"Huh? Usopp doesn't even know that?"
Merry could swear he was not trying to embarrass Usopp on purpose.
As far as he was concerned, Usopp, who secretly came by every day to tell stories to Miss Kaya, ought to know this kind of basic knowledge.
Although quite a few of those stories were obviously made up.
But after looking around, Merry felt even more speechless.
Of the three of them, only Mr. Zoro probably knew a little.
Mr. Luffy was also looking at him with a completely innocent expression.
At that moment, Usopp seemed to realize he had asked a stupid question. Flustered and embarrassed, he avoided Kaya's eyes, glanced around, and said, "Uh... I... I know, of course I know. I was just... worried Luffy didn't know..."
Seeing that, Kaya only smiled.
Of course she knew Usopp's stories were all fake, but to her, the fact that Usopp came every day just to tell her stories was already the gentlest thing in the world.
Merry saw this and chose not to expose him.
"Is that so? In that case, I'll take this opportunity to explain things to everyone. After all, all of you will be entering the Grand Line sooner or later."
Only then did everyone turn their attention to him.
Merry raised three fingers and said, "At present, this sea is more or less controlled by five major forces. If we rank them by size, the largest is naturally the World Government, which the current Marines belong to. They control the East Blue, West Blue, and South Blue among the four seas, as well as part of the Grand Line."
"Next is the Rainbow Country. It was founded by the Sky Pirate crew, who appeared on this sea twenty years ago. From their decisive battle against the Marines twenty years ago until now, they have completely ruled the entire North Blue. In addition, through the Rainbow Business Alliance, the Rainbow Country has extended its influence into every corner of this sea."
As Zoro listened, he sank into his memories.
"Then there are the five great pirates who control the New World. They are known as the five emperors of the New World. They are Edward Newgate, captain of the Whitebeard Pirate crew; Charlotte Linlin, captain of the BIGMOM Pirate crew; Enel, captain of the Thunder God Pirate crew; Kaidou of the Beasts, captain of the Beasts Pirate crew; and Red-Haired Shanks, captain of the Red-Haired Pirate crew, who only rose to become a new emperor in recent years."
"Shanks?!"
The moment Luffy heard that name, his eyes lit up.
"Shanks is really that amazing?"
Usopp also looked shocked.
"The pirate crew my old man joined is actually that powerful?"
That stunned the others around them.
"Mr. Luffy, Usopp... you two know the Red-Haired Pirate crew?"
"Yeah!"
Both of them nodded proudly.
Zoro, standing to the side, was also a little surprised. Then he thought with pride, "Looks like my captain isn't too shabby after all."
Seeing that, Merry did not press them and continued, "If these five emperors joined forces, their power would be no weaker than the World Government or the Rainbow Country. But obviously, that's impossible, which is why they rank third."
"Ranked fourth are the Shichibukai, a force made up of seven great pirates who are second only to the five emperors. The difference is that they were recruited by the World Government to restrain the Rainbow Country and the five emperors. They are Sir Crocodile, Gecko Moria, Dracule Mihawk, Donquixote Doflamingo, Edward Weevil, Crescent Moon Hunter Catarina Devon, and Corrupt King Avalo Pizarro. These seven are monsters among monsters."
"As for the last force, it appeared in the world around the same time as the Rainbow Country. They also exist to oppose the World Government and are known as the Revolutionary Army. However, because they've kept such a low profile, no one knows their real background. In recent years, though, they've become very active and have already liberated many countries oppressed by the World Government and pirates."
"That's the basic picture. Of course, what we're focusing on today is the Rainbow Country and the Rainbow Business Alliance."
At this point, Merry asked Luffy and the others, "Mr. Luffy, do you still remember that unusual flag with the bird totem we saw on the ship?"
Luffy nodded. Zoro, on the other hand, did not seem especially curious.
"That flag is the national flag of the Rainbow Country. And the Rainbow Business Alliance is a grand alliance established by the Rainbow Country to connect the four seas and the Grand Line!"
As Merry spoke, he could not stop a hint of excitement from entering his voice.
Usopp found that a little strange and asked cautiously, "Mr. Merry, are the Rainbow Country and the Rainbow Business Alliance really that incredible?"
"Yes!"
Merry nodded without hesitation. He looked at the three of them and lowered his voice.
"Mr. Luffy, Mr. Zoro, and Usopp, do you know what people call the North Blue now?"
The three of them shook their heads.
Then they saw Merry speak with a tone full of reverence and conviction.
"The Sea of Gold and Paradise!"
All three froze at once, then stared at him in surprise.
"Why?"
"The Sea of Gold? Is it because there's a lot of gold in the sea?"
Merry smiled gently.
"Of course not, though it's not too far off. The reason the North Blue is now called the Sea of Gold is because that sea is the wealthiest place in the entire world. You could say there's gold everywhere, and you wouldn't be wrong. The reason it became that way is the existence of the Rainbow Business Alliance."
For a moment, Luffy and the others felt awed, even though they did not fully understand it.
"As you know, the Red Line and the Calm Belt divide this world into six sections. Because of these geographic barriers, whether it was the four seas, the first half of the Grand Line, or the second half, there was very little contact between them before the Rainbow Country appeared, let alone trade. But after the Rainbow Country emerged, its unique technology changed everything. Whether it was technology that allowed ships to safely cross the Calm Belt, or cloud-making technology, these barriers disappeared. The four seas and the Grand Line were truly connected. As a result, through the Rainbow Business Alliance, the Rainbow Country could sell goods from the North Blue all over the world, bringing in profits so huge they're almost unimaginable. On top of that, the Rainbow Country has its own industries, led by shipbuilding and entertainment. That is what made the North Blue a true Sea of Gold."
At this point, Merry asked everyone another question.
"Do you know why the North Blue is also called Paradise?"
Everyone shook their heads instinctively.
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"Paradise was originally a term used to describe the first half of the Grand Line. Compared to the second half, the New World, which is terrifying enough to be called a pirate's graveyard, the first half of the Grand Line is as easy as a children's playground for pirates. But in recent years, that name has been given to the North Blue. It is not because the North Blue is especially chaotic. In fact, of the four seas, the North Blue currently has the fewest new pirates appearing each year. The reason the North Blue is now called Paradise is this: the North Blue has become so wealthy that no one there goes hungry."
"That is not as simple as it sounds. You have to understand, twenty years ago, the North Blue was known as the most chaotic sea in the world..."