Grand Line, Naval Headquarters, Supreme Meeting Room.
"Sengoku, what is your purpose in gathering us at this time?" Garp asked directly while eating his donuts.
"Arara~ Sengoku-san, did something happen? Is it related to the Yonkou?" Aokiji asked with great interest.
Currently all the Marines have been gathered by Sengoku. These officials are people who hold the positions of Fleet Admiral, Admiral, and Vice Admiral.
"This meeting has nothing to do with the Yonkou" Tsuru said calmly, "The purpose of gathering you here is to talk about the ship we just ordered to the Gally-La Company"
"Ha? The two of you gathered us just because you wanted to have a conversation about something like that? You two are like old people with no other job." Garp said fearlessly.
"Shut up Garp!" Sengoku immediately shouted angrily and continued, "Even so. However, this conversation is also quite serious. I just got a report from Gion regarding the ship we ordered earlier to the Gally-La Company. Currently, 17 of our vessels have been completed and all of these units are of a better quality compared to the vessels we currently have."
"Better quality?" Akainu asked while raising his brow.
"A ship built using wood materials that came from the Fortis Kingdom. The quality of the wood they produce is almost comparable to that of the adam wood. This also improves the quality of the ships built by the Gally-La Company."
"Hehehe…. Sengoku, then, can't I get one ship?" Garp asked with a grin.
"Doesn't Garp-san already have the ship currently in use?" asked Vice Admiral Chaton with a smile.
"Even though I have one ship. However, what's wrong with having another ship? After all, the ship made is also of good quality. I hope the ship can survive the time it is used by me."
"We will not discuss the issue of ship unit division" Tsuru said seriously, "The ship unit division can be done later. Right now the thing to talk about in this battle is to establish a cooperative relationship with the Fortis Kingdom."
"Yo, yo, yo. This is really surprising… Establishing a partnership with the Fortis Kingdom? Does the Fortis Kingdom want to establish a cooperative relationship with us especially they have a dispute with the World Government?" Ask Borsalino.
"We can try it. As long as we have not received direct confirmation from them. We still have a chance to establish cooperation with them" Tsuru said calmly, "The ships built by the Gally-La Company in the future will be made using wood from the Fortis Kingdom. If we don't have a supply of wood coming from the Fortis Kingdom. We will not be able to maintain the ships we have and maintain their quality when the ship is damaged. We can't use ordinary wood to make repairs because it will degrade the quality of the ship. Meanwhile, if we send the ship to the Gally-La Company for repair it will only increase the amount of our expenses. The most effective solution is to establish a cooperative relationship with the Kingdom of Fortis so that we can have a steady supply of wood."
Sengoku nodded and continued, "According to the information Gion gave us. The price of one unit of wood is 500 thousand berries"
"500 thousand berries?" Everyone was very surprised by the price.
"Isn't that price too high?" Akainu asked while frowning.
"I also thought the same as you when I first heard the price from Gion" Sengoku said seriously, "However, the price of the wood is comparable to the quality of the wood. The wood was of almost comparable quality to the wood of the very famous adam tree. Although the quality of the wood is worse than the wood from the adam tree. However, the wood has a quantity that exceeds the wood from the adam tree and is also cheaper than the wood from the adam tree. Right now the Navy still has 10 billion berries left over from the fund we had last year. Tsuru and I have a plan to use these funds to purchase wood for the Fortis Kingdom. What do you think?"
"Is it really worth spending that much money just to buy wood?" Aokiji asked while frowning.
"That's worth it" Tsuru nodded, "The ship repair fee provided by the Gally-La Company has also increased compared to before even several times higher than before. By using these funds, we were able to save a large amount of our expenses which were used for ship repairs as well as other things."
"10 billion berries, if we use it to buy wood at least we can get as much as 20 thousand units of wood" Chaton said calmly.
"Yes, that's about 20 thousand units of wood. Warships themselves are usually made using wood as much as 1500 to 2500 wood. Meanwhile, the price of shipbuilding that we ordered to the Gally-La Company for each unit currently reaches a value of 2.5 billion berries. Meanwhile, the cost of repairs provided by the Gally-La Company has now reached 100 million berries to 1 billion berries with each level of damage being different in price. The greater the damage, the greater the cost of repairing the ship."
"100 million berries to 1 billion berries? That's too much expense." Aokiji said seriously.
"That cost is very high indeed" Tsuru nodded, "That's why Sengoku and I have made the decision to use the currently unused funds to buy wood from the Fortis Kingdom so that we can reduce the expenses of the Navy. If we continue to rely on the Gally-La Company to repair our warships to keep them stable with quality. We had to spend a lot of money to get that."
"The purpose of this meeting is also to discuss this with you guys" Sengoku said seriously, "We need an agreement from all of you to use these funds. Should we buy wood from the Fortis Kingdom or use the Gally-La Company to repair our ship?"
"I have no problem using the funds to buy wood for the Fortis Kingdom" Garp said calmly and directly, "By the way, who will send the wood later? Is it Hashirama Senju?"
Sengoku nodded, "According to Gion. Hashirama was the one in charge of the task. So we might meet him in the future if this cooperation can happen. In addition, I also currently have obtained Hashirama's den-den mushi number. We can try to communicate with him and ask him about this."
"Hashirama Senju" Akainu narrowed his eyes seriously.
"Don't act rashly, Sakazuki" Sengoku said seriously, "Even though Hashirama Senju is a fugitive. However, he has no conflict with us and he is not a pirate. Our Navy is only in charge of capturing pirates and not someone like Hashirama Senju. Don't make our Navy add more terrifying enemies than the Yonkou. It's just the Yonkou that make it difficult for us. Don't let the Fortis Kingdom turn against us until they will attack us. We cannot bear the damage like the World Government due to their previous attack."
Akainu was silent for a moment then nodded.
"Hahaha… If Hashirama Senju sent it, I agree. I also want to meet him in person and want to see someone who dares to make a direct attack on the World Government. Besides…" Garp grinned excitedly, "I want to try fighting him. The one who defeated Whitebeard… He must be very strong and worth fighting against"
"Arara~ Haven't seen Garp-san this excited in a long time" Aokiji said with a smile, "I have no problem using the funds. As long as it can help improve the performance of the Navy. I agree to use it"
All the Marines quickly agreed with this decision even Akainu also immediately agreed to improve the performance of the Navy. Get everyone's approval. Sengoku immediately took out his den-den mushi and contacted Hashirama. Everyone was silent because they wanted to hear the conversation.
Will the Navy be able to establish a cooperative relationship with the Fortis Kingdom or not?
Communication links are quickly connected.
"Hello, Hashirama here"
"Hello, Hashirama. This is me. Admiral of the Navy Fleet, Sengoku" Sengoku said with great dignity.
"Fleet Admiral? How did you get the den-den mushiku number? I bet we never got in touch with each other?"
"I got it from Icueburg Mayor of Water Seven"
"Ah? so. Well, what's with you calling me? Well, I'm sure it's a bit strange for you Marines to contact a fugitive like me."
"No problem" Sengoku said seriously, "Even though you are a fugitive. However, you are not our enemy. You are also not a pirate and we have no right to arrest you."
"Oh? This is interesting. In that case, what is it you want to contact me for?" Hashirama asked back with great interest.
"The Navy wants to place an order for the wood your kingdom produces."
"Wood order? No problem. How many would you like to order?" Hashirama asked with a friendly smile since he now knew that the Marines were not his enemy.
"We want to buy wood for 10 billion berries" Sengoku said calmly, "How long will it take you to deliver this wood to us?"
"How long? Usually I can send it now. However, I am currently on the mission His Majesty gave me. I can only send it tomorrow or the day after. Does not matter?"
"Mission?" murmured everyone who was there curiously.
"No problem" Sengoku nodded.
"Okay. In that case, I'll send it tomorrow or the day after. And please tell all Navy personnel in your Headquarters not to attack me. I'll come straight to your headquarters later."
"I see. You don't have to worry. I will give you my den-den mushi number for you to contact me when you will send the goods"
Sengoku immediately gave Hashirama his den-den mushi number.
"Okay. I close first and I also need to present this report to His Majesty. You just wait tomorrow or the day after. I'll send your order right away."
"Well"
New World, Fortis Kingdom, Ars Chamber.
"The Navy bought our wood?"
Ars is currently communicating with Hashirama. Hashirama had given a report regarding the Navy wanting to place an order for timber against them.
"Yes. They seem to know the quality of the wood we have from Iceburg" Hashirama said calmly, "What do you think? I have received the order"
"No problem" Ars said, "Dealing with the Navy is a good thing for us. The Navy has always used ships as their main means of transportation. This causes the Navy to always need large amounts of wood to make repairs and others for the ships they use. Dealing with the Navy could give us a lot of profit. After all, this is a matter of transaction and not of cooperation. If it's cooperation, you can refuse it. As long as the Navy is still working under the World Government. We will not establish cooperation with them. However, if it's a transaction problem. There's no problem making transactions with them."
"Good. I thought you would reject this transaction." Hashirama said with a sigh.
"You don't have to worry about that" Ars said calmly, "Oh, yes. How are you today? Have you arrived at the Kingdom of Alabasta?"
"I arrived a while ago. The order requested by the women has also been bought by me, I am currently at the hotel for rest and tonight the plan is to go to the Casino to play there while looking for our target "
"It was quite easy to find Nico Robin. You simply win a lot of games there and take as much profit as possible. If the Casino they will soon get a big loss. Robin will appear soon and at that time is your chance to talk to him. However, well, because of your current identity. It would be very easy for Crocodile to find out. But, with your strength, you will be able to defeat him easily. You don't need to worry. Crocodile can also be said to be the weakest Shichibukai for now. Even his strength isn't as good as Marko's."
"That's quite disappointing" Hashirama said, "Are the Shichibukai weak?"
"Not all of them" Ars said, "There is one Shichibukai whose strength level is on par with a Yonkou. He is Dracule "Eagle Eye" Mihawk. He was currently dubbed by the number 1 swordsman in this world. The power is quite strong. However, jia is compared to you. He's still weaker than you."
"Swordsman, huh? I'm quite interested in fighting him."
"Forget it, Hashirama" Ars said, "Mihawk is only interested in a swordsman and has no interest in fighting someone who is not a swordsman"
"Well, it was quite disappointing"
"If you really want to fight. Why not go fight Whitebeard again? Only he is capable of fighting me until you have to use your full strength. If you fight with the others. It will be difficult for you to be able to use all your abilities— Ah, I think there are others that can take you seriously too"
"Oh? Anything else too? Who?" Hashirama asked with excited eyes.
"Monkey D Garp. Navy Hero. He is someone who has strong power. Although its destructive power is lower compared to Whitebeard. However, if the two are compared in terms of physical strength. Garp is better than Whitebeard. If you want to find a fighting opponent. Garp is the best choice."
"Garp, huh?" Hashirama grinned excitedly.
"You better lose your fighting will, Hashirama" Ars said calmly, "You've been making a lot of news recently. Better to rest first and focus on building the empire. You also after this still have to help Nezuko and Megumi in planting seeds in their territory"
"I think so too." Hashirama nodded.
"Okay. You continue your work first. I will continue my work too. Good luck"
The communication line is disconnected. Hashirama immediately put away the den-den mushi and lay back down on his bed.
"Monkey D. Garp, huh? I wonder how strong this person is…"
New World, Fortis Kingdom, Royal Palace, Ars Chamber.
[Ding!]
Ars who was working at the moment suddenly stopped the work he was doing listening to the notification sound from Elie.
[Ars, the conditions for system upgrade have been met. Do you want to upgrade your system?]
"Enhancement?" Ars asked in confusion, "Is there such a thing?"
[Of course. By the time the number of beings who know your kingdom reaches 1 billion creatures. The requirements for system upgrade have been met. Your kingdom is currently known to 1 billion creatures at this time and the requirements for system upgrades have been implemented. Do you want to upgrade it?]
"What benefits can I get from upgrading the current system?" Ars asked with interest, "Is it possible that there will be an increase in the number of popularity scores?" Hopefully.
[Of course. By the time the system upgrade is complete. The limit of the popularity value you get will also increase. Previously you could only get 50 popularity scores and that was the maximum. However, once the system has gotten an upgrade. Your popularity rating limit has increased to 100. With your current empire's popularity count. Once you upgrade the system, your popularity score will instantly reach its limit]
"Really?" Ars was very happy to hear this, "That is good news. To be honest, even though nowadays every day I can get quite a lot of popularity scores. However, with the current development development. My popularity score won't be able to match it."
[So do you want to upgrade the system?]
"Of course. Upgrade now"
[Ding!]
[System owner has agreed to upgrade the system]
[Please wait a moment]
[System is currently in the process of upgrading]
[1%]
[2%]
The boost speed runs stably. Ars stopped the work he was currently doing and monitored the progress that was taking place since right now in front of him was a transparent blue screen that was in the process of being upgraded. The percentage increase runs once every 5 seconds. And it didn't take long for the percentage value to reach 100%.
[Ding!]
[System has been successfully upgraded]
Ars quickly opened his system panel to see the changes that were currently taking place.
Kingdom Building System.
Name : Ars
Kingdom : Fortis
Points : 3,224,000 (100/1 second)
System Store
[Abilities][Knowledge][Summons][Items][Blueprint][Building][Others]
The popularity value that was previously only 50 has changed directly to 100. Ars is very happy to see this change and starts exploring the system to see if anything has changed or not. However, after Ars looked around, Ars didn't find any changes compared to before.
"Elie, did the only change occur in increasing the limit on the number of points earned by me?"
[Of course. This system upgrade is all you get. Moreover, this is the last upgrade and there will be no further upgrades after this. So even though your kingdom is known by the 2 billion living beings in this world. The system will no longer improve itself. Only here is the limit of improvement]
"No problem. That's enough for me. At least it makes it easier for me to plan ahead. Thank you, Eli."
[You're welcome. Okay. Then I won't bother you. Continue your work and success always with your kingdom]