Who told him to become the Pirate King!

Leaving aside the low- and mid-level combat capabilities.

The new Navy's top combat force, roughly speaking, includes five: Zephyr, Storm, Kizaru, Aokiji, and Fujitora. In contrast, the old Navy only had three: Sengoku, Garp, and Akainu.

Moreover, two of the "three" in the old navy belonged to the category of "remnants of the old era".

The new navy includes not only three "admirals in their prime": Kizaru, Aokiji, and Fujitora.

And then there's Storm, that terrifyingly young super monster!

How can we even compare them?

Unless the World Government is willing to provide strong support to the old Navy and send two admiral-level combatants at once,

They were to join the old navy.

Otherwise, the balance of power between the new and old navies will inevitably be disrupted!

But then again...

Top-tier combat power at the general level is not so easy to find.

therefore.

This was driven by the strategic goal of buying time for the development of the new navy.

Zephyr and the others decided to send Kizaru back to the Japanese Navy!

In this way, the top-tier combat power ratio between the old and new navies remains at four to four.

Although the new navy also includes Storm, a monster who is excessively strong.

However, the balance of power between the old and new navies was barely maintained.

In this way.

The new navy can also avoid direct pressure from world governments.

"Didn't we discuss the development strategy for the new navy together before?"

Zefa recalled their previous conversation and spoke meticulously.

"First, eliminate the pirate emperors of the New World, then confront the old Navy with its flawed ideology, and finally, take down the World Government."

That's right!

This is the new navy's "three-step" strategy.

"All right."

Storm glanced at Kizaru and reluctantly nodded.

"I agree with this plan."

If it weren't for the Buster Call that happened on the island of Rischirid.

Storm had a pretty good impression of Kizaru.

but now?

Kizaru was able to survive only because Storm gave Zeff and the others a break!

Otherwise.

Storm had already thrown Kizaru into the "Void Impel Down" and given him a "life imprisonment package"!

This is what happens when you betray someone!

After gaining Storm's approval, Kizaru couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

To be fair...

Kizaru felt quite a bit of pressure facing Storm, that little monster.

In particular, there is still a considerable rift between him and Storm!

Kizaru now only hopes that after returning to the old Navy, he can wash away the negative impression he left on Storm through hard work.

As for returning to the old navy, or immediately turning against the new navy?

Kizaru never even considered it.

The so-called "justice that changes course with the wind" is nothing but a joke.

From Kizaru's perspective.

No matter how bad Storm's personality is.

It's still better than those evil Celestial Dragons!

As a Marine Admiral, Kizaru had previously acted as if he was "just slacking off."

That's simply because he sees absolutely no hope of promoting justice!

As long as "Heavenly Gold" still exists.

As long as the "world's aristocracy" still exists.

As long as the "World Government" exists.

So the Navy's "justice" is nothing more than a glamorous facade.

The navy is essentially just a "tool" for the world government to rule the seas!

Kizaru had already seen this through.

That's why he chose to "give up".

now.

Under Storm's command.

The new navy was established.

Moreover, they summoned five powerful figures at the level of naval admirals all at once.

Even setting aside the new navy.

Storm also has a "Dawn Pirates" under his command, as well as an entire "Dark World".

A force of this scale is at least comparable to that of the world government!

It was this level of power that allowed Kizaru to see the true "dawn of justice".

Ambiguous justice is still justice in the end!

Kizaru made a wrong choice once before, and he won't make it a second time.

Various thoughts flashed through Kizaru's mind.

He grimaced and adopted his usual slick and lazy demeanor.

"Oh, and don't forget to pay my salary when I return to the old Navy~"

"If the salary is paid in time, the navy will be kicked out of service," right?

Storm gave Kizaru a disgruntled look, then pointed at Zephyr and the others, as well as the naval warship beneath his feet.

"Look at the state of the new navy! Is this the time to ask for 'salaries'?"

2

Kizaru blinked, inexplicably feeling that what Storm said made a lot of sense, but he still refused to back down at this moment.

Money doesn't matter.

The main reason is that Kizaru doesn't want to lose face in front of Storm!

The Pirate Emperor dismissed a Marine Admiral with a single, persuasive remark.

Kizaru is about to lose all face!

"..—·Although but."

Kizaru managed to come up with a reason.

"Strohm, aren't you very rich?"

"I'm quite wealthy now."

"Stromb said in a low voice."

"But are you sure the new navy wants to use my money? The money of a pirate emperor?"

Using the Pirate Emperor's gold and silver mountains to fuel the development of the new Navy—

Why does that sound so strange?

Let alone Kizaru.

Zefa and the others, who had been silent until now, all sensed something was wrong.

"Money—"

Zefa had a bit of a headache.

"Without sufficient military funding, how can the new navy develop?"

Marines, weapons, warships, logistics —

The new navy needs money in every aspect!

And it's a huge amount of money!

If Storm were to "support" him, then of course there wouldn't be any problem.

After all, Storm is very rich, and the Golden Emperor is very rich...

But Storm's words were like a thorn in the hearts of Zephyr and the others.

Even setting aside Storm's status as the Pirate Emperor.

Let Storm use his own money to support the Navy—

This whole thing is very strange.

If the new navy really accepts Storm's "financial support".

So, is the new navy a "new navy of justice" or the "imperial guard of the Hundred Dragon Emperor"?

"If you ask me, the new navy actually has many ways to raise money."

"Stromb said it in a rather rough way," he said.

"First and foremost, of course, we need to get money from the old navy! As long as we can transform the old navy into a new one..."

"So, aren't all the old navy's personnel, weapons, equipment—everything—belong to the new navy?"

Upon hearing this, Zephyr and the others nodded in unison.

Fujitora, the only one with a relatively thin dough, also thought this was a good idea.

As long as lives aren't taken indiscriminately, absorbing the old navy's strength into the new navy is definitely an excellent development strategy.

"Secondly, we can make money from pirates!"

Storm added.

"There are so many pirates in the New World. If the new Navy strikes down a group of them, they can steal all their treasure!"

"It's not just about the pirates' treasure; we can also take the pirates' bounty posters to the old Navy to claim the bounties!"

"Eating from pirates, and also from the old Navy and the World Government—that's a win-win situation!"

If there was any psychological pressure Zeff and the others felt about dealing with the old Navy...

Then, Zephyr and the others will have absolutely no burden in defeating the pirates!

It is only right and proper for the navy to fight pirates!

"Finally, it's about getting money from the member states."

Storm shrugged and offered the real, fundamental solution.

"Do you remember the plan I mentioned before?"

"Let the G1 branch and the G5 branch switch places, and then make the original G1 branch the headquarters of the new navy."

"The reason I chose to swap locations between the G1 and G5 branches, rather than with other naval branch bases in the New World, is because there's a country called 'The Kingdom of Dressrosa' surrounding the current G5 branch!"

Aokiji pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Strom, if I remember correctly, the Dressrosa Palace should be your 'territory'?"

"That's true."

Storm shrugged and said calmly.

Dressrosa was originally a member state of the World Government, but was later taken over by Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Doflamingo seized power through illegal means. I defeated Doflamingo and planted my own flag in the Kingdom of Dressrosa.

"However, although I planted my flag in the Kingdom of Dressrosa, I did nothing for the country, nor did I collect any 'protection fees'."

"If in the future, the G1 branch, which swapped positions with the G5 branch, becomes the headquarters of the new navy, then it will be able to collect a certain amount of military expenses from the Kingdom of Dressrosa."

The correct term should actually be "protection fee".

But Storm looked at the new naval leaders in front of him.

They swallowed the words "protection fee" and used a milder term instead.

"but-"

Yixiao raised an objection here.

"Dresrosa is a member state of the World Government, right? That country is already paying a very high amount of Celestial Gold. If we also make them provide funding for the new Navy, wouldn't that have a huge impact on the citizens of Dressrosa?"

"You made a mistake, Fujitora-sama."

Storm paused, then switched to a more formal address: "If the new Navy headquarters is truly stationed near the Kingdom of Dressrosa, then why is Dressrosa still paying tribute to the Heavenly Gold?"

The member states pay the heavenly gold to the world government.

The most fundamental reason is that it can secure the protection of the world government!

How does the world government protect its member states?

It's all thanks to the navy!

The World Government rules the seas, and the navy is the outward manifestation of the World Government's ruling power.

According to a Navy Admiral Green Bull who wished to remain anonymous, ordinary small countries outside the World Government do not have "human rights"!

The old navy only protected member states of the World Government.

Some navies even generate revenue by plundering non-member states.

Once the new navy's headquarters were established near the Kingdom of Dressrosa.

Therefore, security forces in the waters surrounding Dressrosa will certainly be maximized.

In that situation.

Unless the Riku royal family thinks the residents of Dressrosa aren't suffering enough.

Otherwise.

Why does the Kingdom of Dressrosa have to pay Celestial Gold to the World Government again?

Also.

The sheer amount of "celestial gold" levied by the world's governments on their member states is well-known worldwide.

The new navy can better protect Dressrosa without even needing to provide the original amount of funds from the sky!

He smiled and suddenly understood.

"I understand—I have no further questions."

"There's one more thing."

Storm added.

"Near the Kingdom of Dressrosa, there are other countries similar to the Kingdom of Prodin, as well as several islands."

"If the new navy chooses to locate its headquarters at the nearby G5 branch, then with the 'military funds' provided by the Kingdom of Dressrosa, the new navy should be able to smoothly get through the initial development phase, right?"

"Storm—"

Zefa looked at Storm with great satisfaction.

"It was definitely the right decision to have you join me in forming a naval guerrilla force!"

"That's what I think too."

Storm smiled, then stood up and looked at the group of people in front of him.

"I'm going to raid the G1 branch now. Anyone want to join me?"

"Relocating headquarters is of utmost urgency!"