After hearing Kuzan's words, Cobra's heart fell into intense turmoil.
His fingers unconsciously clenched tighter, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure.
One-tenth of the gold!!!
That was a staggering amount of wealth, enough to make any kingdom envious.
Alabasta — a vast desert nation with a population of tens of millions — had long since suffered from empty coffers and declining livelihoods due to years of drought and war.
No one understood better than he did what this sum of money could mean for the kingdom's reconstruction…
The parched lands could be irrigated again.
Collapsed houses could be rebuilt…
Children would have enough to eat, and the elderly could enjoy their twilight years in peace.
But…
This gold belonged to the Marines!
How could Alabasta accept it without guilt?
"Maah—"
Kuzan looked at Cobra's tangled expression, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
The situation was exactly as Marine Headquarters had predicted.
King Cobra's upright nature made it impossible for him to easily accept such wealth.
And once again, this proved just how sharp Rayne Hawke's judgment was.
The first allied nation Hawke had chosen for the Marines was indeed a partner worthy of trust.
"King Cobra."
"How about this… we change the arrangement, but it's still one-tenth of the gold."
Kuzan raised a finger and lightly waved it.
"But this isn't charity from the Marines, nor is it merely payment."
"You can think of it as… an investment!"
"Investment?"
Cobra froze, the word loosening the taut tension in his chest.
"That's right — investment."
Kuzan's tone grew solemn. "This money… once Alabasta prospers again, you'll repay the Marines in installments."
"Your Majesty, perhaps you've misunderstood something…"
Kuzan's voice shifted, his gaze turning deep and sharp.
"The Marines don't just need weapons and warships."
"Right now, we excel at fighting. We excel at destruction. But when it comes to securing logistics… compared to a nation with a complete, functioning system, we're far behind."
"In the future, the Marines will increase soldiers' pay and benefits, reorganize and expand our forces, and assist every allied nation that upholds justice in resisting natural disasters and man-made crises."
"All of this… will require massive amounts of supplies."
He looked straight into Cobra's eyes, his expression deadly serious.
"We need food — enough to feed hundreds of thousands of soldiers."
"We need durable, high-quality fabrics to make new uniforms and sails."
"We need vast amounts of medical supplies, lumber and steel to maintain our ships, and even wine and entertainment to help our soldiers relax after bloody battles…"
"And these are things… the Marines can't produce on our own."
"That's why the Marines wish to invest in Alabasta — to develop it into the Marines' first grand logistics base nation."
"Use this funding to restore your production, build factories, reclaim farmland…"
"And in return, you'll repay this investment with the materials you produce."
"…"
"Huuh—"
"I understand now…"
Cobra let out a long, deep breath, as though releasing every burden and doubt in his heart.
So that was it…
So that's what this was!
This wasn't a one-sided favor.
This was a mutually beneficial alliance!
In an instant, Cobra's mind as a king began to work rapidly.
Mobilize the eastern oases and expand wheat cultivation.
Restart the southern mines to provide high-grade steel for the Marines.
Organize the western herders to supply leather and meat in bulk.
The people of Alabasta were hardworking and resilient — they could repay the Marines' kindness with their own hands!
This investment… Alabasta could take it.
And Alabasta could repay it!
"Admiral Aokiji, on behalf of Alabasta, I accept the Marines' 'investment'!"
Cobra no longer hesitated; his gaze was unwavering.
"Good."
Kuzan nodded, his smile relaxing into something genuine and warm.
"Then, King Cobra—"
"To a successful partnership!"
"To a successful partnership!"
Their hands clasped tightly in the sweltering air.
And thus, the Marines and their very first grand logistics base nation officially sealed an investment agreement that would change the balance of the world!
...
Devil's Triangle.
"Swish—"
"Swish—"
Two figures blurred into streaks of light, darting straight toward the colossal giant formed from thousands of shadows.
"Oi, moss-head! You take the right, I'll take the left!"
While sprinting at full speed, Sanji lit a cigarette, calmly repeating a tactic he had used to trick Zoro before.
His little plan was buzzing like clockwork in his head.
That moss-headed idiot's sense of direction was absolute garbage. As long as Sanji casually pointed somewhere, Zoro would definitely end up charging into some random corner.
And when that happened… first credit, promotion, and Admiral Kizaru's personal kicking lessons would all belong to him, Sanji!
"Got it!"
Zoro didn't think twice and nodded without hesitation.
He suddenly drew the Wado Ichimonji at his waist — scabbard and all — and hurled it like a white bolt of lightning straight at Moria.
At the same time, he powered his legs, preparing to chase after his blade.
Just before taking off, he suddenly pointed in the exact opposite direction.
"Oi! Curly-brow!"
"I heard a beautiful Marine lady crying for help over there! She needs a handsome knight to save her!"
"???"
"!!!"
"Where?!"
"The knight will save the damsel in distress!"
Sanji's body reacted faster than his brain, moving instinctively.
The chivalric code demanded it — no gentleman could ignore a lady in need!
He skidded to a sharp stop and spun toward the direction Zoro had pointed.
"…"
But there was only endless darkness and thick, rolling fog.
"Tch!"
Sanji realized he'd been tricked — damn moss-head!
By the time he turned back in fury, Zoro's figure was already a distant black speck, reaching Moria's towering feet.
"First strike's mine—!"
Zoro's roar echoed in the wind.
In his eyes burned unyielding determination.
This first credit… wasn't just about outranking that curly-browed idiot.
More importantly, it meant one-on-one swordsmanship training with Admiral Kizaru!
One of Marine Headquarters' top combat forces!
If his swordsmanship could receive Kizaru's personal guidance, his skills would definitely reach a whole new level!
Get stronger.
Get even stronger.
Only then could he catch up to Rayne Hawke's back… only then could he fulfill that promise!
"Gyahahahahaha!"
Moria's piercing laughter rang out, his massive face dripping with disdain.
He slowly raised a mountainous hand, ready to crush this insolent little bug into pulp.
"Now!"
Zoro's eyes suddenly sharpened, gleaming like an eagle's.
He took a deep breath, his body sinking slightly as he assumed a forward-thrust stance.
Abyssal black Armament Haki flooded across the pristine white blade of the Wado Ichimonji, dyeing it completely.
Even before the blade was drawn, a razor-sharp pressure radiated all around him.
"Oh… this is…"
High above, Rayne Hawke watched with great interest.
That kid Zoro… he was integrating Rokushiki into his swordsmanship at a deep level.
That earlier technique carried traces of Soru, seeking ultimate speed.
And this one… Shigan?
Compressing all his strength into a single point, pursuing absolute piercing power.
Interesting…
Truly a genius of the sword.
"Huuuh—"
Zoro exhaled a long, white breath, his aura surging instantly to its peak.
He gathered every ounce of power into a single point.
The drawn Wado Ichimonji became a jet-black bolt of lightning, faster than the naked eye could follow, driving forward in an explosive thrust.
This strike combined the terrifying penetration of Shigan with Armament Haki compressed to its limit, aiming straight at Moria's ankle!
"One-Sword Style Secret Technique — Black Blade Rokushiki!"
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