The sudden landing of a massive mass of rubble startled them, and they only then realized that there was still a navy present at the port.
And behind the navy, in the sky, those massive, piled-up ruins that formed a black cloud.
"navy?"
Salor frowned. "Our kingdom's struggles have nothing to do with your navy. Don't meddle in other people's business."
They are not pirates, but the Kingdom Army, and the Kingdom Army of a member state of the World Government. Their internal affairs are beyond the jurisdiction of the World Government, let alone the Navy.
“That’s right, you just need to focus on fighting the pirates. Everything else is none of your business,” said the noble general of the Kingdom of Suknae.
"You can't say that. You're fighting like this without any regard for the civilians?"
Kuro spat out the rest of his cigar butt, lit another one, and said, "Don't let him ruin such a prosperous place as Moe Island."
“This is our territory. What we do is none of your business, and it’s not your navy’s place to interfere,” Salor said.
"This is our territory!"
The nobleman from Suknae retorted, "Meng Island is the territory of our Kingdom of Suknae!"
"It seems we'll only know who it belongs to after we fight it!"
Salor coldly replied, "On my command, prepare to fire..."
boom!
A loud bang came from the sea.
One of the ships in the fleets of the Kingdom of Suknai and the Kingdom of Ruorman was sunk by a sudden mass of rubble. Debris flew everywhere, and a piece of wood grazed Salor's face, drawing a trickle of blood down his cheek.
Salor wiped the blood from his face with his fingers, sweat beading on his forehead.
The nobleman opposite him adopted a similar posture.
Be careful...
Kuro removed his cigar, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said calmly, "In this godforsaken place called the Grand Line, it's perfectly normal for something to fall from the sky or cause a tsunami at sea."
As he spoke, he reached out and clenched his fist, and suddenly a huge tsunami surged up from the sea, casting a massive shadow over those present.
Without a doubt, if this tsunami were to hit, not only would the nearby ships be doomed, but the entire town would likely be wiped out.
The nobleman of Suknai stared blankly at the tsunami, swallowed hard, and said to Kuro, "What exactly do you want to do?"
"Fighting and killing is boring. Let's find a place to sit down and talk." Kuro flicked his finger, and a tsunami crashed into the sea, creating a huge wave that rocked the surrounding ships.
...
Inside a tavern in the lower town.
The people drinking inside had already left when the armies of the two kingdoms appeared.
Outside the tavern, the armies of the Kingdom of Zoroman and the Kingdom of Suknei stared at each other, while the navy stood in the middle, acting as a mediator between the two sides to prevent them from fighting.
Inside the tavern, the three parties found a table and sat down.
Kuro sat on the side facing the entrance, followed by Kro and Lida.
On the other two sides sat nobles from Jorman and Suknecht.
The noble general of Zoroman, named Salor, was the son of a court minister and one of the most powerful figures in the country.
The noble general of Suknae, named Enoch, was also a powerful figure.
Enoch downed a glass of ale in one gulp to ease the tension caused by Kuro's earlier fright.
“Lieutenant Commander Lucilfer Kuro, is that what you’re trying to do? You’re just a Marine; territorial disputes have nothing to do with you.” He glared at Kuro, as if that gave him courage.
Salor pushed his mead glass away and said to the trembling waiter, "Give me a glass of water. I don't drink alcohol."
He continued, "The conflict over Meng Island is a dispute between our two countries. We've been fighting over this place for a long time. Now that the dwarf is dead, we've both suffered great losses. This Meng Island, which serves as a bridgehead between our two countries, must be taken. Even if you try to stop us now, you won't be able to stop us later."
Even if they hadn't conquered Meng Island, it would still be better for them to have it as a battlefield than for their own country to become a battlefield.
Just like twenty years ago, everyone is fighting here. If they win, they occupy the bridgehead, eye the enemy, and take the opportunity to attack. If they lose, they retreat and wait for the next attack.
Centuries-old enemies are not so easily forgiven.
Although Salor disliked the dwarf, now that he was truly dead, things would become very troublesome.
The two countries maintain their balance by purchasing troops developed through the Boropa experiments. Fighting with those things means they don't feel bad about losing, but they can't win by much either.
Therefore, they all need Meng Island to maintain this situation and keep the war within the island. Otherwise, if the war escalates, that would be truly terrible.
Moreover, Meng Island's geographical location is exactly what they need. Situated in the middle of shipping routes, it connects to any of them, as well as a dozen or so waterways. Controlling this island is tantamount to controlling the initiative of the merchants traveling to and from the island.
No one is willing to give up.
Kuro, with a cigar in his mouth, glanced at them and said:
"Both of your countries claim Meng Island as your territory, but you have not been able to control it all these years. As countries located on opposite shipping routes, you are not focused on development, but instead think about fighting every day and are vying for an island that is stuck in the middle of the shipping route."
"You don't realize that your constant fighting gives pirates an opportunity to take advantage. As a member of the Navy, I have a suggestion: from now on, this will be a Navy base, and we, the Navy, will take over."
"We guarantee the passage of the sea lanes, allowing merchants to travel to whichever country they wish, and there will be no pirates. You can return to your respective sea lanes and develop your businesses, and there will be no more wars."
"Who's in favor, who's opposed?"
Kuro leaned back in his chair.
Neither of these two countries wants to fight anymore, a fact that Kuro can see. The current conflict is entirely due to the current situation and tradition; they're vying for this island, and it's uncertain who will ultimately claim it. Since that's the case, let him offer a way out.
"I object!" Enoch slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Even the Navy has no right to decide the ownership of this island!"
Snap!
Kuro slapped Enoch, sending him spinning and crashing to the ground.
He put one foot on the table, a cigar dangling from his mouth, and said viciously, "I've been speaking to you so politely, and you just say you're against it? You think you're so great? You old bastard, if you're not happy, go sue me to the World Government!"
As he spoke, he looked at Salor.
"And you, you're against it too?"
Salor looked at Enoch, who was convulsing on the ground, and then at Kuro, who looked displeased, shaking his head vigorously.
"I have absolutely no objection."
So why didn't you just say it directly from the beginning? Why did you have to call people into the tavern and make it look like you were negotiating?
Negotiation is all about talking; how can there be results without talking? We just want to talk, but you're not giving us any room to maneuver. This approach is wrong...
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