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The disappearance of Germa 66 didn't cause any immediate ripples in the North Blue.
The kingdom was too powerful, too mysterious, and had no fixed base of operations.
They've disappeared? They're probably off causing trouble somewhere.
The other nations were more than happy to see them go.
Only the Underworld, which maintained contact with the Germa Kingdom—figures like the Shipping King, Giberson; the Loan Shark King, Du Feld; and the News King, Morgans—sensed that something was wrong.
"Oi, oi! The Germa guys have gone dark! And they still owe me a billion Berries!" Du Feld contacted Morgans. "Have your birds heard anything?"
"Nothing," Morgans replied, puffing on his cigar. "Aren't they still working as mercenaries, wandering around? Let's hope they make their payments on time. Otherwise... By the way, any new figures of interest lately?"
"There are," Du Feld said. "The usual price."
"Wuhahaha! You're more of a loan shark than I am! Tens of millions for a single piece of information."
"It's exclusive intelligence," Morgans said. "You'll make even more with it, won't you?"
"Alright, talk."
"That new king of the Winter Blossom Kingdom, Jin, is expanding his territory and trade. He might need a large amount of capital. And Alabasta is having financial troubles. When the Heavenly Tribute is due next year, they'll be desperate for funds. What do you think? A good deal, right?"
"Wuhahaha! Hannabal Island and Alabasta's Nanohana... two very juicy morsels indeed."
Du Feld, also known as "God of Fortune," was the underground financial emperor of the pirate world.
It was said that his wealth was enough to buy a country.
He controlled countless factions through high-interest loans. Even the Celestial Dragons were in his debt...
What was even more terrifying was that he had used his money to infiltrate both the Marines and the Revolutionary Army. He had even funded Vegapunk's "SSG" project.
Scientific research requires money and resources, an astronomical amount.
Germa 66, to fund their operations, worked as assassins and mercenaries. It was no surprise that they had accepted funding from Du Feld.
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Reiju's words had served as a warning to Jin. Germa 66 wasn't just any pirate crew. They were officially recognized by the World Government.
Their disappearance would cause ripples.
After careful consideration, Jin had Judge make a few calls.
But he had no intention of letting Germa 66 go. A talent like Judge had to be put to good use.
Reiju and her brothers, on the other hand, could act as the public face of Germa 66, maintaining the kingdom's network of connections.
That would be beneficial to him as well.
The southern port, the crossroads of the North Blue, was the center of a vast trade network that radiated out to the surrounding countries.
Goods from all over the world were exchanged here.
It made Robin and Maya's shopping trip much easier. A day later, the Empress, laden with a massive amount of supplies, set sail, heading for the next kingdom on their route.
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In the afternoon.
Basil Hawkins sat on a wooden crate on the deck, reading his tarot cards.
His crew watched anxiously.
The captain's fortunes had helped them escape disaster time and time again. The entire crew had become fanatical believers.
When in doubt, consult the cards.
He flipped a card.
"..." His expression changed.
Misfortune...
Great misfortune...
He couldn't believe it!
For the past two days, every reading had been the same. It was as if a dark cloud of bad luck was hanging over the North Blue.
"We must follow the guidance of fate—" he said. "—We must go ashore. The North Blue seems... cursed, as of late."
"Go ashore? Captain, we're pirates. How can we go ashore??"
"We'll find an uninhabited island and hide there for a while."
"Yes, sir!"
No one questioned the captain.
Their faith was in fate.
Not long after the Hawkins Pirates had departed, the Empress, flying its black dragon flag and sitting low in the water, sailed past.
It looked like a heavily laden merchant ship. A fat sheep.
"Strange. I thought there were supposed to be pirates around here," Jin said, scanning the horizon with his spyglass. He had been hoping to be robbed.
The next upgrade required 2,000 soul crystals. He was still a long way off.
And soul crystals had many uses:
They powered the carrier.
They healed his wounds.
They enhanced his training.
They were consumed when he used his fruit abilities...
Before, when the carrier was at a lower level, it wasn't as noticeable. But as it upgraded, as its power increased, so did its consumption.
Jin had thought he could use the clone soldiers as a substitute, but it took ten of them to produce a single soul crystal. They were just AIs with implanted "programs." And the resources and cost to produce ten clone soldiers was at least 100 million Berries. The cost-benefit ratio was too low.
Wild pirates, on the other hand, spawned all over the sea. Weren't they a much better source?
People were cheaper than machines.
And so, Jin went "fishing," visiting the various countries of the North Blue and meeting with some of the kings of the member nations.
Robin proved to be invaluable. She assisted him in his diplomatic efforts, helping him navigate the different customs and protocols.
His activities also attracted the attention of the Revolutionary Army operating in the North Blue, and a report was sent up to their leader, Dragon.
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East Blue, in the mountains of the Goa Kingdom.
Dragon stood on a tree branch, watching two young boys chasing each other through the forest.
"Ace! Wait for me!"
"Hey, Luffy! You're too slow!"
A fond smile touched Dragon's lips.
Whenever he came to the East Blue, he always made a point to come back and see him.
He wasn't a good father. All he could do was watch Luffy's growth from afar.
"Chief, a call from Gild Tesoro."
"Is it urgent?"
"It's about the North Blue..."
A gust of wind, and Dragon was gone, heading back to the Wind Granma (Dragon's Ship).
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On a coastal cliff with a wide view, Ace leaped from the forest and landed, gazing out at the sea.
Luffy burst from the bushes.
A sudden gust of wind sent his straw hat flying.
"Ah...!" Luffy yelped, his hand shooting out to grab it and jam it back on his head.
"That was close! Too close!"
He ran up to Ace's side and, shielding his eyes with his hand, looked out at the sea.
"It's beautiful, isn't it, Ace?" he said with a grin.
"Yeah," Ace said, also smiling. But in his smiling eyes, a deep flame burned, like a candle in the dark.
A sense of impatience, of eagerness.
He adjusted the brim of his hat and looked down at a small boat that was ready and waiting. "Only five months left."
Ace's birthday was January 1st.
At the end of this year, he would be seventeen.
"Remember the promise?"
Luffy nodded. "Yeah!"
Ace looked out at the sea.
"One day, we'll go out to sea and live however we want! Freer than anyone! We'll set sail as pirates when we're seventeen!"
Luffy flashed a wide, toothy grin. "And I'm gonna be King of the Pirates, Ace!"
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