.
King Neptune wants to declare Fishman Island’s intention to migrate in front of the world, which means the World Government must make concessions.
Otherwise, Fishman Island’s migration will unleash endless waves of slave traders.
Remember when Kuro was in Shabondy? He obtained an auction list with blatant human trafficking.
It advertised "sale of criminals and citizens from non-World Government member states."
That’s what they claimed, but verification is another matter entirely.
The list included prices.
Humans sold for over 500,000 Beri.
Tontatta, Mink, Longarm Tribe, and Long Leg Tribe members fetched over 700,000 Beri.
Fishmen commanded over 1,000,000 Beri.
Even giants appeared on the list.
Male giants sold for over 50 million Beri, females for over 100 million.
Though rarely seen in auctions.
Capturing them is practically impossible for ordinary slave traders.
Merfolk, however, are extremely precious.
Female merfolk fetched over 70 million Beri!
Even footed merfolk commanded over 100 million Beri.
These prices applied to females. Males only brought a million.
As for Devil Fruit users, prices depended on the Devil Fruit’s value—the so-called "market rate."
Capturing Law and putting him up for sale would definitely surpass fifty billion, maybe even break a hundred billion.
Ninety-five billion for the Devil Fruit, five billion for his bounty.
Fishman Island’s migration requires abolishing the world nobles’ slavery privileges. But therein lies the contradiction.
If it were so easy, there would be no Revolutionary Army.
The World Government prefers letting the Revolutionary Army grow stronger, tolerating king after king changing in member states, rather than reducing the world nobles’ status.
A single Fishman Island likely cannot accomplish this task.
"Threat level insufficient, Neptune."
Kuro murmured to himself, "You still don’t understand—seeking peace through compromise only destroys peace itself."
Why do the Seven Warlords of the Sea exist? Because pirates became too numerous and dangerous.
Those who never sought peace found peace thrust upon them.
Yet for those who desired peace, peace never came.
Throughout history, the principle remains unchanged.
But this matter doesn’t belong to the Navy—it’s political maneuvering.
The Navy doesn’t deal with such things, nor do they wish to.
"Damn, this is exhausting, Gramps."
Kuro entered Lucius Kro’s office, found it empty, and casually sat beneath the 'Vague Justice' plaque. Leaning back, he opened the drawer, took out a teabag, and slowly brewed himself tea.
He lifted the cup for a sip. "Where did this old man disappear to?"
"Golden Lion Vice Admiral."
Suddenly, a Navy Commander entered, saluting Kuro. "Admiral Lucius Kro is out on assignment."
"Oh? He still does fieldwork? How unusual. I thought he only clipped nails and drank tea."
Kuro set down his cup. "Fine, I’ll take my leave then. When Gramps returns, tell him I dropped by."
"Actually...Vice Admiral, there’s a matter requiring your assistance."
The Commander blocked the doorway, holding out a document. "With Admiral absent, we must trouble you. Revolutionary Army traces were found in a certain location. The government requests confirmation—we’re to capture them if true."
"Which side are you on?" Kuro interrupted.
"Huh?" The Commander blinked, misunderstanding.
Kuro sipped tea. "I asked—whose skin are you wearing? Navy or World Government’s?"
"The sea? Navy’s."
"What’s the Navy’s duty?" Kuro continued.
"Upholding world peace."
"Specifically?"
"Specifically..." The Commander hesitated.
"Specifically—fighting pirates, Protecting civilians."
Kuro said, "Beyond that, don’t meddle in what you shouldn’t. I don’t care about your World Government connections, but remember—you’re damn Navy, not World Government. The CP handles Revolutionary Army matters. We don’t interfere. What the Revolutionary Army does isn’t our concern."
With a wave, the document flew from the Commander’s hand into Kuro’s.
"Still damned CP-issued documents from the World Government? Wow. Don’t you know the Old Man despises government officials and CP most?"
Kuro glanced at the document, then casually flung it. Papers scattered across the floor.
"Fleet Admiral and Admirals handle World Government communication. Other than that, we’re uninvolved."
Kuro eyed the Commander. "Gramps is lenient. I’m not. Unless the Five Elders issue orders directly, other matters don’t concern us.
Don’t think about underhanded methods either. If you’re idle, train and improve yourself. The Grand Line grows more turbulent—stay hands-off where you should."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
