One Piece: King of the World

"The sea train technology is now fully operational on its first track," Claudius began, his voice calm but commanding. "Starting from Water 7, it connects to Enies Lobby, continues to Naval Headquarters in Marineford, and ends here in Mariejois. Now, I want to ask all of you: how long do you think it takes for this train to complete its route?"

Claudius's question sparked murmurs among the gathered royals and even piqued the curiosity of the Five Elders.

One thoughtful king from a member nation ventured an answer: "Saint Claudius, based on traditional sea routes, this journey would normally take about two months. Could the sea train technology cut this time in half?"

Another king chimed in, "A month would already be incredibly fast if that were the case. Achieving such speeds would be remarkable."

The discussion grew louder as more royals shared their opinions, their interest clearly growing.

Claudius smiled, letting them speculate for a moment before continuing. "I'm not the best person to answer this question, as I'm not the expert. So let me invite the designer of the sea train, Tom from Water 7, to explain the advantages of this technology."

Tom, who had been seated quietly, stood up nervously. Although he had experience dealing with important figures, standing before kings, Celestial Dragons, and even the Five Elders was a daunting prospect.

Sensing his unease, Claudius gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Tom. I'll back you up."

Encouraged, Tom took a deep breath, calmed his nerves, and began his presentation. "Thank you, Your Highness. Let me introduce you all to the advantages of the sea train. I truly believe this is a groundbreaking, era-defining invention."

Despite his initial nervousness, Tom managed to deliver a clear explanation. He highlighted the sea train's enormous cargo capacity, which could far exceed that of conventional ships—up to ten times more, depending on the number of train cars and power adjustments.

More importantly, Tom emphasized the train's speed. Many in the audience had assumed it would merely cut travel time in half, but they were shocked to learn the train could complete the entire route in just three to five days.

"This isn't just a modest improvement," Tom explained, his voice growing steadier. "This is a leap forward in transportation technology. It has the potential to reshape economies, nations, and even the world."

As Tom spoke, one of the kings suddenly realized the implications. "If that's the case," he murmured, "our country's fruit exports could reach markets far beyond our usual trade zones. Right now, we're limited to selling to nearby islands because anything farther would spoil. But with the sea train…"

The realization rippled through the room. Several other leaders began to imagine how their own economies could thrive with such a transportation network.

Even the Five Elders, who had remained silent thus far, were visibly intrigued. To them, the sea train represented more than just economic potential. It could significantly enhance the World Government's control over its member nations, allowing for faster deployment of resources, troops, and intelligence.

Claudius tapped the table lightly, drawing everyone's attention back to him. "As I mentioned earlier, the first track is already operational. For those interested, you're welcome to inspect it yourselves. This isn't just theoretical, it's already a reality."

Heads nodded across the room. Claudius's confidence in the technology was evident, and the existence of a functional prototype only reinforced its credibility.

"Now," Claudius continued, "let's tie this back to the issue of the Revolutionary Army."

The room grew quiet again, and all eyes focused on him.

"As we all know," Claudius began, "one of the key factors fueling the Revolutionary Army's influence is the economic decline brought about by the Great Pirate Era. Countries grow poorer, standards of living fall, and their citizens become easy targets for revolutionary propaganda. Am I wrong?"

Many kings nodded solemnly, though a few wore guilty expressions, knowing their own neglect and corruption had contributed to their people's dissatisfaction. Claudius, however, paid them no mind.

"Here's my proposal," Claudius continued. "By leveraging sea train technology, we can stimulate economic growth, improve national prosperity, and raise the standard of living for ordinary citizens. When people have enough to eat, stable incomes, and hope for the future, they won't be as easily swayed by revolutionary rhetoric. In essence, we eliminate the Revolutionary Army's breeding ground. That's the first point."

Although Claudius had some connections with Dragon and the Revolutionary Army, he had no qualms about making this proposal. His goals aligned with neither the revolutionaries nor the World Government entirely; he simply sought to maintain control and balance.

Claudius thought to himself, Dragon won't have any grounds to oppose me here. After all, if I'm proposing measures to improve the lives of people, then opposing me would make him a hypocrite unworthy of being a revolutionary leader.

And as an added bonus, Claudius knew that even the Revolutionary Army itself would likely benefit from the sea train system. While his main goal was to strengthen the World Government's position, the technology's global reach meant that even pirates and revolutionaries might indirectly gain advantages.

"But that's just one aspect," Claudius continued, giving his audience a moment to process. "Now, let's talk about the strategic potential of the sea train."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone growing more serious. "We all know the Revolutionary Army thrives on timing. They strike fast, and by the time help arrives, the damage is already done. How many times has a rebellion succeeded simply because Marine or CP reinforcements couldn't arrive in time?"

Several heads nodded in agreement.

"With sea train technology," Claudius said, "we can cut response times drastically. Instead of waiting ten or twenty days for reinforcements to arrive, we're talking about three to five days. This could completely change the game when dealing with rebellions or uprisings."

Of course, Claudius was aware of potential risks. The Revolutionary Army could attempt to sabotage the train routes, rendering them useless in a crisis. But he chose not to dwell on such scenarios during his presentation—his goal was to sell the technology's potential benefits.

He spent the next few minutes extolling the train's virtues, emphasizing how it could revolutionize both economic development and military logistics. By the time he finished, it was clear that the room had been swayed.

"As I said," Claudius concluded with a smile, "this technology isn't a quick fix. It's a massive project that will take decades to fully implement—perhaps ten, twenty, or even thirty years. However, today you all have a unique opportunity."

He gestured around the room. "This summit marks the first step. Those of you here today have the chance to become the first beneficiaries of this groundbreaking technology. If you're interested, come see me after the meeting to reserve your place in history."

Claudius leaned back in his chair, his smile calm but self-assured. By the time he finished speaking, nearly everyone in the room was already considering how to secure their piece of this new future.

***

For every 500 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 45+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.