For the past few days, Julian had stayed by Alice's side. He neither spilled soy milk nor went around talking to others about dreams. Beatrice and Marlena, like Julian, stayed with Alice as well.
To cheer Alice up these past few days, Julian casually made up a story and began explaining the two greatest talents among pirates.
With a smile on his face, Julian said to Alice, "The first great talent on the Sea is Wano Country's heroic man, Kozuki Oden." Before Julian could even begin, he saw George recording everything in a little notebook, Pekki listening with her big ears pricked up, and Herbert looking eager to hear more. White Wolf Allison had already grabbed some fruit, while Pierre also looked extremely expectant.
Julian smiled and said, "I'm just telling Alice a joke. Why did all of you come over to listen?" Leo descended from the sky and said with a serious expression, "Captain, now everyone's here." Julian's face darkened. Allison said eagerly, "Captain, hurry up and tell us about these two talents. The first is Kozuki Oden—who's the second?"
Julian shook his head and said, "The first talent is Kozuki Oden. The second is Blackbeard Teach." Allison said, "Kozuki Oden is the Fool King. He also seems to have been a member of the legendary pirate Roger Pirates." George said with a look of disgust, "He's just an unfilial son. He doesn't deserve to be Wano Country's shogun at all." Herbert said, "He deserves to be called a heroic man? Even I feel that the swordsmanship he practiced is a disgrace."
Julian wore a disgusted expression as he said, "That's true. At three, he knocked away the wet nurse feeding him. At six, he visited brothels and stayed out all night. At eight, he began pulling pranks to scare other children. At fifteen, he kept prostitutes in a temple's back courtyard and built a harem. At sixteen, he stole his friends' girlfriends, wives, and subordinates' daughters. At seventeen, he cooked and ate oden over a dead friend's ashes. This year, after returning to Wano Country, he started dancing naked."
The Division Captains all complained, "Sure enough, he's the most twisted talent in the world. No competition." George closed his notebook and said, "Captain, Kozuki Oden has completely disgusted me. I can't write this." Julian smiled and said to everyone, "Brothers, have you all eaten yet?"
After hearing that Alice was pregnant, all the Division Captains came to offer their blessings. Everyone had a meal aboard the Flame Dragon and drank a few cups of wine. George, Allison, and the others left the Flame Dragon satisfied.
After seeing off all the divisions, Julian thought to himself, Making everyone train while sailing definitely isn't scientific. It'll make the crew afraid of training, resent it, and even start muddling through their days just to collect Berries. So Julian decided that while sailing, everyone could do whatever they wanted.
They would maintain basic training for two hours a day. Saturday and Sunday would be full days off, while the rest of the time would be free for the division crews to read, learn to write, or read novels. Some pirates even liked writing novels, which Julian greatly supported. Sundays would be grand banquets. The schedule would be the same every week, giving the crew a strong sense of belonging. They all declared that their captain was wise and mighty.
Thus, the voyage reached its seventh day. The crew slowly awaited the moment they could land on an island. Julian was still leisurely eating. The other three women were still in the library on the third floor, reading those lowbrow books.
Julian wondered whether he should publish a pirate version of Make-Out Paradise and let them learn what a celibacy series was. He took out a Den Den Mushi and asked, "Garud, how much longer until we reach the island?"
Garud's voice came from the other end. "A little over an hour." Julian looked at the map ahead. Once they reached this kingdom, he would have completed more than half the route to Reverse Mountain. His route was comparatively long, but the roads ahead would be easier.
Part of the islands had already been marked on the map. Julian had set sail from roughly the center of the South Blue. Now that he had reached this kingdom, more than half the sailing distance was complete. After traveling a little less than half the remaining distance, they could enter Reverse Mountain and charge into the Grand Line.
Julian could afford to wait this long. Meanwhile, Herbert used the Gale-Gale Fruit ability at the stern, sending fierce winds into the sails until the ship creaked loudly. Herbert accelerated the ship in the morning, while Julian transformed into a fire dragon in the afternoon and flapped his wings to increase its speed. The two had clearly divided their duties. It couldn't be helped—when ships encountered headwinds at sea, they would sail backward, so they had to rely on Devil Fruit abilities to speed up.
Julian smiled and said, "We're finally getting close to the island." The crew was overjoyed, and some even shouted, "We're finally here!" Following the previously selected dock, Julian and the others disembarked. Julian held Alice's hand while the other two girls followed behind.
Herbert had gained many female friends behind him, but he declared, "My eyes can only hold the sword. Women will seriously affect a Swordmaster's will." Pablo added, "What could heaven do against such determination?" Julian secretly thought, People who practice swordsmanship are basically all eunuchs.
When all the Flame Dragon Pirates' ships docked in a grand procession, Julian prepared to gather information about the Rockies Kingdom on the island. That was right—Julian still had thoughts of looting the place. The other Division Captains had already led their crew ashore one after another to shop in the island's city.
This island was a large island in the South Blue, with a population of roughly over one million and an area of more than twenty thousand square kilometers. Its king was Rockies Gialla, and it was one of the World Government member nations.
Julian walked down the city streets. Looking at the city before him, he found it indeed clean and hygienic, with high standards. Numerous vendors had set up stalls, and the island's residents dressed fashionably. The women wore dresses and low-cut outfits. Julian looked them over one by one, while others cautiously sized him up.
Because the Flame Dragon Pirates all wore the same uniforms, the island residents saw many people in yellow cloaks shopping around the island that day. At first, some mocked the yellow Flame Dragon Pirates' clothes as looking like shit. Later, they were beaten to their knees by the Flame Dragon Pirates' Squad Leaders and begged for mercy. This even alerted the city guards before it finally ended.
Now that they saw Julian dressed the same way, they knew this group was not to be trifled with. Julian remained silent as he wandered through the city, taking Alice, Beatrice, and Marina shopping in large stores. When the shop owners saw Julian's outfit, they became extremely enthusiastic.
Many Flame Dragon Pirates were shopping throughout the city. They barely looked at prices and bought huge piles of anything they liked, spending lavishly. Julian smiled and secretly thought, Is this the recognition that comes with uniform clothing? The moment those store owners see yellow cloaks, they know big business has arrived.
Julian helped the three women choose clothes and daily necessities, while he prepared to buy supplies as well. First came ingredients, second alcohol, and third daily necessities. Julian bought enough goods for dozens of days. He watched Alice and Marina discuss which cosmetics worked best, which clothes looked nicest, and which shoes were more fashionable.
Julian waved his hand and said, "Boss, pack up all of this." He added, "Do you see that dock? Those twelve ships are all mine. Deliver everything aboard. Name your price." Julian said to Alice, "We have to sail, otherwise I'd buy this entire shop for you." Alice said happily, "Got it, Julian."
Julian casually handed the owner six million Berries and emptied out the store. Then he continued strolling through the streets with the three women. Whatever they wanted to buy, he had the owners clear out their warehouses. Soon, more than ten shop owners on the island were delivering goods to Julian's ships. Seeing that the women had lost their desire to shop, Julian did not linger and let them go have fun on their own.
Their strength was not a problem, and they had Den Den Mushi as well. Julian went to a tavern to gather information. As soon as he entered, he saw many pirates, bounty hunters, and city residents. Without saying much, Julian walked over to a seat and called out, "Waiter, bring me wine. Serve all your best wine and dishes." Julian did not speak loudly, but his voice carried authority.
One pirate said, "We ran into several people wearing those cloaks today. Some pirates refused to accept it and went up to provoke them, only to get beaten until they couldn't take care of themselves."
Another pirate said, "Did you see those pirate crew members in yellow cloaks? They're powerful. We can't provoke them."
The first pirate said, "They're all high-level pirates and very disciplined, comparable even to the Marines. I heard they're called the Flame Dragon Pirates. We can't afford to mess with them."
The other pirate continued, "That Flame Dragon Pirates captain, Julian, is known as Flame Dragon Julian. He's also extremely loyal to his people. They say anyone who betrays him can get one million Berries, while crew members who follow him get at least one billion Berries. That's one billion—enough to spend for a lifetime."
The first pirate said, "I wonder where their fleet has sailed to. I want to join them too." Julian listened to the pirates without changing expression. Finding it boring, he simply started drinking.
Soon, the food arrived. Julian gave the waiter a tip of twenty thousand Berries, then began asking for information. "Where is this kingdom's palace?" The waiter answered with a smile, telling Julian everything in detail. Julian asked again, "Are there pirates on this island? Where are they?"
Julian was preparing to deal with the other pirates as well. The waiter said, "The strongest pirate crew is the Blood Hand Pirates. They landed at the dock on the southern side of the island." Julian asked, "Has anything happened on the Sea lately?" The waiter replied with a smile, "Marine Hero Vice Admiral has been chasing the Roger Pirates all over the place."
Julian estimated that in a few months, the Roger Pirates would land at Laugh Tale, the final island. Next year, the Great Age of Pirates would arrive. Julian felt that time had come too quickly. He had to act soon and make his way up to Sky Island.
Julian continued drinking silently and listened to the other pirates talk about things like where the prettiest girls were and what kinds of wine could be found. One pirate said, "I also heard that the Mud Dragon Pirates, who have recently been making quite a name for themselves, raided a kingdom and emptied it of all its gold, silver, and jewels." Then several bounty hunters said, "The Mud Dragon Pirates have been upgraded into the Flame Dragon Pirates, and the Mud Dragon Pirates' captain is called Flame Dragon Julian. He specializes in robbing World Government member nations."
Julian secretly complained, These people's information really is as unreliable as ever. Then he heard that Naval Branch Major General Gilmi had driven off the Mud Dragon Pirates and upheld the justice of the Naval Branch.
Julian laughed inwardly. As expected of the Marines. If you keep playing it like this, I can rest easy. When I rob Marine supplies later, I just need to announce that I was defeated by the Marines.
Julian knew he could not be too high-profile, because other pirates also regarded pirates as business rivals. He still wanted to safely bring his ships to Sky Island, then develop for a while. After that, he would go to Punk Hazard and take that Devil Fruit first.
Julian stopped eavesdropping and continued drinking and eating meat. At that moment, a large group of pirates entered. They were all wearing yellow cloaks. Julian called out, "George, Pekki, Allison, Rekdon." George smiled and said, "Captain, we saw you enter this tavern earlier. The brothers have finished shopping, so we came over." Julian said to the waiter, "Bring out all the good wine and meat." Julian had all the Division Captains sit down around one table.
George said, "Captain, did you see the news?" Julian said he had not. George took out a newspaper. Its headline read that Mud Dragon Pirates captain Julian had transformed into a Hundred Meter Flame Dragon and upgraded the Mud Dragon Pirates into the Flame Dragon Pirates. Captain Flame Dragon Julian had also claimed the front-page headline, hailed as the strongest Flame Creature.
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