"Chief Steward Rehn… isn't our publicity budget… a bit over the limit?"
\Lina, who was in charge of financial accounting, trembled slightly as she looked at the long list of expenses in her hands.
"This? This is nothing."
Rehn puffed out his signature belly, swirling a glass of red wine with a look that clearly said you don't understand art.
Pointing out the window at the bustling sea and the sky filled with news birds, he declared grandly: "Miss Lina, you need to understand something."
"Lord Renzo's style cannot be measured in money."
"What we're hosting isn't just a martial arts tournament, it's a display of divine miracles!"
"We're going to tell the whole world who truly rules this sea! Who is the richest, the boldest, the one who knows how to enjoy life, the true god!"
Rehn waved his hand dramatically, his gold cufflinks gleaming.
"Pass my order!"
"Add another 2 billion Beli to the publicity budget!"
"I want even an illiterate seagull to know that G-5 is hosting a century-defining battle royale on Island of the End!"
"I want every newspaper filled with Lord Renzo's handsome face!"
"I want every bar, casino, and slum in the first half of the Grand Line talking about this billion-Beli gamble!"
"Yes, yes, sir!"
With that command, the massive money machine known as G-5 began operating at full power.
That day, the world was flooded with gold.
The World Economic News released three consecutive special editions, printed entirely in gold dust.
The front page had no news at all, just a giant poster: At the center, the Island of the End, shrouded in a mysterious barrier.
Around it, 66 silhouettes of terrifying figures.
Above them, a pair of lazy, indifferent gray eyes, with golden words: [Want to change your fate? Want to rival nations in wealth? Want to become a servant of a god?]
[G-5 "Genius Efficiency Martial Tournament" Finals, Next Week!]
[A game of life, death, glory, and hundreds of billions in wealth!]
It wasn't just newspapers.
Over islands like Sabaody, Water 7, Dressrosa, and even parts of the Four Seas, massive projection Den Den Mushi broadcast G-5's promotional video 24/7.
In it: Sanji's cooking glowed like divine food. Uta's singing made flowers bloom. Dracule Mihawk casually peeled apples with his black blade.
And Renzo?
He just… slept.
Sleeping on clouds.
Sleeping on mountains of gold.
Sleeping in a mermaid's embrace.
This absurdly luxurious, almost insulting display exploded across the world.
"Is that Admiral living in heaven?!"
"I want to join G-5, even as a janitor!"
"I heard even losers get 100 million Beli?!"
"The world's gone mad, I'm heading to the New World!"
Countless youths, their eyes red with greed, were hooked.
....
Marine Headquarters – New Marineford
Unlike G-5's extravagance, the headquarters remained strict, gloomy… and frankly, poor.
In the cafeteria, several Rear Admirals chewed on bland "Justice Meals" (hard biscuits and salted fish).
BANG!
One slammed down the golden newspaper, staring at a G-5 seafood feast.
"This is too much!"
"We're Marines too! Why do they eat Sea King sashimi while we chew rocks?!"
"Look at that guy, Blake! That wine is 'Ice Blue Tears' from the North Blue! 500,000 Beli a bottle! He's using it as mouthwash?!"
"I quit… I want a transfer to G-5…"
Envy spread like a virus.
Even Vice Admirals sighed as they walked, staring at their plain cloaks, nothing like G-5's gold-trimmed ones.
...
Fleet Admiral's Office
The peak of Marine authority.
Also the busiest place.
Documents piled like mountains.
"Ahh… what a headache…"
A hand holding nail clippers poked out.
Borsalino, the new Fleet Admiral, sat behind the desk, looking utterly drained.
"The Five Elders… cutting budgets again…"
He sighed, picking up the G-5 newspaper.
Looking at Renzo's carefree life… then his endless paperwork…
Behind his sunglasses, pure jealousy.
"Renzo… living quite well…"
"Why did I ever accept this job…?"
Then he read about the battle royale.
"Oho~ survival game on Island of the End… sounds interesting…"
A dangerous thought grew: Skipping work.
He looked around.
Akainu was away hunting pirates.
Aokiji was… somewhere biking.
Tsuru was in meetings.
"Well… since everyone's busy… it's only reasonable for me to 'inspect' a subordinate base, right?"
He grinned and dialed.
G-5 – Poolside
Renzo lay by the pool, enjoying peace.
Uta hummed a lullaby.
pururu puru
The den den mushi rang.
Renzo frowned slightly but answered.
"Who is it? If it's insurance, I already bought the universe's highest coverage."
"Mosimoshi~ Renzo-kun~"
"Borsalino?" Renzo opened one eye. "What, the HQ ran out of money?"
"Haha~ no no~ just official business~"
"Let me guess. You want me to catch pirates? No. I'm busy sleeping."
"It's about your tournament~"
"So? Taxes?"
"No… I think as Fleet Admiral… I should personally 'inspect' it…"
Renzo paused.
Then bluntly said, "Speak human."
"I WANT TO COME PLAY!!!"
Borsalino broke down.
"I'm dying here! Meetings! Papers! No fun! I want juice! I want to watch fights! I WANT A VACATION!!"
Rehn and Uta were stunned.
The Fleet Admiral… sounded like a crying kid.
Renzo smirked.
"You can come… but tickets aren't free."
"Tickets?! Even for me?!"
"Business is business."
"…Fine."
"You don't pay money."
"Oh, good~"
"But, you broadcast the event to all Marine branches worldwide."
"…Broadcast?"
"Let them watch. Motivate them."
Borsalino understood the subtext instantly (make them jealous so they all defect), and loved it.
"Cruel… but brilliant…"
"Deal! I'll activate the highest-level transmission!"
"And save me the best seat, shade, and cold grapes!"
"Done."
Renzo hung up, smiling.
"Why broadcast it?" Rehn asked.
"Because if we can't hide it… we show it."
Renzo looked over the golden city below.
"I want every Marine to see…"
"That outside their oppressive system…"
"There exists a paradise."
"Good food. Good pay. Freedom to slack off."
"When that idea spreads…"
His eyes gleamed.
"Not even the Five Elders can touch me."
"This is… momentum."
Rehn nearly worshipped him.
"Incredible! You're… recruiting the entire Marines!"
"Enough," Renzo said.
"Prepare everything."
"Also, bring my gold pajamas."
"If I'm on camera, I should look presentable."
"Yes, my lord!"
...
30 Chapters in [email protected]/DaoistJinzu