Dragon silently summarized his initial impression in his heart.
Alabasta, a very beautiful country at first glance. But in this world, full of oppression and exploitation, he wouldn't simply believe the picture he sees.
Of course, Alabasta's development plans aren't considered top secret, but it's not something outsiders can accidentally discover. People see that Alabasta is wealthy, but they wouldn't think that any country could earn tens of trillions of Belli per year in tax revenue from a terrorizing state policy.
Regardless of how much the World Government overestimates Alabasta, it would never believe that its hundreds of billions of Belli per year are earned through honest state policy.
And the Revolutionary Army, which is clearly less versed in economics, would of course form an even more negative opinion. Dragon applied his impression of other countries to Alabasta. Judging by the countries they have liberated in the past, an ordinary kingdom earns no more than five billion a year. The income of Belli for such a densely populated country as Alabasta might be at most 50 billion.
And even if it were 500 billion Belli.
How could a country be rebuilt with that money?
Obviously, it's impossible.
Thinking about this, Dragon's heart gradually grew heavier.
"That's the Royal Academy of Sciences of Alabasta. I wanted to enroll there, but I didn't have the talent," said Simba, looking with regret at the enormous Academy of Sciences.
"Are Alabasta's changes happening from there?" Dragon asked.
"No," the boy instantly denied, then turned to look at the ancient palace, which stood in stark contrast to the surrounding high-rise buildings but unexpectedly made people feel a sense of harmony—"the source of all the changes is there."
"There?" Dragon gazed at the place for a long time.
"This is the palace of Alabasta, the residence of His Majesty the King... Actually, the Alabasta Department of Education awarded me a full scholarship. The reason I work here as a guide is that I really want to do something for this country, for this person, even give my life," said Simba, bowing low in the direction of the palace.
It was strange. There was such enthusiasm in his eyes that Dragon felt shocked. This kind of enthusiasm made him feel uncomfortable. This child was voluntarily bowing his head and speaking such sincere words.
"Why are you ready to do anything for this King?" Dragon pondered deeply. The reason the Revolutionary Army was an unquenchable fire blazing across the world was precisely because people wanted to live, not just survive. But this young man was willing to give his life...
Since the creation of the Revolutionary Army, even from the day of his birth until now, Dragon had never seen such a country and such people, these people... were like soldiers of the Revolutionary Army!
"Foreigners find it hard to understand the greatness of King Nefertari. So, sir, it's my duty as a guide. If you want to understand everything, then please stay in Alabasta for some time," Simba smiled.
"It seems that it truly is necessary to live here for at least a while," Dragon thought.
It was not easy for him to believe what he saw, nor what he suspected. Unless there would be convincing evidence. He does not want to recklessly get involved with this King until he is absolutely sure of his attitude toward the people.
...…
In the Alabasta Palace.
Ezekiel set aside the report on the work done on the Heavenly Island, which he was holding in his hand, and stared out the sunlit window, as if he vaguely sensed something terrible.
Since his Observation Haki had reached a very powerful level, he had already mastered incredible abilities such as Foresight.
Since Dragon doesn't use a mobile phone, he doesn't know who this person is.
Ezekiel was certain that an incredibly strong person had appeared in Alubarna.
"Who on earth is this?"—posing this question, Ezekiel shook his head slightly, stopped thinking about it, and resumed his work.
The Heavenly Island project is progressing in an orderly manner, and the development of Taobao is also visible to the naked eye.
Currently, the concept of selling goods through Taobao has become popular worldwide, and the enormous advantages contained in this even increased the bounty for the user of the Mirror Fruit to over 10 billion Belli...
But this is more than just the Mirror Fruit. Why do these people not understand that the power lies not in the fruit itself, but in the people and the methods they use?
In the virtual gaming space, more than 100,000 servicemen of the Royal Fleet have already been trained. All these people signed contracts with Ezekiel and received varying degrees of enhancement. This is the result of "All Creatures are Equal." In the past, no Marine training school of this kind existed. But here, a 100% graduation rate can be achieved!
That is why Ezekiel was able to assemble 100,000 marines in just six months.
The Six Armies are also waiting for their turn to enter the virtual gaming space for training. 600,000 servicemen will be distributed by levels. It is assumed that this will not be done quickly.
Thus, the development of virtual games for the population is currently at a standstill. After all, technology must first meet military requirements and then civilian ones.
"Lunchtime, Ezekiel," came a sweet voice that made Ezekiel's hair stand on end, and he saw Hancock enter with lunch.
Jinbei tactfully stepped aside, observing carefully.
Ezekiel smiled and then said to Hancock:
"Hancock, are you interested in letting the Amazon Lily warriors join the Royal Fleet? I promise you won't regret it."
He had already thought about this plan earlier. Now that everything is settled and the two countries have established diplomatic relations, the question of female soldiers in the naval fleet can also be put on the agenda.
Although Amazon Lily is a small country, it is still a country. Their main source of survival is hunting, and from time to time they go to sea to raid passing pirates who ignore the Kuja ban and enter their waters. As for merchant ships, it's hard to imagine merchant ships passing by the Calm Belt. Unless they are ships belonging to Doflamingo and those like him.
Although they did not exactly rob them, Hancock would simply step forward, and they would give her all the money, for in the end, not every mortal can resist her beauty.
In fact, to protect their island from encroachments, the Kuja Pirates often exaggerate and spread rumors about terrible attacks.