Snake Kiss Orchid

Julian prepared to consume one snake gallbladder to see what effect it would have. Using the Mud Space within his body, he absorbed and digested it. Instantly, he felt his entire body break into a sweat, his blood racing faster. Julian spoke: "As expected, giant snake gallbladders are all treasures. Yang Guo didn't deceive me." Feeling the heat surging through his body, he immediately began training in Body Techniques. Growing stronger wasn't something achieved overnight; it required persistence, especially when seizing an opportunity.

Julian started training. About two hours later, Ship Doctor Rose brought Beatrice, Alice, and a squad of nurses to the foot of the valley. Seeing the ground covered in bloody giant snake corpses, their phobia of dense clusters kicked in. Julian stopped his training and said to everyone: "Come take a look at these flowers down here. Does anyone recognize them?"

Julian asked: "Alice, can you identify these plants? They should be what made these giant snakes grow so large, right?" He looked at Alice, who wore a puzzled expression. Alice examined them carefully and said: "I have seen these enormous plants before, recorded in some ancient texts." She added: "These plants should be called Snake Kiss Orchids. They prefer to grow in damp, shaded valleys. They have a special effect of relieving fatigue and can improve physical fitness to some extent. I'm not sure about their other effects. How about we plant some on the ship?"

Julian said: "These are indeed very good plants. We can refine them into medicine later to enhance the physical fitness of the other Division Captains."

Julian asked Alice: "Do those snakes growing so huge have anything to do with these flowers?" Alice replied: "There is some connection, but it could also be caused by the special environment of this island." Rose said: "These snakes seem to have lived for a very long time." Julian asked: "What kind of snakes are these?" Alice said: "They might be a breed like the Ancient Titan Python."

Julian said: "It seems there's no more danger ahead. Let's continue exploring. We'll take these flowers with us when we head back." Alice said: "These plants are also very beautiful. They can be used for bathing or even made into food." After speaking, Julian activated his Devil Fruit ability, summoning a Mud Dragon Giant Soldier—a sixty-meter-tall giant dragon made of mud elements. Julian said: "Everyone get on. Walking is too slow; we need to speed up the exploration."

Julian didn't plan to keep taking it slow and wasting time. Earlier, he had thought about mimicking pirates walking and exploring, but then he thought: I'm a modern person. Why waste time walking like that? So he activated Elementalization, transforming into a sixty-meter-tall Mud Dragon Giant Soldier. On its back, Julian used the Earth-Earth Fruit ability to create two enormous mud wings. The wings were made of very light mud, used to accelerate running and jumping. Julian couldn't fly, but he could pilot a giant mech.

Using the giant mech consumed a lot of stamina, but to save time, he didn't care about that. Julian led his team on a rapid exploration of the island. At the bottom of the valley was a two-hundred-meter-wide pool. Julian guessed it was freshwater. Around the pool, many huge creatures were drinking—wild cattle, wild horses, wild sheep, wild boars—all crowding the water's edge. Julian laughed: "Big haul! That wild cow is almost as big as an elephant. We'll catch a few on the way back." Then he continued running toward the far end of the island.

Two hours later, Julian reached the other side of the island. There weren't many carnivores on the island; they had probably been wiped out by those Titan Pythons. Julian had finished exploring this route. He sat down on the ground to rest and recover his stamina. Using his Devil Fruit ability to unleash large-scale skills consumed a lot of energy, and stamina was one of Julian's weak points. Thinking of those battles that lasted three days or even ten days, Julian didn't dare imagine it.

Of course, Julian was still young. If he were older, his stamina would definitely be greater. Julian looked at the reefs scattered across the sea surface and the ocean currents, but there was nothing particularly special.

It was almost afternoon. Julian said: "Time for dinner. We're heading back." Alice said: "Okay." Julian prepared to take everyone back. He took out a Den Den Mushi to contact the other Division Captains, asking how their explorations were going and if they had found anything good. None of the other Division Captains had reached the center of the island, as the trees here were enormous and there were plenty of carnivores.

Julian spoke into the Den Den Mushi to all the Division Captains: "Let's call it a day, everyone? It's not safe at night. Head back to camp and rest. We'll continue exploring tomorrow!" All the Division Captains replied: "Understood, Captain." Julian hung up the Den Den Mushi, activated his Earth-Earth Fruit ability again, wrapped his entire body in mud, and transformed into an eighty-meter-tall Mud Dragon Giant Soldier. He conjured two pairs of oversized wings and led everyone back to camp.

When Julian returned to camp, it was almost six in the evening. Piloting the giant mech consumed a lot of energy, but it also accelerated the development of his Devil Fruit ability. Julian thought to himself: The Earth-Earth Fruit really lives up to its name as the Earth-Earth Fruit. It can fuse with other types of mud or absorb the properties of the mud it wraps around. Its plasticity is incredibly advanced. Today, Julian also developed a very heavy red mud, which he called Gravity Mud.

Julian waited on the beach for the other teams to return. Pekki brought back a huge tiger, as big as a domestic cow. All the Division Captains slowly returned. Julian called them all over and said: "Brothers, I have something good for you." He then produced snake gallbladders one by one from his hand.

Julian continued: "These are Ancient Titan Python gallbladders. They can enhance physical fitness. One for each of you. Take them quickly!" The other Division Captains stared blankly at the enormous gallbladders, which were bigger than their faces. How were they supposed to handle this? Julian said: "Don't worry. Use a knife to pierce the gallbladder. George, you can transform into your Great Bear Form and take it."

Julian looked at the snake gallbladders stored in his body and called out all the crew members. He told them to bring out large basins. Julian took out the gallbladders, pierced them, and let the juice flow into the basins. George said: "This is Titan Python gallbladder. Eating it can enhance physical fitness. It's not something you find everywhere. Everyone, drink as much as you can. This is a gift from our great Captain."

Each Elite Crew Member took a bowl and poured the gallbladder juice down their throats. Julian watched as many people's faces turned black from the bitterness, but they persisted in drinking it. Julian's gesture was well-intentioned; at sea, the weather was unpredictable, and ordinary people easily fell ill with fevers or other diseases, which could quickly lead to death.

Julian didn't want his crew to get sick easily. Wouldn't that waste resources on treatment? And if they died, it would be a shame. Julian had no intention of letting his crew walk the plank. He also watched Beatrice and Alice drink the gallbladder juice. Both beauties grimaced, but it was indeed very effective. They felt their bodies heat up, their blood flow accelerate, and their resistance increase. George said: "Captain, after eating this, I feel full of power. I could slap that little brat Momonosuke to death with one hand."

Pekki also said: "It really tastes awful, but after eating it, my body feels an indescribable comfort." Herbert said: "Such a giant snake gallbladder is truly no ordinary thing. It speeds up blood circulation and makes you want to practice swordsmanship." White Wolf Allison also said: "Captain, I'm not afraid of bitterness. I can eat two more." Julian took out another twenty giant snake gallbladders and said: "They're all yours." That night, everyone held a bonfire party on the beach. Logistics Officer Pablo sang a song from this world, "Hometown's Fine Wine," and some female crew members sang several songs as well. Julian almost sang "Ji Ni Tai Mei"—after all, as an Earth-Earth Fruit user, it would be perfectly reasonable for him to sing "Ji Ni Tai Mei."

Everyone had a great time. Julian sat together with the Division Captains, Elite Crew Members, senior crew, and many others, chatting about dreams and ideas, sharing daily anecdotes. Julian knew that a leader who constantly scolded people would never earn the loyalty of those under him, so he mainly encouraged them, helping the crew build confidence.

The atmosphere was something everyone loved, like a picnic or an outing. Julian didn't stop others from dating. Many Division Captains were surrounded by women, and Julian was also surrounded by women, but Beatrice and Alice were by his side. George and Pekki and the other Division Captains were all lovey-dovey. George said: "Ladies, I'm not considering finding a partner for now. Let's talk another time."

Close to midnight, Julian said: "Brothers, that's enough for today. Tomorrow we still need to continue exploring this island. Everyone, get some rest. Tomorrow night, we'll have another banquet." After speaking, Julian raised his glass and said: "Brothers, drink to this—may our Mud Dragon Pirates grow stronger and create new glories!" George said: "The Captain's spirit has become even more majestic." He also raised his bowl. All the crew members raised their glasses and said: "Cheers!" Julian laughed heartily after drinking and said: "Our Mud Dragon Pirates are invincible!" The crew of the Mud Dragon Pirates shouted: "Long live the Captain! The Captain is unmatched in the world!"

Julian thought to himself with a smile: These workers already have a strong team spirit. Some female crew members shouted: "I want to bear the Captain's child!" Julian, seeing the increasingly wild remarks, said: "Brothers, sisters, family—everyone, rest early tonight. Tomorrow we'll have another banquet. Dismissed." The group dispersed, each returning to their own ship.

Julian said to the other Division Captains: "Brothers, we still need to strengthen the watch tonight. Don't let our guard down. The safety of the other brothers is in our hands." The other Division Captains nodded seriously.

George said: "Captain, rest assured. We'll arrange for people to patrol and stand guard tonight." Julian looked at the Division Captains before him and said: "You've worked hard today. Rest well tonight. We'll gather on the beach around eight tomorrow morning." All the Division Captains replied: "Understood, Captain." Julian smiled at them and said: "See you tomorrow."

Julian started walking back to the ship. He returned to his main quarters on the third floor. That night, he consumed another Titan Python gallbladder stored in his body. He also took out two snake eggs and gave them to Beatrice and Alice. The two women looked at the gallbladders with dark expressions and said: "This gallbladder is really good, but it's too bitter. If it were smaller, I could swallow it in one gulp." Julian smiled and said: "With such good stuff, don't be picky. Come on, split it between you."

Julian asked: "Can this gallbladder be used to make wine? If so, would the effect be even better?" Alice said: "Digesting it like this is already very good for improving physical fitness." Julian looked at the Mud Space in his body; there weren't many gallbladders left. The two women had eaten most of theirs but couldn't finish, saying they didn't want any more. Julian, not wanting to waste it, downed the rest in one gulp. His face immediately twisted up, almost as bad as eating a Devil Fruit.

After eating, Julian's face darkened as he said: "It really is a bit bitter. But my body has been supercharged. The medicinal power rushed straight to my head." Looking at the two women with slightly flushed faces, an idea formed in his mind. He took them to practice the Awei Eighteen Styles, and they didn't rest until the early hours of the morning. The two women were panting heavily. Julian said: "This gallbladder really is potent."

At eight in the morning, Julian woke up, washed up, and went to the dining room for breakfast. He ate twenty eggs, ten large loaves of bread, thirteen meat dishes, and four vegetable dishes. On the fourth deck, Julian had the logistics crew plant a large patch of vegetables. At sea, vegetables were the hardest to come by; meat was easy—just fish from the sea.

Especially sea creatures, which were everywhere. At two in the morning, thick fog had enveloped the island, and the sounds of many beasts calling and roaring came from within. Julian had considered camping on the beach, but the beasts in this world were also very powerful. If some giant creature attacked, they might lose many crew members. So Julian had them stay on the ship, where it was safe.

This wasn't the Calm Belt, the territory of Sea Kings. Any random Sea King could be four or five hundred meters long, turning Julian's giant ship into a small boat. The South Blue also had many Sea Kings, but not as many as the Calm Belt. The only island in the Calm Belt was Amazon Lily. In the future, the Marines would also be able to traverse the Calm Belt by embedding Seastone into the bottoms of their ships.

This made Sea Kings think the sailing ship was part of the sea, allowing safe passage through the Calm Belt. Julian also said: "Seastone is produced in Wano Country. I've hardly heard of it anywhere else. Even the Gorosei basically buy it from Kaido."