Pirates: Building High Walls Starting from the East Blue

They've been staying in the East China Sea for so many years, but haven't achieved any outstanding results.

At the time, he also suspected that Colonel Shacher, who had no significant achievements, was actually collaborating with the pirates to swindle military funds by relentlessly targeting the Moke Pirates.

But now it seems...

Since even that old guy Garp said so, perhaps it's not what they think.

Although Garp has always been carefree and has lost his motivation since the Pirate King Roger was tried, and he often steals Garp's snacks, Sengoku, as Garp's longtime partner, knows that Garp would never lie to him about such a thing.

You should know that guy is a pirate.

As a naval hero, Garp wouldn't be cooperating with a pirate, would he?

Picture what?

Sengoku shook his head with a wry smile, continuing to look at the bounty poster in his hand, muttering to himself with a headache, "Looks like another great pirate is about to emerge in the East Blue."

Last time, Ace ran away and caused a lot of trouble in the Grand Line and the New World. Now another great pirate has emerged in the East Blue.

Could something big be about to happen in this weakest sea?

The only saving grace is that the Moko Pirates are still in the East Blue and haven't entered the Grand Line.

Thinking of this, Zhan Guo pondered for a moment, then picked up a pen and crossed out the 3 on the bounty poster, writing a 5 next to it.

then.

He raised his head again, looking at the Navy personnel beside him, and said in a serious tone, "Notify the approval department that there are no problems with the Navy's 16th Branch's military funding application. Also, increase the military funding by another 10%. But tell the 16th Branch Base Commander..." His eyes narrowed slightly, "We must stop the Moke Pirates. We absolutely cannot let them enter the Grand Line."

……

“No problem.” Xia Che looked at Nami, who was glaring at him with a huff, and said with a headache, “I’ve already asked Udo to apply for military funding from above, so we can hold out for a while longer.”

however.

"Military funding? We don't know how long it will take to get funding from the Navy, and how much of that is available? It's already not enough to support the training and equipment purchases of the current 16 branches, let alone the many other places that need money."

Unmoved by Shache's words of comfort, Nami crossed her arms and said, "I thought I could get a good deal from the Marine Headquarters, but it turns out I'll have to subsidize them instead? That's such a loss!"

Then she looked at Xia Che with a displeased expression.

"You lied to me, saying you'd put me in charge of the money, and that this finance minister would see a lot of money."

"This...it's not exactly lying to you, didn't you see a lot of money?"

“It does look like a lot of money.” Nami scoffed at Xia Che’s words, slammed her hand on the table, and glared at Xia Che. “But I haven’t even had a chance to enjoy it before it’s all gone, you despicable liar! I’m telling you, I’m quitting. Do you know how much it hurts me to see so much money flowing out of my hands? And you’ve also spent my 50 million Berries.”

"..."

Faced with Nami's questioning, Shache gave an embarrassed chuckle.

Nami not only holds the title of Navy Petty Officer, but is also the Finance Minister of Branch 16 and the Corner Islands.

Nami is very sensitive and responsible when it comes to money. She knows exactly where every penny is spent, so Shache is quite satisfied with this finance minister.

As for the so-called fifty million...

That was what Nami had painstakingly saved up over the years as a thief.

Of course~

He knew that Nami didn't really care about the 50 million; she was just complaining.

Nowadays, the main income of Cocoa West Town comes from canned oranges and marmalade. Although sales of marmalade and canned oranges are decent thanks to his help and the unique recipe left by Bellemere, it is indeed difficult to support so much construction and naval development.

only……

“Naval training and the purchase of equipment and facilities are indeed quite expensive.” Xia Che stood up, walked to Nami, and sighed. “But there’s no other way. It’s a necessary expense. Without strong protection, everything we’re doing now will be in vain.”

Strength is everything.

Then, he looked intently at Nami, met her gaze, and spoke with a tone of emotion and relief.

"Thank you for your hard work these past few years! I will try my best to find a solution."

The words fell.

This tone.

This look.

Nami shuddered at his gaze, her anger seemingly subsiding somewhat. She turned her head away, saying, "I know, I know! I was just complaining."

And with a tone of helplessness.

"Knowing that funds are not so plentiful, why bother with all that trouble? Things like cutting down trees and building roads, which are not important, can be stopped first. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Having said that, he turned around.

"I'll talk to Nojiko and the others to see if the orange factory can increase production a bit more. Honestly~" she complained as she walked outside, pouting. "At this rate, the canned oranges from Cocoyasi Village probably won't be enough to cover your expenses even if you sold them all the way to the Grand Line."

Xia Che only breathed a sigh of relief after the figure walked out the door.

then.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and sat down in his seat again.

Seeing this, Miss Robin, who was sitting elegantly to the side, rolled her eyes helplessly. "Boss, you're really heartless~, how could you exploit a young girl like this?"

"What do you mean by exploitation? What do you mean by exploitation?" Shache took a sip of the tea that Robin had poured for him using her powers and said leisurely, "I'm exploring the girl's potential, how is that exploitation? Look, isn't Nami handling everything perfectly?"

"Heartless boss, do you think I'd believe that?"

"Of course, you are my closest secretary."

“Sorry, I don’t believe it.” Miss Robin gave a cold smile, then frowned and said, “But Miss Nami is right about some things. Perhaps some construction can be temporarily suspended. We don’t have enough funds to support it right now.”

"Don't worry, funding is a minor issue." Shache took another sip of his hot tea and said slowly, responding to Robin's words, "It'll only be difficult for a while, and I'll have Moke go catch some pirates to help out. If all else fails..."

His eyes flickered slightly, as if he had thought of something, and a golden light seemed to flash in his eyes.

“I know where the land of gold, Shandora, is. It’s full of gold. If we ever need money, we can just go there and dig some up.”

The words fell.

"?!"

The legendary land of gold?

Shandora?

If it is the legendary land of gold, perhaps it contains... records of that history?

Robin's expression changed as if he had just realized something. He quickly looked at Xia Che, who was leisurely drinking tea in front of him, and was about to ask a question when he seemed to see something else.

Robin's tense expression vanished instantly. She leisurely sipped her tea and said slowly, "The Golden City? Boss, do you know where it is? If you're not nervous, why don't you tell Nami?"

"I……"

however.

Before Xia Che could finish speaking...

At this time.

"That's right, I also want to ask why you didn't tell me?" A meaningful yet sneer voice suddenly came from the doorway. "A land of gold? Gold everywhere?"

"???"

Startled, Xia Che's teacup trembled, and he immediately turned around, only to see Nami, who was supposed to have left, had returned sometime earlier.

He quickly put on an embarrassed smile, chuckled, and said hastily, "I just remembered, I was just about to tell you! Hahaha, sorry, sorry." Then he immediately changed the subject, "By the way, why are you back? Is something wrong?"

"I originally came to ask you about the swordsmanship instructor."

"Oh, this?" Hearing Nami's words, Shache quickly picked up the conversation, glancing away and saying with a smile, "I've already made arrangements, and judging by the time, I should be here soon..."

But he still hadn't finished speaking.

"But none of that matters now. What do you mean by squeezing my potential?" Nami clenched her fists, making a cracking sound, and stared meaningfully at Shache. Suddenly, her eyes welled up with tears, and she shouted, "Do you know how anxious and scared I've been these past few days? The Navy inspectorate is coming, and we're out of money! Damn it, you had a solution but didn't tell me? How can you face all the hard work I've put in?"

"I'm sorry~"

"What's the use of apologizing now? I'm extremely angry."

"I'm sorry!"

Where is the land of gold?

"On the Sky Island!"

"Sky Island? Is it really covered in gold?"

"Almost there, anyway, there's a lot of gold, and a city built of gold, but it's probably been mostly dug up by some idiot."

"Who? I don't care, they're all mine!"

"..."

Sensing something was wrong, Shache, who was comforting Nami, looked up and immediately saw Nami's cunning eyes.

I think you're acting against me!

……

at the same time.

Just as Shache was helplessly discussing with Robin and Nami when to go gold panning.

On the 16th Naval Branch Pier.

A young girl with a unique white longsword at her waist nervously asked a navy officer on the dock, "Hello, is this the 16th Marine Branch?"

"Yes, this is it!" Seemingly startled by the girl's appearance, the Marines from the 16th Branch stared blankly at the girl before them. "Sergeant Tashigi, what brings you back? Is there something you need this time?"

“Tashigi? I’m not Tashigi.” Hearing the marine’s words, the girl shook her head in confusion, but after hearing that this was indeed the 16th Marine Division, she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and then said with a serious face, “I am Kuina, the junior sister of Captain Shattrath of the 16th Marine Division. I came here specifically to find Senior Brother Shattrath.”

The words fell.

"???"

Senior Brother Xia Che?

Kuina?

The marines still looked at her, bewildered and confused.

Sergeant Tashigi, stop joking. Is it another headquarters mission?