One Piece: Wielder of the Void

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At first, Cobra thought that the Tru Kingdom's proposal to undertake nearly 20 large-scale engineering projects in Alabasta was a grand gesture, one that even made him silently thank the other party multiple times in his heart.

However, when Losta presented the entire five-year development plan, the room was stunned.

Before arriving, Losta had already conferred with over 20 delegates from the Ministry of Commerce, gauging Alabasta's capacity and negotiating preliminary terms.

The agreement to exempt taxes for five years had already aligned with their expectations, signalling that the Tru Kingdom was serious about cooperation.

Moreover, the Tru Kingdom not only offered tax exemptions but also committed to constructing essential infrastructure.

Even without external negotiation, Alabasta would have eventually needed to address these infrastructural issues.

The Kingdom's dire scarcity of rainfall and expansive deserts necessitated drastic measures for any long-term development, especially if Alabasta was to serve as a viable base for future trade.

What truly stood out was the Tru Kingdom's offer to deploy their troops at no cost to safeguard the operations.

This aligned with Cobra's priorities as king, ensuring the security of his people and their resources.

Losta, seated calmly, smiled subtly. While the infrastructure and tax exemptions were appealing, what the Tru Kingdom truly desired wasn't immediately apparent to the Alabastan ministers it was market access.

Their ultimate goal was to use this partnership to promote the Tru Kingdom's products across the Grand Line.

Otherwise, the Tru Kingdom would not have invested so heavily in forging this alliance with Alabasta.

"Minister Zuo," Losta began, "we've discussed extensively, but your conditions lack sufficient sincerity. Let me share what the Tru Kingdom is prepared to offer."

She paused, then continued, "First, over the next five years, our Kingdom will invest 150 Billion Beris annually in Alabasta's infrastructure projects. Additionally, we aim to create employment opportunities for 1.5 million Alabastans every year. Minister Zuo, what do you think of this proposal?"

"150 billion Beris per year?!"

The declaration left everyone, including King Cobra, in shock. Such an amount was staggering; Alabasta's total expenditures over five years couldn't come close to this sum.

The sheer scale of the investment was beyond anything they had anticipated.

For Minister Zuo, this figure marked the absolute maximum the Tru Kingdom could offer. Alabasta, being impoverished, had little bargaining power, leaving them with no option but to accept increasingly favourable terms for their counterparts.

Cobra, who had remained silent throughout the discussion, finally broke his silence. "Minister Losta, I wonder what does the Tru Kingdom expect from Alabasta in return for this generosity?"

All eyes turned to Losta, who stood and respectfully addressed Cobra, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty, our request is simple: the Kingdom of Tru seeks the rights to exclusively manage and operate the port of Nanohana."

"That's it?"

Minister Zuo's reaction was one of disbelief. For a country like Alabasta, where trade was stagnant and resources were scarce, Nanohana's port seemed of little consequence.

Pirates frequently targeted it, and the port had fallen into disrepair due to the nation's prolonged economic decline. Even locals had largely abandoned it.

For Losta, however, this request was a masterstroke. Alabasta's ministers failed to see the immense strategic value of controlling a major port in the Grand Line.

For the Tru Kingdom, which sought to expand its commercial influence, the port was a critical asset. Control of Nanohana would allow them to dominate trade routes, establishing an economic stronghold in the maritime era.

Cobra frowned, deep in thought. While the request seemed straightforward, his instincts told him there was more to it than met the eye.

However, his limited understanding of trade and economics left him uncertain. Despite this unease, he realized he had little choice but to accept.

After a long silence, Cobra finally responded, "I agree to Minister Losta's request."

"Thank you, King Cobra," Losta replied with a polite smile. "These terms will be formalized in the treaty between our nations. Within two months, we will commence full-scale construction and development. I trust you will assist us in ensuring this partnership flourishes."

Losta's gaze swept over the assembled princes and ministers, who sat in stunned silence.

With the negotiations concluded, she had secured the Kingdom of Tru's foothold in the Grand Line a victory that promised to shape the region's future.

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