The news of the live broadcast that will be carried out by the Fortis Kingdom immediately attracted the attention of all parties. Especially this news regarding the fourth kingdom that managed to establish a cooperative relationship with the Fortis Kingdom side.
World Government.
Navy.
Pirate.
Revolutionary Army.
Kingdom.
All groups were curious about which kingdom managed to establish a cooperative relationship with the Fortis Kingdom. Because of that, each troop had also sent their members who were in the place that could watch the live broadcast to take screenshots so that the leaders of those troops could watch live in their current position.
Grand Line, Saboundy Island, Area 13, Kuja Pirate Ship.
"Is this published news true, Ars?" Hancock asked Ars calmly through his den-den mushi.
"The news is true" Ars said, "I asked Morgans to publish it"
"Then, which kingdom managed to establish a cooperative relationship with your kingdom? Is that kingdom one of the two kingdoms you mentioned earlier?"
"Yes" Ars replied "That's the Kingdom of Alabasta"
"Alabasta Kingdom?" Hancock asked strangely, "What made you interested in establishing a cooperative relationship with a kingdom in the desert like that? There is no benefit at all for your kingdom to establish a cooperative relationship with them."
"Those are words spoken by an ignorant cloud person"
"Are you mocking me, Ars?" asked Hancock with a sullen face.
"I'm not making fun of you, Hancock. It's just that, it's a fact" Ars said calmly, "The Kingdom of Alabasta is a kingdom that has a very large territory. It can be said that the territory of the Kingdom of Alabasta is the largest in the territory of the Grand Line."
"Despite the vast size of the Alabasta Kingdom's territory. However, it was a desert. Cannot use their territory"
"Yes. It is true. It's a desert region and the desert itself is a difficult area to exploit" Ars said calmly.
"Then why do you still want to establish a cooperative relationship with them if you know that the territory itself can't be used at all?" Hancock asked strangely.
"If the territory of the Kingdom of Alabasta will still remain like a desert. Indeed, my decision was the wrong decision. However…" Ars paused for a moment, "What if the territory belonging to the Kingdom of Alabasta is turned into an area that is ready to be cultivated?"
"What do you mean?" Hancock asked with a stunned face.
"Besides our kingdom, we are building a cooperative relationship with the Kingdom of Alabasta. We also made an agreement whereby our kingdom will help the Alabasta Kingdom to manage their territory. In essence, our kingdom will later help reconstruct the area. Where the area that was previously a desert will be turned into a forest, the area that was previously a barren desert is turned into a lake, the area that was previously a barren desert is turned into a river, and so on."
"..." Hancock fell silent hearing this, "Are you guys really able to do such a thing?"
"Did you forget Hashirama's ability?" Ars asked strangely.
"…." Hancock was silenced again hearing this, "Hmp! Was Hashirama able to do that? The territory of the Alabasta Kingdom is huge. There's no way Hashirama could single-handedly change that territory."
"You are underestimating, Hashirama, Hancock" Ars said dryly, "That's what you think because you have never fought him directly nor have you seen Hashirama use his abilities firsthand. For Hashirama himself, turning the territory of the Kingdom of Alabasta into a ready-to-use territory, did not take 1 week. Just a few days, he can do it."
"..." Hancock was rendered speechless hearing this.
Hancock knew how big the territory of the Alabasta Kingdom was. To be able to turn the territory of the Kingdom of Alabasta into a territory that is ready for use. Hancock knew how difficult it was. Even for himself, if Hancock had the ability like Hashirama. Hancock knew how hard it would be for her to do that. No need to count the time 1 week. Even within 1 month. Hancock wasn't sure he could do it.
"Hmph!" Hancock then sniffed to get rid of her attitude then continued, "Is there any advantage for your kingdom to help carry out reconstruction for their territory?"
"We got a big advantage" Ars said calmly, "According to the agreement made between the two kingdoms. As long as we assist in the reconstruction of the territory owned by the Kingdom of Alabasta. The Kingdom of Alabasta will later pay annually to our kingdom 10% of the total revenue that their kingdom earns."
"10%?!" Hancock exclaimed with a surprised face.
"Surprised, right?" Ars asked with a smile, "You know, don't you? How much territory does the Kingdom of Alabasta have. If the Kingdom of Alabasta can maximize the potential of their kingdom and build an arrangement like ours or maybe they have their own arrangement regarding policies. At the very least, their kingdom can earn around 2-3 trillion berries within a year."
"2-3 trillion berries… That means with 10% of the total income that will be given to you…" Hancock muttered with a face full of surprise.
"That's right… You should be able to count yourself, right? If the Kingdom of Alabasta with the help of our kingdom can manage their territory with an income of around 2-3 trillion berries for each year. At the very least, our kingdom will earn 200 to 300 billion berries with no effort at all. Our efforts are only in the early stages, which are reconstructing the territory owned by the Kingdom of Alabasta. Furthermore, our kingdom only needs to help by imparting knowledge to them on how to properly manage the kingdom."
"..." Hancock suddenly fell silent hearing this, "You really are a terrifying King, Ars…"
"I'm not scary, Hancock" Ars just smiled, "It's just, I know how to use my brain to get a lot of advantages"
"Are you saying that I am a brainless person?" Hancock asked with a sullen face.
"I didn't say that. It's just that you built that kind of thinking yourself." Ars said calmly, "Many people have abilities like people with devil fruit abilities, they only think their abilities can only be used for fighting. In fact, the abilities they have, especially the paramencia fruit abilities, have many functions and uses, especially the function to be able to gain profit." Ars paused and continued, "An example is a devil fruit that has the ability of mirrors. If someone knows how to use the function of this devil fruit. That person could be the richest person in this world. However, it's a shame... The person who has this devil fruit is the one who doesn't know how to use it... Well, not only him but his own group also don't know how to use this ability properly and think that this devil fruit is very weak and has no function other than hiding"
"If that's the case. Why don't you go after the devil fruit? Don't you already have an idea how to use it?" Hancock asked.
"Hmm… Let's just say I'm not interested in the devil fruit yet and also currently my kingdom is still in the development stage. That devil fruit can't be used properly right now if it's held by me"
"Just say you have no way of using and just want to show off to me, right?" asked Hancock in a mocking tone.
"You are building up the wrong perception again, Hancock" Ars said calmly, "When do I say something then I can't do it?"
"..." Hancock was silenced again.
"Oh yes. Hancock. Currently our kingdom has established a cooperative relationship with the Kingdom of Alabasta. Regarding the sales for our products, the kingdoms of the two of you will take their respective territories."
"Ha? What do you mean by that? Why should I share territory with them?" Hancock asked with a sullen face.
"The Grand Line's ocean area is a very, very large ocean area. You may not necessarily be able to reach every area in the Grand Line ocean area. For example, the Kingdom of Alabasta. With your current position, will you be able to reach the territory in one day?"
"..." Hancock was silenced again.
"You can't do it, can you?" Ars asked calmly, "Then, what about the territories that are further away from the territory of the Alabasta Kingdom? Like Drum Island, Whiskey Peak Island, and the other Islands that were a little further away from the Grand Line territory that reached upside down mountains? Can you reach the area in one day's travel time?"
"..." Hancock couldn't answer the question.
"You know the answer, don't you? You won't be able to do it" Ars said calmly, "Another reason is because our kingdom wants to establish a cooperative relationship with the Alabasta Kingdom because of that factor. We want the Kingdom of Alabasta to be the central point of sale of products from our kingdom for the region I mentioned earlier. Although later the Kingdom of Alabasta will have their own products when their territory is ready to be cultivated. However, there will be products that our kingdom cannot produce the Alabasta Kingdom"
"For example?" Ask Hancock
"An example is wood" Ars said calmly, "The wood of our kingdom is a unique wood and it is impossible for other kingdoms to obtain. Because of that, this wood will also become the icon of our kingdom." Ars paused and continued, "Besides wood, they won't be able to get technology later."
"Technology? Are you planning to sell the technology that your kingdom has?" asked Hancock excitedly.
Hancock herself really likes the Fortis Kingdom's technology, especially the storage capsule and storage bracelet technology.
"The technology I meant was not the technology the research department created" Ars said, "The technology I meant was weapon technology"
"Weapon? Hmp! How are the weapons made by your kingdom different from other kingdoms? Isn't it the same?" asked Hancock strangely.
"It's very different, Hancock," said Ars, "The weapon especially the firearm used today is a weapon with a flip shot model where this weapon can only store one bullet into the weapon before being shot. Meanwhile, the weapons that will be built by our kingdom, these weapons will later be able to store tens to hundreds of bullets in the weapon then also the speed and firepower of the weapon will increase. At least, people with Zoan devil fruit abilities are famous for their tough skin where the current flip shot weapon if fired wo n't penetrate their skin. While the weapons that will be made by our kingdom. That weapon is capable of penetrating the skin of the zoan users."
"That's quite effective" Hancock said with a slightly surprised face, "What about Haki users? Can that weapon penetrate Haki?"
"Haki User?" Ars thought for a moment and said, "If a Haki user has just reached the elementary level stage. The weapon was able to make up for the person's defense. Meanwhile, if you have reached the middle to upper level. It's already impossible to make up for it."
Hancock thought for a moment and asked, "Are you going to sell these weapons to everyone? Will the World Government also get it?" asked Hancock with a serious face.
"Our kingdom will later make several models of weapons. The weapon I mentioned earlier is only a weapon intended by our kingdom and is not sold to other kingdoms, even kingdoms that build cooperative relations with our kingdom. It's impossible for us to sell the weapon." Ars said calmly.
"If you don't want to sell it to us, what's the point of you explaining to me beforehand? Do you just want to show off?" asked Hancock with a frown.
"No" Ars shook his head, "I already said, didn't I? Our kingdom will build several models of weapons. There is one weapon model that will be marketed by us. However, we will not sell it haphazardly. Although the power of this weapon is weaker than the weapons our troops will use. However, this weapon at least has a stronger power than the weapons used today. This weapon will later be sold by our kingdom to the kingdom that builds a cooperative relationship with us or the troops who get direct permission to buy it. Like the Whitebeard pirate group. Even if they don't have a cooperative relationship with us, they will eventually get permission to buy it."
"Why are you selling weapons to pirates?" asked Hancock strangely.
"Even though Whitebeard's group is a pirate group. They are not pirates like you know" Ars said calmly, "Whitebeard's pirate group is a pirate group that puts their family first. In addition, Whitebeard's pirate group also never burdened the collection of protection taxes in the areas they controlled. This group of pirates, as long as you don't provoke them, they wo n't attack. Another group that is the same as Whitebeard's pirate group is the Akagami pirate group. They also provide a low cost of protection to the areas they guard and also cause less trouble for civilians. This group of pirates deserves permission from our kingdom to buy weapons products."
Ars paused for a moment and continued, "The group that won't get our permission later is a group like the World Government, the Beast Pirate Group or a kingdom where the kingdom likes to fight or the king of the kingdom likes to oppress its citizens. They will not get permission from us to buy those weapons products."
Ars paused for a moment and continued, "Oh, yes. How is development progressing in your area? Is it going well?"
"Hmph!" Hancock immediately sniffed proudly, "Of course. Who do you think I am?"
"Hmmm… How about setting up your government system? Departmental development and stuff?"
"...." Hancock fell silent for a moment hearing this.
"Looks like you haven't finished it yet"
"Hmph! Do you think it's easy to do something like that?!" asked Hancock with a frown.
"Well… It's quite difficult, especially in choosing who will be placed later" Ars said, "Well, don't focus too much on regional development. Just focus on building a government system. You can leave the development of the territory to your troops while you focus on building the government system."
"You don't have to say it. I know" Hancock said while harboring a feeling of pleasure at getting Ars' attention.
"Does your area currently have a screen that can be used to watch live broadcasts?"
"There is. Why do you ask that?" asked Hancock strangely.
The screen for watching the live broadcast was already there and it had been installed by the office of the World Economic Journal. Morgans had asked the branch office on Saboundy Island to be moved to area 13. Even though they had to pay a hefty tax to Hancock. However, as long as they are there they are safe. Even Morgans would usually be there too.
"Around the 25th or 26th later our kingdom will do a live broadcast again" Ars said calmly, "The live broadcast aims to tell how much our kingdom's income as well as expenses from our kingdom"
"Does it have to be announced?" Hancock asked.
"Of course" Ars nodded, "It can also tell the citizens of our kingdom how much our kingdom's income and expenses are. They can also tell how well the kingdom is doing by knowing how much money is coming in and how much is going out. What are the funds used for ? They have to know it."
"In that case, wouldn't it be better if it was only announced in your kingdom?"
"No" Ars shook his head, "It is better to be announced to the whole world. The purpose of this is to let people around the world know how well the government of our kingdom is running. Another goal is that I want the citizens of my kingdom to be proud to be citizens of my kingdom."
"There's no need to do that. I'm sure they're very happy. Everyone will be very happy if they get a luxurious free house and a lot of income every month" Hancock said calmly.
"I think so too" Ars nodded, "Well, apart from the announcement. There are several things that our kingdom wants to convey especially in the field of Visa and Resident Cards, and also other things. Therefore, I hope that you will be able to watch the live broadcast that our kingdom will be doing in the future."
The two continued their conversation until Ars had to hang up the call again because he had business to attend to. Meanwhile, Hancock returned to focus on her current job, namely managing the government system owned by her kingdom.