"So, the World Government says the Navy cannot audit the Holy Land—Mary Geoise—right now, correct?"
"That is correct. It is totally unacceptable," a stern-faced Elder snapped.
"This whole issue is making the Navy distrust the Government more. It is certain that the World Nobles harmed the Marines who swore loyalty to them, using methods they should never use."
The talks started three days ago.
Unlike the first day, which was just for formal greetings, these talks have been giving me a stomach ache.
I want to go home...
I want to go back and read the pile of books I have, write the development plans, and move forward a little on the road maintenance plan and port town cleanup I gave Daz before I left...
I know this is important. It's crucial work if I want to gain more influence over the Government and the Navy. But I have no motivation...
I never thought the awful training I got from 'Hawk-Eyes' and 'Dark King' would feel more rewarding than this.
"The Holy Land belongs to the Celestial Dragons. The Navy cannot, under any circumstances, interfere there," another Elder stated firmly.
"But if this continues, this meeting won't be a true negotiation."
"Why do we need to negotiate? The Navy is already following our orders," anither Elder said, his voice laced with arrogance.
"That may be true now, but this situation is clearly a huge problem waiting to explode. That's why you accepted my suggestion—a suggestion that could turn into a nasty rumor if done wrong, correct?"
I thought we could make some real progress since they agreed to talk, but now they are suddenly dodging my questions and wasting time!
And why do they keep talking to just me, without the Navy present?
It's a total waste of time!
Well, I guess talking to them when the Navy is here lets me bring up topics that make the Government look bad. But if we don't move the talks forward, what's the point?!
"...It is difficult to persuade the Celestial Dragons who live in the Holy Land," the first Elder admitted, looking strained.
That's your job!
Act like the highest power you are and use your authority!
A foolish ruler just throws their power around, but you are supposed to be the actual leaders, aren't you? Aren't you the rulers?
Use your power wisely and silence those idiots!
By the way, I refuse to get involved with those fools! After hearing the stories from the captured Marines on the Navy side, it didn't just kill my motivation—it damaged my sanity!
"Then, think of this as an action to gain a bargaining chip."
"Hm."
I've been working with Sengoku to come up with ideas to calm the angry Marines and find a solution that won't hurt the Navy's future operations!
I'm wearing gloves to hide it, but my hands are covered in ink! They look like a grade school kid's hands after finishing pages of handwriting practice with a pencil!
"For the Navy—I apologize, for the Marines—one reason they are upset is the belief that some soldiers are still locked up in the Holy Land."
"...Even if the Government declares that all soldiers have been freed?"
"I fear that the impression that the Celestial Dragons are capable of doing such things cannot be removed in just a few years."
That's why they should be acting like proper Nobles and making people cheer, 'Wow, the Nobles!' But as far as I know, the only people who cheer for the Celestial Dragons are useless people who only know how to spend money.
Like the Nobles of the Goa Kingdom.
Wait... maybe they are just living in blissful ignorance. If you flatter them and tell them how rare a product is, they buy expensive items like crazy, thinking they'll make great gifts...
"That is exactly why showing a record of accepting the Navy's request is more than enough of a bargaining chip."
On the other hand, I can't figure out the Government's goal... Why are they stalling now?
It couldn't be... are they trying to buy time to destroy any remaining Marine slaves and evidence before they accept the audit of the Holy Land?
If that's the case, I need to push them hard right now.
"If you quickly accept the audit, the Navy will see it as the Government's honesty. This will give the Fleet Admiral the material he needs to talk to the Marines."
"...It takes time to move the Celestial Dragons," one of the Elder insisted.
Now it just looks like they are wasting time, but honestly, I think they are telling the truth, too. They are the kind of people who would throw a tantrum about this.
But how will the Navy see it...?
"If this situation gets worse, the Marines might split up. This incident has already caused many experienced Headquarters officers to leave the forces, creating confusion in the chain of command. At worst, the current power balance, which is barely stable, will collapse greatly."
After talking to the Navy's senior officials, it seems that the West Blue is stable, like the East Blue.
But the Grand Line is awful, of course, and the North and South Blues are suffering from intense wars between countries on top of pirate attacks.
The current state of the West Blue being considered 'good' means we are genuinely walking on thin ice... I think...
"An emergency audit isn't just a negative thing for the World Government. The action of 'giving in to a bold demand while proving innocence' will act as a warning against any further criticism or demands from the Marines."
"Please. Please make your decision."
--
"Somehow, they accepted the emergency audit," I said, speaking to Sengoku as I entered the room later that day. "They will let the investigation team in tomorrow at noon. Are your preparations..."
"We called everyone together as a precaution when the talks began," Sengoku answered. "It will be tight, but we'll make the deadline. You did well, Kuro."
"However, they will only open the area where the slaves were kept. We are not allowed to enter any other areas. ...It took a lot of time, but... well, it can't be helped," I sighed, rubbing my forehead.
"If there are any Marines left there, I don't think they can hide all the evidence completely by tomorrow noon..." Sengoku muttered to himself.
I am supposed to be neutral, but the Navy is the group I am closer to.
Yes, a pirate being close to the Marines. That's weird.
It's also weird that I'm in a Navy-given room, surrounded by Marines, drinking tea with the Fleet Admiral and Admirals.
"Bwah-ha-ha-ha! You did great, Kuro! If you like bean paste, I brought some sweets! They're Navy buns!" Garp roared, marching in.
"Garp... you are..."
"Garp-san..." Hina murmured, sitting nearby and calmly sipping her tea.
This is truly strange!
Garp-san, please stop grabbing my head and shaking it. You could crush a person's head just with your grip!
And Hina, you too! Don't just sit there calmly sipping tea!
Don't you think something is strange when you are sitting next to a pirate?
"By the way, Fleet Admiral."
"Hm?" Sengoku looked up.
"Why does the Five Elders keep having separate, small meetings with me, leaving out the Navy?"
If I could stop this extra time-wasting, I could finish work faster, and worst case, even if the deal with the Marines falls apart, I could go back to the West Blue and continue my plans...
"Oh, didn't you realize?" Tsuru-san spoke up, looking surprised. I got a letter from her after the battle with Moria, so I had a feeling, but this is the first time we've spoken, and I already like her a lot.
"Excuse me?"
"Kuro. The World Government is dying to use you," Tsuru stated.
.........
.........
Huh?
"What do you mean?"