I, Julian, Am Righteous and Unwavering

The banquet began. The seating consisted of small stools, with several people gathered around each table. Over five hundred people were on the Mud Dragon's main ship, and naturally, banquets were also being held on the other ships. Only some ordinary crew members remained to guard the vessels, while the division captains and elite crew members all went to Julian's main ship.

In the back, five merchant ships were designated for the prisoners and slaves who had just boarded that evening. Pierre, arrange some elite squad members to secure each of the merchant ships. Julian also moved all the women to the main ship, where they could serve as ship doctors, cooks, or other skilled professionals.

Julian secretly thought, My eyes can barely keep up. Five hundred beauties on the ship – what a spectacular sight. Julian also announced that he advocated for free love. Anyone who resorted to forced marriage or coercion would violate the ship's regulations and be punished with "three cuts and six holes." However, he wouldn't interfere once they disembarked. The other division captains were also very supportive, as they were mostly martial arts fanatics with little understanding of women.

These female crew members all worked on Julian's main ship. Of course, anyone who came to Julian's main ship was essentially a high-ranking pirate. The other probationary and ordinary pirates remained on their respective division captains' ships, spending most of their time training.

Other division captains could come and go as they pleased. Julian, along with the other division captains, the ship doctor, and logistics officers, took their seats. Julian looked at the dishes before him, all of which were excellent: curry beef, braised ribs, roasted whole lamb, grilled fish, over ten dishes, plus numerous desserts and fine wines from the local town. Julian began drinking with everyone. In his past life, Julian was a corporate slave and rarely drank, but now that he was a pirate, he went with the flow. He practiced his drinking tolerance frequently and was now quite good. After all, if he got drunk, he would at most be carried back.

Beatrice also sat to Julian's left, pouring him wine. Julian secretly thought, So this is the life of privilege. All the cadres are also served by maids. Pierre had arranged this, and Julian was very satisfied. He said to the cadres, "Go pursue whoever you like!" George said, "Captain, I still want to become stronger. I want to go to more powerful seas and the Grand Line to see, to challenge the strong people of this world."

George continued, "When the time comes, we'll attack Wano Country and completely eradicate the remnants of the Kozuki Family. Damn Momonosuke," he spat, "at such a young age, he inherited his father's lechery. He's a scoundrel who'll ruin people and leave them to die. I think Wano Country is most suitable for the Captain to be its general." Julian also said, "Brothers, don't think about those petty vermin; they're just polluting the air. When the time comes, we'll attack Wano Country together and kill the remnants of the Kozuki Family." Julian said with great bravado, "Brothers, let's eat meat and drink wine heartily!"

Laughter filled the table. Julian said to Herbert, "Brother, I got another incredibly sharp treasure sword today. I'll give it to you after we finish drinking. You'll be taking over as the Fourth Division Captain. You need to train more swordsmanship experts for our Fourth Division." The physical condition of pirates in this world is excellent. It's only been three days since Herbert boarded, and he's almost recovered, with all his wounds healed. Herbert said, "Thank you, Captain. I will spare no effort in teaching them to repay your kindness." After speaking, he stood up and bowed to Julian.

Julian immediately stood up, looking like a master of success. He said to Herbert and everyone else, "We are brothers, companions who eat together on the same ship. I gave those who left my crew a million Belly each. For the brothers who follow me, Mud Dragon Julian, it will be two billion from now on!" All the division captains looked at Julian with emotion and admiration. Julian sighed again, "Indeed, this is the world of pirates. With such low knowledge, it's easy to move people."

Julian looked to his left and saw that Beatrice was also moved by his words, looking at him excitedly. Julian secretly thought, Didn't I eat the Earth-Earth Fruit? When did the Earth-Earth Fruit gain the ability to move people? Julian secretly thought, Since your emotional value is so low, I'll have to put in some effort.

Julian immediately raised his wine glass and stood up, saying to everyone, "I want to thank this sea for letting us brothers meet at sea." George roared, "Brothers, thank the sea for letting me meet our righteous Captain! I'll drink this first!" All the crew members stood up and shouted, "Thank the sea for letting us meet!"

Julian felt even more satisfied. "George has developed a deep sense of righteousness," he said. After drinking the first glass of wine, Julian continued, "All my brothers are members of our pirate crew. I, Mud Dragon Julian, was just a fisherman until I met you all. I realized that the meaning of our pirate crew's existence is to become sworn brothers with all of you. For brotherhood, I would go through fire and water and would never betray your trust. My dream is to become the righteous Mud Dragon Julian. Let's toast to our brotherhood!"

With that, Julian took another drink with his wine glass. Those raising their cups also shouted, "Brothers, let's finish it!" At this declaration, everyone was excited. Many division captains were deeply moved. Sob, sob... Is this our great captain? Of course, other crew members also cried, saying, "I used to be a slave. I thought I would be tortured to death like this forever. Until I met Captain Mud Dragon, he was the first light in my life!" At this moment, Julian was like a god in their hearts.

Julian thought to himself, I can't brag too much, or it might backfire. Julian continued drinking with the crew. No matter who clinked glasses with Julian, he never refused. Around midnight, Julian said, "Brothers, we have a long way to go. Tonight's banquet ends here. Next time, we'll drink until we pass out!" With that, he escorted all the division captains off the ship.

Julian's face showed a heroic and ambitious expression, full of confidence in his company's future. Julian took Beatrice back to the third-floor cabin. The King's main cabin had now become Julian's main cabin. As soon as Julian lay down, he and Beatrice began to discuss life. Feeling the little rabbit obediently in his arms, Julian was very happy. Julian secretly thought, The Sea King is my ultimate dream.

Around 8 AM, Julian was woken up by Beatrice. Julian went to the second floor alone. He first used the Den Den Mushi to inquire with the other division captains if there were any issues. Julian held the phone and said to the navigator Garud and the division captains, "Mud Dragon Pirates, set sail! Julian ordered the navigator to set sail for the nearest World Government affiliated country. Julian plans to continue raiding."

Julian's plan was to rob these World Government affiliated countries along the way, preferably the slightly larger ones. He wouldn't go to non-affiliated countries, as they were either too poor. Wealthy non-affiliated countries had long become hunting grounds for the Celestial Dragons. Every three years, there was a massacre of non-affiliated countries, clearing out the original island residents. They would also add slaves to make the hunting competition more enjoyable for the Celestial Dragons, and Devil Fruits would be offered as prizes.

Julian planned to head from the South Blue towards Reverse Mountain, then reach the Grand Line. He also planned to train the crew along the way to increase their strength. Navigator Garud discovered that there were at least dozens of deserted islands on the way to Reverse Mountain, which would take a considerable amount of time. Julian said, "No rush, let's sail slowly." Thus, Julian's twelve ships sailed majestically towards the next kingdom.

Mainly, going to Reverse Mountain now was indeed very far. Moreover, the area where Julian was located was in the central sea of the South Blue. Looking at the small dots on the map, it would take at least four to five months of sailing to reach Reverse Mountain. Although Julian's fleet of twelve ships consisted of large merchant ships and pirate sailing ships, sailing at sea without fresh water would be disastrous. Therefore, they had to rely on the navigator to select good routes along the way and choose the countries and islands to pass through. Julian entrusted all of this to navigator Garud. Julian basically didn't know how to navigate. He learned basic navigation knowledge from Garud.

Six warships led the way, followed by five large merchant ships, and Julian's exclusive King's ship, now the Mud Dragon, sailed in the center. The scene looked very grand. Julian gazed at the magnificent, rolling sea and felt incredibly relaxed. He also watched the seagulls flying in flocks in the sky and truly felt the unrestrained freedom of life.

Julian walked to the fourth-floor cabin, the open-air deck, and began practicing martial arts. Straight punches, hooks, uppercuts, and Kun punches, he trained back and forth. Julian also used his Earth-Earth Fruit ability to conjure mud into heavy clothing to increase the weight. As Julian practiced, along with the sounds of his techniques, he shouted, "Mud Dragon Invincible Heavy Kun Fist!"

The entire deck creaked. Julian practiced and secretly thought, If I gave all the other crew members a set of mud weighted clothing and had them train for a month, they'd definitely surpass three months of normal hard training. Then we could overtake other major powers. Whitebeard, who is now in his fifties, is already called the strongest man in the world, with a bounty of 5.02 billion Belly.

Julian admired this man's personal charisma. With a single sentence, "Be my son," he initiated a pirate version of "Where Are We Going, Dad?". However, due to being betrayed by his unfilial son Blackbeard during the Summit War, he died. Blackbeard, relying on his two Devil Fruits, eventually became rich and successful, living a prosperous life on Hachinosu Island, with women on both sides, becoming a Yonko. Blackbeard's strength is indeed not weak; he was able to leave three scars on Red-Hair's face when he was young. Of course, this was also when Red-Hair asked Whitebeard to stop Ace from pursuing Blackbeard, which is why it was mentioned. Making Blackbeard sound powerful would allow Whitebeard to call Ace back.

Julian thought that sons should be biological. Due to Julian's rich understanding of the Earth-Earth Fruit's abilities, and the fact that Logia-type fruits are inherently easy to develop, as long as there is enough stamina, these days Julian has been continuously developing his Devil Fruit abilities. He discovered that the Earth-Earth Fruit could also make the land fertile, so he made the soil on the open-air deck of the fourth floor fertile. This resulted in the fruits from the trees becoming very plump. Julian looked at the healthy trees and smiled, thinking, Good, this will prevent scurvy in the future.

Julian wouldn't be bored on the ship, as there were hundreds of female nurses on the second floor. On the fourth floor, Julian could hear the chattering of the female nurses on the second floor. Beatrice was also there, learning medicine from the ship doctor, Rose. Several girls also wanted to join divisions. For example, on Leo's Azure Eagle, several girls were learning shooting. They also wanted to become stronger themselves. Julian knew the little thoughts of these girls; they had probably taken a liking to Leo, as who could refuse a handsome shooter with a middle-parted hairstyle? Leo, however, was completely unaware of this and was diligently instructing them in shooting.

White Wolf Allison and logistics officer Pierre were following Herbert in learning swordsmanship, specifically Gale Style Swordsmanship, which focuses on speed. Julian greatly encouraged this. George and Pekki were allowed by Julian to develop themselves and practice whatever they wanted. Julian planned to focus on strength training first, and then he could go to Little Garden to learn the giants' combat techniques, the Elbaf Spear.

Those two giants had been fighting in Little Garden for a hundred years. One was nicknamed Blue Ogre Dorry, and the other was Red Ogre Brogy. Giants have long lifespans, living for several hundred years. Even Big Mom Linlin had ideas about the giants. Julian knew they loved drinking and planned to build a good relationship with them through alcohol. Even if he couldn't recruit them into the crew, learning combat techniques shouldn't be difficult. If he could trick them into joining the pirate crew, it would be a huge gain.