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"Wow, this is really delicious. If I recall correctly, this piece of liver was specially taken from a Sea King."
"I was lucky enough to try it once. It tasted incredible, but it was way too expensive. This small piece cost me a whole month's salary."
"I never expected to eat unlimited food at Fleet Admiral Kong's place. I'm so happy!"
"And this fish, wow... it's even more expensive. They say it's the dream ingredient of many chefs, and it can only be caught five kilometers deep in the sea."
"Wow, this dish..."
"Wow, I've never had this red wine before. It's so different from what's on the market. I feel like my body's getting stronger."
"..."
In the spacious dining room, only Kong, Zephyr, and Akira were left at the moment.
As for the cooks and maids, they had already been waved away by Kong, who was extremely embarrassed.
Akira was seated on the right, feasting without a care in the world.
Every time he picked up a dish with his chopsticks, he couldn't help but exclaim loudly.
In the room, only his voice echoed.
"Huh? Teacher Zephyr, why aren't you eating?"
"Wouldn't it be a waste if we didn't finish everything? This table alone must have cost one or two hundred million berries."
Hearing Akira's words, Zephyr, who had been glaring at Kong with his arms crossed, couldn't stay silent any longer.
He slammed the table in anger and said loudly:
"A meal that costs hundreds of millions? Fleet Admiral Kong, you're living quite comfortably."
"But do you realize that the headquarters is still struggling? What kind of life is everyone else living right now?"
"So many soldiers and officers are tightening their belts, we're so busy that we can't even find time to shower."
Kong was extremely embarrassed. "No, it's not that bad."
Caught off guard by the situation, he wanted to justify himself, but couldn't find the words.
Especially during this difficult period, with his subordinates working so hard that they don't even care about their appearance, while he enjoys luxury in the Holy Land. It made him feel even more helpless.
"Why not? Don't you read the newspapers or pay attention to intelligence in the Holy Land?" Zephyr pressed.
"Of course I do. In fact, I've been keeping track."
Kong glanced at Akira, who was still enjoying his meal, and said with satisfaction, "During this time, Akira's efforts have been very effective. The Five Elders and I are very pleased."
"If you really want to be a Fleet Admiral, you need to keep up the good work in the remaining half month."
Akira couldn't pretend not to hear when his boss specifically brought it up.
He lifted his head from the delicious food in front of him and solemnly promised, "I'll definitely do my best, but Fleet Admiral Kong, I need your full support and that of the Five Elders for what's next."
Kong asked, "What's the matter?"
Akira gave Zephyr a look, signaling him to speak.
Zephyr, who had served under Kong for decades, carried far more weight and credibility than Akira, a newcomer to the younger generation.
That's why he wanted to bring Zephyr to the Holy Land.
And Zephyr is incredible too.
Understanding what Akira was implying, he nodded slightly and looked at Kong.
"Since you've been paying attention, you should know what the biggest issue plaguing the department is now."
"It's not pirates, it's not recruitment anymore—it's the need for real berries."
"Several months' worth of salary for both new and veteran soldiers, subsidies for those injured while fighting pirates, and high pensions for the brave ones who sacrificed their lives..."
"Daily living expenses for three meals, repair costs for the bases, funds to replenish weapons, and bonuses promised to the soldiers who work hard to uphold justice..."
"Every one of these requires berries."
Kong frowned slightly but still asked, "So, you two are here today because..."
"Yes, we need money!" Zephyr declared firmly.
Kong pulled out a cigar from his pocket and lit it with a snap.
"Zephyr, the World Government is also facing difficulties, and finances are tight. There's really no more berries for the headquarters."
After taking a deep breath, he continued, "We're all in this for justice, and we need to understand each other."
But Zephyr wasn't buying it.
If he hadn't seen Kong's lavish lifestyle in the Holy Land today, he might have believed that the Five Elders were truly out of funds.
But how could he believe that now, given what he had just witnessed?
"If there's no money, how can you afford meals that cost hundreds of millions? And it's not just you—what about the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons?"
"Everyone in Mariejois combined must be spending tens of billions daily!"
"Ten days is hundreds of billions, and three months is several trillions."
"As for our Marines, we don't need much right now—just one trillion berries would be enough."
Kong almost choked on the smoke from his cigar.
He didn't even bother correcting Zephyr's exaggerated figures. After coughing violently for a while and finally recovering, he looked at Zephyr in disbelief, then at Akira, who had remained silent all this time.
"What are you saying? The total shortfall at Marine Headquarters is one trillion berries?"
"Why so much?"
Kong truly hadn't expected Marine Headquarters to need so many berries.
Before he handed over power and came to the Holy Land to rest, he remembered there was a gap, but the number the staff provided back then wasn't nearly this large.
As for the exact amount, he couldn't recall.
At the time, he was constantly overwhelmed by the rising numbers and the lack of solutions, so he never had the patience to carefully count the zeros in the reports.
But who would have thought that in just a month and a half, the deficit would reach one trillion berries?
This…
What in the world happened?
If he hadn't seen his two subordinates looking so exhausted, he might have suspected that the senior management at headquarters was embezzling funds.
Seeing this, Akira immediately handed over the report he had prepared in advance, saying:
"In order to help you understand better, I had the staff work overnight to prepare this report."
"I believe that after going through it, you'll see why there's such a significant gap."
Kong quickly took the report, lowered his head, and began to read it carefully.
At first, the deficit wasn't this large.
But the Marines aren't a small organization; they're the rulers of the seas with influence across the world.
The daily expenses alone are considerable.
And with the onset of the Great Pirate Era, things have only gotten more complicated.
In such a short time, they've had to provide pensions for a large number of soldiers who were disabled or killed in battle—this is the support their families receive in exchange for their lives.
The upkeep of guns, swords, and other weapons, as well as the replenishment of ammunition, is also necessary. After all, you can't fight pirates without weapons.
Bounty hunters and islanders who capture pirates also need to be rewarded; otherwise, what's the point of issuing bounties worldwide?
And these are just a few of the numerous expenses.
On top of that, there are the wages in arrears, the newly recruited soldiers, and the subsidies for their families that Akira had promised.
Adding all of this up, the trillion-berry deficit is no exaggeration.
Akira and Zephyr, understanding the gravity of the situation, remained silent.
The clock on the wall ticked away, minute by minute.
After an hour, Kong finally put down the report he had been scrutinizing.
He looked up at the two of them, sighed, and said:
"Zephyr, Akira, you must understand that while the Celestial Dragons are wealthy, it doesn't mean the World Government is swimming in money too."
"This one trillion berries—I'll be honest with you... it's impossible!"
It really was impossible to provide.
Before the start of the Great Pirate Era, the World Government might have been able to find a way to come up with a trillion berries.
But now, things were different.
Pirates are rampant, disrupting sea routes, and tax revenues have dropped significantly.
There are many departments within the World Government, each with its own needs.
And let's not forget the endless demands of the Five Elders, the Celestial Dragons, and the high-ranking officials who live luxuriously like Kong. There's just no extra money.
If the Great Pirate Era ends soon, perhaps things could improve.
But anyone with a clear view can see that this surge in piracy won't die down in just a few years or even a decade.
Given the situation, it's clear that they need to save wherever they can, even if it means those below have to suffer.
"So, this is a problem you'll need to solve on your own."
Kong slowly pushed the report back toward Akira, a kind and gentle smile on his face, and said:
"I'm confident you can find a solution, Akira, with your resourcefulness."
"Just like with the Honey Plan earlier. Everyone thought you were overreaching, but within a month, you delivered impressive results."
"I believe you'll be able to overcome this challenge too."
Akira pursed his lips, raising his hand to hold back Zephyr, who was about to erupt in anger, and quietly looked at Kong.
"So, Fleet Admiral Kong, what's the maximum amount of berries the World Government can provide?"
"Um... if I really push for it, I might be able to get the World Government to provide a billion berries."
One billion might sound like a lot, but in an organization as vast as the Marines, it's barely a drop in the ocean—hardly enough to make a ripple.
Kong couldn't help but feel embarrassed as he mentioned this number. If there were a crack in the ground, he would have gladly jumped in to avoid the shocked looks from his subordinates.
Akira leaned back in his seat, stopping his feasting.
He took off his glasses, wiped them, and said lightly, "Well, if that's all, then there's nothing I can do."
"We'll just have to wait and see. If salaries can't be paid in half a month, we'll have to figure out how to explain that to the soldiers."
"I'm prepared. The best outcome? I take off this Marine uniform and find an uninhabited island to spend the rest of my life in peace."
"As for the worst? A few years in Impel Down doesn't sound so bad. After that, maybe I can start over."
"But if the Marines collapse, their 800-year reputation will be completely destroyed, Fleet Admiral Kong."
Kong listened, gradually processing the implications.
Boom.
He slammed the table, eyes wide, and roared angrily, "Are you saying you want to quit?"
"In this situation, without support from the Five Elders, unless I were a god, I really can't see a way out."
Akira spread his hands helplessly.
"You really still want to be Fleet Admiral?"
"Of course I do, otherwise I wouldn't have come here specifically."
"Then if you want it, don't just bring problems to my door. You need to find a solution if you're so determined."
Akira: "..."
This felt oddly familiar.
If it weren't for the different characters and setting, he'd almost believe he was back on Blue Star, facing that slippery leader.
The room fell silent.
Akira remained quiet.
Zephyr, too, stayed silent.
Under the weight of their gazes, Kong was the first to break.
He knew from the report that if the promised salaries weren't paid by the end of the month, the mighty Marines would collapse instantly.
As Fleet Admiral, he didn't want to see the Marines face a major crisis just before his retirement.
But…
One trillion berries—there was no way he could make that happen.
Kong sat back down and pulled his chair closer to Akira, forcing a smile onto his face.
"Akira, you mentioned needing support. Let's talk about that. As long as we can resolve the current crisis, I'll give you all the support you need."
"One trillion berries..."
"Hold on, I meant any support—except berries."
"..."