"That's amazing..."
Feeling the g-force of rapid ascent, Sora instinctively gasped in surprise.
Even though she had personally witnessed Ross casually create a hundred-meter-deep abyss road, it was nothing compared to taking a ship and flying ten thousand meters into the air.
The ship beneath their feet had already soared into the clouds, reaching a height of at least several thousand meters.
Moreover, as the altitude exceeded 1,000 meters, the ocean currents from the nearby Reverse Mountain began to cut off the ship, and the seawater continued to converge below the hull, pushing them upwards.
"He's very capable, but he just likes to mess around."
Gion sighed, and her blood-red bat wings spread out, enveloping Stella and Sora.
"With the master's strength, it's not really reckless. He only does things with a high probability of success."
Stella wore a bright smile, her admiring gaze fixed on Ross.
Having been by Ross's side for so long, she had long since grown accustomed to this kind of life.
Compared to the hellish place that imprisoned her for three years, her current life was better than she could ever imagine.
"Waaah!"
"Pfft, Reiju seems to really enjoy this feeling of soaring into the sky."
Gion looked at Reiju, who was excitedly gesturing and dancing, and couldn't help but smile.
She always felt that Reiju wouldn't be very well-behaved in the future, just like Ace, who was still in the Holy Land and was already very lively even though he was only born not long ago.
Having these two little ones would definitely bring a lot more fun.
Propelled by the waves and currents of the sea, the ship quickly crossed the Reverse Mountain and hovered at a height of a thousand meters above the highest point.
Come and take a look.
Ross flicked his right hand, and the Poseidon's Trident was retrieved.
He didn't need a weapon when he used his abilities, but he always felt that this posture looked better than squatting down and punching with clenched fists.
Whether you're strong or not is a matter of time, but whether you're handsome or not is a matter of a lifetime.
"They're here."
Upon hearing Ross's shout and realizing that it was safe, Gion and the others ran to Ross's side and looked down.
Ross walked over to them and quietly looked down.
A massive red mountain range stood below them, and four ocean currents, originating from the seas in the east, west, south, and north, seemed to defy the laws of physics, flowing upstream from below to converge at the top, and then flowing downstream through the only passage beside them.
That downstream waterway led to the first half of the Grand Line.
Five streams converged at the summit of Reverse Mountain, creating a unique and stunning landscape that captivated visitors.
"How can a city be built in a place like this?"
Gion raised her own questions upon seeing the Reverse Mountain from this angle for the first time.
After all, Ross's plan was to build a giant city on Reverse Mountain.
But looking at the five rushing waterways below, it didn't seem like a place where a city could be built on Reverse Mountain.
"Of course we can. Don't underestimate the World Government's capabilities. Just the Earth-type Devil Fruit users alone number at least 20," Ross laughed.
He wasn't worried about building the city. Eight hundred years ago, Mary Geoise was in a more dangerous location than this place, but the World Government still found a way to solve it.
However, Mary Geoise was not built on the waterway, but on land next to the waterway.
This time, the inverted city he wanted to build would include all the waterways.
"Since the World Government has the capability, why didn't they build a city here before? If this place is cut off, ordinary pirates will no longer have a way to reach the Grand Line."
Sora raised her own question. Having served as the Queen of the Germa Kingdom for the past few years, she had a relatively good understanding of the global situation.
The Four Seas made up 80% of the world's population, but due to the scarcity of Haki and Devil Fruits, coupled with the lack of systematic training methods, the overall combat strength of the Four Seas was not particularly strong.
On the contrary, the Grand Line was much stronger due to its harsh climate and fierce people.
Most pirates from all over the world who entered the Grand Line would perish in the first half, but many were able to stand out and become powerful pirates in the New World.
"Because of cost issues, or perhaps because the Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land are used to being high and mighty and look down on these pirates."
Ross gently shook his head and explained Sora's question:
"Building a city here would require at least several hundred billion Berries, and the subsequent maintenance costs would be terrifyingly high. In comparison, the World Government would prefer to spend less money to maintain the Marines, which is not only more cost-effective but also more efficient."
"Moreover, even if we block the way for those pirates to Reverse Mountain, they can still find a way to cross the Calm Belt and study how to become stronger in the Four Seas."
"Instead of letting them study how to become stronger in the Four Seas, it's better to let them fight each other on the Grand Line."
"It was fine when there weren't many pirates, but now that Roger has started the Great Pirate Era, it's not good for the World Government," Sora said with a frown.
She had been reading a lot of books lately, so she knew more and had more questions in her mind.
Starfleet Themed Novels
"There's no need to worry about that. Although the number of pirates seems large, it's still within a controllable range. The World Government has no intention of suppressing them at all; in fact, they're practically letting them run rampant."
Ross couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of those old guys.
The Celestial Dragons were like bandits who had risen to power; they didn't understand what capitalist exploitation was, they only knew how to ruthlessly plunder, and their blatant robbery was practically written all over their faces.
"Let them do whatever they want?" Sora was somewhat surprised.
"If there aren't enough pirates, how will the member states pay their Heavenly Tribute?"
Ross's question left Sora speechless for a moment.
The Germa Kingdom was in the business of mercenaries, so she understood the meaning of those words very well.
If the world were at peace, the Germa Kingdom would have no commissions, and the World Government Marines would be out of a job.
But was it really the right thing to raise a band of enemies to enhance one's own prestige?
"This behavior is foolish, but I can't change it now, so this is the only option for now. Perhaps when I become one of the Five Elders, I can gradually change this situation."
Ross painted a rosy picture, his eyes scanning the room intently. Everyone around him was his trusted confidant, his future core group.
"Saint Ross, I believe you."
Gion spoke first, saying that she didn't understand the profound political common sense, but she could understand these simple words.
Since she had set sail with Ross, she had witnessed far too many evil things. Pirates, the Marines, the World Government—none of them were good.
Although Ross was not a human being in his daily life, at least he was seeking change, which was enough for Gion.
"Your Highness, I believe in you too."
Sora winked playfully at Ross. She knew Ross was trying to win people over, but a boss willing to make empty promises to his subordinates was a rare find in this world.
In addition, since her heart was already completely devoted to Ross, she naturally sided with her man.
Hopefully, the future would be better.
Zephyr looked down at the five waterways and breathed a sigh of relief.
Ross was already worthy of his loyalty to the death just for building the city on Reverse Mountain.
While this wouldn't directly reduce the number of pirates, it could effectively reduce the probability of strong pirates emerging.
Furthermore, he could sense Ross's disdain for the self-importance of the bandits and knew that Ross had a better method, so Zephyr was willing to wait for that answer.
If this continued, pirates might actually disappear completely from history.
…
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