Some time passed.
Evening.
New World, Fortis Kingdom, Royal Palace, 2nd Floor, Dining Room.
"Hashirama" Jouichirou suddenly stopped eating then looked at Hashirama who also stopped eating after listening to Jouichirou's call, "What about tomorrow's plans? Have you informed the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"Don't worry" Hashirama said with a smile, "I already told them that. We can come to meet them tomorrow"
"Good" Jouichirou nodded enthusiastically.
"There's finally a time when you're not here anymore" Kojirou muttered quietly as he ate the food in front of him.
"Hahaha… Take it easy, Kojiro. I'm only gone for one day. I'll be back after my match is over then tell you my experience" said Jouichirou.
"No need" Kojiro suddenly added, "Listening to you talk just makes my ears hurt"
"Don't be like that, Kojiro. I know you must really want it." Jouichirou smirked excitedly.
"If you want, why don't you just tell me, Jouichirou-senpai" Nakamura said with a smile, "I'm quite interested in your match experience later."
Nakamura once had a cooking competition with Jouichirou. In the cooking match, Nakamura was defeated by Jouichirou very badly. This is also what makes Nakamura respect Jouichirou so much that he even calls him -Senpai.
Ars immediately stopped eating and then looked at his friends, "Everyone!"
Everyone immediately stopped their eating activities. The same goes for Rayleigh and Shakky. Even though Shakky herself was not a high-ranking officer from the Fortis Kingdom and also Rayleigh was only a middle-class high-ranking officer. However, they are also quite interested in the content of the conversation that will take place at dinner or whenever it happens. Because the topic of conversation must have a certain weight and there is also important information contained in the conversation.
"Today has entered the 20th of February. There are only 8 days left before February will end and we will enter a new month" Ars paused and continued, "I wish that on February 25th, every one of you has prepared a month-end report. We will have a meeting to discuss the month-end report that day."
"End of the month meeting?" Shiina asked, "Your Majesty, isn't it too soon to have a meeting at this time?"
"I don't think that's the earliest time" Lowellmina said, "The 25th is the most suitable date for holding a month-end meeting. Because from the 25th to the date that will later become the date of the turn of the month, only 5 to 7 days adrift. In that time, there are many things we can do. It's like overhauling a system and various other things."
Kaguya nodded, "February is not also the month with the fastest date time which only lasts for 28 days. I think holding a month-end meeting on the 25th is the most appropriate thing. Because if there are many things that we discuss in the meeting, we can arrange the various conclusions reached in the meeting in the kingdom before the start of the new month."
"Your Majesty" Gin suddenly said, "Does our department also have to give a report?"
Ars shook his head, "An exception for your department. It doesn't need to be done. However, if there is something you want to report, such as wanting to increase the number of employees or chefs working in your department or the like. You can say in the meeting" Ars paused and continued, "All departments have to make a month-end work report with the exception of the royal palace chef department"
"We understand." Everyone nodded in unison.
"Your Majesty, we have finished establishing the construction arrangements for Hashirama's Intelligence Department territory" Kaijin suddenly said.
"It's finished?" asked Ars while looking at them.
"The job was quite easy because Hashirama didn't ask too much" Kaijin said calmly, "The area can be cut down to start construction"
Ars nodded and looked at Hashirama, "Tomorrow you will go together with Jouichirou to meet Whitebeard's pirate group. Leave some of your clones behind to start construction on that territory of yours."
"I understand" Hashirama nodded vigorously then continued, "Your Majesty regarding—"
"No need to say" Ars immediately cut him off, "I already know. I have prepared a design for the house to be built for your area. That design is in my room right now. You'll come to see for yourself later."
"Can we come along?" Garm suddenly asked.
"No problem. You guys can come along" Ars nodded then his gaze returned to everyone, "Oh, yes. There's also something I want to say. The cruise to pick up the families of the workers on Water Seven Island will take place on 27 February. In addition to picking up later, you will recruit 50 construction workers and recruit 15 people who will join Hashirama's Intelligence Department."
"Recruiting people from the Intelligence Department?" Rin asked with a raised brow, "Why are so few people being recruited?"
"I'm not a great teacher" Hashirama said shyly, "I can't directly handle many people to recruit"
"Besides that, the recruits who will join the Intelligence Department are the ones who will be taught to use Chakra" Ars said, "It's hard to find someone who has good talent in controlling chakra power. Therefore, the currently prepared quota is only 15 people."
"What if in this recruitment case there are more than 15 people who have great talent in using Chakra?" Eina asked, "Will there be an increase in the quota?"
"No" Ars shook his head, "For now, 15 people will be recruited first. Later when the officials from the Intelligence Department were present, especially those who served in an area such as Tobirama and others. Quota will be added. Each of them will be in charge of 50 people. Later, let them do their own recruitment for their subordinates so that a strong relationship can be established between leaders and subordinates."
"Who will go on this voyage, Your Majesty?" Ikumi asked.
"People who are leaving…" Ars looked at everyone, "Hashirama, Myrd, Kojiro, and also Nico Robin"
"Robin?!" Suddenly everyone was surprised by the mention of Robin's name who took part in the voyage.
Even Rayleigh and Shakkuy were surprised by the appearance of Robin's name .
"Why can Robin take part in this cruise, Your Majesty?" Nezuko asked calmly.
Ars sighed then started to explain the reason behind Robin's participation in this task. Everyone listened seriously and there was a change of expression on their faces.
"Your Highness" Isshiki suddenly said, "Rather than letting Iceburg and Franky destroy the blueprints without everyone knowing. We'd better bring that blueprint to our side then destroy that pluton design blueprint in public by some means do a live broadcast. That way, the spies sent by the Revolutionary Army, the World Government, and the Pirates will withdraw the spies."
"That's a good plan" Lowellmina nodded, "However, if you want to use this plan. We had to be able to convince Iceburg that we were really going to destroy the blueprint. Because, if you can't convince him. It will be difficult for us to carry out that plan."
"The plan that Isshiki gives depends on how Robin makes Iceburg believe it" Kaguya said calmly, "As long as Iceburg believes that Robin will not cause any harm to this world. Iceburg can definitely be invited to cooperate "
"Your Majesty" Megumi suddenly said, "Iceburg is the mayor of Water Seven Island and as we know he currently has a secretary who is a spy agent sent by the World Government" Megumi paused for a moment and continued, "How do we get Iceburg to communicate with Robin?"
"If we summon Iceburg directly to the ship, Kalifa will definitely come along" Shiina added, "If we forbid or Iceburg forbids Shiina to come along, there is a possibility that Kalifa will become suspicious and report this to the World Government. If that were to happen, Water Seven Island would have a problem that would likely have an impact like Dressrosa Island."
"Don't worry. I know about your worries" Ars said calmly "I have already made a plan for this" Ars paused for a moment then looked at Hashirama "You will be the main duty holder when the plan is carried out"
"I?" Hashirama asked while pointing at himself.
"At the time the ship used was already in the connecting channel area that we had. Meanwhile the ship stopped there. You, Hashirama went flying to Water Seven Island to pick up Iceburg there" Ars paused and continued, "When you arrive there, you create a clone in charge of replacing Iceburg on the spot while you invite the real Iceburg to come to the ship you used for have a talk with Robin."
"If you want this plan to go well. We need to have a sync with Iceburg" Eina said calmly, "At least, Iceburg should know about this so he can create a space where Hashirama can use that space to take Iceburg while swapping places."
"I have plans to contact Iceburg later to discuss the matter of this plan" Ars said calmly, "However, I have to confirm this with you first. What do you think about this plan? Is it going well?"
"On our side, I don't think it's a problem" Lowellmina said, "The only problem is how Iceburg can convince Kalifa to be able to get him alone in a room in enough time for Hashirama to take advantage of the momentum'
"I don't agree with this" Nakamura suddenly said, "We can't say that our side doesn't have any problems. Kalifa is a great CP-9 agent. Surely he had received a lot of training from the World Government regarding the nature and characteristics of a person. Kalifa, who has been Iceburg's secretary for a long time, must be very familiar with Iceburg's personality. At the very least, we must be able to make Hashirama able to model every personality and attitude of Iceburg so that this plan can be carried out well"
Nakamura paused for a moment and continued, "As for Iceburg's side. He must have had a way of doing it. He had been with Kalifa for a long time. Iceburg must have a way of doing things like that."
"Everything!" Yoshino suddenly said strongly, "How about we do this plan before morning comes?" Yoshino paused for a moment and continued with a proud face, "The cruise that will be on February 27th, we can do it from 1 to 3 am. With our kingdom's distance to the connecting channel we have… Etto… How long will it take to get there?" Yoshino asked.
"About 2 hours of sailing from here to get there" Jouichirou replied calmly.
"There he is!" Yoshino said, "If we set sail at 2 am for example at the speed of the cruise we would arrive at the connecting channel at 4 am. At such times, usually people are still sleeping and there is not much activity going on either. I'm also sure that the CP-9 agents who are tasked with monitoring Iceburg will certainly not guard him for 1x24 hours. They are human and need rest especially after doing a lot of work the previous day. If we used that morning as the time to make a place swap, we wouldn't have to worry about how Iceburg built the space. Besides that, we also don't have to worry about Hashirama having to learn the attitude and personality of Iceburg. Because usually the working time itself takes place from 07.00 am to 08.00 am. If Hashirama managed to get hold of Iceburg by 4am, and traveling to the connecting channel it would only take a few minutes. We have plenty of time to convince Iceburg of destroying the ancient weapon blueprints."
Yoshino paused for a moment and continued, "However, we also have to leave the clones that are in the house or residence of Iceburg just in case. If at any time there is a condition there is someone who comes to him "
Ars' eyes showed excitement and looked at his friends, "What do you think of this plan that Yoshino built? I have a high probability that this plan will be successful."
Shiina nodded, "This plan is very good. However, there still had to be talks with Iceburg about this plan. So that by the time the plan will be executed, Iceburg will be ready to be picked up by Hashirama."
"That's it" Nezuko nodded, "We should be able to convince Iceburg of this"
"Don't worry about it. Iceburg is easy to convince. I will have a conversation with him tonight and discuss this plan."
"Heee~ Yoshino, no wonder you have such a clever brain" Jouichirou said with a smile.
"Of course!" Yoshino said while patting her chest proudly.
Ars' gaze then turned to Rayleigh, "I heard from Hashirama that you want to come together tomorrow with them, is that true?"
"Hahaha… Found out too?" Rayleigh laughed then replied, "That's right, Your Majesty. Can I come with them? I haven't seen Newgate in a long time. I want to say hi to him."
"Let's just say you just want to show off your new abilities" Ars said flatly.
"Hahahaha…" Rayleigh laughed with a slightly embarrassed face for getting everyone's attention.
"You old man~ " Shakky sighed, "Even at this age. You're still like a child."
"No problem. You can come with them" Ars nodded, "Are you used to using your spiritual energy freely?"
"Yeah" Rayleigh nodded, "That's great. I never expected that spiritual energy that is normally only used for offense and defense would have this kind of usage manifestation."
"It's only natural for you to not know it" Ars said calmly, "After all, there aren't many in this world who want to experiment and develop the spiritual energy they have. These people think that only limited spiritual energy can be used to attack and defend. They never thought that spiritual energy still had other ways of using it."
Ars paused for a moment and continued, "By the way, Rayleigh. Later when you are on Whitebeard's pirate ship. You will definitely meet the child of your best friend."
"Child?!" Rayleigh and Shakky were shocked by this news.
"Does that person really have children?" Rayleigh asked with a face full of surprise.
"Sure" Ars nodded, "Portgas D. Ace" Ars said calmly, "I think this name is familiar to you, right? Potrgas and Ace"
Rayleigh thought for a moment then sighed, "I see. Therefore, when I first heard his name, I felt a little familiar."
"Who are you guys talking about?" Ask Lowellmina.
"Portgas D. Ace" Ars replied calmly, "He is the son of former Captain Rayleigh"
"Former captain?!" Everyone was shocked by this news.
"Doesn't that mean…" Shiina said.
"That's right" Ars nodded, "Ace is the son of Gol D. Roger. The previous Pirate King. However, due to the problems Ace experienced as a child, Ace did not recognize Gol D. Roger as his father and only recognized Portgas D. Rogue as his mother. This is also why Ace uses his mother's name as an expression of gratitude for bringing him into this world."
Ars' gaze stared at Rayleigh, "Rayleigh, it's best when you meet him. Don't talk about Roger's problem. Ace hates him because Ace knows that Roger left Rogue when Rogue was pregnant. This is also what causes Ace to hate Roger so much." Ars paused and continued, "Ace has never felt the love of a father since childhood. Therefore, after feeling the father figure of Whitebeard. He has now recognized Whitebeard as his father."
Rayleigh nodded, "This is quite a shock to me. However, I understand. This is the path taken by Ace. I will always respect him" Rayleigh took a sip of his drink then said, "That bastard Roger… Why didn't he tell me about this?"
Rayleigh sighed again then looked at Ars, "Your Majesty, who took care of Ace before?"
"Hero of the Marines, Vice Admiral Garp" Ars said calmly.
"Garp?!" Then this took everyone by surprise even Rayleigh.
"Is this a joke?" Jouichirou asked, " Did Garp really take care of Ace where Ace is the son of his former enemy?"
"That is fair thing. We've always met on the battlefield and already know each other." Rayleigh nodded, "Garp is a different Marine than the others. Surely before Roger was executed, Roger entrusted Ace to Garp. Roger knows that Garp will definitely not allow a child who is still holy to be killed by the World Government or the Navy."
Instantly the atmosphere immediately changed when the topic of conversation changed.
"Though it's quite sad. The good thing is that Ace is still alive and well and living the life he wants" Ars said which helped to break down the current sad mood, "Ok. Let's continue eating. Pity the waiters. The longer we finish eating, the longer they will also get a break."
The maids who heard this had their faces red with embarrassment. They themselves knew Ars quite well, because all the time if there was a leisure time, Ars would usually do some jokes that made them laugh to relieve their tiredness. This is also what makes them very fond of and also dear to Ars.