Chapter 870: Don't Make Me Lose Face
Chapter 870: Don't Make Me Lose Face
Dracule Mihawk couldn't quite figure it out either. He'd merely spotted a Pirate Ship on his way here and, as part of his duties as a Seven Warlords of the Sea member, sliced the vessel in half with one strike. His freeloading underling had gone to clean up the Spoils afterward and stumbled upon this item.
The flag of that pirate crew didn't match the symbol on the bottom of this object.
"Such Premium Goods—no matter how obscure—should still circulate among people like me. Unless..." Kuro said, pinching his cigar between two fingers, "this is something entirely new."
"But if it's new", he continued, "word should've spread by now. The real danger is that it's a prototype—something they never intended to sell. The mark is still pirate-related. Talking won't help at all."
He paused, then added, "If I had the time, I'd just destroy their entire base. That way, the whole industry becomes mine."
Self-production and exclusive distribution—what a dream.
On an island in the East Blue...
"Boss! Boss!"
A curly-haired middle-aged man burst into a wealthy estate, gasping as he ran toward the brown-haired youth seated at the head of a long table in the room.
The young man's hair was messy yet stylish, most of it swept back except for a few strands dangling over his forehead. A large map sprawled across the table, dotted with daggers marking key locations.
"Stay calm. Drink first", the youth said calmly.
A subordinate handed him a bottle of rum. The curly-haired man tipped the bottle back for two gulps, catching his breath. "Our merchant ship was robbed in the Grand Line."
"Grand Line?" The youth frowned. "You mean the convoy we sent last year to explore the Grand Line? We only just received news? I assumed they'd been utterly destroyed."
"Our people actually survived and sold some goods, but they were attacked recently. The crew leader only just recovered enough to send this report", the middle-aged man explained.
The youth shook his head. "It was always an experiment. Our foundation lies in the East Blue. That's where we must focus our industry. The Grand Line's too small anyway. Even if we failed, so be it."
An elegant figure beside him nodded. "Exactly. Ever since the Navy left the East Blue two years ago, our influence has grown significantly. We're finally free to move without restraint."
"But we're still under their watchful eyes. Caution's necessary."
The youth stood, pulling a dagger from the map. "Now, expanding our industry lines requires a critical route. Before, I couldn't access it when he was around. Now that he's gone, I'll visit this place—it's my hometown."
Thud!
He drove the dagger into a marked location on the map, the blade sinking halfway in. The label read: Ged Kingdom.
...
Half a month later, the Seven Warlords of the Sea gathered one by one.
By the second day, Buggy arrived with Mr.3 and Alvida. Yes, Alvida—the infamous East Blue "fat woman", whose name Kuro had heard back in his East Blue days. No one expected her Devil Fruit transformation to turn her into such a beauty.
The third arrival was Crocodile, followed lastly by the "Snake Princess", Boa Hancock.
They now sat in the meeting hall.
Buggy's jaw dropped comically beneath his signature face paint and red nose, his hands separated as he attacked his meal with a knife and fork.
Crocodile leaned arrogantly against his chair, cigar clamped between his teeth.
Boa Hancock sat at a distance, her expression haughty.
Dracule Mihawk, meanwhile, had his legs propped on the table beside Kuro, hat pulled low over his eyes.
Pirates—never a proper posture among them.
Knock. Knock.
Kuro tapped the table. "Enough chit-chat. Let's begin."
"Hmph." Crocodile smirked. "Haven't had a meeting like this in ages. Feels... grand."
Even back when he was still an official Seven Warlords member, these gatherings were rarely full. Back then, only Pacifista attended religiously.
"Everyone's here?" Buggy looked around. "Hey, Crocodile's here, but aren't two still missing?"
"They're here." Kuro replied curtly. With a snap, Klah stepped forward, placing several documents before the Seven Warlords.
"Since I took over leadership of the Seven Warlords of the Sea", Kuro began, "this is our first official meeting. As your new officer, I'm introducing new terms. Sign this contract, and you become the new Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Dracule Mihawk nudged his hat brim, eyes flickering downward as a smirk tugged his lips. "Interesting."
Buggy's eyes popped wide, noodles slipping from his mouth. "This contract?!"
Crocodile's gaze sharpened. "Kuro, this can't be right."
Kuro leaned back. "What's wrong? You're the new Seven Warlords now. Naturally, the rules change."
"Merchant ships belonging to member states are strictly off-limits. Whether you raid them publicly or secretly, it's forbidden. No exceptions. And if any pirate crews under your command try it, same rule applies. Keep your subordinates in line."
"What am I supposed to do?!" Boa Hancock snapped, her expression darkening.
The Amazon Lily's Calm Belt geography left them with no economic options beyond piracy. Relying solely on their island's production wouldn't even feed their people. If the Seven Warlords' rights were reduced to this, she could've refused outright.
"Hear me out", Kuro sighed. "I'm not asking you to work for free. That's unrealistic. Instead, you're allowed to collect tariffs—20% on merchant ships. Define 'merchant ships' yourselves; you're Grand Line legends, after all. Don't insult Old Man by stretching definitions."
"Tariffs apply to all merchant ships except Navy vessels and Old Man's industry ships. You four—each claims one of the Grand Line's seven navigational routes. No more multiple Warlords crowding the same route. But here's the catch: Half your time must be spent in the New World. No exceeding that limit in the Grand Line's first half."
"Wait, this can't be right!" Buggy exploded, jabbing the contract. "You're taking 20% for the World Government, 15% for the Navy, 15% for G-3? Why are you getting a cut too?!"
The old Seven Warlords system was lax. Aside from their official duties, they could plunder freely. Even if caught raiding member states, a bribe fixed everything. Now they'd lose half their income!
Kuro exhaled smoke. "That's how I operate. You'll no longer be wanted, no more Navy hassles. What's a little tax?"
"My territory's in the Calm Belt!" Boa Hancock countered.
Kuro nodded. "Special cases get special treatment. Boa Hancock, your situation's unique. You may trade with Dressrosa and other industries. We'll buy your food and specialty goods at a 5% premium to ensure you have goods for survival."
"Don't lecture me about primitive lifestyles", she snapped. "I've seen your Kusnake Island—naked savages, worthless plunder. Money's useless if you can't convert it to goods."
"My nation doesn't need outside influence!"
"Times change", Kuro replied. "But I respect your stance. You may organize merchant convoys independently. Now..."
He swept his gaze across them. "The Seven Warlords' rules evolve. I don't care about past failures, but don't let newcomers defeat you. Lose to a rookie, and they inherit your Seven Warlords rights instantly. Of course, New World failures won't concern me."
"Correspondingly, in the Grand Line's first half, each of you may choose an island as your base along your assigned navigational route—even commercial hubs. No need for plunder to stay wealthy."
Kuro leaned forward. "As your officer, I set the terms. Within World Government jurisdiction, I grant you safety, wealth, rights, and reputation. But you must fulfill your obligations."
"I don't care if you chase the One Piece, the Pirate King title, or Four Emperors ambitions. Your aspirations beyond World Government jurisdiction? My blind eye stays shut. You all know my reputation. Cross me here, and face the consequences."
"However, I grant you free rein in the New World. Beyond World Government borders, do as you please. I'll collect nothing from you—nor will the World Government."
The Seven Warlords emerged in this chaotic Pirate Era—powerful enough to threaten stability if unleashed, yet too unruly to serve blindly. Kuro's strategy? Let them feast on tariffs and rights, but redirect their ambitions.
The New World's latter half—Four Emperors territory—teemed with pirate-controlled islands, each a battleground for aspiring titans.
Kuro's terms forced expansion into the New World, effectively declaring war on the established order.
Staying put was allowed—so long as they never lost in the Grand Line. But complacency was fatal. A newcomer's victory meant instant replacement.
Kuro leaned forward, eyes sharp. "Gentlemen, I've shown you courtesy. Return the favor. No more foolishness. And don't let newcomers make me lose face!"
(End of Chapter)
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