Reverse Mountain, Grand Line side.
Several Marine warships were stationed there.
Slave laborers transported from the Bridge Kingdom of East Blue worked day and night, desperately constructing toll stations.
A certain doctor and his whale were forced to relocate.
Though the checkpoint wasn't fully built yet, the tariff policy had already been implemented.
All Member Nations simultaneously received notice from the World Government: henceforth, any passage through Reverse Mountain would require paying toll fees.
For merchant ships, an additional 30% tariff would be levied, with specialized personnel conducting inspections.
Refusal to pay would result in revocation of Member Nation status and designation as an enemy of the World Government.
This bandit-like behavior infuriated the Member Nations, but against the World Government, they could only grit their teeth and endure.
The royal families understood all too well the consequences of losing Member Nation status—not just the loss of basic rights, but becoming targets for other nations to carve up.
Or even worse—enslavement!
Though the World Government had ostensibly abolished slavery, it only applied to Member Nations. Non-member nations without rights invariably met the same fate.
A living hell.
Because this was exactly how they treated non-member nations!
Yet to the kings' surprise, even with the 30% tariff, purchasing Groudon Company's products remained highly profitable.
Orders from various nations didn't decrease; instead, they snowballed rapidly!
No one knew what the future held, so while profits were still possible, buying more was the obvious choice.
Aruba Trade Port.
Officials from various nations swarmed the offices.
"We agreed on this price—how dare you raise it suddenly?!"
"Hah? You think our company wants to do this?!"
Swoke, the port manager and Snaek's brother, wore a displeased expression, showing no patience for troublesome clients as he shrilly argued with the crowd.
"Listen up! The World Government is taxing our Groudon Company too, so we have no choice but to raise all our prices!
"Tch, our products are already dirt-cheap with paper-thin margins. Did you expect us to sell at a loss?!
"Stop dreaming!
"If you won't buy, plenty of other nations will. Maybe look inward—are you even properly managing your countries?!
"Whining over such a small price hike—how shameless can you be as merchants? Let me tell you, not only are we raising prices now, we'll raise them again later!
"If you really want to bargain, go argue with the World Government!
"Pah! Useless lot!"
Swoke sneered relentlessly.
"Fine, I'll mercifully share some good news. Our company has already filed a tariff protest with the World Government!"
"Really?!"
The envoys brightened.
They didn't dare defy the World Government, but the Hoenn Government backing Groudon Company could. All their hopes rested on Hoenn.
Holy Land, Hall of Authority.
Government officials were reporting on Reverse Mountain's tariff details and Aruba Port's trade situation.
Aruba Trade Port had effectively become the world's largest port, its massive transaction volume and diverse goods making it irresistible to Member Nations.
Previously, the World Government had discouraged close ties between nations, conducting trade separately with each and never establishing such a centralized port.
For nations, the trade environment had transformed from a small local market into a massive wholesale hub overnight.
Not only was the volume enormous, but prices were also cheap.
Countries were transporting their surplus resources to Aruba Port—food, steel, lumber, you name it.
In just half a month, the tariff revenue alone had approached trillions of Berries , astonishing even the Five Elders.
It even frightened them!
"Trade volume isn't declining—it's skyrocketing?"
"How is this possible?"
The Five Elders broke into a sweat.
Money was just a number to them—what they cared about was stability.
This kind of resource exchange between nations would inevitably accelerate their growth, allowing them to abandon war entirely and focus on economic development.
Before long, the economic and military strength of these nations would surge dramatically.
But this was not what they wanted to see.
Member Nations stagnating in development or mired in endless wars, continuously draining their national power—that was what benefited the World Government's rule.
A nation that grew too strong could easily slip from their control!
Just as the World Government spared no effort in recruiting powerful individuals from various nations, their goal was to prevent Member Nations from becoming too powerful.
Even the chaotic state of affairs, including the number of Member Nations, was deliberately maintained by the World Government—balance was paramount.
Ants didn't need to develop!
The world didn't need progress!
"Increase the tariffs! We must increase them!"
"Raise them to 50%!"
"No, make it 70%!"
"We must raise trade costs to a level nations can hardly bear—only then can we suppress their soaring enthusiasm for trade!"
The Five Elders were drenched in cold sweat.
They had anticipated that Aruba Port would have a major impact, but their focus had been on the Hoenn Government, overlooking the ambitions of the Member Nations.
Fortunately, they had noticed in time!
"Report—there's one more thing."
A messenger handed over a document.
"The Hoenn Government has issued a formal protest, condemning the World Government for setting up checkpoints and imposing tariffs at Reverse Mountain. They demand the removal of these barriers."
"Condemnation?"
Saint Nusjuro took the document.
The contents matched the messenger's report—the Hoenn Government had expressed strong condemnation and protest, calling for an end to these malicious tariff practices in the name of world peace and development.
This only proved they had struck a nerve!
Reverse Mountain wasn't the New World. If war broke out there, the Hoenn Government would not only lose their geographical advantage but also face severe difficulties in troop reinforcement and mobilization.
The advantage was theirs!
After suffering several setbacks against the Hoenn Government, the World Government could finally reclaim some lost ground.
"Let the other Elders see this as well."
"Mm."
The Five Elders reviewed the document, and smiles spread across their faces in unison, easing the frustration that had built up over time.
Good!
Saint Nusjuro tightened his grip on the First Generation Ghost Cutter.
"This trade war must end!"
Aruba Port.
News of the tariff hike spread quickly. For once, the World Government had set a deadline—the new tariff policy would take effect in a week.
But the staggering 70% tariff was unacceptable to many Member Nations. The World Government took 70%, and Groudon Company would raise prices as well.
This meant the price of the same product would more than double!
"Disgraceful!"
Officials from various nations cursed.
But there was worse.
The World Government proudly announced that they would establish another trade port at Nanohana Port, where goods traded would only incur a 20% tariff.
All things considered, some goods were slightly cheaper from the World Government's side, but that price included tariffs.
No matter what the situation, comparisons are inevitable.
Groudon Company's goods were not only high-quality and affordable but also free from messy taxes, making transactions smooth for all parties involved.
On the other hand, the World Government was blatantly trying to rob people blind—calculations showed their prices were even more expensive than before.
Cutting off someone's wealth is like killing their parents!
Hoenn Government, Marshal's Office.
"They've truly lost all sense of shame."
Gurd listened to his subordinate's report without a hint of panic. Compared to making less profit, he was more eager to see the World Government's credibility crumble faster.
"Brother Kuzan, are you ready?"
"Mhm, anytime!"
Kuzan smirked.
After disappearing for so long, it was time to go back and see some old friends!
"Send out the announcement to the world!"
Gurd cracked his knuckles, battle intent surging.
"Let the world witness the Hoenn Government's military exercises!"
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