"Admiral Aokiji, if these were just commonly known conditions, Marshal Sengoku wouldn't have sent you personally to find me, would he?"
Ye Jia smiled slightly, "There must be even more generous conditions, right?"
"It's truly impossible to hide any secrets when talking to smart people."
Admiral Aokiji said seriously, "Before I came, Marshal Sengoku told me that as long as you're willing to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea and serve the World Government, you'll be granted a special privilege."
"Tell me."
Ye Jia gestured.
"Within the scope of this privilege, the Navy will not supervise or investigate any of your transactions, and all customs duties will also be waived."
Aokiji offered the biggest olive branch, "Even for Doflamingo, the Navy hasn't completely given up on investigating his private dealings. But Marshal Sengoku has promised you complete freedom, and I believe you understand what this privilege means."
"Hahaha... Marshal Sengoku is really willing to spend big!"
Ye Jia laughed heartily.
As Aokiji said, this privilege was truly significant.
Normally, even with an astonishing amazing pass, the Seven Warlords of the Sea wouldn't be questioned by the Navy even if they pillaged and plundered. However, if they engaged in transactions explicitly forbidden by the World Government, the Navy wouldn't directly intervene on the surface, but they would arrange for intelligence personnel to investigate internally.
Doflamingo, despite being a Warlord, traded "artificial Devil Fruits" with the Four Emperors Kaido, which in itself was an affront to the World Government!
The Four Emperors are enemies of the World Government. Trading with enemies and helping them become stronger—how could the World Government tolerate that?
However, with Ye Jia, he received privileges that even Doflamingo didn't have!
No matter who Ye Jia traded with, even the Four Emperors, the World Government would not hinder any of his transactions.
Not only that, but the transportation of any goods typically incurs corresponding taxes, varying according to the laws of different countries.
Now, with this money saved, the Navy's complete exemption of his taxes means he will be able to develop and expand his power at a faster rate!
This privilege alone was enough to make Doflamingo salivate!
Tax exemption, the World Government not interfering with any transactions… double privileges. It's clear that the Navy's invitation this time showed their utmost sincerity!
"Admiral Aokiji, if it were anyone else talking to me about this today, I would give them one word—'scram'!"
"But Marshal Sengoku has great foresight, bringing you here."
Ye Jia chuckled.
"Although I don't know how much truth there is in what you said, those words gave me a lot of face… I accept."
Admiral Aokiji rarely showed a smile at this moment, "If I'm not mistaken, what you just expressed means you've agreed to become a Warlord of the Sea?"
"Exactly."
Ye Jia laughed, "Not being disturbed by anyone, freely and casually expanding my own power—with such generous conditions, how could I refuse?"
Although he said that, only Ye Jia himself knew that what truly moved him to agree to become a Warlord for the World Government was not these so-called privileges.
Does Ye Jia need to trade? Does he need to expand his power?
The answer is clearly "no"!
If he really wanted to do that, he wouldn't need the World Government; he could do it himself.
For Ye Jia, the only use of being a Warlord was one thing: to legitimately participate in the Paramount War!
That's right, Ye Jia wanted to participate in the Paramount War, and entering as a Warlord was perfectly suitable!
"It seems today's negotiation wasn't as terrible and difficult as I imagined…"
Aokiji scratched his head, "Oh right, what else was I supposed to say? Why can't I remember it all of a sudden?"
"The duties that a Warlord must perform."
Ye Jia reminded him with a smile.
"Right! That's it… I've slept too long; I can't quite remember what Marshal Sengoku said… Since you know, I don't need to say more."
Aokiji stood up, a tall man over two meters, looking like a bamboo pole.
"By the way, please inform Boa Hancock that she must participate in this war. If she doesn't come, the World Government will directly strip her of her Warlord title… Oh, I forgot to bring the emergency summons! I'll make it up next time!"
After Aokiji finished speaking, he yawned and ambled away.
Watching Aokiji's lazy, forgetful state, Ye Jia shook his head helplessly.
"… 'Oh, right.'"
Aokiji seemed to recall something, and turning his head while still facing away from Ye Jia, he said, "You've just become a Warlord. The World Government will soon officially announce your authorization… Also, in one week, it will be the execution date of the world criminal Ace. It takes two days for Amazon Lily to travel to Marine Headquarters, so I suggest you depart early."
Only one week left…
"Alright, I understand."
Ye Jia nodded.
Watching Admiral Aokiji leave, the ice beneath his feet also melted. Ye Jia stepped into the void, his gaze passing over the Navy warships and looking towards Marine Headquarters, towards Marineford.
"The Paramount War is only one week away… I'm really looking forward to it!"
In Ye Jia's eyes, a surging battle intent flickered.
His wish would soon come true!
"Newly appointed Warlord (Li Hao), the Blackbeard Pirates were completely annihilated, and Blackbeard himself died!"
"The ruler of the underworld, 'Joker', the current King of Dressrosa, Doflamingo, was buried on Amazon Lily with Blackbeard!"
"Two great Warlords of the Sea have died, and a new Warlord has been appointed! An unprecedented supernova 'Death God' Ye Jia has become the new Warlord of the Sea!"
In less than a day, the news of Blackbeard and Doflamingo's annihilation, and Ye Jia becoming a Warlord, spread throughout the entire world!
The Seven Warlords of the Sea is a title specially set up by the World Government to counter powerful pirates. Only exceptionally strong pirates can be invited by the World Government to become a member of the Seven Warlords.
However, in such a short time, two Warlords died, and a new one was born!
Such a major change shook the entire world!
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