Chapter 588: The Five Elders (1)
The World Government's reaction goes without saying; it was naturally full support.
The start of the Great Pirate Era significantly boosted the prestige of the World Government and the Marines.
In the eyes of the vast majority, the execution of "Pirate King" Roger was a tremendous victory for the Marines and the World Government.
This was because they didn't know what kind of impact Roger's final words before death would bring.
Those with a little foresight, however, could see that the Marines and the World Government had clearly lost.
Regardless of which side they stood on, facing the renewed joint operation of the many Great Pirates in the New World, they could not retreat.
This was, essentially, a declaration of war.
The most delighted were naturally factions like Hades's, who feared nothing more than the Great Sea being too peaceful.
They watched as the Pirates continuously consumed the strength of the World Government, step by step weakening the World Government and causing its influence to constantly decline.
"For now, there's no need to concern ourselves with the Four Seas.
Focus our energy on maintaining the Trade Route.
Let them suffer a bit, then they'll understand the meaning of the World Government and the Marines' existence."
At the peak of power, Saint Saturn's tone was tinged with dissatisfaction towards the Member Nations.
"Agreed.
Dealing with the Pirates in the New World is more important," Saint Mars said calmly, standing with his hands behind his back.
On this point, the Five Elders' stance was completely identical.
Compared to the distant Four Seas, the Pirate Alliance Army in the New World directly threatened the safety of the World Government.
As for the Four Seas, no matter how chaotic they became, they wouldn't have a significant impact on the World Government.
The Pirate Alliance Army in the New World also gave the World Government a reason to target the Member Nations.
The Marine Elite Force stationed in the Four Seas was to be redeployed, but this didn't mean completely abandoning the Four Seas.
Maintaining the stability of the Trade Route also didn't mean they needed to protect the Member Nations.
Now, they needed to concentrate their energy and investment into the New World.
Before the war ended, the losses incurred by the various Member Nations were irrelevant to them.
The Five Elders now understood that they couldn't be too lenient with the Member Nations; they had to exhibit their strength and attitude.
They needed a larger share of the Heavenly Tribute every year.
If anyone proposed withdrawing from the World Government Affiliated Nation sequence, they wouldn't mind making an example of them.
Since they weren't a World Government Affiliated Nation, being destroyed would be expected, right?
Losing a World Government Affiliated Nation, while reducing the Heavenly Tribute, also meant they didn't need to protect that Member Nation, allowing the Marines maintaining the Trade Route to save a little.
To be honest, the losses weren't actually that significant.
As the trade in Red Port gradually prospered, serving as an important passage connecting the First Half of the Grand Line and the New World, it brought in enormous interests every year.
With the increase in interests, losing a Member Nation was no longer a matter of great concern to the Five Elders.
To reduce their dependence on the Heavenly Tribute, the World Government had been increasing its own revenue streams over the years.
Slave trade, arms trade, investing in more merchants, and developing various industries.
They even used various expenditures in Mary Geoise to extract wealth from various factions, including the Celestial Dragons who held vast wealth.
They held auctions.
Slave trade, rare creatures from the Great Sea, provided entertainment for the vast majority of Celestial Dragons, allowing them to obtain wealth from them.
As Five Elders, they were Celestial Dragons, that was correct, and their families were also important.
However, they stood more on the side of the World Government itself.
Without the World Government, what would they, the Celestial Dragons, amount to?
No one wanted to fall from their pedestal; the resulting disparity was simply too great.
The World Government would, of course, be affected by the losses in Heavenly Tribute.
However, the losses would be recouped through other means.
Those who suffered greater losses were actually the World Nobles.
After all, the share of the Heavenly Tribute distributed to the Celestial Dragon Families was fixed.
If the total amount decreased, the portion belonging to the Celestial Dragons would naturally also decrease.
Meanwhile, the World Government's own revenue had nothing to do with the Celestial Dragons.
"The position of Army General should be filled now, shouldn't it?
It's truly laughable that the Army only has one Admiral."
"\"White Ghost\" died in battle.
\"The Storm Dragon\" grew old; although he still possessed combat strength, he no longer wished to consume his life and only desired to live out his twilight years peacefully."
"The Storm Dragon" had even left Mary Geoise and was living in seclusion in a kingdom on the Great Sea with a relatively strong Family Force.
In such a kingdom, even if he had to take action, no Pirate would threaten him.
There were quite a few such factions in Mary Geoise.
Although Mary Geoise was the World's center of power, the situation on the seas over the years had made some factions realize that Mary Geoise's future wasn't particularly bright.
Although the World Government still hid a deep foundation and even secret weapons, they couldn't put all their eggs in one basket.
Some factions had already begun transferring industries and strength to the Great Sea, making early plans and leaving themselves a backup plan.
This situation wasn't obvious, but the trend was already present.
"This matter should wait until after the war.
It can serve as a basis for promotion.
The position of Army General isn't something easily attained."
"However, do you have any recommended candidates?"
Saint Nusjuro, wearing a white kimono and holding the Shodai Kitetsu, looked at the others.
The Army's strength indeed needed to be supplemented.
Although the positions of Army Vice Admiral had been filled under the World Government's powerful foundation, having only one Admiral Candidate and the Army General \"Bamboo Python\" still looked quite meager.
"Silver Fang's strength should be barely sufficient, right?
If his performance in this battle is acceptable, then let him be promoted to Army General."
"He's been an Army Admiral Candidate for some time now."
Saint Warcury offered a suggestion.
Silver Fang, an Army Admiral Candidate skilled in body technique and a Logia-type Mercury Fruit Ability User.
The previous Ability User was someone Hades also knew, a Great Pirate who had occupied Isukanbul Island before him.
He had consciously left after Hades targeted Isukanbul Island.
He survived the Rocks Era but, just a few years into the New Era, became the stepping stone for \"Iron Fist\" Garp.
Because he refused to yield and caused significant losses to the Marines, he was killed by Garp on the spot.
If he hadn't died, he would now be a Great Pirate capable of holding his own on the Great Sea.
As for the Mercury Fruit, it reappeared on the Great Sea a few years later and was obtained by the faction represented by Silver Fang.
An Admiral represents the World Government's top-tier combatant.
Even if the Army was slightly weaker, having one more Admiral would increase their deterrence.
(end of chapter)