Distributing Unified Uniforms

That morning, Julian brought First Mate Herbert and Pablo's logistics personnel and headed straight for the clothing store in the city's central market. The custom uniforms Julian had ordered five days ago were ready for pickup today. Julian looked at the shopkeeper from last time and asked, "Boss, are the uniforms and shoulder badges I ordered last time all ready?"

The forty-something shopkeeper replied earnestly, "Sir, our workers worked like mad to finish seven hundred yellow cloaks and two thousand yellow suits. The shoulder badges and golden dragon-head buttons you mentioned are all prepared. The nurse uniforms are ready too." Julian said magnanimously, "I gave you two million as a deposit last time." He pulled ten million Berries directly from his body and tossed them to the shopkeeper. "A bonus for you," Julian said. The shopkeeper replied, "Thank you very much, sir."

Julian had the logistics crew transport all the uniforms back to the ship. When Julian returned to the ship, the crew looked at their captain with confusion. Julian announced, "We're issuing uniforms. Everyone collect them according to the Head of Logistics' requirements."

Pablo called out, "Cadres at Squad Leader level and above get one yellow suit plus one yellow cloak. Interns, regular crew, senior crew, and elite crew only get the yellow suit, no cloak."

Those who received cloaks were Squad Leaders, Squadron Captains, and Division Captains. All the crew were extremely excited. After everyone changed into their uniforms, Julian had prepared one set for Herbert and himself as well. The two of them also suited up. Julian gave Herbert four golden dragon-head buttons to wear on his shoulder badges, and Julian wore four as well. He had originally thought about preparing a small sun-shaped golden emblem, but felt it lacked team spirit, so Julian wore the same emblem as everyone else, just with one more golden button than the other Division Captains.

Then Julian had the other Division Captains collect three golden dragon-head buttons, Squadron Captains collect two, and Squad Leaders collect one. Julian looked at the neatly arranged crew before him and said, "From now on, our pirate crew will be paid based on the golden dragons on your shoulder badges. The badges represent your position. Those without positions need to train hard and strive to grow stronger. Only then can you earn a position. If you want to advance, you have to show your ability. On our Mud Dragon Pirates, promotion depends on strength." All the crew shouted, "Train! Get stronger!"

Julian continued, "Everyone must work hard at training, so we can become the strongest pirate crew and no one will dare bully us." After Julian finished speaking, he had Herbert say a few words. Herbert said, "Our Mud Dragon Pirates are one family. This Humble One will do everything in his power to protect everyone, to protect our Mud Dragon Pirates. I believe you all share this resolve, but to protect our crew well, you need ability."

Julian started clapping, and all the crew joined in. Julian shouted, "The First Mate is absolutely right!" The crew also shouted, "The First Mate is mighty!" Julian said, "Today's uniform ceremony ends here. Everyone dismissed."

Julian said to the Division Captains, "There's an auction tonight. Let's go check it out first." George replied, "Understood, Captain." Pablo was the Head of Logistics, also wearing a yellow cloak with three golden dragon-head buttons. Julian said, "Old Luo, this uniform suits you well." Pablo smiled and said it was all thanks to the Captain.

Julian and the Division Captains headed to the auction house together. After walking for over twenty minutes, they arrived. Julian saw that the auction house was indeed very large and full of security personnel, many already patrolling. It was Julian's first time seeing an auction house in the Pirate World, and he felt a bit curious. Julian said to the other Division Captains, "If you see something you like, buy it. I still have over two billion Berries here." George and the others said, "Thank you, Captain."

Julian said to Herbert, "I wonder if there are any Famous Swords. I'll buy you a couple then." Herbert replied, "Thank you, Captain." Julian said, "There's a staff member over there. George, go ask what's being auctioned." George said, "Got it, Captain," and went to ask the staff.

The other Division Captains looked around curiously, as most of them had never seen an auction before either. Julian also took the group to ask the manager if there were training manuals, treasure maps, or information about other Devil Fruits. The manager looked very shrewd and was a subordinate of a noble on this island, mainly responsible for running the auction house.

The manager said to Julian, "Sir, we do have many good items tonight, but they can't be sold now. Please wait until evening for the answers to be revealed."

Julian asked, "Does your auction house have any other items for sale?" The manager was a sharp operator, knowing that items in the auction might fetch higher prices, and quickly shook his head. "Sir, please wait until evening. Our auction house really needs to put items up for auction."

Julian didn't waste words and led the group to wait at the entrance for George. Julian thought to himself, I'll come back at six in the evening. I was planning to buy some good stuff here, but they won't sell. George came out and said, "This auction has many slaves, one Devil Fruit, one Famous Sword, and one treasure map. The location is in the South Blue, on an island called Dragon Island." Julian got the general idea.

He said, "Good work, George. Do you all need to buy anything else? Go ahead. We'll meet on the ship." The group immediately dispersed to find their own things. Julian spotted a cigar shop, got an idea, and walked in. Seeing the cigars displayed on the counter, he asked, "Boss, how much are these cigarettes and cigars?" Julian pointed at the cigars on the counter. The female clerk called out, "Sir, these cigars are premium quality. Twenty thousand Berries per pack, four cigars per pack." Julian bought a hundred packs outright and asked, "What about the other cigarettes?"

Julian bought two hundred packs of premium cigarettes. Mainly, when sailing, besides training, the only thing to do was tease that idiot Momonosuke for fun. There wasn't much else. Daily life was chatting with the other Division Captains, or romantic exchanges with Beatrice or Alice. What else was there to do?

Julian said, "Besides cursing that little brat Momonosuke every day, it's just eating and having banquets with everyone." Julian said to the clerk, "Give me another thousand packs of these cigars, and two thousand packs of those premium cigarettes." He pulled out forty million Berries and placed them on the counter. Julian stored the cigarettes and cigars into his body and left.

Julian wandered the streets buying things, gathering information as he went, scouting out where the nobles' territories were on this island and whether there were other pirate crews. Julian planned to gather intel first, then take care of everything at night.

Pirates would be caught and put to work screwing bolts on the ship. Nobles too, same treatment. By afternoon, Julian learned there were seventeen nobles on the island: one Duke, six Counts, and ten Viscounts. Their territories were concentrated in the lower right corner of the island, an area called Noble Street.

The Duke had the largest fief and was the biggest boss on Noble Street. Slaves were regularly sold there. Julian and the others planned to finish the auction at night, then raid Noble Street first. That place should be dripping with wealth.

Around five o'clock, Julian strolled back to the ship. He first released all the other items from his body, including the cigarettes. Julian said, "What use are all these weird gold and jewels? I'll spend them all anyway."

Julian added, "I'd rather have a few more Devil Fruits. Then I could give one to each of my crew members. Even the World Government would have to show me some respect."

Julian brought a large amount of money, along with some gold worth about five hundred million Berries. He took out a Den Den Mushi and called Herbert. "Call the six Division Captains. We're going to the auction house soon." Herbert replied, "Understood, Captain."

Julian called Beatrice and Alice, the two women, and Herbert brought the six Division Captains. Julian's group swaggered toward the auction venue. Passerby A said to Passerby B, "Which pirate crew is that? Their uniforms look better than the Marines'. All matching yellow suits and yellow cloaks—that's impressive." Passerby B said, "You're not wrong."

When Julian reached the auction house entrance, a clueless pirate crew sneered at them. "A bunch of fools. Dressing like Marines as pirates—trying to get famous?" But others who saw the yellow dragon on their backs recognized them as the Logia Devil Fruit user with a first bounty of one hundred million Berries, Mud Dragon Julian, and quickly stepped aside, not daring to cause trouble.

Julian unleashed four Cliff Swords from the ground at that pirate crew, instantly turning them into piles of corpses. Julian then used the earth to cover the bodies back underground, as if those pirates had never existed in the world.

The other pirates stared at Julian in terror, too scared to speak. Julian shouted at the pirates before him, "I am the incarnation of the earth, Mud Dragon Julian. If you're not convinced, come at me together." The remaining pirates stammered, "Lord Julian, we wouldn't dare challenge you."

Julian looked at the pirates with disdain. "I gave you a chance, and you couldn't take it." The pirates exchanged wide-eyed glances, too frightened to say a word.

Julian led the Division Captains into the auction hall. Pierre said, "Captain, should I take them all out later?" Julian said, "Forget it. No need to bother with a bunch of small fries."

Julian and the Division Captains sat in the front row. It was almost six o'clock. Julian looked back and saw all the seats were filled—pirates, bounty hunters, mostly merchants or nobles. Not a single commoner in sight.

They all looked excited, as if eagerly anticipating the auction items. At that moment, the manager led a row of guards to the center of the auction stage. The host took the microphone and began, "Today is the Dolipa Auction House's auction day. We have twenty-five items and one hundred slaves up for auction."

Julian looked at the manager, who indeed seemed very sly. He was also looking forward to some good items. The manager said, "Today, we'll start with the slaves." One hundred slaves were brought onto the stage in handcuffs. Julian looked at them—men, women, and a few who looked only about a dozen years old.

Julian wasn't a saint. He knew slavery was completely normal in this world. He just watched to see how the manager would auction them. Julian thought, If they're cheap, I'll buy them all as workers. The manager said, "Starting with the first one. This is a strong, healthy slave." Julian looked at the listless youth, about fourteen years old, probably just an ordinary person. The host called out, "Starting bid, one hundred thousand Berries."

Julian, acting on a whim, shouted, "Two hundred thousand Berries, I'll take him." The others knew the captain's style. Two hundred thousand Berries was nothing. Pablo tossed the money to the auction staff.

The slave youth was escorted by guards to Julian. Julian said, "Use the key to unlock his chains." The guards did as told. After the chains were removed, the youth stood before Julian. Julian asked, "What's your name?" The youth said to Julian, "Master, my name is Felix Lisao."

Julian knew people like this had psychological trauma. He told the youth to stand to the side and said, "I am the captain of the Mud Dragon Pirates. There are no slaves on my ship. If you want to board my ship, it's up to you."