Replicating Marines' weapons. How was that a legitimate business?
What was the boss planning?
Gini's face twitched, but since the boss said so, he didn't ask further and simply took the order seriously.
"And cut these industries."
Ian pointed to several other items. "Don't touch them."
"These industries..."
Gini instantly understood.
All of them were shady underworld trades. They made massive profits, but he chose to obey Ian's words. "Understood. I'll abandon them when I get back."
He hadn't forgotten... How Grado had risen in the first place.
However… Gini hesitated again. "By the way, boss, Grado's internal strength is a bit lacking."
Even though they had swallowed the Capone Mafia Family's assets and Grado had risen to become one of the top forces in the West Blue's underworld... No, Grado was a legitimate business.
Still, no matter how he phrased it, Grado was now ranked among the major powers.
Yet precisely because of this, Grado had become bloated. It had eaten too much and too fast.
Members and combat power couldn't keep up.
Even so-called combat power relied mostly on Ian and Daz Bonez.
Ian couldn't stay stationed in Grado either.
Compared to those old mafia families, Grado was like a child who suddenly clutched a golden castle.
Top-tier power was covered by Ian and Daz Bonez; mid-tier forces were nonexistent, and the lower ranks were few.
After explaining the situation, Gini stared at Ian with anticipation. "Boss..."
He remembered how Ian had led him to find Daz Bonez.
Ian, however, was also troubled. He only knew a few capable people, and the rest weren't even in the West Blue.
Yet seeing Gini's hopeful eyes, Ian thought for a moment and decided to poach future Baroque Works members.
He didn't know which sea they were in, but Gini could try searching. If they found them, good. If not, he would think of something else.
As Gini held the list Ian gave him, ready to leave excitedly, Ian seemed to recall something. "You can try recruiting them with the idea of creating a Utopia."
"Utopia?"
Gini froze, then suddenly understood and grew serious. "I understand, boss!"
"Go."
"I won't disturb you anymore, boss."
After Gini left, Ian let out a long breath and collapsed into his chair. With a tone of resignation, he muttered, "These guys are such trouble. I only wanted to build a brewery on the Sibia River Archipelago. How did things get so complicated?"
"Because everyone trusts you."
Robin giggled beside him. She poured him a cup of tea, winked playfully, and asked: "Dear, are you still going to train today?"
"Training..."
Ian glanced out the window at the afternoon sun and shook his head.
"Forget it, I'll take a rest today."
Speaking of which, his physical training was nearly at its limit, so he shifted his focus to developing his Haki and Devil Fruit abilities. He was now one step closer to his goal of chopping down Sakazuki with one strike.
Feeling the sunlight streaming in through the window, Ian perked up again and looked at Robin sitting beside him, dressed in her formal work attire, elegantly reading a book.
Ever since reintroducing herself, Robin no longer reads in secret. Ian's heart stirred, and he reached his hand toward her.
Robin's delicate body trembled as she read. Her cheeks flushed, and she gave Ian a sideways glare while helplessly saying, "Dear, don't forget the child!"
"No worries!"
Ian answered with righteous conviction. "Don't forget you're a Devil Fruit user!"
...
Paradise, within the kingdom of Alabasta.
As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile had been in a very foul mood recently.
Of course, his mood had been pretty good before.
Not only did he unexpectedly obtain news of an Ancient Weapon, but just when he was worrying about how to act on that information, the World Government suddenly granted him the title of warlord.
His identity was instantly whitewashed, allowing him to avoid the Marines' attention.
All he needed to do next was find a way to quietly infiltrate the kingdom of Alabasta, right?
Except it wasn't so simple.
Alabasta was a well-known and powerful nation in the Paradise. A warlord heading there without reason would absolutely draw attention from countless factions.
He also didn't believe that an Ancient Weapon hidden in history would be easily found.
If he exposed even the slightest flaw, the World Government would never spare him.
If he could discover Alabasta's Ancient Weapon-related information, then surely the World Government also knew something.
Just when he was troubled over how to remain in Alabasta, thinking about possibly hiding his identity and secretly lying low for a while, an unexpected and pleasant surprise fell right into his lap.
After showing his face a few times and taking care of some pirates, the king of Alabasta personally sought him out, hoping he would reside in Alabasta and protect the kingdom.
Surprises always arrive so suddenly. How could he refuse such an enticing offer?
He agreed on the spot.
From then on, everything went smoothly, and he felt as though he could already touch the Ancient Weapon. He was one step closer to defeating that man, dominating the seas, and becoming King of the Pirates.
He was destined to be the man who would rule the seas.
Although thrilled inwardly, he endured his excitement, performing his heroic persona on one hand while preparing to search for the Ancient Weapon on the other.
A weapon hidden in such a huge country would never be found by him alone. He needed subordinates, tools, and the most important of all... The orphan of Ohara who could read historical text.
Then misfortune began.
The luck that once shone upon him seemed to vanish. The smooth progress he enjoyed seemed to have been completely exhausted the moment he settled in Alabasta.
The investigation into the Ohara orphan in the West Blue yielded no results. Even recruiting personnel was extremely difficult.
The people he sent to find the target had either left their original locations or had apparently found new jobs that were far superior to what he offered.
What a joke!
To realize his dream, he had already generously invested in recruiting them. Not only did he offer a high base salary, but he also promised a generous bonus upon completing his mission.
He even created silly ideals to help control them.
Who could possibly offer better benefits and sincerity than him?
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