A Second Challenge!

"First, I want to draw groundwater from the very center of the new town and then design it as a regular circular fountain lake."

"I'll build an office building behind the lake first, but you can build the other houses yourselves later."

"In addition, I need a private plot of land specifically for growing herbs and fruit trees. Of course, the day-to-day management will be handled by local residents."

"Of course, some buildings will also be constructed for the Forest family, so that my family will have their own place when they come to Alabasta in the future."

Inside the cabin, at a large conference table, Vidal watched the people on both sides talking animatedly, while Igaram listened and scribbled on the paper in front of him.

"These are all the requirements I have for the city."

"Once the city design plans for Igaram are ready, Yixiao, could you help clear away the sand layer? Then I'll arrange windbreak and sand-fixing forest belts along the city's edge."

With groundwater brought in and the problem of wind and sand resolved, the city was essentially complete. The next step was simply to add infrastructure and population.

But these things have nothing to do with Vidal!

Vidal turned his gaze to the young prince sitting first on his left. "Prince Cobra, you can contact the capital later and have them begin preparations for the city's construction."

"Don't worry, I will take it seriously!"

After learning that Vidal was going to give Alabasta a new oasis and a new city, the prince treated him with even greater respect.

"Nacil, your task is to create a design plan for the herb garden before the city map is released."

After listening, Nacil hesitated and said, "But different herbs grow in different environments and climates."

"Then let's first compile a list of herbs that can grow in Alabasta, and those with similar requirements will also be acceptable."

Vidal explained his ability to enhance and modify plants to a certain extent, so as long as the growing environment is not too different, it is possible to grow some herbs in non-desert environments.

As for those that are really unsuitable, then we can only find other countries later. The Grand Line is full of islands with distinct seasons.

"Igaram, when will the first draft, which defines the general scope, be ready?" Vidal asked.

"If it's just about determining the boundaries of the main urban area, that should be done before tonight. As for the private lands..." Igaram looked at Prince Cobra.

Alabasta has never granted such a large area of land to a private individual before, including herb gardens, orchards, and family buildings.

"Vidal Colonel, I will inform you of the outcome as soon as possible after I have spoken with my father," Cobra said sincerely.

"Okay!" Vidal nodded, believing there would be a good outcome.

"Once the map is ready, we'll discuss the annual fees to be paid to me based on the area and the calculated population."

It's like contracting to build a highway; the contractor can reap the benefits for decades to come.

Is there a time limit?

Prince Cobra asked, "Judging from what Vidal Colonel, he'll be given hundreds of millions of Beli every year after the city is built."

This amount of money may not be a large sum for Alabasta, but it adds up over time.

Vidal sat back down and began to ponder. No one disturbed him. Brook, Nacil, Neisesi, and the others waited quietly for his reply.

For a moment, the only sound in the room was the rustling of Igaram drawing on paper.

I can give Alabasta two options.

After a moment, Vidal spoke, "First, the payment will be made every hundred years, even after I die. Second, the payment will cease on the day I die."

"If I die in battle or by accident, and the payment period is less than one hundred years, then Article 1 shall apply."

These two conditions immediately made everyone think; it seemed that the second one was better.

If Vidal dies in an accident, it will only be a hundred years, just like the first scenario. But if he doesn't die in an accident, does that mean Vidal can live for another hundred years?

He's twenty-two years old now. Even if he lives a long life, he can't possibly live past one hundred. So at most, he'll live to be around seventy years old.

Unless Vidal has Giant Tribe blood in his veins, which naturally gives him a much longer lifespan than other races, but he doesn't seem to be one.

A height of three meters is by no means considered a giant in this world!

But in any case, this is not something that anyone present can decide, not even Cobra; he is just a prince now.

"So, the maximum term is one hundred years?"

Prince Cobra pondered the timing in his mind; as long as the annual cost wasn't too high, it seemed like there wouldn't be any problems.

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Vidal's lips curled into a slight smile.

"That's settled then. It seems the specifics will have to wait until tomorrow. In that case, Yixiao, let's settle our duel now, shall we?"

"A challenge?" Brook asked, puzzled.

"Yes, we made a promise that we would fight each other in my first year after graduating from the Zephyr Training Camp."

"If I win, Yixiao will have to wait until I'm promoted to Vice Admiral to join the navy," Vidal explained simply.

That being said, based on yesterday's private conversation between the two, whether or not Issho should join the Navy is still an open question.

However, they still had to fight; they both wanted to see how much the other had grown.

"Let's go." Without wasting any words, Yixiao picked up the Bokken 'Shinra' from the table, stood up, and took the lead out of the wooden house.

For someone with his monstrous talent, a year is enough time for him to make tremendous progress in his strength.

However, compared to Vidal, who had been personally taught by Zephyr and had fought a bloody battle with Bondi Byrnndi World, he was still far inferior.

When the scorching desert sun completely disappeared, the duel between the two was resolved in just half a day.

At this moment, on this vast sea where a new city is planned to be built, there are bottomless sand trenches more than a hundred meters long, and sand pits that look as if they have been stomped on by a giant.

Strangely, there wasn't a single tree present, whereas in all of Vidal's previous battles, the Nativity of a World of Trees to provide cover.

"There's no way someone can be this strong."

Looking at the devastated battlefield, Neisesi, the lieutenant of the Royal Guard, felt a heavy weight settle over him, and even a chill run down his spine.

If Vidal and Ichisho were to do something to Prince Cobra, would I be able to protect him?

Not only him, but also Cobra and the soldiers of the Royal Guard, including Igaram, were all dumbfounded.

Even now, the images of those enormous purple light blades and that even more powerful green light that utterly shattered all the light blades still linger in their minds!

Were those two people really human?

"Hehehe."

Brook stared at Vidal, who was kneeling before him, leaning on his Bokken, with a smile in his empty eye sockets.

"I didn't expect Mr. Yixiao to be right; Mr. Vidal really is much stronger than him."

In the distance, Yixiao, drenched in sweat and panting, looked at Vidal standing before him, his voice filled with astonishment and admiration. "Your Haki is truly this strong!"

"I didn't have this before; this is a result of the battle with Byrnndi World," Vidal grinned, revealing his white teeth.

"You know, fighting to the death is always the best way to improve your strength!"

It's a real pity that Yixiao didn't have a mentor like Zephyr, so his growth rate was much slower than Sakazuki and the others.

Currently, Issho is probably weaker than Sakazuki and Borsalino, but even the latter two are no match for Vidal.

Oh, Borsalino can slip away anytime. There's nothing you can do about it; his abilities are just that sneaky. What can you do?

As for the battle between Yixiao and Vidal, you handsome readers can use your imaginations to fill in the blanks; I won't add another chapter!