Chapter 29 The Enemy! The Counterattack of the Vested Interests!
"It says there are two options: one is self-funded, and the other is free. If you choose self-funded, you have to pay 500,000 Berries each semester as tuition and living expenses."
"Five hundred thousand Berries?" the villagers exclaimed.
"Two terms a year, that's a million Berries! That's so expensive!"
Ahui shook his head and said, "It's not expensive. Think about it, Arlong previously asked an adult to pay 100,000 Berries every month. That's 1.2 million Berries a year for an adult, which is more than tuition!"
"Too!"
"Yes, thinking about it carefully, it's not expensive at all!"
Happiness is something you discover through comparison!
"What's with the free offer?" Some villagers, unwilling to pay 500,000 Berries upfront, asked hastily.
"Free? We need to sign an agreement with the Arkham Chamber of Commerce. The agreement stipulates that the Chamber will provide room and board and cover the students' expenses. However, if the students successfully graduate, they must work for the Chamber for no less than ten years. During this period, their salaries and benefits will be paid normally and will not affect their promotions," Ahui explained.
"Well, my son is seventeen this year. Rather than letting him cause trouble everywhere and claim he wants to become a pirate, it would be better to send him to the training camp and let him work for Mr. Arkham."
"My child is seven years old, so I'll let him learn something too."
This scene unfolded in Cocoyasi Village and Kesha Town…
However, not everyone welcomed the arrival of the Arkham Merchant Guild. On Konom Island, Bliss Town…
"Hateful."
Mayor Cissino slammed his fist on the table, his gaze dark and menacing.
"Dad, the goods brought by the Arkham Merchant Guild are too cheap. We can't sell our stuff. Besides, those people don't respect you at all. If this continues, I'm afraid you won't be able to hold onto your position as mayor," Bisya, a tall man with a scar on his cheek and a fierce look, said in a deep voice.
Cissino, draped in a coat, with a hooked nose and a weathered face, had always been the ruler of Bliss Town. Even the arrival of Aaron and his gang had not affected his position. He persuaded Aaron to become his helper and was responsible for collecting the living expenses of each household and handing them over to the fishmen who collected the money monthly.
Of course, he felt that because of his intervention, the town was not destroyed, and the common people should be grateful to him, not resent him.
If Bliss is a kingdom, then Cissino is its ruler, and the Arkham Merchant Guild is undermining his rule, which is intolerable.
However, he was very wary of the Arkham Merchant Guild, which had defeated the Arlong Pirates, and dared not provoke them easily.
Seeing Cissino's worry, Bisya said, "Dad, I heard that the one who really defeated Arlong's crew was Colonel Rat, and it had nothing to do with the Arkham Merchant Guild. Look, the newspapers have reported it. Colonel Rat defeated the Arlong Pirates. That Arkham Merchant Guild is not scary at all."
"Foolish, newspapers are not to be trusted. Let's be patient for now. A seasoned hunter does not fire easily," Cissino said.
Bisya stepped out of the house, fists clenched, and said ferociously, "The old man is too cowardly. He keeps letting the Arkham Merchant Guild win people's hearts. He'll be finished sooner or later. We must drive them out while the Guild is still unstable."
That night, a group claiming to be from the Arkham Chamber of Commerce caused a disturbance at a bar in Bliss Town, injuring some residents.
Immediately afterwards, a group of thugs attacked an Arkham Merchant Guild ship, killing two crew members, injuring more than ten others, and burning cargo worth 2 million Berries.
"Rebel? Clooney, what do you think we should do?"
"They must be severely punished. If this trend spreads, our ships traveling to and from other islands will also be in danger," Kro said without hesitation.
"We showed mercy, but some people took it as weakness and began to push their luck. In this ocean, the fist always speaks."
Lister picked up his coffee, took a sip, and said, "The reconstruction of the other islands cannot stop, especially the construction of Bird Island. As for the incident in Bliss Town, send the Leeds back to port and prepare a compensation plan for the casualties of the Leeds. Those who shed blood and gave their lives for the Chamber should be treated well. Transfer the merchant ships bound for Konom Island to other islands. What about the intelligence personnel in the Mist? Find out who is behind this. Civilians don't have the courage to do that. Also, inform Bliss Town residents that we will blockade the sea until the investigation is complete. No ships are allowed to enter or leave."
"What if someone resists?" Kro asked.
Lister leaned back in his chair and said, "Where are your cannons? Where are your guards? Are you a bunch of useless trash that the Merchant Guild is supporting? From today onwards, the Guild has one more rule: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! Arkham is not an orphanage!"
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Naval Division 16 Base
"Colonel!" A marine hurriedly pushed open the door and entered.
Colonel Rat read the commendation order and inspection notice from headquarters, in a very good mood. Instead of scolding the marines as usual, he smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Colonel, more than ten ships from the Arkham Merchant Guild have blockaded Konom Island, and Mayor Cissino has sent a distress call."
"Oh?"
Colonel Rat picked at his ear and said, "I understand."
The marine was taken aback and asked, "Colonel, aren't we going to send anyone?"
"Deploy? What for? Do you think every voyage is free? Idiot! Besides, I've disliked that old man Cissino for a long time. Now that he's caused trouble, I have to clean up his mess?"
Colonel Rat spat. The Arkham Merchant Guild had already informed him. Which side should he choose: Cissino, who owns a town, or the Arkham Merchant Guild, which could defeat the Arlong Pirates? Even a fool would choose, right?
"Well, however, an inspection team from headquarters is arriving in the East China Sea, led by Vice Admiral Garp, the naval hero. If things get out of hand, it could affect my promotion!"
Colonel Rat stroked his whiskers. He had made a contribution, and once the inspection team finished their visit, he would be promoted to brigadier general.
Although officers and colonels are not considered high-ranking, it is still a difficult hurdle to advance from colonel to general. He will be one of the highest-ranking officers in the East China Sea Navy.
"Colonel Rat sent a message hoping we could lift the blockade on Konom Island before the inspection team arrives."
"Oh, this guy." Lister opened his eyes, ending his "meditation" training.
"He said the head of the inspection team is the naval hero, Garp."
"Garp? That old man. Kuro, do you know why the East Blue is called the weakest sea by pirates?" Lister walked to the window, gazing at the revitalized blue sea, with seabirds flying by.
"Because the number of naval forces stationed here far exceeds that of the other three seas!" Crowe said.
After all, this is the place where Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, came from.
Lister laughed and said, "Garp, it's because of that guy Garp. He was born in Windmill Village in the Kingdom of Goa and comes back seven or eight times a year. On the days he comes back, the East Blue is absolutely calm."
Lister withdrew his gaze and said, "Let's finish this as soon as possible. I don't want to be targeted by the Navy."
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