Reading settings
**Chapter 697: The Alliance of the Dark Kings and Rugal's Agreement**
Without a doubt, Rugal was somewhat tempted.
Although Dark Fighting Island also had a dedicated casino where one could place bets in the Colosseum, how could that compare to having Pirates and the Underworld from the entire New World place bets together?
This would undoubtedly bring greater profits.
After a slight contemplation, Rugal shook his head slightly.
"It's not enough, just the two of us isn't enough."
"How would such massive funds be protected? What if they were stolen?"
Rugal didn't believe that the jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards of the Underworld would just watch such a massive accumulation of funds without making a move.
The Underworld Forces had funds, connections, and channels, but they lacked strength.
If they were targeted by a certain powerful pirate and robbed, they would have nowhere to cry, and they would ultimately have to bear the consequences themselves.
If it were as Du Feld said, corresponding Strongholds would need to be established around the world in the New World.
Rugal himself could at most garrison his own territory.
His reach wasn't that long for other places.
As for how the Kronos Kingdom did it, they naturally stored most of their funds through the Dark Bank.
They also arranged for strong combat forces to guard it.
Furthermore, the locations of the casino and betting Strongholds were set up in relatively safe Kingdoms or large Islands.
In contrast, the environment of the Underworld could be said to be very harsh.
There were too many Strongmen in the New World; they simply couldn't guard that much money.
Everyone knew that the Kings of the Underworld were rich, but not many people took action against them because, besides their powerful connections, their money was hidden in places unknown to outsiders.
If someone knew the treasury of these Kings of the Underworld, even those Top-tier Great Pirates would be unable to resist taking action.
"I've already researched it; the interests are enormous."
"Those idiots don't know the interests contained within, and besides, I didn't say it would only be the two of us. We can find others to join, pay some money, and give a portion of the interests to those Great Pirates."
"This way, we can immediately plan the entire New World, and even other Sea Areas. These Great Pirates will become our protective umbrella."
"I don't believe that by then, there will still be idiots who take action against us; it would be equivalent to offending the entire New World."
Du Feld had already planned this before coming.
He exhaled a puff of white smoke, a somewhat unpleasant smile on his face.
"Oh? Do you have targets?"
Rugal finally became interested.
Du Feld's words were good, but in the Underworld of the New World, there weren't many people they could cooperate with, only a few.
"Umit and Victor."
Du Feld said these two names without hesitation.
"Sea Transportation King" Umit and "Weapons King" Victor."
They were both individuals who had expanded their business around the world, with munitions sales Strongholds in various parts of the New World.
Furthermore, both of them had good relationships with other Dark Kings.
With their support, the fighting tournament could definitely be rapidly promoted throughout the entire New World.
Underworld Forces and Pirates in other Sea Areas could also place bets on the fighting tournament and watch the matches.
The primary targets were all the Dark Islands and Pirate Islands in the New World.
Funds also needed to be invested to set up large screens capable of broadcasting the live broadcast of the fighting tournament.
As for the Four Seas, that was a more distant target.
Du Feld was very optimistic about the future revenue.
Therefore, he was willing to contribute the largest share for the initial investment.
This was just a minor matter. As the "Usury King," it went without saying. "Sea Freight King" Umit and "King of Arms" Victor both possessed terrifying cash flow capabilities.
Victor needed no explanation; munitions were inherently highly profitable, especially with the enormous demand in The Great Sea today.
Umit's business was spread around the world.
His network was even more terrifying, having close ties with the World Government and possessing influence by leveraging the strength of the Marines through the World Government.
Although The Great Sea was becoming increasingly chaotic, the sea transport group's ships were increasing.
Especially the massive transport ships, which could transport an unknown amount of goods at once.
Compared to the New World, the Four Seas were currently Umit's main sphere of influence.
As Umit's sea transport company gained a foothold in the Four Seas, it was rapidly undergoing expansion.
In the more peaceful Four Seas, there were no pirates capable of threatening Umit.
Even the transport of Marines supplies relied on Umit's Deep Sea Shipping Company.
For long-distance transport, Umit's sea transport company had a greater advantage.
The transport ships were larger and could carry more goods.
They could transport tens of thousands of military personnel at once.
Even warships could be transported via transport ships.
With powerful garrison forces, there was simply no threat in the Four Seas.
Most factions with this capability had a cooperation relationship with Umit.
Even the Hasshoken Army, which possessed a Monster like Chinjao the Drill, famous in the New World and comparable to those Top-tier Great Pirates, would not take action against Umit's transport ships.
Countless Kingdoms depended on Umit's transport business.
The Flower Country, a powerhouse nation in the West Blue behind the Hasshoken Army, was no exception.
Currently, the supplies transported from the New World to the Four Seas by the Kronos Kingdom via Island Turtle are also transported around the world via Umit's transport ships.
Then, goods procured from various parts of The Great Sea are transported back to the Island Turtle via transport ships, and then returned to the New World via the Island Turtle.
This forms a perfect closed loop and is very efficient.
Umit controls sea transport and has a monopoly on the channels for maritime goods trading. In terms of deep influence, he even surpasses "Big News" Morgans.
It's worth noting that the supplies transported by just one Island Turtle have a total weight exceeding one hundred million tons.
And the Kronos Kingdom currently possesses twelve such Island Turtles.
The annual maintenance cost alone amounts to three hundred billion Beli.
"Alright, let's invite them for dinner later."
Rugal nodded and confirmed.
They, the Kings of the Underworld, couldn't miss the Swordsmanship Tournament. However, unlike Rugal and Du Feld, they were watching the matches in other Arenas.
The specifics of the cooperation matters would be discussed formally later.
This matter was definitely settled; it was just a matter of the final interests distribution.
"I'll book the room; it will be in Atlantis."
Du Feld was a bit impatient. If the matter succeeded, his status within the Group would greatly increase.
By supporting the MADS Research Institute and obtaining a large amount of precious technology, he became the new "Usury King" based on this merit.
But the "Usury King" was merely one of the publicly acknowledged managers and leaders of the Stringtail Snake Group; he still wanted to continue progressing.
Du Feld turned and left.
The battle wasn't over yet, but in the face of Char's powerful combatant, his opponent didn't have much power to resist.
Even though Char didn't use his Devil Fruit ability, it was a full suppression.
Du Feld was no longer interested.
As for Rugal, his ferocious blood eyes gleamed with excitement.
His target here wasn't Char.
It was Goenitz, who was also watching the matches in the Audience Stands.
He and Goenitz hadn't met for many years.
His body couldn't suppress the excitement; he wanted a great battle.
Over the years, he had become stronger.
Although his right eye had grown back, every time he thought of that initial battle, his right eye faintly ached.
In that battle before leaving the Sky Arena, he had still lost.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, he wanted another great battle.
More importantly, only by defeating Goenitz could he challenge Ignis.
As if noticing Rugal's gaze, Goenitz's expression was calm, and he nodded slightly.
He accepted the challenge.
This was a fierce tiger, and he needed to help Ignis suppress him.
(end of chapter)
Without a doubt, Rugal was somewhat tempted.
Although Dark Fighting Island also had a dedicated casino where one could place bets in the Colosseum, how could that compare to having Pirates and the Underworld from the entire New World place bets together?
This would undoubtedly bring greater profits.
After a slight contemplation, Rugal shook his head slightly.
"It's not enough, just the two of us isn't enough."
"How would such massive funds be protected? What if they were stolen?"
Rugal didn't believe that the jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards of the Underworld would just watch such a massive accumulation of funds without making a move.
The Underworld Forces had funds, connections, and channels, but they lacked strength.
If they were targeted by a certain powerful pirate and robbed, they would have nowhere to cry, and they would ultimately have to bear the consequences themselves.
If it were as Du Feld said, corresponding Strongholds would need to be established around the world in the New World.
Rugal himself could at most garrison his own territory.
His reach wasn't that long for other places.
As for how the Kronos Kingdom did it, they naturally stored most of their funds through the Dark Bank.
They also arranged for strong combat forces to guard it.
Furthermore, the locations of the casino and betting Strongholds were set up in relatively safe Kingdoms or large Islands.
In contrast, the environment of the Underworld could be said to be very harsh.
There were too many Strongmen in the New World; they simply couldn't guard that much money.
Everyone knew that the Kings of the Underworld were rich, but not many people took action against them because, besides their powerful connections, their money was hidden in places unknown to outsiders.
If someone knew the treasury of these Kings of the Underworld, even those Top-tier Great Pirates would be unable to resist taking action.
"I've already researched it; the interests are enormous."
"Those idiots don't know the interests contained within, and besides, I didn't say it would only be the two of us. We can find others to join, pay some money, and give a portion of the interests to those Great Pirates."
"This way, we can immediately plan the entire New World, and even other Sea Areas. These Great Pirates will become our protective umbrella."
"I don't believe that by then, there will still be idiots who take action against us; it would be equivalent to offending the entire New World."
Du Feld had already planned this before coming.
He exhaled a puff of white smoke, a somewhat unpleasant smile on his face.
"Oh? Do you have targets?"
Rugal finally became interested.
Du Feld's words were good, but in the Underworld of the New World, there weren't many people they could cooperate with, only a few.
"Umit and Victor."
Du Feld said these two names without hesitation.
"Sea Transportation King" Umit and "Weapons King" Victor."
They were both individuals who had expanded their business around the world, with munitions sales Strongholds in various parts of the New World.
Furthermore, both of them had good relationships with other Dark Kings.
With their support, the fighting tournament could definitely be rapidly promoted throughout the entire New World.
Underworld Forces and Pirates in other Sea Areas could also place bets on the fighting tournament and watch the matches.
The primary targets were all the Dark Islands and Pirate Islands in the New World.
Funds also needed to be invested to set up large screens capable of broadcasting the live broadcast of the fighting tournament.
As for the Four Seas, that was a more distant target.
Du Feld was very optimistic about the future revenue.
Therefore, he was willing to contribute the largest share for the initial investment.
This was just a minor matter. As the "Usury King," it went without saying. "Sea Freight King" Umit and "King of Arms" Victor both possessed terrifying cash flow capabilities.
Victor needed no explanation; munitions were inherently highly profitable, especially with the enormous demand in The Great Sea today.
Umit's business was spread around the world.
His network was even more terrifying, having close ties with the World Government and possessing influence by leveraging the strength of the Marines through the World Government.
Although The Great Sea was becoming increasingly chaotic, the sea transport group's ships were increasing.
Especially the massive transport ships, which could transport an unknown amount of goods at once.
Compared to the New World, the Four Seas were currently Umit's main sphere of influence.
As Umit's sea transport company gained a foothold in the Four Seas, it was rapidly undergoing expansion.
In the more peaceful Four Seas, there were no pirates capable of threatening Umit.
Even the transport of Marines supplies relied on Umit's Deep Sea Shipping Company.
For long-distance transport, Umit's sea transport company had a greater advantage.
The transport ships were larger and could carry more goods.
They could transport tens of thousands of military personnel at once.
Even warships could be transported via transport ships.
With powerful garrison forces, there was simply no threat in the Four Seas.
Most factions with this capability had a cooperation relationship with Umit.
Even the Hasshoken Army, which possessed a Monster like Chinjao the Drill, famous in the New World and comparable to those Top-tier Great Pirates, would not take action against Umit's transport ships.
Countless Kingdoms depended on Umit's transport business.
The Flower Country, a powerhouse nation in the West Blue behind the Hasshoken Army, was no exception.
Currently, the supplies transported from the New World to the Four Seas by the Kronos Kingdom via Island Turtle are also transported around the world via Umit's transport ships.
Then, goods procured from various parts of The Great Sea are transported back to the Island Turtle via transport ships, and then returned to the New World via the Island Turtle.
This forms a perfect closed loop and is very efficient.
Umit controls sea transport and has a monopoly on the channels for maritime goods trading. In terms of deep influence, he even surpasses "Big News" Morgans.
It's worth noting that the supplies transported by just one Island Turtle have a total weight exceeding one hundred million tons.
And the Kronos Kingdom currently possesses twelve such Island Turtles.
The annual maintenance cost alone amounts to three hundred billion Beli.
"Alright, let's invite them for dinner later."
Rugal nodded and confirmed.
They, the Kings of the Underworld, couldn't miss the Swordsmanship Tournament. However, unlike Rugal and Du Feld, they were watching the matches in other Arenas.
The specifics of the cooperation matters would be discussed formally later.
This matter was definitely settled; it was just a matter of the final interests distribution.
"I'll book the room; it will be in Atlantis."
Du Feld was a bit impatient. If the matter succeeded, his status within the Group would greatly increase.
By supporting the MADS Research Institute and obtaining a large amount of precious technology, he became the new "Usury King" based on this merit.
But the "Usury King" was merely one of the publicly acknowledged managers and leaders of the Stringtail Snake Group; he still wanted to continue progressing.
Du Feld turned and left.
The battle wasn't over yet, but in the face of Char's powerful combatant, his opponent didn't have much power to resist.
Even though Char didn't use his Devil Fruit ability, it was a full suppression.
Du Feld was no longer interested.
As for Rugal, his ferocious blood eyes gleamed with excitement.
His target here wasn't Char.
It was Goenitz, who was also watching the matches in the Audience Stands.
He and Goenitz hadn't met for many years.
His body couldn't suppress the excitement; he wanted a great battle.
Over the years, he had become stronger.
Although his right eye had grown back, every time he thought of that initial battle, his right eye faintly ached.
In that battle before leaving the Sky Arena, he had still lost.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, he wanted another great battle.
More importantly, only by defeating Goenitz could he challenge Ignis.
As if noticing Rugal's gaze, Goenitz's expression was calm, and he nodded slightly.
He accepted the challenge.
This was a fierce tiger, and he needed to help Ignis suppress him.
(end of chapter)
