"You can't steal ships from member states. I don't care if you steal them secretly or openly, it's not allowed, and don't cause me any trouble in this regard. Similarly, if you have pirate crews under your command, the same applies: you're not allowed to steal from member states, and you need to keep an eye on your pirate crews."
"Then what will you do with me!" A shadow fell over Hancock's eyes.
The Amazon Lily's location in the Calm Belt means they have no economic resources other than raiding; relying solely on the produce of their own islands, they probably couldn't even feed themselves.
If that's all the power the Seven Warlords of the Sea have, she could simply refuse.
"Let's watch it first, okay?"
Kuro sighed. "Fine, I'll do it myself. Although we can't rob you, you can't work for free either, that's unrealistic. So I allow you to levy tariffs, but only on merchant ships. As for what constitutes a merchant ship, you are heroes of the sea, you know the boundaries yourself, don't try to fool me with this."
"The tariff is 20%, except for naval ships, and, well, ships owned by my company. You are allowed to levy tariffs on the others. The four of you can choose one of the seven routes on the Grand Line. It won't be a situation where several Shichibukai are crammed onto one route anymore. But you yourself must be in the New World, and the time you spend in the first half of the Grand Line cannot exceed half of your time in the New World."
"Hey, hey, hey, this isn't right!" Buggy exclaimed, pointing at the contract. "The proportions in this contract are wrong! 20% of the annual income goes to the World Government, 15% to the Navy, and another 15% to G-3? Why are you asking for a separate share?!"
The old Shichibukai regulations were very lenient. Apart from their duties, Shichibukai were basically free to do whatever they wanted. Even if they privateed member states, they would get away with it as long as they weren't caught. If they were caught, they would just have to pay a sum of money. Unlike now, where half of the profits are gone.
Kuro exhaled a puff of smoke and said calmly, "This is my style. You're not wanted by the authorities or getting into trouble with the Navy anymore, so what's wrong with paying a little money?"
“My territory is in the Calm Belt,” Hancock said.
Kuro nodded: "Special circumstances have also been taken into consideration. Hancock, given the special circumstances of being in the Calm Belt, you can trade with Dressrosa and other industries. We will buy your food and specialties at a 5% premium to ensure you have enough goods to sustain your life."
“Let me tell you, you can’t get anything by robbing. I’ve been to your Nine Snake Island before. You’re all like animals, some even wearing animal skins. What’s the use of robbing so much money if you can’t exchange it for things in time? It’s just like waste paper.”
"My country has no need for other powers to get close!" Hancock frowned.
"Times are changing, Hancock, but I respect your idea. You can assemble your own merchant ships to trade. And..."
Kuro looked at them and said, “The rules of the Seven Warlords of the Sea need to change. I don’t care if you have failed before, but here, you must not be defeated by newcomers. Once you are defeated by a newcomer, the newcomer will automatically inherit your power as a Seven Warlord of the Sea if he is willing. Of course, in the New World, I will not care how many times you fail.”
"Correspondingly, for the seven routes in the first half of the Grand Line, I allow you to choose one island within your jurisdiction as your base, or even a major commercial route, without any problem. I guarantee you will be well-fed without having to rob anyone."
Kuro continued, "I am now your commander, and I set the rules. Within the World Government, I have granted you security, wealth, power, and fame, but you must fulfill your obligations."
"I don't care if you want to be the Pirate King, a king, or one of the Four Emperors. Your ambitions are not within the World Government's purview, nor are they under my watchful eye. Each of you here knows me to some extent and knows who I am. If you try to play tricks under my nose, you will bear the consequences."
"Of course, I will allow you to unleash your ambitions in the New World. In the New World, outside the World Government's sphere of influence, you can do whatever you want, and I will not interfere. I will not charge you a single penny for anything you do in the New World, nor will you have to hand it over to the World Government."
The Seven Warlords of the Sea are creatures born into this chaotic pirate era. Their fighting power is a problem if released, but to recruit them for our own use, we can't be as foolish as those in the past, who gave them so much power but ended up being completely useless.
In the latter half of the New World, the area where the Four Emperors gather is also a criminal zone where a large number of pirates congregate. Almost every island has pirate forces, and both the Four Emperors and those silver medalists who covet the Four Emperors' positions have a base there.
Kuro's strategy was simple: he would collect tariffs from you, and you could freely develop your wealth, power, and reputation within the limits of his approval.
After all, allowing one per route, even if they have to hand over half of their revenue, is enough to make them a fortune.
But if you want to expand your influence, you have to go to the New World.
Kuro created so many treaties to force them to develop towards the New World, or rather, to make these Seven Warlords of the Sea declare war on the New World.
It's fine if he doesn't go, as long as he doesn't fail on the Grand Line, that way he can maintain stability. But if he relaxes his guard, like being defeated by a suddenly emerging newcomer, Kuro can't accept that, so... he'll have to give up this position.
Kuro leaned forward and said to the crowd, "Gentlemen, I've given you enough face, and I hope you'll give me face in return. Don't do anything ridiculous again, and don't let the newcomers defeat you. That would only make me lose face!"
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