Though he had never heard the phrase "imported pirates," Doflamingo was sharp enough to quickly understand what Ortoren meant.
After all, the practice of forcing pirates and prisoners into labor wasn't Ortoren's unique idea. It wasn't even something Kaidou invented. It was the specialty of the Yellow-Flag Celestial Dragons of Mary Geoise. From the very founding of the World Government, they had been driving a massive construction project that spanned centuries and was still incomplete to this day.
That was the "Transoceanic Bridge Project." The Celestial Dragons once dreamed of linking every island by building bridges across the seas. This endeavor, called Tequila Wolf—the "Nation of Bridge-Building"—was their grand design.
And the labor force? For hundreds of years, it had been wave after wave of pirates, criminals, and anti–World Government rebels thrown into the project.
Even after centuries, the construction was still stuck in the East Blue. The idea of connecting every island in the world was pure fantasy. Only the Celestial Dragons could afford to waste resources on such reckless ambition.
Having grasped Ortoren's intent, Doflamingo considered for a moment before saying, "For a labor-intensive industry that could bring massive profits, mining is the most suitable..."
"So, mining?" Ortoren rubbed his chin. "I've thought about it before, but aren't mineral resources in the New World relatively scarce?"
"Not exactly. The real issue is that no one bothers developing them. The environment here is too dangerous. If you have the manpower and resources to spare, there are far safer and more profitable ventures elsewhere." Doflamingo smiled faintly as he spoke.
Only someone like Ortoren, with a horde of pirate slaves—cheap, expendable labor—could even think about attempting it. For anyone else to gather tens of thousands of workers just to mine in the New World? Utter nonsense.
After a pause, Doflamingo went on, "Leaving the New World aside, I've always thought the Calm Belt is a resource-rich, undeveloped region. If Vice Admiral Benn could resolve the issue of transportation security there, I believe it would be ideal. With the firepower of your Marine warships, organizing a fleet to cross the Calm Belt shouldn't be too difficult..."
"The Calm Belt..." Ortoren's eyes lit up as he murmured.
Indeed, the Calm Belt had remained undeveloped ever since its discovery—whether that was centuries ago or even longer. Only native nations, like Amazon Lily, had tapped into its resources on a small scale.
It was truly a treasure trove untouched by the world. With sailing ships relying heavily on wind power, the Calm Belt was a forbidden zone they couldn't traverse.
And because the weather there was stable and the seas calm, it had become the perfect habitat for Sea Kings. Countless massive Sea Kings, each the size of an island, nested in those waters. Disturbing them in their territory spelled disaster.
Without significant strength, no one could even dream of moving through the Calm Belt.
"You're right. The Calm Belt doesn't just have mineral resources—its timber resources should be top-tier as well. Vice Admiral Benn, you've already bought a large amount of shipbuilding equipment from me, which makes me think you're planning development in that area. If you can establish a foothold in the Calm Belt, your shipbuilding project could eventually be fully self-sufficient in raw materials. More importantly, succeeding there would open up a stable maritime market.
If we break through the Northern Calm Belt of the New World, it would connect directly to the North Blue. Then, the goods, resources, and commodities from the North Blue could flow into the New World with efficiency far beyond any competition. The profits from that trade would be staggering..." Doflamingo analyzed.
Meanwhile, Ortoren's thoughts had already shifted to another key question. For military forces, armed organizations, and violent institutions, what were the two most crucial elements of logistics?
One was weaponry and armaments.
The other—food.
If you had enough ammunition and weapons, then as long as you were willing to lower your standards, there was always money to be made. And if that failed, you could always take it by force.
Therefore, money itself isn't the most important factor.
Far more crucial is achieving self-sufficiency in food production. That alone is what allows an army to remain stable.
The Calm Belt has a mild, steady climate where crops can yield two, even four harvests a year. If large-scale plantations and farms were established there, and the pirate slaves shipped in from Impel Down were reduced to nothing more than tools of labor, then the food supply problem facing G-5 and the future Neo Marines would be solved, wouldn't it?
At that thought, Ortoren slapped his thigh in excitement.
"Excellent! Excellent! This idea is brilliant! The Calm Belt absolutely needs to be developed... Doflamingo, you've really done me a great favor this time..."
"Just an offhand suggestion. If it helps, that's enough," Doflamingo replied modestly, waving a hand.
After a pause, Ortoren continued, "Besides that, there's something else I wanted to ask. Does the Donquixote Family also deal in grain?"
"We dabble in it," Doflamingo said with a slight nod.
"In that case, could you help us procure large amounts of it? You already know—we'll soon have a massive influx of laborers. I don't have to pay them wages, but I still have to feed them. If they don't eat, where will they get the strength to work? They'll starve to death. We're talking tens of thousands of mouths here. While G-5's grain reserves can last a little while, there's no way I'm giving these bastards the premium rations meant for my brothers. That'd be a waste, wouldn't you agree?" Ortoren said.
Those pirate bastards didn't deserve to eat the same food as the Marines of G-5.
"So, you're asking for cheaper grain?" Doflamingo asked after a moment's thought.
"Exactly. Old grain, stale grain—it doesn't matter. As long as it's cheap, fills their bellies, doesn't make them sick, and keeps them alive. Taste is irrelevant. Hunger makes anything edible." Ortoren replied without hesitation.
"That's easy enough. Old grain is dirt cheap. If your demand is large, we can set up a dedicated channel to supply it continuously until you don't need it anymore," Doflamingo agreed at once.
"Then I'll leave it in your hands," Ortoren said with satisfaction.
The two sat together, drinking tea and chatting idly for a while longer. Finally, Doflamingo grew restless and carefully probed, "But Vice Admiral Benn... about that account between us... ahem... it's still unsettled..."
At the mention, Ortoren's eyes darted nervously around the room. Realizing he couldn't dodge it, he pulled a long face and played the pauper.
"Even the landlord's family has no extra grain. I'm broke—flat broke. Every coin's already spent, and nothing's come back yet. If you're not in a hurry, give me some time. Charge normal interest. Once the goods from the North Blue arrive, I'll sell them in Totto Land and pay you back immediately..."
Doflamingo looked at Ortoren's pitiful act with sheer exasperation. Damn it, I clearly heard Slekemind's lackey deliver two hundred billion Belly in cash to you today. And now you're telling me you're broke?
"Sigh..." Doflamingo let out a quiet breath. "In that case, I won't press you. I still trust your reputation, Vice Admiral Benn. Though I was considering telling you about a lucrative deal coming soon. If you have spare funds, you could invest—it's practically guaranteed profit."
The moment those words left his mouth, Ortoren, who had been groaning about poverty, sat bolt upright. Clearing his throat, he said, "Well... now that you mention it, I suddenly remember we actually do have two hundred billion Belly in the account. That's the money Slekemind just paid back..."
Doflamingo's lips curled into a sly grin. "So, you're planning to settle our account?"
Ortoren, thick-skinned as ever, waved his hand. "We'll push that back for now. What was that about a money-making opportunity? If I make a profit, I'll pay you back first thing!"
Hearing such shameless words left Doflamingo half amused, half speechless. But in the end, he spoke.
"North Blue. The Kingdom of Flevance. The amber-lead mines there are in trouble. Cases of amber-lead disease are already emerging, and within the next two years, it's highly likely a large-scale outbreak will erupt. I don't know if you, Vice Admiral Benn, are familiar with amber-lead disease, but let me put it plainly—if it spreads across Flevance, that country will collapse."
Ortoren's eyes narrowed slightly. "So?"
"From what I've learned, the World Government has already begun secretly purchasing amber-lead in bulk. This material isn't just beloved by nobles everywhere for ornaments and tableware—it's also a vital precious metal, indispensable for high-end military technology. In other words, once Flevance falls, amber-lead production will nosedive, possibly to nothing. And when that happens, any amber-lead stockpiled and unsold will skyrocket in value..." Doflamingo explained with a wicked grin.
"You're saying we should stockpile some too?" Ortoren raised a brow.
"Exactly. If your expendables are sufficient, once the epidemic passes and Flevance collapses, we could even seize exclusive control of the amber-lead mines. Using expendables to develop them would turn it into an endless source of profit. You should know well enough what position Flevance held in the North Blue thanks to amber-lead, right?" Doflamingo asked, locking eyes with him.
"The wealthiest kingdom in the North Blue..." Ortoren murmured.
...
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