Seeing Rowen looking bewildered, Vice Admiral Momonga himself felt that his words were not appropriate, so he began to explain the reasons in detail.
To understand the situation, one must start with the composition of this world.
As is well known, aside from the densely populated countries and islands scattered across the sea, there are essentially only two types of people: the enforcers, represented by the Marines and the World Government, and the criminals, represented by pirates and the Underground World.
The conflict between enforcers and criminals has been ongoing, with each confrontation resulting in significant seizures. In addition to the portion that must be surrendered as per protocol, there are also unclaimed items, which even the enforcers covet.
In such cases, whether to strictly enforce full surrender or turn a blind eye has always been a difficult question for the Old Boss. When pushed to the edge, who knows what those below might do? How many disgraceful acts have been committed by rogue elements within the Marines?
Finally, the government decided that prevention was better than cure, so they established a place where these unclaimed Marine items could be exchanged freely, and this is the Marine Black Market.
You can take those unclaimed items without repercussions from the government, as long as they are not taboo ancient knowledge, which is an absolute bottom line that cannot be challenged.
But if you want to sell these items, you must go through the Marine Black Market.
Prices may be favorable, but the flow must be completely controlled by the government.
Just like when Rowen once executed a mission in the West Blue, destroying the Capone Mafia and handing over the bulk of the loot to Sengoku, he could keep the rest of the Seastone for himself.
Normally, like Rowen, he could only have Henry hide and secretly take it to the Black Market for sale in exchange for what he needed.
But here, he could directly bring out the items to sell to the government without fear of reprisal.
As the saying goes, where there's clear water, there are no fish.
Clearing out pirates and pocketing the unclaimed booty that couldn't find its rightful owners was almost a basic operation for every Marine officer.
Despite Headquarter Vice Admirals never worrying about money issues, it didn't mean they were wealthy. And who would ever complain about having too much money? Those with households had needs, and even those without households needed to pursue their own ambitions.
Otherwise, relying solely on the annual military budget, how could Vice Admiral Jonathan turn his base into a steel fortress, where did Vice Admiral Kongming get the money to dig an island empty for the Straw Hats, and how did Garp provide weapons that made even government troops envious to his soldiers?
Gray is the world's main melody, and this holds true within the Marines as well.
As long as their sense of Justice remains impartial and they stay on the right track, these minor matters fall within the government's permitted range.
So, Vice Admiral Momonga's words were not wrong. No matter how much he explained, it wouldn't change the fact that it was a Black Market... it's just that the identities of both buyers and sellers were a bit special.
"What a brilliant idea!"
Rowen sincerely exclaimed.
Who says the World Government is only left with corruption and incompetence? That's just one side of the coin!
Without the stringent Heavenly Tribute system, the World Government would sit securely atop the world!
Just this move alone, linking the Headquarter Vice Admirals with government interests, almost eliminates the possibility of high-ranking Marines becoming traitors.
Looking at Marine history, there's only been one typical example like Dragon.
But Rowen quickly recalled the time when he had Henry take Seastone to the Black Market for sale and specifically targeted suspected Marine spies.
Back then, he thought he had played a wicked trick on Sengoku and felt a bit of satisfaction. But now, he realized.
Perhaps Sengoku was secretly pleased with it?!
After all, to quickly get rid of trouble, the price of that batch of Seastone was pushed to a low point. If he brought it here for sale, according to the government's preferential purchase price, he would have earned at least twenty percent more!
Twenty percent!!!
Rowen cursed Sengoku in his heart.
At the same time, he pushed aside his previous doubts.
If the Marines really had a mysterious organization that could cover up Admirals and so many Headquarter Vice Admirals, it would pose a massive threat to his plans for world domination!
Sighing, Rowen asked, "So, why did Admiral Aokiji bring me in today? Have I finally gained your approval?"
"You'll have to ask the Fleet Admiral about that, Rowen... he never agreed to us telling you about this. I proposed inviting you to join as soon as you become a Vice Admiral."
Headquarter Vice Admirals are the true backbone of the Marines. Until you reach this level, you have to strictly follow the rules. Even if you make a small move, you have to be on edge all the time, praying not to be discovered by the oversight agencies.
Vice Admiral Momonga didn't hesitate to sell out Sengoku and said, "Now, inviting you to join was approved by Staff Officer Tsuru's nod. Also, there happens to be an auction today, and with your financial resources, you should naturally be given attention."
Ah, I see!
Sengoku, I've got this grudge against you!
Rowen sneered inwardly and nodded in understanding.
"Well, now that everyone is here, let's officially begin today's auction!"
Vice Admiral Momonga is well-known within the Marines, with enough seniority and connections. Moreover, his Justice is "impartial justice," so there will be no bias. He's the most suitable person to host this event.
Rowen noticed that behind the wall in front of the conference table, a man and a woman in white suits wearing animal masks emerged from a hidden door.
Having seen CP0 before, Rowen remembered their aura, and these two weren't among them.
"They are government agents sent here. It is said that they were selected from CP1-8. If there are auction items that pose a significant threat or if the auction fails, they will represent the government and buy the items."
Chaton, who knows when he came over, used his Deceleration Fruit with remarkable skill and whispered to Rowen, "Vice Admiral Rowen, would you be interested in a bet after the auction? It's rare for you to come for the first time!"
Rowen had long figured out Chaton's personality. Neither nodding nor denying, he said slowly, "Let's see about that... By the way, Vice Admiral Chaton, do you know what items will be auctioned? When I came in, it seemed like you were arguing over the auction items?"
Even though fleeting, Rowen, with his exceptional Observation Haki, caught snippets of those arguments with his ears. Now, recalling what he heard, it seemed to be about whether a certain auction item should appear or not.
"It's just a mysterious treasure map..."
Seeing Rowen not directly refuse, Chaton smacked his lips, feeling there was a way, and explained with a cigarette in his mouth, "But some of the markings on it are in ancient characters, not all of them though. There are a dozen or so other languages mixed in, almost like the person leaving the treasure map wanted to keep it secret by using various languages."
"You know, once a treasure map riddle is solved, the content on it becomes insignificant, and the focus is on the treasure itself."
However, when it comes to ancient characters, no one knows for sure whether the treasure location contains something related to taboo knowledge. Are the ancient characters just a red herring, or is there something genuine about them?
What if a blind cat stumbles upon a dead mouse?
But if it's just a simple treasure, what purchase price should the treasure map offer to make the seller satisfied and cover their losses?
Whether such a thing, which would surely be investigated and seized by the government, could become an auction item, sparked a heated discussion among the Vice Admirals.
Rowen filled in the blanks of what Chaton didn't say, and as he looked up, sure enough, the female agent was quietly reporting on something, seemingly confirming something.
There were no results for now, and soon the first auction item was brought up.
Something that could make Headquarter Vice Admirals intercept it naturally was extraordinary, and the first auction item was a Devil Fruit!
Rowen recalled the incident in the original story where CP-9 returned to Judicial Island and was directly granted a Devil Fruit. At the time, he only thought that the World Government was generous, but now, upon careful consideration... every sheep hangs by its own leg!
"A known Devil Fruit, Zoan-Ox-Ox Fruit-Giraffe Form."
"You all probably know the advantages and disadvantages of Zoan. When combined with Marine Rokushiki, its power is extraordinary! Even if you can't use it yourself, it's not bad to give it to a promising junior to consume. Starting bid is 100 million Belly, with increments of no less than 10 million!"
Vice Admiral Momonga glanced at the information, professionally introduced it, and then said.
"Now, let the bidding begin."
Just as he finished thinking about CP-9 in the original, this Devil Fruit was the Giraffe-Giraffe Fruit that CP-9 agent Kaku ate.
If Rowen hadn't appeared, this fruit would have inevitably gone unsold. In the end, due to his authority, it was obtained by CP-9 senior official Spandam and handed over to the CP-9 members who completed the quest.
There was no choice; after all, it was just a Zoan with no outstanding features.
The fighting styles of the Headquarter Vice Admirals were already established, and unless it was a powerful Devil Fruit, no one would want to add a weakness to themselves just for minimal physical enhancement.
Even for promising juniors...
They wouldn't want a Zoan fruit that was considered the weakest.
Rowen glanced at the Vice Admirals, who were all meditating with their eyes closed, showing no intention of speaking. Only then did he raise his hand and said, "150 million Belly!"
An increment of 50 million in one go? What the hell?!
Shuā!
A surprised gaze swept over him.
To this, Rowen was slightly smiled.
I am not short of money!
(End of this chapter)
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