Gloriosa was silent for a while before cautiously asking, "Admiral, what do you mean by 'guiding Amazon Lily onto the right path'?"
"Times are changing. Humans used to be unable to enter the Calm Belt, but now the Marines have technology that minimizes that risk. Generally, military technology precedes civilian technology, so perhaps in a few decades, this technology will also be available for ordinary ships. At that point, the Calm Belt will no longer be as isolated as it is now," Diarmuid said softly.
After a pause, Diarmuid looked at Gloriosa. "Because of that, Amazon Lily will no longer be able to remain outside the world's system. So, tell me, what problems will you face when you meet the world as a nation of pirates?"
Gloriosa's face changed several times before she finally said, "It will be very dangerous. We will be hostile to the world."
"Exactly. That's your situation now. Everyone sees you as a savage and ferocious pirate nation, but you don't have to care about that because you have the Calm Belt. However, when the Calm Belt can no longer protect you, you will have to face that hostility head-on. One wrong move, and you will be utterly destroyed," Diarmuid said with a smile.
"So, Admiral, you can help us, right?" Gloriosa asked softly.
"How to put it? This is a great opportunity. Boa Nero was indeed a pirate, and you are indeed a pirate nation. But fortunately, for various reasons, you've stopped your pirating activities over the past few years. And Boa Nero has passed away, so we can't blame her. If you choose to align with us Marines and cooperate with us, the resistance from the Marines won't be too strong. On the contrary, the Marines are very focused on developing the Calm Belt, so we might have a use for you," Diarmuid said, nodding.
He had to admit, now was indeed a good time.
Gloriosa was silent for a moment. "A use for us in the development of the Calm Belt?"
"Yes. In reality, we are short-handed. This development will be a long-term project and won't stop anytime soon. I also believe this is an important opportunity for Amazon Lily to transform. If you can seize this chance, you can establish a solid foothold in the Calm Belt and have the Marines' support, making it easier for you to redeem yourselves," Diarmuid said with a smile.
Gloriosa nodded. "Actually, we Amazon Lily are not as vicious as outsiders think."
In this regard, Gloriosa was not lying. In reality, although Amazon Lily's citizens were all warriors, they were surprisingly honest. Even though they were a pirate nation, their pirating was essentially for survival. From another perspective, their pirating could be categorized as normal national warfare.
"That's exactly why I think you can be saved," Diarmuid said meaningfully. "If your country were like Totto Land, you wouldn't have this opportunity. I would have seized the chance to destroy you." Diarmuid said directly.
After a pause, without waiting for Gloriosa to speak, Diarmuid continued, "That's the basic idea. You should think carefully about whether you want to cooperate with the Marines."
Gloriosa didn't hesitate at all. She immediately nodded. "We do!"
The situation had been made very clear by Diarmuid. Amazon Lily could either cooperate with the Marines, or the Marines would destroy them. Diarmuid had already stated his position from the start: he would not allow any threats to exist in the South Calm Belt. And the only threat to the Marines in the South Calm Belt was Amazon Lily.
What other choice did she have? To go against the Marines? That would lead to the destruction of their country, and Gloriosa wasn't that stubborn.
"Good," Diarmuid nodded, then turned to Hina. "Go get those three little ones."
"Yes," Hina quickly replied. She got up and left.
After about ten minutes, Hina brought the three Hancock sisters over. The moment Hancock saw Gloriosa, she was surprised. "Nyon-ba?"
"Hancock!" Gloriosa was relieved. Hancock and her sisters looked fine; the Marines hadn't mistreated them. It seemed Admiral Diarmuid was indeed benevolent toward them.
"You've seen them. The Marines didn't torment them. On the contrary, we saved them from evil slave traders. Don't you think that's a favor?" Diarmuid asked, taking a bite of beef.
Gloriosa quickly nodded. "We will never forget the favor you've shown Amazon Lily, Admiral."
Gloriosa was also a clever person. If she could use this opportunity to build a relationship with Admiral Diarmuid, it would be a great thing for Amazon Lily.
"Good," Diarmuid nodded. He then looked at the three Hancock sisters. "Marigold and Sandersonia... you can take these two back to Amazon Lily."
Gloriosa nodded at first, then asked with some concern, "What about Hancock?"
"Boa Hancock..." Diarmuid looked at Hancock, who was pretending to be calm. He then smiled. "She will join the Marines. I will recommend her to be trained in Marineford until she comes of age."
Just then, Gion walked in through the restaurant door. She shook her head. "No need. Hancock will stay at G-7 and be personally trained by me."
Gion knew that Diarmuid must have other plans for Hancock. She also had a vague suspicion that Boa Hancock, from Amazon Lily, was the perfect candidate to become a Warlord of the Sea.
Diarmuid probably had this in mind. So, sending Hancock to Marineford would draw too much attention. It would be better to train her quietly at G-7.
Diarmuid was taken aback, but he didn't object. He nodded. "Alright. She will stay at G-7 and join the Marines, with Gion as her teacher."
Before Gloriosa could say anything, Hancock asked, "If I join the Marines, will my sisters and Kuja Island be protected by the Marines?"
"No," Diarmuid said without hesitation.
Hancock was stunned.
"You are only one part of this. You alone are not enough for the Marines to protect Amazon Lily. From now on, Amazon Lily must fully cooperate with the Marines' operations and plans in the Calm Belt, Gion," Diarmuid said softly.
"Yes, I'm ready," Gion replied immediately.
"This matter is entrusted to you. The affairs of Amazon Lily are now entirely up to G-7 to arrange. Understand?" Diarmuid said in a serious tone.
"Yes, for the sake of justice!" Gion replied seriously.
After that, Diarmuid looked at the precocious Hancock again and asked, "Any other questions?"
Hancock clearly didn't want to join the Marines. After all, the blood of pirates, passed down for hundreds of years, flowed in her veins. However, she looked at Gloriosa and saw that she had no objections. She knew this was an extremely serious matter. If she refused, Amazon Lily would face destruction.
At this point, Hancock's personality wasn't as twisted yet. She took these things very seriously and knew the heavy responsibility she had as the eldest of the three royal sisters. So, Hancock finally nodded. "I understand. I will join the Marines and study at G-7."
"Good," Diarmuid said with a smile. He reached out and ruffled Hancock's hair, speaking with a hopeful tone. "...I hope you can become an excellent Marine. You definitely won't regret this decision."
Hancock looked into Diarmuid's eyes and felt a little relieved. "I hope so." But after Diarmuid took his hand off her head, she still pouted unhappily.
Diarmuid didn't mind the little girl's moodiness. He turned to Gloriosa and asked, "Do you have any questions?"
"Admiral, what does 'Amazon Lily must fully cooperate with the Marines' operations and plans' mean?" Gloriosa asked with some hesitation.
"Don't worry, it's about the development of the Calm Belt. Gion will explain the details to you later. In this process, we will give you a fair return for your efforts. Since you are currently unable to engage in piracy, this is a good way for you to get the supplies your country needs. In fact, once this cooperation matures in a few years and a relationship of mutual trust is formed, your people might not even want to be pirates anymore, even if you do," Diarmuid said with a smile.
Gloriosa was a little surprised and asked, "Fundamentally changing the way Amazon Lily obtains supplies?"
After a pause, she nodded. "If that's truly possible, it would be a new path for Amazon Lily."
It was clear that the Marines would develop the Calm Belt, and it looked like it would take a long time—ten years? Twenty years? And after the Marines achieved their goals, they would likely make their technology available for civilian use.
At that point, the Calm Belt would be bustling with activity, and Amazon Lily would no longer be suitable for dealing with outsiders in a pirating way.
If they could seize this opportunity to transform with the Marines' support, Amazon Lily might no longer have to engage in pirating and could become a normal country.
To be honest, no one would want to turn their country into a notorious pirate nation unless they were forced to. Now that Diarmuid had given them this chance, why wouldn't they seize it?
"That's the gist of it. Gion, you can discuss the remaining details with her," Diarmuid said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. He then looked at Hina and Hancock. "Do you two want to come fishing with me?"
"No," Hina said without hesitation.
Hancock also wanted to refuse, but after Hina said no, Diarmuid looked a little disappointed. She wondered if refusing would anger this man. So Hancock hesitated for a while.
But before she could speak, Diarmuid rolled his eyes. "Don't think I'm that unreasonable. It's clear you don't want to go either. Forget it, I'll go by myself."
With that, Diarmuid stood up, picked up his fishing gear from against the wall, hummed a tune, and left the dining hall, no longer paying any mind to Gion and the others.
It was only then that Hancock looked at Hina and couldn't help but ask, "Are all Marine Admirals like this?"
Hina was stunned for a moment, then shook her head seriously. "No. Only he is."
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