Chapter 4: Conversation with the Five Elder Stars
"Is this the information you're reporting?"
"The Kata Kingdom has actually begun large-scale deployment of such advanced weaponry."
Inside Mary Geoise's Pangaea Castle –
Five elderly figures with differing expressions sat together on a couch.
Facing Spandam before them, they inquired:
"Who would have thought that in just a few short years, the Kata Kingdom, originally so weak, would develop to this extent?"
"It's truly impressive~" exclaimed an old man who was currently polishing his sword, "Wazamono" Kitetsu.
"Caldo has stepped out of the chessboard; he's qualified to play against us now."
Beside them –
The golden-haired Five Elder Stars casually sipped their tea and spoke to those around:
Two years prior, when the Kata Kingdom had been continuously displaying powerful national strength, they, the Five Elder Stars, had already dispatched agents to closely monitor and gather information about the Kata Kingdom.
From a tiny sea area, a monstrously powerful nation had emerged.
They couldn't afford to be careless!
They had once considered suppressing and dismantling this nation.
However, by the time they realized it, the Kata Kingdom's savage growth had already become an unstoppable force.
They subsequently discovered that their World Government was utterly powerless against the Kata Kingdom.
A hair's breadth of action would trigger a chain reaction –
Unless they completely obliterated the entire South Sea.
Otherwise, the combined forces of the navy stationed at various major bases in the South Sea wouldn't even be enough for the Kata Kingdom to swat away with a single hand!
"Hmph, this ambitious brat."
"Are the navies of our World Government non-existent?"
"And weren't they the ones responsible for eliminating pirate crews?"
One of the Five Elder Stars wearing glasses couldn't help but utter in a cold and indifferent tone.
His words dripped with a sense of apathy and grimness.
Clearly –
This wasn't their first interaction with Caldo.
Spandam, standing nearby, had beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
At this moment, the weight of the Five Elder Stars' authority was overwhelmingly intense.
He wasn't the composed individual he would be ten years later.
If it were just Caldo alone, they wouldn't be so concerned.
The World Government could easily dispatch agents to deal with him.
However –
Caldo wasn't merely the ruler of a large and powerful nation.
Moreover –
He himself was a formidable individual, surrounded by a number of powerful protectors.
Furthermore –
He controlled a significant share of the massive arms trade market.
A person like him.
Even the World Government couldn't easily deal with him.
A small misstep could potentially trigger global upheaval.
Countries and ambitious individuals that relied on advanced weaponry from the World Government's industries might retaliate furiously.
The annual export of advanced weaponry by the Kata Kingdom was the tether that restrained the beast.
"Whew~"
Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
The atmosphere became heavy with silence.
Everyone present remained speechless.
...
"Notify the CP members stationed in the Kata Kingdom."
"Have them make contact with Caldo; we need to have a conversation with him."
The bearded Five Elder Stars issued a command to the restless Spandam with an air of unquestionable authority.
His tone left no room for doubt.
"Yes, respected Five Elder Stars."
Standing nearby, Spandam swiftly responded to the instruction from the Five Elder Stars.
Immediately, he took out a Den Den Mushi, initiating contact with the CP members stationed in the Kata Kingdom.
Meanwhile, in a courtyard, Caldo was enjoying the attention of a glamorous maid, feeding him grapes.
With his perceptive Haki abilities, he was aware of the approaching individuals.
He waved his hand, signaling all the maids beside him to withdraw.
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he quickly deduced their purpose.
"They have quite the nose, these Five Elder Stars," Caldo muttered under his breath.
Just then –
Aurora Lina, standing at the courtyard entrance, led two CP members wearing suits into the courtyard.
The CP members, as per their professional habits, had their eyes scanning their surroundings as they walked.
They were trying to gather information about the layout of the courtyard.
Aurora didn't stop them, allowing them to look around freely.
"Lord Caldo, the Five Elder Stars wish to have a conversation with you!"
"I've already checked them at the entrance, and they aren't carrying any dangerous weapons."
Inside the courtyard, Aurora Lina knelt on one knee, respectfully addressing Caldo.
"Greetings, esteemed Lord Caldo."
"Members of the CP organization?"
"Indeed."
"Respected Five Elder Stars wish to speak with you to discuss certain matters."
The CP organization members didn't conceal their purpose.
They straightforwardly stated the reason for their visit.
"Bring out the Den Den Mushi."
Caldo had anticipated this turn of events.
One of the CP organization members retrieved a pure white Den Den Mushi from their pocket.
Respectfully, they handed it over to Aurora Lina, who was standing in front of Caldo.
Then, they slowly stepped back and stood to the side.
Beside them, Aurora Lina handed the Den Den Mushi to Caldo.
Throughout the interaction, both sides maintained their distance.
"Blub blub~~"
"......"
The Den Den Mushi was quickly answered. Neither side put on an overly imposing demeanor.
"..."
However, neither Caldo nor the Five Elder Stars took the initiative to speak.
Both sides maintained silence.
In this atmosphere of quietness, the silence continued for a whole ten minutes.
Seated on his chair, Caldo calmly stared at the Den Den Mushi before him.
The silence was broken as Caldo spoke first.
His tone carried no trace of impatience.
"Respected Five Elder Stars, this is our second encounter."
"Go ahead."
"What business brings you here?"
Caldo's tone was as calm as water, showing no signs of excitement or concern.
"Well, indeed, this is our second conversation," the Five Elder Stars, upon seeing Caldo speak first, allowed a hint of a smile to form at the corners of their mouths.
"However..."
"Perhaps this won't be our last conversation."
"Your Kata Kingdom has risen from being mere chess pieces on the board to becoming the one who holds the chess pieces."
Speaking at this moment was the bearded Five Elder Stars.
His tone remained steady, as if it were an ordinary conversation.
For individuals like them, who held the most significant power in the world, this was merely a commonplace discussion.
"Caldo..."
"You must be well aware of the implications of the Kata Kingdom's mass production of weaponry."
"What kind of impact it will have on this world."
"What was once a war with casualties in the tens of thousands could escalate to casualties in the hundreds of thousands, or even millions."
"Do you still intend to bring this weaponry into the world?"
"The World Government will absolutely not permit such weaponry to exist in this world."
The tone of the blade-wielding Five Elder Stars was methodical, revealing his deep cultivation of inner peace.
"I am indeed aware."
"However..."
"The emergence of certain things is an inevitability of the times."
"If you cling to old ways, the only fate awaiting you is being phased out by the world."
"You old men don't need to probe me. If you want this technology, offer substantial benefits in exchange."
A slight cold smile curved at the corners of Caldo's mouth.
He scoffed at the words of the Five Elder Stars.
As Caldo's words landed, the atmosphere once again fell into profound stillness.
"Caldo..."
"It seems you're already aware of our purpose."
"Indeed, you are not easily deceived."
"Ah~"
"......"
"State your terms."
"How can we obtain the technology for these new firearms to share with the World Government?"
The blade-wielding Five Elder Stars exhaled a breath slowly.
Subsequently –
He prompted Caldo on the other end of the Den Den Mushi to put forward his conditions for selling the blueprints of the new firearms.
"...................."