Chapter 348: Reduction of Navy Budget

"Moreover, Mafio Palace unexpectedly perished..."

Speaking of this, the Five Elders got a headache.

In less than a year, two Divine Knights perished in succession, and My Lord Im suffered repeated contract backlash.

Although they were pleased to see Garing Saint punished, completely cutting off any chance of Garing Saint's promotion.

But how to put it?

The Five Elders were ultimately the public face of the World Government; Garing Saint's guilt over Mafio Palace's demise still implicated them.

The only possible consolation might be,

due to the unexpected deaths of Somaaz Saint and Mafio Palace, My Lord Im had freed up two contract slots, perfectly allowing Saint Saint Saiwen Saint and Harald to fill them.

Their strength was exceedingly rare in the world.

Even surpassing Rocks, who once caused chaos in the Holy Land.

Though the Five Elders said nothing, they read in each other's eyes: in a certain sense, the unexpected deaths of Somaaz Saint and Mafio Palace were a tremendous blessing.

At least they no longer had to worry that My Lord Im freeing contract slots would affect them.

"Cough." Saint Satan cleared his throat, reminding the other four Five Elders to rein in their smirks.

"Our immediate priority—

is ensuring Saint Saint Saiwen Saint and Harald arrive at the Holy Land precisely ten months from now; everything else must yield to this."

"But before that," Saint Satan changed course: "Formally notify the Navy of the military budget cut."

"Agreed." x4

What the Five Elders and the World Government truly sought was never the complete eradication of pirates, nor the Navy's absolute dominance.

But a controllable balance.

The World Government needed the Navy to maintain order, deter the four seas, and ensure allied nations paid their Sky Gold without fear.

To sustain the foundation of the World Government's rule.

Yet if the Navy grew too rapidly, even beyond control, capable of shaping the world's balance, it would turn and threaten the World Government's rule.

Precisely because of this, the World Government permitted the Four Emperors of the New World to exist, and deliberately allowed pirate forces to remain moderately active.

Using the Four Emperors to restrain the Navy's growth, and letting the Navy counterbalance the Four Emperors' endless excesses, ensuring no single side could dominate.

But this balance had a bottom line—

that pirates must never grow so brazen as to shake the rule or overthrow the World Government.

Should anyone touch upon the Empty Century's history, the Ancient Weapons, or openly challenge the Celestial Dragons' dignity, they would immediately deploy the Navy to crush them.

Whether it was Ohara, or Barret rampaging across the seas, or the Morning Star Guild from a few years ago.

That's how the Shumatsurei came to be!

Of course, sometimes the Divine Knights would descend to eradicate the World Government's enemies root and branch.

Like the Battle of Divine Valley.

In short, the Navy is the dog, the pirates are the wolf.

The World Government sits behind the scenes, letting the dog chase the wolf, while letting the wolf intimidate the dog—all to firmly hold the highest position on this sea.

The past two-and-a-half years of doubled military funding and global conscription not only replenished Navy manpower but also absorbed countless Navy officers.

Causing the Navy's power to grow ever larger.

It was time to cool things down.

But the most crucial point was: My Lord Im was about to fully control Saint Saint Saiwen Saint and Harald, giving the Five Elders confidence.

With Saint Saint Saiwen Saints and Harald, two top-tier powerhouses, neither the Navy nor any other force on the sea could stir up any ripple.

"Then notify Kizaru immediately."

Not long ago, Saint Satan had subtly hinted to Kizaru, using the excuse of the World Government's financial strain.

There was no choice—

they couldn't plainly say: Kizaru, your Navy has grown too powerful and now seriously threatens the World Government's rule.

Though the Navy surely understood why the budget was being cut, the necessary formalities had to be observed.

Thus,

the official document signed personally by the Five Elders was swiftly faxed to Admiral Kizaru's office in New Marineford via the Den Den Mushi.

Seeing the official document, Kizaru laughed bitterly with rage.

"These five scallions and ginger, they really think the sea's peace can be maintained by just one or two people?"

"It's our Navy that paid with our lives!"

As Navy Admiral, Kizaru knew better than anyone the meaning behind every expense: ship maintenance, new recruit training, and Seastone equipment.

Halving the military budget meant reducing patrol frequency across the four seas and halting equipment upgrades...

Severely undermining their ability to confront pirates.

Since becoming Navy Admiral, Kizaru realized: military funding was the very backbone of justice; cutting it was equivalent to allowing evil to run rampant.

Kizaru sat silently for a long time in his leather armchair, clutching the document tightly, his face heavy with helplessness.

He naturally understood this was the Five Elders deliberately suppressing the Navy to prevent its dominance.

But as Navy Admiral, as long as the Navy lacked budget autonomy, he could only grit his teeth and accept it, then find ways to cut costs.

If he completely tore off the mask...

Kizaru seriously suspected those five scallions and ginger would dare to cut the remaining half of the budget too.

After a long while, Kizaru ordered his aide to summon Tsuru, Kuzan, and Zeff.

Seeing Kizaru's helpless and grim expression, the three instantly understood.

"The official document has been issued?"

Sengoku handed the crumpled official document to Tsuru.

"I've finally seen the Five Elders' efficiency."

In the past, when asking the World Government for military funding, the Five Elders dragged their feet as if they were being flayed alive.

Yet, to suppress the Marines, the Five Elders acted with lightning speed, showing not a shred of hesitation.

It turned out that in the eyes of the Five Elders, stability in the seas was never paramount; balancing power was. Protecting commoners was not the priority; preventing the Marines from becoming too dominant was crucial to the World Government.

After reading the document, Tsuru's reaction was far calmer.

"They've started playing the balance-of-power game again."

Anger serves no purpose.

Rather than getting angry, it's better to prepare early, think about how to optimize the organization, streamline expenses, and spend the limited military funds where they matter most.

While cutting costs, find ways to generate revenue.

In the past two years, to help the Marines generate revenue and break free from the World Government's control, Tsuru had been driven to despair.

Making money is truly hard!

Perhaps accustomed to the Five Elders' bizarre maneuvers, or perhaps already aware of the news, Zephyr rarely lost his temper; instead, he muttered a sentence.

"It would be better to go out and do it alone."

Years ago, Zephyr had deeply detested the World Government's corruption; he remained in the Marines only to protect commoners and eradicate all pirates.

However, in recent years, Zephyr had truly been disgusted by the Five Elders' bizarre maneuvers.

Such as Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen becoming Saint Saint Saint Saiwen, establishing the Saint Saint Saiwen Warlords of the Sea, and granting pirates the legal right to plunder.

If Enel hadn't provided answers, Zephyr would have long since left to establish a new Marine force.

"Since things have come to this..."

Sengoku's words were cut short when the office door was suddenly kicked open; immediately after, Garp strolled in, picking his nose with a swagger.

"Huh? Little Tsuru, you're all here?"

The moment they saw Garp, Sengoku, Tsuru, Zephyr, and the silent Kuzan's eyes lit up simultaneously.

They had asked Dragon how the Revolutionary Army solved their funding issues; Dragon refused to answer, but if Garp asked...

Thinking this, Sengoku quickly stepped forward, personally supporting Garp's arm, and led him to sit on the real sofa chair reserved exclusively for the Fleet Admiral.

"Garp, sit first."

"I'll go make you tea."

Suddenly encountering such a bizarre scene, Garp had no mood to sit.

"Hey, hey, hey, if you have something to say, just say it."