Something is wrong...
After hearing their king's description, all the ministers of the Aden Kingdom had only one thought:
Something is definitely wrong!
In fact, among the ministers present, there were politicians who had a very clear understanding of the maritime situation and had already prepared themselves somewhat for Germa 66's actions.
It made sense. Germa 66's ambitions were known throughout the North Blue.
With the "legal" status granted by the World Government, virtually every nation or major power that could establish itself in the North Blue "would" and "must" deal with Germa 66.
Otherwise, no nation in the North Blue could, by itself, resist such a war machine!
The Aden Kingdom was no exception before.
…
Previously, the Aden Kingdom's royal family had signed a long-term so-called "Assistance and Protection Agreement" with the Germa Kingdom, which was behind Germa 66.
According to the agreement, the Aden Kingdom would sell large quantities of grain to the Germa Kingdom at extremely low prices year-round, and as "compensation," Germa 66 would protect the Aden Kingdom from enemy incursions.
This included, but was not limited to, major pirate crews or hostile nations with poor relations.
But any clear-sighted person could see that the essence of this "Assistance and Protection Agreement" was in fact an extremely unequal treaty.
Using its formidable military strength, the Germa Kingdom forced the Aden Kingdom to become one of the sources of food for its vast maritime kingdom.
Of course, the Germa Kingdom's approach was quite clever.
They did not choose to "forcibly requisition" grain for free, even though they had the power to do so.
By "purchasing" grain from smaller nations like the Aden Kingdom at extremely low prices, they could both significantly reduce expenses and prepare to restore the Germa Kingdom to its former glory, and at the same time, maintain Germa Kingdom's strong stance towards other small nations.
As long as things were "manageable," no country would dare to stand up and resist Germa Kingdom's unequal treaties.
This was a well-known conspiracy, but no one dared to expose it.
After all, if everyone could barely get by, who would want to risk being the first to be shot and unite with other countries to jointly resist the Germa Kingdom?
Strictly speaking, this was not "politics," but a human desire for a "stable status quo."
…
Later, the Crystal Demon virus incident erupted, and the Aden Kingdom's original royal family fled their country under arrangements from the World Government.
The Four Seas Alliance intervened, dealt with the Donquixote family, and negotiated with the World Government, forcing them to recognize the legitimacy of Aden Kingdom's new government.
A fixed shipping route was thus established between the Aden Kingdom and Alabasta.
Such a major event in the North Blue naturally did not escape Germa 66's attention.
Even though the Aden Kingdom's royal family was no longer in power, Germa 66 still needed the low-priced grain produced by the Aden Kingdom.
Therefore, the ministers of the Aden Kingdom, including their king, the chubby uncle, knew that Germa 66 would eventually come knocking.
However, there was a division among them regarding whether to continue to abide by the unequal treaty known as the "Assistance and Protection Agreement."
Some believed that since the Aden Kingdom had joined the Four Seas Alliance, there was no need to be dictated to by Germa 66 any longer. The strength of the Four Seas Alliance was fully capable of freeing the Aden Kingdom from Germa 66's control.
But another group, the cautious faction, believed that the Aden Kingdom should continue to honor the treaty, as there were still meager profits to be made.
Moreover, the Four Seas Alliance was, after all, a commercial alliance centered on the Grand Line, and the North Blue was merely a new route they had just opened.
A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake. On the territory of the North Blue, it was best to go along with Germa 66's wishes.
While everyone was struggling with this and arguing endlessly, Germa 66's threat letter arrived.
At the same time, scouts patrolling the surrounding waters reported that Germa 66's army was advancing towards the Aden Kingdom.
Their numbers were vast, giving the impression that they were not here for a mere "discussion."
The chubby uncle's ministers, of course, understood Germa 66's intentions.
Faced with the suddenly emerging Four Seas Alliance, Germa 66 certainly did not intend to give up its "territory" in the North Blue.
Germa 66's army was not assembled to intimidate the Aden Kingdom, but to deter the Four Seas Alliance!
…
At this moment, the chubby uncle held the threat letter from Germa 66 in his hand, his face uncertain, his fingers trembling slightly.
The chubby uncle was now… surprised?
Yes, surprised – that was the strange emotion.
It wasn't just the chubby uncle; the ministers around him, after hearing the chubby uncle's words, also sank into this emotion.
If it were only the threat letter from Germa 66, the chubby uncle and his ministers would not have felt this way.
They might have had headaches, felt troubled, or been afraid…
But they would not have been surprised.
But when they learned that the aid letter from the Four Seas Alliance had arrived in the Aden Kingdom, arriving before Germa 66, they could not help but be surprised.
…
As early as a day ago, when the chubby uncle received the letter from the Four Seas Alliance, he had felt completely bewildered.
Difficulties? What difficulties?
Germa 66?
This thought had flashed through the chubby uncle's mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
After all, even they themselves did not know when Germa 66 would make a move against their newly established Aden Kingdom.
Perhaps tomorrow, perhaps next month, perhaps next year.
Or perhaps Germa 66 was too busy with other matters and didn't care about the Aden Kingdom's actions, and they would continue to coexist peacefully until the next grain delivery…
There were too many possibilities.
Then, the next day arrived, and when Germa 66's threat letter reached the chubby uncle's hand, he realized that the "difficulties" mentioned in the Four Seas Alliance's letter must have referred to Germa 66!
"It's that Ryan Rowan!"
A relatively intelligent minister was the first to react.
"If it's Mr. Rowan, he should be able to do it… right?"
The minister's voice became less confident, as he couldn't imagine someone being able to control the North Blue situation so precisely.
And that person wasn't even in the North Blue!
The chubby uncle thought for a moment and asked the ministers for their opinions, "What should we do now?"
The ministers immediately began to discuss.
Some suggested holding the city, while others proposed using negotiations to stall for time with Germa 66…
Suddenly, a minister asked, "When will the people from the Four Seas Alliance arrive?"
The chubby uncle shook his head, "I'm not quite sure…"
Before he could finish speaking, a guard ran up to the door.
"Your Majesty, the people from the Four Seas Alliance are here!"
"They're here? Is it Mr. Rowan? How many people?"
The chubby uncle quickly pressed for details.
After all, Germa 66's forces were far superior to the Donquixote family's. To exert any degree of deterrence against them, a group of elite soldiers would be necessary.
But the soldier's expression was strangely odd.
He paused and replied:
"Only… only one person…"
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