One Piece: I Weave the Pirate Codex with My Zanpakuto

The conversation with Butler As went very smoothly, and the details of the auction have been basically finalized. Now we just need to wait for the news of the World Tree branch auction to spread for a while longer.

This news is very good news for both her and Elbaf.

Selling the World Tree branches at a high price is enough to offset the previous 20% loss.

only……

"Is it just my imagination?"

As the meeting ended and Ida left the banquet hall, she felt that something was amiss.

As and Aurora treated him the same as before, but the others were not particularly enthusiastic.

It was much colder than the last time I came.

Especially the previous battle between Loki and Barrett.

The other party's appearance was too coincidental, and everything was prepared.

Treatment, medication, and belated reprimands.

In the instant Loki was defeated, those things and people appeared in an orderly fashion.

It's like... arriving very early.

"Princess Date".

Interrupted by a shout from afar, Ida crouched down and greeted the approaching merman general.

"Neptune, it's been a long time."

"It's been a long time. Would you like to come visit us?"

guest?

"Have you settled down in this place?" Ida asked.

Neptune shook his head, then nodded.

These drastically different and contradictory actions piqued Date's curiosity even more.

"This matter cannot be explained in a few words. You'll understand once you come with me."

"Yes...you can go back to your lodgings first, or explore the island."

After giving instructions to the giant who was following her, Ida left the village with Neptune and entered the forest to the northwest.

The two walked and chatted as they went, exchanging information they knew about each other.

"arrive."

Standing at the fork in the road on the cliff, Neptune pointed to the village still under construction above.

"The habitat that Ross originally allocated to us was a village where we lived with humans, but everyone wanted to be closer to the sun, so I asked As to help me change the location."

"This cliff is the land dwelling that our fish-men have chosen. We will build a bubble elevator on the edge of the cliff to make it easier for us to travel between the land and the sea."

"Wow, that's great!"

As Neptune led her into a village much larger than any human village, a hint of envy flickered in Ida's eyes.

The treatment of the merfolk is completely different from that of the giants.

Seeing people drying clothes in the newly built building not far away, Date asked in a low voice.

Are there still people living here?

Yes, there are quite a few.

When Neptune spoke of the humans who had moved in and were living with him, his expression became somewhat strange.

Ross talked to him about future developments.

Once the situation stabilizes and the blueprints are completed, special structures similar to underwater prisons will be built using special ores.

The only difference is that one is a prison, and the other is an underwater city for leisure and entertainment.

Mermaid Bar and Neptune Army are indispensable parts of this.

As for why those humans are so eager to live in the fishman village...

It was purely because they wanted to be among the first to encounter the mermaids.

"In their view, since the fish people have built a village, the sexy and beautiful mermaids will surely arrive soon, so many people have chosen to move here to live."

"I don't need to worry about safety issues either."

Neptune stroked his stubble, a happy smile spreading across his face.

“Those who can move in here have all been investigated and questioned by As, and are registered. They must also leave a life card.”

“If they do something bad here and try to escape, Barrett will catch up with them very quickly, and the consequences will be more than they can handle.”

"Neptune, remember to come over for dinner tonight!"

Suddenly, Neptune, who was showing Ida around, was called to a stop.

"The spirits I asked someone to buy from the country of endless war have arrived, along with their specialty barbecue~ Anyway, remember to come."

Without waiting for Neptune's reply, the man turned and walked into the room, showing no intention of paying any attention to the giant.

"Who is that...?"

Neptune chuckled and explained, "He's the carpenter on Miracle Island; many of the houses here were built under his guidance."

"My relationship with him is pretty good. Because we fish-men can dive into the deep sea, he often asks me to help him get some seafood that is not available in the human world."

"Then he asked his friend, who was a chef, to cook for him, and they became good friends over time."

"That house is my home. How about it? It's big, isn't it?"

Looking at the very special huge wooden house in the center of the village, Ida glanced at the trident statue on the roof of the house, bent down and went into the room.

"Considering that giants might visit in the future, I specifically asked them to expand the height and width of the living room."

"Although it's not as magnificent as the Dragon Palace, we have limited resources at the moment, so we can only make do for now."

The Murlocs are arguably the least short of money.

They own everything that falls into the deep sea, and the fishmen can easily obtain rare and precious pearls.

If you're lucky enough to encounter a shipwreck, you might even make a fortune.

Even when the market is bad, they can still catch small sea monsters and super red lobsters in the sea to supplement their income.

"I invited the Princess here today for two reasons. Firstly, I wanted to represent the alliance between the Fish-Men and the Giants, facilitating mutual exchange between the two groups. Secondly..."

He paused abruptly, put down his teacup, hesitated, and looked quite troubled.

"Actually, I shouldn't have said anything about this, but I hope to show the sincerity of the merfolk."

"Do you have other partners in Elbaf?"

Ida was puzzled as to why Neptune would ask such a question, but she agreed anyway.

"That's right. When I sold goods here in Utopia last time, I left some contact information for human merchants."

Upon hearing the answer, Neptune immediately understood and said helplessly:

Do you know how much tax other merchants pay for selling goods on this island?

"15%, and for some special products, it can even be as high as 20%."

Neptune clicked his tongue and shook his head: "The reason your giants got a 10% discount is probably because you were the first to be invited."

"Even we have to pay 15% of our income in taxes."

Ida sensed something was amiss and tentatively asked, "Is it because we have other partners? But isn't that normal in business?"

"It's perfectly normal and there's nothing wrong with it, but you've forgotten one thing."

Neptune couldn't help but show a hint of pity; the giants had really squandered a winning hand.

"When Miracle Island was besieged some time ago, it's understandable that your giants didn't offer any help. Considering your political status, it wouldn't be a big deal to turn a blind eye."

"But the current expansion trend of Miracle Island is very obvious, which is to control the second half of the new world centered on Miracle Island."

"Whether it's personnel, supplies, or ideology, everything must be done according to Ross's wishes."

"And yet, the first force to accept the invitation is causing trouble from behind. If Miracle Island can control all of Elbaf's resources..."

"Most of the prices will be determined by Miracle Island. If you let the supply scatter everywhere, how can the prices be high?"

"Miracle Island relies on this tax revenue to support its military and the country. What you are doing now is no different from taking away their livelihood."

Neptune picked up his teacup and calmly sipped it.

“We have been recruited by many speculative human merchants, but I have refused them all.”

"I'd rather pay 15% tax than believe the words of those human merchants."

Chapter 194 East China Sea Music Island

Meanwhile, at the Ross Church—

"This statue is really big."

Loki sat in a corner of the open space, the scabs on his body falling off rapidly.

"But are you sure it's really okay? I don't care if it scares those humans."

"Just a pair of eyes."

Jin sat on the bench closest to Loki, drinking orange juice.

"The most terrifying thing is the human heart, not the eyes. Your appearance may not be the best, but with patience, people can still discover your strengths."

Loki, who was about to retort, changed his question and asked about his own strengths.

"At least you don't lie."

Jin put down the empty cup and looked up to meet the gaze of the statue.

"I've met too many liars who call you brother to your face but stab you in the back."

Turning his gaze away, King glanced at Loki and added:

“They really stabbed me with knives. That’s how my family and I were tricked. We were also burned and bombarded by those guys.”

Loki scratched his head. He couldn't understand what King was saying, but it sounded like a philosophical statement.

"Barrett, Jhin, do you know what's going on with that guy?"

After a moment's thought, King began to explain Barrett's past to Loki.

“He was saved by his teacher on the battlefield. For Barrett, his teacher was everything.”

"He is a teacher, but also a father. Although he has always been stubborn and refused to admit it, we all know the truth."

"Barrett has always strived to surpass his father and become the strongest in the sea."

"Don't even mention you. Even if any of us dared to say something unpleasant, Barrett would still take care of us."

“Aurora tried to persuade him many times, and Barrett always agreed, only to forget about it completely the next day.”

"Few people on this ocean can replicate his experience."

Loki remained silent, not revealing anything about his childhood experiences.

She was abandoned in the underworld by her own mother at birth, and after finally crawling back, she was abandoned a second time.

Even on her deathbed, she did not forget to make the people of Elbaf hate her, saying that he was a cursed prince and that Elbaf would surely suffer calamity because of him.

He couldn't empathize with Barrett carrying a bomb at the age of five, just as Jhin couldn't empathize with his experience.

Speaking it out would only increase others' pity; Loki doesn't need such a weakling!

Loki picked up the hammer that was placed to the side, got up, and walked outside.

"I will beat him, I definitely will."

Jinyao did not argue, nor did she ask Loki what he planned to do after leaving the church.

With Basta watching over him, he didn't need to worry about these trivial matters.

“Aurora… Sister.”