In the office of the Gorosei in Mariejois, Fleet Admiral Sengoku set down his teacup and said with a smile to the Gorosei: "Please rest assured, esteemed Elders, the Navy will express a positive attitude toward the opening of the Gold City."
The bearded Gorosei was satisfied with Sengoku's statement and nodded. "Very good, Sengoku. We highly appreciate your demonstration of considering the bigger picture. Although Gold City is being established by a pirate, Smoker is a Warlord of the Sea, and we truly need a neutral zone to ease tensions between various factions. Most importantly, Gold City can provide the World Government with a sustained and massive influx of funds. Although this entertainment city hasn't opened yet, I believe the prospects are excellent. It is truly wonderful to have the Navy's understanding and support."
To ensure Gold City met the criteria for a 'neutral zone,' Smoker had conceded a significant share of the profits to Mariejois. From a practical standpoint, Mariejois would receive a 30% cut of Gold City's profits merely by granting it neutral status.
Furthermore, the establishment of a neutral zone held real practical meaning for Mariejois. At this stage, the Gorosei believed Mariejois had passed its most difficult period. The tide of the Great Pirate Era had largely been suppressed, or at least it wouldn't directly overturn their great ship. The fiercest wave had passed.
Especially in the New World, the Warlord of the Sea Smoker had dominated the area, becoming one of the Yonko, and was actively seeking greater cooperation with Mariejois. Judging by all his actions, Smoker was undoubtedly a pirate who leaned toward the World Government faction. Thus, the Gorosei were growing increasingly satisfied with the Warlords of the Sea system.
As the highest-ranking Celestial Dragons and the nominal controllers of the great ship that was Mariejois, the Gorosei naturally understood that pirates were inexhaustible. You could kill seventeen or eighteen pirates today, but tomorrow, a large crowd of people across the world would flock to the promising profession of piracy. There was no remedy for this ailment that had afflicted the world for centuries, or perhaps it was a characteristic of this world. How could a world dominated by the sea truly eliminate the concept of pirates?
And since they couldn't be eliminated, it was better to 'domesticate' them through a controllable method like the Warlords of the Sea, fostering pro-World Government pirates like Smoker to minimize the threat and danger posed by pirates to Mariejois and the world. This was the strategy the Gorosei had recently decided upon.
Yes, it had been nearly sixteen years since Roger launched the Great Pirate Era in 1500. For Mariejois, the first phase, resisting the tide of the Great Pirate Era, had been successfully completed. The Navy's strength had essentially re-established control over the Four Seas. While new pirates continued to emerge, the threat level was not as great as before. Concurrently, the rampant arrogance of pirates in the hardest-to-control New World had also been beaten down by Smoker's previous combination of moves.
Therefore, the current phase for Mariejois was no longer limited to resisting the pirate tide but focused on eliminating and reducing the threat posed by pirates. Consequently, the Gorosei hoped to use more gentle methods to gradually solve the problem. This applied not only to the pirate issue but also to their own internal problems, such as the deeply ingrained corruption!
Solving these internal problems also required substantial funds and the coordination of various relationships. The emergence of Gold City as a neutral zone was undoubtedly very appealing to the Gorosei.
Sengoku nodded after hearing the bearded Gorosei's remarks. "In fact, it is also because the Navy's strategic deployment is highly consistent with the current phase. The Navy's previous efforts in the New World, helping Smoker consolidate his pirate hegemony and supporting his rise, were, to a certain extent, intended to buy time. In the time that follows, we will commit to thoroughly suppressing the pirate threat in the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line to the lowest level, thereby achieving a stable, peaceful era of Justice and resolving the so-called 'Great Pirate Era.' Once we achieve this strategic goal, the pirate blood supply mechanism into the New World will be broken. Without a continuous influx of new pirates into the New World, those so-called Yonko will merely be withered bones at home. At that point, we can strike them down whenever we wish!"
Sengoku was reporting the Navy's upcoming strategic direction to the Gorosei. But in reality, this was all nonsense. People's thoughts, desires, ambitions, and ideals are constantly changing based on factors like strength and resources.
If the Navy didn't possess the possibility of breaking free from its shackles, Sengoku might have truly resigned himself to continuing to cooperate with Mariejois, and the strategy he outlined might have been genuinely implemented.
But the problem was that the Navy now wielded this kind of power, and though it was still a bit short of perfection, it was enough to ignite Fleet Admiral Sengoku's grand ambition to oppose the World Government and reshape the Navy's truly 'pure justice.' This was now his ideal, which could also be called his ambition!
For example, he had no intention of telling the Gorosei that Gold City, which they were so pleased about, was actually being spearheaded by the Navy, and the 30% profit cut he offered was merely an exchange for a brighter future. Should I tell you that more of the profits will flow steadily into the Navy through your support?
While the strategic deployment reported to the Gorosei was broadly consistent with the Navy's upcoming actions, the true objective behind it was not to buy time to eliminate the pirate threat in the first half of the Grand Line and the Four Seas—something the Navy could easily achieve now. The true purpose was to buy time to prepare for an eventual confrontation with the World Government.
"Indeed, you have always managed this aspect very well. Both Kong and you, the two successive Fleet Admirals, have performed admirably during the Great Pirate Era. Without you, the current situation would be far more disastrous. So, continue your good work. We look forward to the Navy effectively eliminating the threat of pirates," the bald Gorosei said, smiling.
To be honest, based on the information the Gorosei had access to, the situation had genuinely turned from disastrous a few years ago to highly promising. They recalled how, to combat the Great Pirate Era, they had been forced to resort to controversial measures like the Warlords of the Sea. That situation was simply incomparable to the current one. After all, in their perception, the Navy was still their force, so how could the situation not be good?
"Speaking of which, the pirate problem has been effectively contained. So, next, we face two challenging factors. First, there is the inexhaustible Revolutionary Army organization. Their actions have become increasingly discreet lately. We wonder what scheme they are brewing. The Navy should also be aware of some developments; they are preparing to incite chaos in Alabasta," the blond Gorosei suddenly said.
Sengoku nodded and replied, "I am somewhat aware of the situation. This is the case: following the incident involving the Special Science Group, the man M. Caesar Clown is considered a highly dangerous threat by the Navy. While his fighting strength is negligible, the harm he can cause is no less than that of those cursed pirates. Therefore, we have been closely tracking Caesar Clown's whereabouts. We recently located him in Alabasta. In truth, the Navy's deployment to Alabasta this time is not intended to address the situation in Alabasta, or the Revolutionary Army, or anything of the sort. It is purely to capture Caesar Clown, nothing more."
"I see. It is because of that Caesar?" the blond Gorosei stroked his beard.
After a slight pause, he continued, "In that case, we won't discuss the situation in Alabasta with you. We hope that while there, you will cooperate with the actions of the CP organization. Unless absolutely necessary, do not interfere with their operational plans."
"Yes, I will relay this message to the Vice Admirals executing the mission in Alabasta when I return," Sengoku replied without hesitation.
This demonstration of compliance greatly satisfied the Gorosei. If, in the days when was Fleet Admiral, the Navy often clashed with them, then ever since Sengoku took over, the relationship between the Navy and them had rapidly improved.
This was partly because they had adjusted their attitude and objectives toward the Navy, but also because the Gorosei genuinely approved of Sengoku. His approach aligned with their preferences, and crucially, he was exceptionally obedient, which was excellent!
In fact, this was precisely why Diarmuid was willing to support Sengoku as Fleet Admiral. During this phase, which required feigning compliance with Mariejois, Diarmuid could never have performed as well as Sengoku. The reason the Navy had not been found out by Mariejois yet was partly due to excellent secrecy, but secrecy couldn't cover everything. The more important reason was that Sengoku's work in lowering their vigilance and handling various matters had been flawless! Otherwise, the Navy would have been exposed long ago!
"Now, let's talk about the second issue. Over the past decade or so, your Navy has carried out several consecutive internal cleansing operations... What was the code name again?" the blond Gorosei asked.
"'Anti-Corruption Storm.' That is our operation code name. It has been conducted seven times. It was an operational plan first proposed by Diarmuid when he was a Vice Admiral. It wasn't fully implemented at the time, but the subsequent actions followed it," Sengoku explained.
"Yes, that's it," the blond Gorosei nodded, then asked, "We hear it's been very effective?"
"There have been some positive results," Sengoku replied humbly.
"Ah, you are too modest. Compared to you, the few low-key cleansing operations we have conducted on our side could be called utter failures," the sword Gorosei suddenly interjected.
Sengoku did not reply, as this was not a matter he could conveniently comment on. He wasn't like Diarmuid, who had cultivated a persona in front of the five old men as a 'hot-headed youth with an extremely strong sense of justice, who dares to say anything.' If Diarmuid were here, he would undoubtedly be railing against them.
"You in the Navy must have mature experience in this area. Is there anything you can share with us?" the blond Gorosei asked.
Sengoku paused, then suddenly said with a stern tone, "In my opinion, to do this job well, you only need to grasp one crucial principle."
The blond Gorosei was slightly taken aback by Sengoku's sudden impassioned tone but quickly asked, "What principle?"
"Cutting out the rot requires a heavy blade. You must not fear injury, and certainly not fear bloodshed. If you show fear, the rot will only become more arrogant and fester further. Therefore, even if you must endure deep pain, you must harden your heart and ruthlessly cut away the rot from the core, from the bottom, from every facet of the problem. Even if it leaves a massive wound, you must stop the spread of the decay!" Sengoku said with a fierce tone.
A chilling light shone in his eyes.
The Gorosei seemed momentarily intimidated by his imposing manner and delivery, remaining silent for a moment. They understood Sengoku's meaning, of course.
Ultimately, the blond Gorosei said with a sigh of contemplation and a hint of weariness, "We will give that serious consideration."
What they failed to notice was the flicker of deep disappointment that crossed Sengoku's eyes the moment those words were spoken. It was this disappointment that made him completely lose heart in Mariejois and in these five leaders, who were still relatively ambitious and capable.
Perhaps, in that very moment, if the Gorosei had resolved to truly apply the heavy blade to this problem, Sengoku might have made a different choice.
After all, this was the organization he had served for most of his life. He undoubtedly bore the indelible mark of Mariejois.