Pirates: Building High Walls Starting from the East Blue.

Chapter 12 Kendo Instructor

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

At this moment, inside the Admiral's office.

After hanging up the phone, Marshal Zhan Guo crossed his arms and placed them in front of his chin, frowning as he pondered deeply.

Then, as if remembering something, he lowered his head and opened a huge drawer below, reaching out towards the spot where the bounties for pirates in the East China Sea were kept. As if searching for something, he rummaged through it and then pulled out a bounty poster.

[Name: Mo Ke]

[Bounty: 30000000 Pelé]

That's right, this is the bounty on Mok, the captain of the Mok Pirates who's giving the 16th Branch of the East Blue a headache.

Logically speaking, as the Fleet Admiral, he wouldn't care too much about a pirate like this. Although a bounty of 3000 million Berries is already very high in that weakest sea, he's still just a small pirate with a bounty of 3000 million Berries in the East Blue.

As long as he doesn't enter the Grand Line and cause any trouble, it's a minor matter for the Marine Headquarters.

As for the 16th Naval Division, although they did frequently apply for funding, according to the investigation by the trial personnel, the 16th Division's application materials were all legal and compliant. The only thing that raised suspicion was the frequency of their applications.

however.

Looking back now...

Sengoku lowered his head, frowning as he looked at the wanted poster in his hand. "It seems that the 16th Branch has indeed been wronged."

To escape from Garp, gain his approval, and even have him suggest a bounty of 50 million, is certainly not something a mere Navy branch could accomplish.

These pirates are indeed a bit of a problem for the East Blue, the weakest sea in the world.

It seems almost unbelievable now that the 16th branch was able to hold out against them for so long.

only.

Why do such powerful pirates stay in the East Blue?

Does that guy not have any ambitions?

If they had no ambition, why would they keep harassing the 16th Marine Division?

What grudge could this be?

Sengoku also had some impression of Dante Shacher, the base leader of the 16th branch.

After all, he was once a brilliant naval captain, but it seems that he has started to degenerate since he was demoted.

They've been staying in the East China Sea for so many years, but haven't achieved any outstanding results.

At the time, he also suspected that Colonel Shacher, who had not achieved much in battle, was really collaborating with the pirates to swindle military funds by targeting the Moke Pirates.

But now it seems...

Since even that old guy Garp said so, perhaps it's not what they think.

Although Garp has always been carefree and has lost his motivation since the Pirate King Roger was tried, and he often steals Garp's snacks, Sengoku, as Garp's longtime partner, knows that Garp would never lie to him about such a thing.

You should know that guy is a pirate.

As a naval hero, Garp wouldn't be cooperating with a pirate, would he?

What's the point?

Sengoku shook his head with a wry smile, continuing to look at the bounty poster in his hand, muttering to himself with a headache, "Looks like another great pirate is about to emerge in the East Blue."

Last time, Ace ran away and caused a lot of trouble in the Grand Line and the New World. Now another great pirate has emerged in the East Blue.

Could something big be about to happen in this weakest sea?

The only saving grace is that the Moko Pirates are still in the East Blue and haven't entered the Grand Line.

Thinking of this, Zhan Guo pondered for a moment, then picked up a pen and crossed out the 3 on the bounty poster, writing a 5 next to it.

then.

He raised his head again, looking at the Navy personnel beside him, and said in a serious tone, "Notify the approval department that there are no problems with the Navy's 16th Branch's military funding application. Also, increase the military funding by another 10%. But tell the 16th Branch Base Commander..." His eyes narrowed slightly, "We must stop the Moke Pirates. We absolutely cannot let them enter the Grand Line."

……

"No problem." Xia Che looked at Nami, who was glaring at him with a huff, and said with a headache, "I've already asked Udo to apply for military funding from above, so we can hold out for a while longer."

however.

"Military funding? We don't know how long it will take to get funding from the Navy, and how much of that stuff is there? It's already not enough to support the training and equipment purchases of the current 16 branches, let alone all the other places that need money."

Unfazed by Shache's words of comfort, Nami crossed her arms and said, "I thought I could get a good deal from the Marine Headquarters, but it turns out I'll have to subsidize them instead? That's such a loss!"

Then she looked at Xia Che with a displeased expression.

"You lied to me, saying you'd put me in charge of the money, and that this so-called finance minister would see a lot of money."

"This...it's not exactly lying to you, didn't you see a lot of money?"

"It does look like a lot of money." Nami scoffed at Shache's words, slamming her hand on the table and glancing sideways at him. "But I haven't even had a chance to enjoy it before it's all gone, you despicable liar! Let me tell you, I'm quitting. Do you know how much it hurts to see so much money flowing out of my hands? And you've spent my 50 million Berries too."

"..."

Faced with Nami's questioning, Shache gave an embarrassed chuckle.

Nami not only holds the title of Navy Petty Officer, but is also the Finance Minister of the 16th Branch and the Cornish Islands.

Nami is very sensitive and responsible when it comes to money. She knows exactly where every penny is spent, so Shache is quite satisfied with this finance minister.

As for the so-called fifty million...

That was what Nami had painstakingly saved up over the years as a thief.

Of course~

He knew that Nami didn't really care about the 50 million; she was just complaining.

Nowadays, the main income of Cocoa West Town comes from canned oranges and marmalade. Although sales of marmalade and canned oranges are decent thanks to his help and the unique recipe left by Bellemere, it is indeed difficult to support so much construction and naval development.

only……

"Naval training and the purchase of equipment and facilities are indeed quite expensive." Shache stood up, walked to Nami, and sighed. "But there's no other way; it's a necessary expense. Without strong protection, everything we're doing now will be in vain."

Strength is everything.

Then, he looked intently at Nami, met her gaze, and spoke with a tone of emotion and relief.

"Thank you for your hard work these past few years! I will try my best to find a solution."

The words were spoken.

That tone.

That look in his eyes.

Nami shuddered at his direct stare, her anger seemingly subsiding somewhat. She turned her head away, saying, "I know, I know! I was just complaining."

And with a tone of helplessness.

"Knowing that funds are not so plentiful, why bother with all that extra work? Things like cutting down trees and building roads, which are trivial, can be stopped first. Why the rush?"

As he spoke, he turned around.

"I'll talk to Nojiko and the others and see if the orange factory can increase production a bit more. Honestly~" she complained, pouting as she walked outside. "At this rate, the canned oranges from Cocoyasi Village probably won't be enough to cover your expenses even if you sold them all the way to the Grand Line."

Xia Che only breathed a sigh of relief after the figure walked out the door.

then.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and sat down in his seat again.

Seeing this, Miss Robin, who was sitting elegantly to the side, rolled her eyes helplessly. "Boss, you're really heartless~, how could you exploit a young girl like this?"

"What do you mean by exploitation? What do you mean by exploitation?" Shache took a sip of the tea Robin had poured for him using her powers, and said leisurely, "I'm just exploring a girl's potential, how is that exploitation? Look, isn't Nami handling everything perfectly?"

"You ruthless boss, do you think I'd believe that?"

"Of course, you are my closest secretary."

"Sorry, I don't believe it~" Miss Robin gave a cold smile, then frowned and said, "But Miss Nami is right about some things. Perhaps some construction can be temporarily suspended. We don't have enough funds to support it right now."

"Don't worry, funding is a minor issue." Shache took another sip of his hot tea and said slowly, responding to Robin's words, "It'll only be difficult for a while, and I'll have Moke go catch some pirates to supplement our income. If all else fails..."

His eyes flickered slightly, as if he had thought of something, and a golden light seemed to flash in his eyes.

"I know where the land of gold—Shandora—is. It's full of gold. If we ever need money, we can just go there and dig some up."

The words were spoken.

"?!"

The legendary land of gold?

Shandora?

If it is the legendary land of gold, perhaps it contains... records of that history?

Robin's expression changed as if he had just thought of something. He quickly looked at Xia Che, who was leisurely drinking tea in front of him, and was about to ask a question when he seemed to see something.

Robin's tense expression vanished instantly. She leisurely sipped her tea and said slowly, "The Golden City? Boss, do you know where that is? If you're not nervous, why don't you tell Nami?"

"I……"

however.

Before Xia Che could finish speaking...

At this time.

"That's right, I also want to ask why you didn't tell me?" A meaningful yet cold voice suddenly came from the doorway. "A land of gold? Gold everywhere?"

"???"

Startled, Xia Che's teacup trembled, and he immediately turned around, only to see Nami, who was supposed to have left, had returned sometime earlier.

He quickly put on an embarrassed smile, chuckled, and said hastily, "I just remembered, I was just about to tell you! Hahaha, sorry, sorry." Then he immediately changed the subject, "By the way, why are you back? Is something wrong?"

"I originally came to ask you about the swordsmanship instructor."

"Oh, this?" Hearing Nami's words, Shache quickly picked up the conversation, glancing away and saying with a smile, "I've already made arrangements, and judging by the time, I should be here soon..."

But he still hadn't finished speaking.

"But none of that matters now. What do you mean by squeezing my potential?" Nami clenched her fists, making a cracking sound, and stared meaningfully at Shiatsu. Suddenly, her eyes welled up with tears, and she shouted, "Do you know how anxious and scared I've been these past few days? The Navy inspectors are coming, and we're out of money! Damn it, you had a solution but didn't tell me? How can you face all the hard work I've put in?"

"Sorry~"

"What's the use of apologizing now? I'm extremely angry."

"I'm so sorry!"

"Where is the land of gold?"

"On a sky island!"

"Sky Island? Is it really covered in gold?"

"Almost there. Anyway, there's a lot of gold, and a city built entirely of gold, though it's probably been mostly dug up by some idiot."

"Who? I don't care, they're all mine!"

"..."

Sensing something was wrong, Shache, who was comforting Nami, looked up and immediately saw Nami's cunning eyes.

I think you're acting against me!

……

at the same time.

Just as Shache was helplessly discussing with Robin and Nami when to go gold panning.

On the 16th Naval Branch Pier.

A young girl with a unique white longsword at her waist nervously asked a navy officer on the dock, "Hello, is this the 16th Marine Branch?"

"Yes, this is it!" Seemingly startled by the girl's appearance, the Marine from the 16th Branch stared blankly at the girl before him. "Sergeant Tashigi, what brings you back? Is there something you need this time?"

"Tashigi? I'm not Tashigi." Hearing the marine's words, the girl shook her head in confusion, but after hearing that this was indeed the 16th Marine Division, she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and then said seriously, "I am Kuina, the junior sister of Captain Shache of the 16th Marine Division. I came here specifically to find Senior Brother Shache."

The words were spoken.

"???"

Senior Brother Xia Che?

Kuina?

The marines still looked at her, bewildered and confused.

Sergeant Tashigi, stop joking. Is it some kind of headquarters mission again?

Thank you A_Whispering_C for the two monthly tickets; 榮称已存在了 for the one monthly ticket; and 书友20200317235826218 for the two monthly tickets.

Thank you to reader 20200317235826218 for the 500 Qidian coins reward.

I saw a lot of familiar faces!

(End of this chapter)