Hoenn Fortress.
"Ara ara, this is quite something."
Kuzan gazed at the magnificent fortress with the same awe Drake had felt—nothing but sheer astonishment.
He was now certain that Gurd's plan to establish the Hoenn Government was serious. Otherwise, such a grand undertaking would never have been initiated.
Gurd's office.
Kuzan's eyes darkened as he studied the world map on the wall, which marked seventeen nations, along with the territories controlled by the fortress and Hoenn.
The scale was staggering.
"Currently, our Hoenn Navy has over 30,000 troops, and the numbers are still growing rapidly," Gurd explained, standing beside the map as he outlined the general state of the Hoenn Government and its future direction.
The Hoenn Government consisted of three main branches:
1.
The Hoenn Government
: Responsible for coordinating the development and construction of member nations, drafting laws, and handling diplomatic and political affairs.
2.
The Hoenn Navy
: The primary military force.
3.
Groudon Company
: The main financial backbone of the Hoenn Government, functioning similarly to a state-owned enterprise, with operations spanning nearly every industry.
Kuzan frowned deeply.
"What about the Beasts Pirates?"
"The Beasts are Pirates—completely separate from the Hoenn Government. You can consider them as life-and-death allies standing on the same front as us," Gurd replied calmly.
From the very beginning, he had deliberately kept the Beasts distinct from Hoenn. Pirates were difficult to control, and even if he wanted to integrate the Beasts into the Hoenn Government, it would be impossible.
The Beasts were an external force.
But they were still family—that much would never change. At least until the World Government was overthrown, he needed the Beasts' strength and would do everything possible to meet their demands.
Once Kaido was seated on the Pirate King's Throne and all his ambitions were fulfilled, Gurd could fully take control of the Beasts.
"Kuzan, we need the Beasts!"
"..."
Kuzan tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling.
He understood. Against the colossal might of the World Government, the more allies, the better—especially when those allies originally came from the Beasts Pirates.
This wasn't the time to dwell on such matters.
He still had many questions.
"Why choose me?"
"You're the most suitable."
Gurd answered honestly.
A Navy Admiral was already a pillar of stability in the hearts of the people—a figure feared by criminals, with both the reputation and strength to serve as the Hoenn Navy Fleet Admiral.
At least for now, there was no better candidate than Kuzan.
Besides, it wasn't like he had many options!
"I still don't get it!"
Kuzan shook his head with a sigh.
He truly couldn't comprehend it. Recruiting him as an Admiral made sense, but directly appointing him as the Hoenn Navy Fleet Admiral and entrusting him with tens of thousands of troops—this went beyond mere trust.
Gurd smiled.
"Kuzan, I believe in your justice!"
"Justice, huh? How amusing."
Kuzan chuckled bitterly.
Even he questioned his own "Lazy Justice." One of the reasons he left the Navy was to truly understand himself.
Some sights could only be seen after leaving familiar territory—like the rising hope before him now.
"Ara ara, let's not dwell on this!"
Kuzan straightened up.
"Mr. Gurd, I've grasped the general situation of the Hoenn Government, but there's one more question I must ask!"
"What exactly is the difference between the Hoenn Government and the World Government?"
"Ideology and system, of course!"
Gurd spoke with confidence.
"We previously visited the Nation of Labor. What would you think if I told you the Nation of Labor has no king or nobility?"
"Huh?"
Kuzan was taken aback.
Water 7 also had no king, being managed by Mayor Iceberg, but Water 7 was merely a city under the World Government.
The Nation of Labor, however, was a vast country composed of dozens of islands—their scales were entirely different. How could such a nation have no king?
"Actually, it's not just the Nation of Labor. The other countries under our Hoenn Government also have no kings—or more accurately, none of the kings you're familiar with!"
Gurd enthusiastically explained. Since they were about to challenge the World Government, they had to bring out some substantial arguments.
"The leaders of our Amity Allied Nations are elected by ordinary citizens. They could be farmers' children, workers, or even former slaves."
"What determines people's futures isn't bloodline but ability, labor, and sweat. Even the child of a king, if they choose to wallow in degeneracy, can only remain an ordinary person!"
"Their authority isn't as absolute as traditional kings either. If they violate laws or ethics, they too will face punishment!"
"There are many more details, but I won't elaborate further. In short, this is the highest ideal of our Hoenn Government. To summarize it simply—"
Gurd paused, his eyes blazing.
"Democracy, freedom, human rights!"
"..."
Kuzan clenched his fists, his back drenched in sweat.
This was a path he had never even imagined!
After a moment's thought, Gurd added:
"Oh, and we don't collect Celestial Tribute."
"..."
Kuzan nearly choked.
"Can what you're saying truly be achieved?"
"Why not?"
Gurd replied calmly: "Change requires not just courage but also the blade. If you and I want to change this wretched world, we must be prepared to sacrifice everything!"
"Including ourselves!"
"Let history judge our successes and failures!"
"There's only one thing we need to do—"
"Screw the damn World Government!"
Screw the damn—
Kuzan almost shouted it out loud.
So crude!
But he liked it!
"Ahahaha!"
Kuzan scratched his head and laughed. "How unbelievable—I've actually been convinced by a wicked Pirate!"
"Hah! Pirates are people too!"
Gurd also grinned, extending his hand.
"If the World Government weren't such bastards, there wouldn't be so many homeless or so many Pirates in this world. Don't confuse cause and effect."
"That's true enough."
Kuzan reached out and clasped hands with Gurd.
"Pleased to work with you, Supreme Commander Gurd."
"Likewise, Fleet Admiral Aokiji!"
The agreement was sealed.
Kuzan felt considerably lighter, yet at the same time, a heavy burden settled upon him.
He didn't doubt Gurd's honesty—after all, as Fleet Admiral, he would have noticed if the Hoenn Government weren't as Gurd described.
"I have one personal question."
"Ask away."
Gurd picked up his teacup and nodded.
Kuzan studied Gurd intently.
He had no doubts about Hoenn, but Gurd himself was an enigma. Deep down, he didn't believe Gurd was so selfless.
"What's your real motive for all this?"
"To collect rent, of course!"
Gurd immediately perked up, excitedly pointing at the map. "My dream is to make everyone in the world pay me rent!"
"Once we overthrow the World Government, I'll become the biggest landlord in the world! Anyone who angers me will face higher rents and taxes!"
"Kehahahaha~ Hahahaha!"
Kuzan's face darkened.
Truly... the way of Pirates!
(End of Chapter)