Chapter 761: Rome? Rome is in Zhangjiakou!
Chapter 761: Rome? Rome is in Zhangjiakou!
Frankly speaking, if Kuro were in David's position, he wouldn't have agreed to this deal so easily.
He wasn't some idiot like the Twin-Horse Kingdom's ruler who wasted hundreds of millions of Beri after owing someone a favor. Kuro had just been testing the waters, with an internal bottom line of 0.05%. He originally wanted to negotiate with David, thinking even a 10% offer would still be profitable.
But who could've predicted David would accept immediately?
"What's going on?" Kuro stared at David for a moment before blurting out, "Don't you want to think it over? I mean, you could at least counteroffer! Even 10% would've worked for me!"
"There's no need, my lord", David replied calmly. "Your suggestion is perfectly reasonable."
From the moment David had been chosen as King by his lord, he'd been pondering what other ambitions his lord might have beyond world peace. He'd gathered intelligence on Kuro's activities.
The lord controlled Pegasus Island's entertainment industry and owned its land. Though he lacked direct control over Shabondy Island, he still collected taxes there. David had finally understood—his lord craved territory. But as a Navy admiral, Kuro couldn't openly possess land. No one had ever heard of a Navy admiral becoming a kingdom's ruler. If not for that restriction, Kuro should have been Dressrosa's rightful king.
David genuinely believed only Kuro was worthy of the throne. Yet without a legal claim to Dressrosa, even if he abdicated, the World Government would never allow his lord to take over. But this arrangement solved everything. By becoming king, David could facilitate his lord's ambitions through indirect means.
Like this so-called "investment" scheme to acquire land—a mere pretext to bypass World Government scrutiny. Securing 30% of Dressrosa's territory, especially strategically distributed prime locations, would effectively grant control over the entire kingdom. This was his lord's brilliance!
Maintaining his respectful bow, David trembled faintly with excitement, his entire body quivering in admiration for his lord's foresight.
"I understand... I understand everything!"
"30% is sufficient, my lord", he continued. "Offering 10% might actually jeopardize your plan—investment-wise, that is." He forced himself to remain silent about his comprehension of Kuro's scheme. Revealing his lord's strategy would be a sacrilege against Kuro's genius.
Kuro grimaced as if experiencing phantom tooth pain.
What kind of buyer actually lowers their offer? And the seller thinks the price is just fine? Who's the buyer here, who's the seller?!
But refusing free profit would be idiotic. Coincidentally, Kuro wanted to expand business operations in the New World. With Gran Tesoro gone, the New World lacked major entertainment hubs. Now that he'd conquered the G-3 sea area, establishing a tourism route connecting nearby islands through G-3 to Dressrosa would be incredibly lucrative.
Imagine showcasing each island's unique characteristics, creating a seamless chain of attractions leading to that "[Kingdom of Love, Passion, and Toys]." This integrated tourism-entertainment model would surpass even Pegasus Island's profitability.
He happened to have a massive cruise ship remaining from Gran Tesoro, originally intended for destruction. But now he realized—wouldn't that be such a waste? With renovations, it could become a luxurious cruise liner, docking at developed islands for sightseeing, then returning passengers to the ship for dining, drinking, and leisure.
Kuro's eyes sparkled as he gestured animatedly, "David, since you're king, we should establish a maritime railway connecting Dressrosa to Raya Island."
Adding a scenic train would give tourists flexible options—lingering on islands or transferring between destinations. Either way, he'd reap profits beyond imagination!
"Stay for dinner tonight", Kuro said, biting down on his cigar. "Let's discuss details."
"It would be my greatest honor, my lord!" David exclaimed, overwhelmed with excitement. Meeting his revered lord, assisting him, and now sharing dinner—what more could he ask for?!
That evening, inside the Navy Dining Hall's private chamber, Kuro sat at the head of the table, enthusiastically chatting with David.
Second-in-command Lida sat silently, focused on eating. Klah adjusted his glasses nearby, lost in thought while pouring wine. Kas and Wilbur sat off to the side, attentively watching their conversation and nodding occasionally. Ai En elegantly sliced her steak. All the commanders were present—the core leadership of G-3 besides Kuro himself.
"Let me tell you", Kuro said, "blindly expanding territory won't work. No matter your goals, progressing this quickly will create internal conflicts."
"This world has too many races with diverse customs", he continued, exhaling cigar smoke. "You can't solve everything with Dressrosa's 'advanced' methods. Treating conquered nations' citizens equally is good, but insufficient. During wartime, conflicts had a unified outlet—your wars. Now that you're at peace, you need new solutions."
"Employ everyone", Kuro instructed. "Have the state fund job programs. I'll be honest—I need 30% of your land for tourism development. Choose prime locations for construction projects. You'll manage operations—I'll invest capital. We'll split profits fifty-fifty."
"As you command, my lord." David nodded, his expression filled with deep gratitude, making Kuro feel awkward.
Telling someone to work, letting them manage everything while you just invest capital, then splitting profits 50-50—shouldn't that be the one feeling grateful? Why did David look like he was receiving boundless generosity instead of negotiating a business deal?
It made Kuro recall how much more difficult it had been convincing Lida to part with his money back in the day.
"Enough talk", Kuro raised his glass. "Let's drink to this."
David grasped his cup with both hands, gently tapping the rim against Kuro's glass base before downing it in one smooth motion.
This formality made Kuro slightly uncomfortable.
"Also", Kuro continued, "these islands are separated by the Grand Line. A unified nation isn't enough—your control isn't absolute anyway. With such vast distances between islands, I'll teach you a trick—create a faith system. Promote some divine hero, knightly virtues, or similar ideals. Propagate concepts of truth, goodness, and beauty until people believe this faith. Only then will your nation achieve true unity."
This mirrored historical patterns from his previous life. In the Mediterranean and European regions, fragmented states with flat terrain couldn't achieve unification like his homeland.
His homeland—protected by natural barriers—had mountains blocking westward expansion, endless grasslands northward, the Grand Line to the east, and southern seas/forests. Once unified, it became an undisputed superpower conquering smaller neighbors. This geographical advantage fostered concepts of centralized rule and civilization that endured even after his reincarnation decades later.
Western regions lacked such unity, instead developing faith-based cohesion. Historically, monotheistic religions maintained de facto unity among diverse races, languages, and customs. As long as everyone worshiped the same deity, they became one people—except for those Catholic zealots, of course.
"A faith system?" David blinked, his expression suddenly clearing as if receiving divine revelation.
"Of course! My lord anticipated this strategy? Splendid! Compared to your brilliance, my thoughts are mere dust, while you shine like the celestial moon!" His face flushed with excitement.
David had been pondering how to utilize "Justice Quotes", but his lord's words eliminated the need for deliberation. Kuro had already foreseen his every move!
Kuro waved a hand modestly, "No, no—just basic historical knowledge. It's the natural progression of events, not my personal genius."
"Justice!" Wilbur interjected, his face equally flushed. "Let's use Justice, Kuro sir! Justice represents fundamental philosophy for every individual! Everyone, without exception, deserves Justice!"
"Justice... Not a bad suggestion", Kuro stroked his chin. "This concept needs unification. You two already excel at manipulating Justice—collaborate with David on implementation." He found the idea promising, especially since Kas and Wilbur were experts at creating "Justice"—particularly Kas, that bearded troublemaker who constantly caused headaches.
This would give them productive work instead of those random, bewildering antics.
Kuro scratched his back absentmindedly while exhaling another plume of smoke.
(End of Chapter)
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