Chapter 6: Celestial Dragons, Money from the Sky
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Why are you leaving that little bit at the bottom of the cup? Are you raising fish in there?"
"More! More! Whoever passes out first is a wimp!"
"When it comes to drinking capacity, you can't possibly beat me!"
"You're the one who's going to lose to me!"
On the deck of the Revenge, the two's excited voices could be heard from time to time.
Jar after jar, time passed from day to night, and from night back to day.
Another full day and night passed, and Rono's stock was about to hit bottom.
"You're still not drunk? Are you really only 17?" Roger's cheeks were slightly red. Looking at the still-sober Rono, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
When he was 17, he didn't touch a drop of alcohol. This guy drank for a whole day and can still stay sober?
His combat talent is monstrous enough, but his talent for holding liquor is also this monstrous?!
Plus, Rono even has a pretty good brewing craft. It's such a pity this guy won't join my crew!
Roger couldn't help but beat his chest and stomp his feet.
"Even with another one of you, I still wouldn't get drunk!"
Rono picked up a jar of wine in front of him and gulped it all down.
The system could pick up all things, so naturally, drinking capacity could be picked up too.
This was also the reason why Rono could drink freely with Roger for a whole day and night.
Otherwise, with Rono's real drinking capacity, one jar would probably make him sleep for three days and three nights.
"Keep boasting." Roger felt Rono was too full of it. In this aspect, he was far inferior.
"Haha, don't believe me? I'll show you another day." Rono first took a bite of roasted chicken, then picked up another jar of wine and drank it all.
"Damn it, it's almost all gone!"
Seeing that there wasn't much wine left, Roger threw away the chicken leg in his hand, grabbed a jar in his left hand and one in his right, and began to chug wildly.
"You're tricking me! You bastard!" Seeing this, Rono refused to be outdone and also began to drink wildly with both hands.
After all, this was a matter of a man's dignity. He absolutely couldn't admit defeat.
*Gulp gulp, gulp gulp~*
The two of them drank as if it were plain water, and hundreds of jars of fine wine were instantly emptied.
"Hahaha, that was so satisfying! The sea is truly wonderful!"
As the stock was completely depleted, the two of them passed out drunk on the deck, spread-eagled and snoring with smiles on their faces.
...
"How long did I sleep?"
As a snot bubble popped, Roger woke up.
"Three days." Rono, who was standing in the wheelhouse steering the ship, replied.
"Where are we going?" Noticing the ship was moving, Roger asked subconsciously.
"Heh, an interesting place. It'll definitely be to your liking." A slight smile appeared on the corner of Rono's mouth.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Roger's interest was piqued. He shot to his feet and activated his Observation Haki to investigate.
Not far away, there were many ships, including Marine warships, World Government escort ships, and a giant transport ship.
On the transport ship was a massive amount of gold, silver, jewels, and Berries.
What Rono found interesting was obvious.
"Heavenly Tribute?"
"That's right. Interesting, isn't it?" Rono nodded.
Right after my strength had a huge increase, I run into the Heavenly Tribute convoy. Isn't this just a coincidence?
After obtaining Observation Haki, Rono could sense his surroundings.
And so he discovered something interesting—the World Government was collecting the Heavenly Tribute.
This was something every World Government-affiliated nation contributed, equivalent to taxes.
All this money would be used to provide for the Celestial Dragons' daily lives, food, drink, and entertainment.
Pay the Heavenly Tribute, and the World Government would protect the country from being invaded. But if you don't pay, the life or death of that country has nothing to do with the World Government.
However, the amount of the Heavenly Tribute was enormous. Even with the strength of an entire nation, it was somewhat strenuous.
In the long run, some countries would impose exorbitant taxes and levies. Ordinary people couldn't survive and thus went to sea, becoming pirates.
Some poor countries would even go bankrupt because of it. Their people would be oppressed by pirates, and the Marines wouldn't care, leading to widespread suffering.
In the original story, the start of the Great Pirate Era was certainly thanks to Roger's last words.
But the Heavenly Tribute bankrupting most countries, and a considerable portion of the populace who couldn't survive going to sea as pirates, was also a choice of the era.
"Hahaha, the Heavenly Tribute! How interesting! Let's start the adventure quickly!"
Roger split his mouth wide in an excited grin and boomed.
Although it wasn't Roger's style to rob after becoming a pirate, it was an exception if the target was the Celestial Dragons.
"I wonder if there are any Celestial Dragons this time." Rono guessed. The thought of Celestial Dragons made him unconsciously clench his fists, and he increased the ship's sailing speed.
Soon, the World Government's Heavenly Tribute transport convoy appeared before their eyes.
"Report! A sailboat has been spotted ahead! No pirate flag, purpose unknown."
At the same time, the convoy responsible for transporting the Heavenly Tribute also spotted Rono and Roger.
A Marine hurriedly reported this news to the East Blue Branch Vice Admiral, Hank.
A Branch Vice Admiral, also the highest Marine leader in the East Blue.
"Sink them..."
Before Hank could give the order, several tall, masked men suddenly appeared beside him. One who was clearly the leader spoke with a placid voice.
Judging from their attire, they undoubtedly belonged to the spy organization under the Celestial Dragons' control, CP0!
CP0, known as the Celestial Dragons' strongest shield. Some of its members even had the strength of Admiral or Yonko-level powerhouses.
"But... the other ship isn't flying a pirate flag. What if it's a merchant ship or has civilians on board?"
Hank showed hesitation. As a Marine, he still had justice in his heart.
"Vice Admiral Hank, this is the Heavenly Tribute transport convoy. Anyone who appears nearby has committed a capital crime."
The voice from under the mask was extremely indifferent, as if stating a trivial matter.
"But..." Hank looked troubled.
"The Heavenly Tribute is what the 'Gods' value most. If it's lost, can a mere Vice Admiral like you bear the responsibility?" The CP0's voice became even colder.
Before Hank could continue speaking, something completely unexpected happened.
"Shigan: Kōren!"
The CP0 member suddenly used Shigan.
*Swish!*
The Shigan directly pierced Hank's left shoulder. Blood instantly gushed out like a fountain!
"Argh!!"
Hank clutched his left shoulder and fell to the ground in great pain.
"Vice Admiral Hank!"
The surrounding Marines were all stunned by this scene.
This was a Marine Vice Admiral, the highest commander in the East Blue.
He... he actually attacked him directly!
CP0 is too arrogant!
They completely disregard the Marines!
"Damn it, you CP0 are just a spy agency directly under the Celestial Dragons! What right do you have to attack Vice Admiral Hank!"
"That's right! We are Marines! You CP0 have no jurisdiction over us!"
"You guys, aren't you afraid of retaliation from the Marines?"
Some young, newly joined Marines, filled with a sense of justice, couldn't watch anymore and began to accuse the CP0 members.
The veteran soldiers at the side wanted to hold them back, but it was too late.
"Interesting... Are you trying to rebel?" The leading CP0 member snorted coldly. The next moment.
"Shigan: Jūshigan!"
"Rankyaku: Shūdan!"
"Rokushiki: Renge!"
Several CP0 members attacked the Marines who had just spoken out, without any hesitation.
How could these new Marine recruits be a match for CP0? For a moment, miserable wails filled the air!
In less than a minute, all ten-plus young Marines who had spoken out were turned into corpses!
*Splash. Splash.*
Soon, all these corpses were thrown into the sea.
Watching this horrific scene, the remaining Marines didn't even dare to breathe loudly!
These CP0's methods are too terrifying!
Even when it's Marines from the same faction, they kill without the slightest hesitation!
Is this the Celestial Dragons' strongest shield?