"To think it would come to this…"
Few were permitted to enter the Chamber of Authority, the room where the highest power in the World Government, the Five Elders, convened. Though guards stood ready outside to protect the five men, no other soul was near.
"The reconstruction, which we believed would take years, is proceeding at an astonishing speed."
"He is likely using connections from his merchant days. He has arranged for a great deal of supplies and personnel, primarily from the East Blue, and is managing them magnificently."
"I will admit, we attempted a variety of obstructions, thinking it would be a convenient way to stall him, but he evaded them all with ease."
"From the perspective of rebuilding the Holy Land, he is a great asset, but…"
The Five Elders were reviewing the work of Kuro, their guest—a pirate, the likes of which history had never seen. This had all transpired since the recent attack by the Golden Lion.
"What of the personnel assigned to him?"
"It seems the various departments sent him their most incompetent or unmotivated members. However, several of them have begun to distinguish themselves. In managing operations on the ground, they are achieving better results than some of our veteran officials."
"The rest are, at the very least, performing better than they did in their previous posts."
"Was their former leadership simply that inept, or perhaps—"
"Hmph. This mountain of reports makes it obvious. It seems we've been feeding far too many useless insects."
"Never mind the insects! The problem is Kuro!"
Smack! Saint Topman Warcury, one of the Five Elders, a man with a magnificent handlebar mustache, slammed his hand down on Kuro's wanted poster, which lay spread across the table.
"We cannot let him run free! If we unleash a man of his abilities upon the world, he could become a formidable enemy! No, he already is one! Any more than this…!"
"However, if we confine him to the Holy Land, his main forces in the West Blue may make a move. Knowing him, he has certainly made preparations for such a contingency."
The pirate, Captain Kuro. The greatest anomaly in the world, a man who had won the trust of the Navy's high command, who should have been his sworn enemies.
The photograph on his wanted poster was different now, taken during the battle with the Golden Lion. A faint sword scar now ran over his left eye, and the last traces of youth had vanished completely from his expression, replaced by the dignified gravity of a seasoned pirate captain.
But the bottom half of the poster, the space for his bounty, remained blank.
"Is it truly so difficult to make him submit to the Government?"
"We've had CP9 investigate, but it appears his goal is to establish his own sphere of influence and create a state of equilibrium with us."
"Absurd! We cannot possibly permit such a thing—!"
"And yet, it is undeniably his skill and wisdom that have kept the damages in check. The stability in the West Blue, rivaling that of the East… If that is his work, then perhaps his plan…"
At the words of Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture who oversaw the World Government's food supply, the others grimaced. Saint Warcury, who had spoken with Kuro one-on-one, let out a breath to calm himself before giving a small nod.
"…No matter who in the government had taken command, none could have achieved such results."
"Such an unnecessary complication," another Elder muttered. "If we had let the food crisis escalate, we could have disciplined the Navy and absorbed several non-affiliated nations."
"But the fact that he suppressed the discontent of the member nations is a major achievement. His unique talents are not something we can afford to discard."
Surrounding Kuro's wanted poster were those of the key members of his crew. Like their captain's, their photos had been updated, but their bounties also remained blank.
"What is the situation in the West Blue?"
"Even after Aokiji's departure, their cooperative structure shows no signs of faltering."
"I thought his absence might create a lapse in their command, but there has been no disorder, not even from 'Blade Steel.'"
"The Royal Guard is especially troublesome. They have sworn their loyalty to Kuro and are the ones most deeply steeped in his ideology. Naturally, they have some grasp of his methods."
"To think a mere merchant's son would grow into such a man and exert this much influence over the World Government."
They had the means to crush him with military force. But they lacked a sufficient justification to mobilize such a large number of troops. An assassination was also difficult, as their target had forged strong ties with the Navy.
"…What of his youth? Do we know anything about his life before he joined the Spangled Trading Company?"
"He was an orphan living on a small islet south of Flevance, the island where the company is based. He was a castaway, set adrift on a small boat. At the time, he had formed a small settlement, leading other orphans who were abandoned on the same boat."
The document was a summary of Kuro's past, his footsteps in the East Blue, compiled by their intelligence agencies. Attached to it was a photograph of a gaping cave mouth on the side of a cliff.
"What is this?"
"They say it was his dwelling at the time, a cave he used for shelter… but incredibly, the interior was covered, from floor to ceiling, with the footprints of a child."
"…Kuro's?"
"It would seem so. It indicates he was training his legs extensively even back then."
"No wonder he could fight the Golden Lion without a weapon, even for a Haki user. The nerve of that man, claiming to be unarmed."
The three ships that Kuro had moved into the grand plaza using only his feet were no longer there. At the request of a Celestial Dragon who complained they were an eyesore, Kuro had simply kicked each of them back into the sea.
"A general brilliant in both wisdom and valor, and a skilled administrator adept at winning the hearts of the people. As an ally, he would be exceedingly reliable, as he proved in the recent defense, but…"
"Damn that Saint Jalmack for bringing him here…"
His talent was far too rare. So rare, in fact, that they desperately wanted to bring him into the fold of the World Government, no matter the cost.
"Personally, I am willing to accept the terms he has proposed," Saint Peter declared.
"Are you mad, Saint Peter!?"
"…No, I am of the same opinion," Saint Warcury added.
"Even you, Saint Warcury…!"
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture, had recognized the man's value from the start. Saint Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice, had recently engaged Kuro in a direct debate. The remaining three Elders stared, wide-eyed, as two of the five most powerful men among the Celestial Dragons spoke in favor of recognizing a pirate.
"We failed to keep him caged within the Holy Land, but from another perspective, this ensures his ideology will never spread within its walls."
"Indeed. When you think of it that way, allowing him to build his power base outside is not a bad idea."
"My only complaint is that the number of native insects will likely increase…"
"We can deal with that later! If he becomes a Celestial Dragon, his entire sphere of influence will become the direct domain of the World Government!"
While two of the Elders were now in favor of genuinely welcoming the pirate Kuro as a Celestial Dragon, not as a political ploy, the other three remained grim.
"But he has demanded that his top officers be granted equivalent authority."
"That is surely unforgivable!"
"…I doubt those under Kuro would abuse their power. And if they did, it would provide us with a convenient sacrifice to appease the Navy and the commoners."
"Wait. Since word of his potential elevation to Celestial Dragon status has spread, we have seen an increase in offerings of gold and slaves from certain royals."
"If we carelessly increase the number of Celestial Dragons or those with equivalent authority, even more deluded insects will surface!"
"…Mmm…"
Saint Warcury, having spoken with Kuro directly and without pretense, began to wonder what move the pirate would make in his position. As the one who presided over justice, he felt that Kuro, who had devised a strategy that benefited the government's position, was a man of extraordinary value. So much so that he believed if they could bring him in by granting authority to his subordinates, he could be invaluable as a manager of the common insects.
"To think we would be so divided on this matter."
"…In that case, we must seek His judgment."
◆ ◆ ◆
"Director, a report from the Navy. Reinforcements from the carpenters' guild in the Goa Kingdom have arrived."
"Excellent. Minuet, I've already spoken to the Navy. Go with the soldiers stationed at the garrison before the North Gate to greet them and guide them to the site."
"Understood, Director. Right away."
"Somali, have there been any complaints from the Celestial Dragons, aside from the housing issue?"
"Ah, yes, well, I've heard from many of them that they don't like the food currently available and are demanding that we procure their preferred items at once. Here is a list of their requests."
"Thank you, I'll take a look."
Damn these Celestial Dragon scumbags. Even now, they have no intention of lowering their standards of luxury? Not one bit? I hear kings from various nations have been sending them all sorts of gifts lately, thinking 'If a pirate can become a Celestial Dragon, so can we.' They should just be satisfied with that…!
He scanned the list. Lots of rare seafood. And so-called brand-name meats… Well, typical luxuries, I suppose.It was within his expectations. A week ago, he had already placed orders with trading companies in the East and South Blues for foodstuffs that had historically been consumed in large quantities in the Holy Land. He could wait for their reply.
"Anything else of note?"
"There are some who say the furniture and bedding in their temporary shelters are not to their liking, and other such things, but… well, nothing in particular…"
Ahhh. This girl, Somali, was a good kid, just like Genetta. When someone like her trailed off, it could only mean one thing.
"Not enough slaves?"
"Yes," she confirmed quietly. "…I believe most of the Celestial Dragons… feel that way."
I honestly wish they would all just die. Seriously, the harder I work, the more my motivation evaporates.
"I thought I saw some trash—I mean, a Celestial Dragon—from a distance two days ago, bragging about how a large number of slaves had been delivered."
"Yes. The king of the Bitawa Kingdom sent many of his own people as slaves… yes."
"I really wish that kingdom would just get wiped off the map."
Oops, my inner voice slipped out. Seriously, the head of a government shouldn't be selling off his own people for personal gain! What is wrong with the world of One Piece? This is supposed to be a Jump Comics world, built on the three pillars of friendship, effort, and victory, right!? Have I somehow wandered into Young Jump or Business Jump? Did Oda-sensei switch magazines!?
"Approximately 1,500 slaves were delivered. An auction is currently being held for them among the Celestial Dragons."
"…As disgusting as that is, at least it will keep them quiet for a while."
He probably needed to check on the morale of the marines who had undoubtedly watched the delivery. Both Sengoku and Tsuru had been strangely reserved for leaders of the Navy since the funeral, so it was possible they hadn't reported the smaller problems.
…No. Wait. Hold on a second.
"The Bitawa Kingdom… that's in the South Blue, isn't it? What happened there afterwards?"
"…Well."
Please, don't make that face. I know I have to ask, but it makes me not want to hear the answer.
"It seems the sudden event caused a large-scale riot, but it was suppressed by the national army."
"What happened to the rioters?"
"…I have received information that they were all captured and executed, and the survivors have been sentenced to forced labor."
What is this, a nation of slaves? Sounds like something out of Kino's Journey.
"The public order in the surrounding seas is probably going to deteriorate dramatically…"
"Shall I issue a warning to the Navy?"
"…No, let's not. The marines on site are surely already making their move. It would be a gross overreach of my authority."
Though I guess a pirate who took command of the entire military in an emergency doesn't have much room to talk about overreaching… Still.
Most likely, underworld brokers who smuggled people across borders for a living would start showing up. Even if they ended up being treated like slaves anyway, no one would want to stay in a country where the king sold his own people. Of course, there would also be scoundrels who would trick people trying to escape with all their remaining wealth, only to sell them to the Celestial Dragons. And larger pirate crews in need of labor would be targeting them too…
Considering the current military strength in the South Blue… they just don't have the numbers. The situation is bound to get worse. There's no stopping it.
"Um…"
"Hm?"
"The preparations you're making now… they're for your handover, aren't they?"
"Yeah. Once I've seen the apology conference with the Five Elders, the Commander-in-Chief, and the Fleet Admiral, and the public statement that follows, I'm heading back to the West."
Surprisingly, the Five Elders had been quite receptive to the idea of an apology. They summoned him once every two days to discuss the wording, with some small talk about world affairs mixed in. So far, the meetings had been going very smoothly.
They keep asking for my suggestions on various matters, but almost none of them ever get approved. I can really feel the cultural gap between me and the Celestial Dragons.
"Director."
"Yes?"
"Please, won't you stay?"
Somali, you too? Genetta said the same thing, constantly. And Spandam. Then Hina would say it right after kicking Spandam in the shin.
"If you were to become a Celestial Dragon, Director, I would stake my very being on serving you…!"
"Wait, calm down."
Please stop. Seriously. It was giving him flashbacks to Amis and the others during the District HQ sea battle.
"All eighteen of us in this office feel the same way."
"Even if I joined the World Government, the situation wouldn't improve, Somali."
"…But."
He understood how they felt, all too well. He had made a point of interacting with as many people as possible, partly to gather intelligence from within the government, and he was now certain of one thing, in the most negative way possible: he was more competent than the vast majority of current office-holders. People like Lord Pinscher, who took their jobs seriously, were a true rarity. To put it another way, he could count the number of people who didn't abuse their power unreasonably on two hands.
The higher up you go, the stronger the belief that you can just take whatever you want from the weak… It makes you wonder if this is really a governing body at all.
It must be painful for good people like her and Genetta to work in such an organization. Honestly, they would be better off quitting immediately and finding work at some trading company. But then, they might fall victim to the whims of a Celestial Dragon.
Yes. A third power, one with military force, separate from the Revolutionary Army, was absolutely necessary.
"Until now, I was completely useless at my job! Having things thrown at me while being yelled at was a daily routine…!"
That wasn't their fault. The same could be said for almost everyone assigned to him. The problem was their superiors, and the system itself. It was a system where those who were merely crafty, but lacked real ability, could easily rise through the ranks. Spandam had some innate talent, but he was better at bribery and flattery. The others were even worse.
She and Genetta probably tried to do what was necessary out of a sense of duty, and were labeled 'fools making more work' for their efforts.
Instead of adding necessary tasks to their workload, they spent their time on flattery and collecting bribes. The higher they climbed, the more they did so. They had to, to protect themselves. The entire organizational structure was rotten. Well, if the ones at the top were scum, it was inevitable.
"But with you, Director… under you, I can—"
"You're just like Genetta. You've been unlucky with your superiors, but you also haven't properly grasped your own abilities."
Get a grip, all of you! I've taught you everything I can and given you the credentials to prove it! You even have the support of Lord Pinscher and the other competent people I found!
"Genetta excels at grasping the essence of a task. Right now, I'm delegating work to her as my assistant, but once she learns to change her perspective, she'll be able to apply her skills over a much wider range." Her only weakness was that she gave up a bit too quickly. She would dig into a problem for a while, then suddenly think, This might not be it, and immediately start digging somewhere else. If she could just be a little more persistent—no, that was just his perspective.
"Somali, you excel at focusing on a single task." She was one of the three he had been keeping an eye on. A valuable asset who, if entrusted with a well-defined job, would polish it to perfection. Why had people like her and Genetta been so neglected? They weren't the ambitious type, which in his mind, made them trustworthy colleagues. "But while you do well with clearly defined work, you have a tendency to panic when you're handed a vague, top-down request, the kind government officials love to pass along without clarification. In other words, you do your best work when paired with someone like Genetta."
It was a classic example of how the World Government's preferred method of division was having a negative impact on its own internal structure. Those who excelled at tripping others up for their own gain rose to the top, while those who could achieve far more as a team were left to stagnate.
"When you look around, the nasty, self-serving types tend to stand out. But if you take a moment and look carefully, you will always find people who share your values. Just as you did, by chance, here in this office."
Many of the people sent to his office had difficult personalities, that much was true. But it was a stroke of luck that most of them were still salvageable. By putting Genetta in a position to delegate tasks, she gained the one thing she needed most: people who would listen to her. Somali, by understanding her own strengths and the full scope of her work for the first time, was slowly gaining confidence.
I had Crex relearn the fundamentals of clerical work. I made Turkish stop relying on his gut, teaching him to prepare, do his research, and cooperate with others. The same for Madam Shanmao. I paired Corat with someone to compensate for his lack of follow-through. Lykoi is gaining a sense of responsibility and urgency by tackling solo assignments in stages. The others are also making progress…
Yes, he had worked hard! He had worked his ass off!
This department would likely remain even after he left, as the reconstruction would continue for some time. But he had written down all the current problems and future projections and given them to Genetta. If they each worked on the tasks he had assigned them while the reconstruction department was still active, they should be able to handle any unreasonable demands that came their way!
Spandam is likely to prioritize his own safety in a crisis, so I've asked Lord Pinscher and Lord Pyrenees to act as his guardians. I've set things up so that, should anything happen, their personal safety will be guaranteed.
"It's all right. You'll all manage just fine after I leave." As long as they remembered that cooperation and information sharing, not backstabbing or promotions, were what they needed to avoid trouble, they would be okay.
"Of course, that's assuming you finish this job quickly, before you run into any unnecessary natural disasters," he added with a pointed look. Do everything in your power to avoid the Celestial Dragon scum. Once the reconstruction is over, you'll be able to leave the Holy Land safely, too.
"Now then… Hina, what's left on the schedule?"
—THWACK!!!
"Right. The personnel dispatched from the East Blue are currently being processed. After that, we have the rebuilding and restoration of the food stores by the technicians from the North Blue, followed by an inspection of the fourth residential district and interviews with the workers on site. We might have time for a meal, but Fleet Admiral Sengoku has requested a meeting at noon. We also have a request from Lord Pyrenees, with no specified time. What's our first move?"
"Okay, first, let's start with an explanation as to why my schedule report began with a kick to my shin."
"Despite the current heavy workload due to your own handover preparations, the director was seen attempting to sweet-talk a female staff member first thing in the morning. I administered a punishment based on my personal judgment."
"Spandam, please clear the plaza. It looks like we're having a match, right here, right now."
"Stop messing around and get ready! The marines and officials for the joint inspection will be here any minute now!"
Ugh… right. Work was starting immediately. Not that he was unprepared. For the past while, he had been carefully managing his condition, making sure to get a full eight hours of sleep, or at least five when work suddenly piled up. He was physically and mentally ready to perform at his best.
Let's just get this over with quickly. At this rate, I should be able to leave the Holy Land by the end of next week.
…Although, he had no idea if he would be able to return straight to the West Blue.