"Nico Robin?"
Sage, who had just come down, was momentarily stunned. "What is she here for?"
"To talk business."
Hawkins said, "She came five days ago, accompanied by a young girl. No need to investigate; she revealed her identity herself..."
He glanced around and whispered to Sage and the accompanying Lily, "Revolutionary Army."
Sage raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Interesting, they're here to do business with me... Alright, make some arrangements. We can talk over a meal."
With that, he set off towards the Royal Palace.
Lily, after thinking for a moment, waved to Gin, who was disembarking, and instructed:
"That Poneglyph, cover it with a black cloth and send it to the Treasure Vault. Don't let anyone see it."
Something obtained with great effort must not be seen, especially by someone like Robin, who's not illiterate despite being from O'hara.
The credentials of the Four Emperors are not for just anyone to see.
At this moment, an orange-haired woman wearing a short dress, stockings on her legs, and high heels, with a goggle hat, was strolling down the streets of Storm City.
She held an ice cream in her hand, licking it as she walked, displaying a very satisfied expression.
Koala, a Revolutionary Army cadre and Fishman Karate instructor, had been here for five days. Except for being watched on the first day, she had been free to roam around.
Given the Revolutionary Army's emphasis on local intelligence, she certainly wouldn't miss the chance to gather information here.
They merely knew that the Disaster Pirates were doing well in trade, especially with weapons and warships, and even a variety of food, all of which were scarce in the Revolutionary Army.
Apart from trading, Koala also wanted to find out the information here for future preparations.
Under a Pirate's rule, what is the life of the people like? Most pirates have already taught them a lesson.
Few dare to venture into the territory of the Four Emperors, and the Revolutionary Army wouldn't want to make more fearsome enemies on their path against the Heavenly Celestial Dragon.
But they had heard some things.
Under Big Mom's rule, the people lived well, but it required paying with their lifespan.
And the worst, rumored to be under Kaido's control, but no one had been able to reach Wano Country to confirm.
The easiest Four Emperors' domain to investigate was the Disaster's territory because he didn't prohibit anyone from coming here.
Although the Four Emperors are not their immediate target, it's useful to gather intelligence first.
But upon arrival, Koala found something amiss.
Along the way, she'd heard Robin speak of her brother. Although she didn't know much, she could be certain he was a carefree, bold individual who didn't hide his desires or greed, a very standard pirate fitted to the times, neither conventional nor innovative.
She thought that under such a pirate, the people's life should be okay at least; it shouldn't be terrible enough to cause concern.
But upon arriving, many things were beyond Koala's expectations.
It's not bad...
It's so much better!
"Elderly man, how are you?"
Koala asked a passing old man pushing a cart full of finely crafted handicrafts.
The old man was momentarily stunned, glanced at Koala curiously, but said nothing.
"I'm a journalist. I heard that Storm City is the most prosperous city in the world, so I came to do an interview."
Koala skillfully took out her notepad and pen, posing as if conducting an interview.
She's used this approach many times; posing as a journalist always elicits a response.
Sure enough, the old man's eyes lit up, parked his cart, and excitedly said, "Are you a journalist? Make sure to record properly; you're right, Storm City is the most prosperous city on the seas, in the world!"
"What Water Seven, what Mary Geoise, none can compare to our Storm City! If you ask me, it's a waste for the old master to be a pirate. I heard there's an empty throne in the World Government; we should invite our old master to sit on it!"
Then a string of praises flowed from the old man's mouth, and his previously tired body stood tall, filled with pride and confidence.
Words like 'largest city,' 'ultimate trading hub,' 'golden city' all came out of his mouth.
Clearly just a seller, such things seemed unrelated to him, yet when brought up, people like him straightened with pride.
"Don't be fooled by my fatigue. I am making money, earning as much as I work. This year, I'm sure to surpass three million Belly and reach the Fifth Gear tax, contributing to the old master!"
The old man confidently envisioned a hopeful future, enthusiastically saying:
"I can't think about the island of O'hara, too expensive. But other islands, I already have a place in mind—a clay-producing island. I'll buy some land, build a large estate, and take on some apprentices to pass down my craft, living a life of comfort forever!"
"You, miss, look quite nice. Why not stop being a journalist? The old master's palace is hiring maids and Dancing Girls. My daughter would've gone if she had met the standards. Of course, it's up to you, there's money to be made doing other things, as long as you stay..."
The old man grinned broadly, revealing his white teeth in a bright smile, "There will surely be hope!"
Even though Koala had heard this speech not for the first time, it still felt shocking.
She didn't know why, despite hearing similar words countless times, and getting similar answers each time, confirming without a doubt that life here was good.
No citizen was expendable, no citizen abandoned. From bustling Storm City to its rural outskirts, everyone had something to do.
It's not that they weren't tired. Beyond verbal inquiries, Koala was observant, seeing the status of workers coming out of factories on the outskirts, though she couldn't enter.
She had even snuck up to some doorsteps at night, listening closely to their conversations.
Indeed, there were those who complained about heavy workloads, wanting lighter jobs, and then... someone really changed jobs the next day without any obstacles.
She even heard of people who had been lying at home for months until their savings ran out, and then went to find a job.
There were all types of people—diligent, lazy, complainers, dissatisfied with the status quo... but none who suffered bitterness.
What is bitterness?
Koala had the authority to speak on that.
She had seen too many nations on the brink, where people couldn't even afford to eat due to heavy tax burdens. Member nations had burdensome heavenly gold, causing some to lose their national identity and live as outcasts.
Non-adhering countries had tyrants, taxing madly to become member nations, or continuously exploiting for the upper nobles' desires.
Such bitterness is having no food to eat and no future.
But here, the hardship is laborious, profitable, and... hopeful.
Everyone had hope, moving beyond the most basic need to fill their stomachs, planning their future lives.
Koala loved seeing this, loved hearing them talk, never feeling bored despite it being time and time again.
This was a completely new, never-before-seen lifestyle for Koala.
Like a dreamland...
Just through trade, could it be achieved this way?
Or, was it because they didn't pay the heavenly gold?
She had many questions she wanted to ask Norton Sage personally.
If pirates could do this, couldn't the Revolutionary Army achieve the same?
If people like him, or perhaps, joined their Revolutionary Army...
"Oh! The Black Ship is here! The old master is back!"
The once talkative old man paused abruptly, looking towards the distant port where the enormous Black Ship appeared, abandoning his cart and sprinting forward.
"Hey! Your cart!"
Koala was momentarily stunned, instinctively pulling the cart to follow the old man.