No matter if they are part of the Navy or pirates, or those rare strong ones, they essentially all stem from here.
Until now, no pirate has breached these traditional 'strong nations.'
A pirate, after all, is just a pirate.
Yet some kingdoms have histories far longer than the World Government. The so-called World Government was merely established by twenty nations of the world back then and now remains at the helm as a united government.
After all, just paying money can solve part of the coastal defenses, which every kingdom is eager to do.
The Overlord is not the World Government, but the member countries that joined the World Government, those truly old 'strong nations.'
But Sage, who occupies a quarter of the Grand Line and truly rules, appears different in their eyes.
Not only can he hold half of that violent New World sea domain, but now he also influences the other half. Whether influence or force, territory or wealth, all rival any 'strong nation'!
No one dares to underestimate Sage.
Even if his foundation is 'World Desire City,' others might be ignorant, but are they really unaware? Gares was already on the brink of collapse at that time.
Their intelligence network isn't poor; for a kingdom that can be deemed a 'strong nation,' they pay close attention. According to estimates, as long as Gares started a civil war at that time, it would inevitably split and disappear from the ranks of a 'strong nation,' turning into a medium or small country.
Yet Sage managed to rule against the backdrop of such a civil war, growing stronger day by day.
The King of Flower Country was not the kind of corrupt ruler; improving the wealth of the populace benefits him and the kingdom.
The most critical factor is that upon entering deep cooperation, they can utilize the pirates streaming from the latter half of the New World to expand their territories.
And the only risk is, like Alabasta, losing a lot of people and many resource-controlled areas.
The King of Flower Country asked again: "How long do you think the chaos will last?"
"That depends on how long you wish it to last."
Lucci's lips formed a smirk, "If there are enough countries cooperating with us, the chaos will continue indefinitely, until the Captain completes his plan."
"What is Sage precisely trying to do?" The King of Flower Country continued to inquire.
"That's up to you..."
Lucci picked up the teacup again, took a sip, and then said, "The decision you make will enable our captain to make more appropriate decisions."
The King of Flower Country paused upon hearing this, first looking toward the Red Earth Continent, then toward the New World, finally clenching his fist, "I agree!"
Meanwhile, in North Sea, Lubunier Kingdom, a kingdom co-ruled by a king and nobles, the most standard feudal state.
Also the homeland of 'King of Big Words' Montblanc Norland four hundred years ago, this kingdom wasn't among the 'strong nations' centuries ago. However, starting four hundred years ago, the kingdom implemented an 'adventurer' policy, encouraged adventurers to set sail, guaranteed their expeditions, resulting in vast resources for the kingdom.
The privateering groups formed by those adventurers claimed territories in the North Sea, then merged into Lubunier, creating a nation with strong nobles and a central king as its backbone. Over hundreds of years, this has positioned the kingdom among the strong nations.
Current King Vladimir had just wrapped up the world conference organized by the Radio Snail, and as the Radio Snail closed its eyes, he turned directly to the plump guy sitting in front, saying:
"I agree to cooperate."
"Respected King, you will surely not regret today's decision."
Link smiled and said, "Lubunier Kingdom will surpass this sluggish accumulation and become an even more prosperous nation!"
"Don't rush to respect me..."
Vladimir waved his hand, "With conditions."
Link's expression remained unchanged, "I believe we have already provided ample convenience for you; your country's recent territorial expansion is substantial. Those adventurers summoned by you ventured to those uninhabited islands, became nobles overnight, with no objections—reasonable and legitimate. It's merely from migrating some people from your vast realm to fill in, which for a king like you should not be a problem."
"Flatter me not, a king?"
Vladimir chuckled self-deprecatingly, "If we speak of kings, your Governor is the genuine article, whereas we are mere fake kings propped up by bloodlines. Since I'm a fake king, I need not possess the grace of kingship."
"Whatever cooperation you propose, I agree: establishing industries, purchasing lands, even if your people want to recruit from my country, just go ahead, I won't stop you. The Calamity keeps his word; if he intended to go back on it, he wouldn't have sent you in the first place. While he can't handle the whole world, defeating me is certainly no challenge."
"I don't care what the Calamity desires, nor do I worry if my country's people are all taken away, as long as my nobles and I remain here. Therefore..."
With the rough looks of a burly man, Vladimir extended his hand to the somewhat baffled Link, "Germa 66, Vinsmoke Clan, I want their cloning technology. If buying is impossible, give me purchasing rights. I want custom clones loyal to Lubunier Kingdom!"
"King Vladimir..." Link frowned.
"Such vast territories demand people for mining and farming. If the Calamity's ambition is to rule people, then my ambition is for the prosperity of myself and my nobles!" Vladimir stated firmly.
Lubunier Kingdom, initially established by adventurers, continues to offer legal access to a new generation of adventurers at sea—a kingdom co-ruled by a king and nobles, focused only on the noble class and future adventurer noble class.
Other than that, nothing else matters.
...
"Look, that's what you call professionalism!"
Ohara.
After Lily's report, Sage waved his hand, "A major country is indeed a major country, none of them are simple."
Lily nodded approvingly, "West Sea Flower Country aspires to lead the whole nation to prosperity, while North Sea Lubunier seeks eternal wealth and glory; both targets are firm. Representatives from both strong nations agreed, so the subsequent cooperation with other countries should not be challenging."
During this period, they've yielded rich results.
The world has descended into such chaos that the World Government is unable to collect heavenly tributes, and naturally, they wouldn't forgo such an opportunity, continuing to advance plans.
Small countries serve as sacrifices in the chaos, whereas major countries are objectives to draw closer during the turmoil.
Sage naturally cannot rule across the Calm Belt, his population is insufficient, and his radiating capability isn't that vast.
After all, the population in the first half still is insufficient.
However, the plan of ruling half the world doesn't mean ruling personally; in reality, this isn't feasible.
Current conditions and productivity prevent Sage from achieving prosperous life targets purely from internal needs; they still need external exploitation.
Targets, of course, are West Sea and North Sea, and must be major countries—strong nations.
Sage never believes that the kings of strong nations are merely foolish noble imbeciles.
There's something called 'bottoms determine minds.'
Kings of small countries don't behave humanly because the weight upon their shoulders isn't enough. Being born as nobles, they inherently lack the sensory perception, and with a decreasing population, they become even less sensitive, focusing primarily on personal pleasures.
Then there are populous major countries that aren't true strong nations, just merely large populations and areas, claiming major country status.
Famine in such countries doesn't concern much, perhaps a thousand or two die per year... trivial matters, not much of an issue.
However, strong nations are different; these are tests of comprehensive strength.
Regardless of the noble or king's inhumanity, once systemic collapse appears in strong nations, the annual death toll will reach terrifying levels, enough to induce trembling even in idiots.
The deaths alone are one thing; the accompanying chaos, plague, destruction of order signify catastrophic blows.
No matter how foolish the king is, none would dare claim they don't care.
A befuddled ruler may be blind but not stupid.
It's not like playing video games, where minor finger movements cause deaths of tens of thousands; such issues immediately impact them, ensuring that for their own rule, these existences treat the populace as part of the kingdom.
The strong grow stronger; on the sea, strong nations rarely decline, for this reason.
And now...
Sage has offered them a new path, leading them to become more affluent and thriving!
Genuine free trade!