Julian hadn't expected that while he was training his skills aboard the ship, Morgans would hype him up. He had also noticed that many News Birds often circled around the Flame Dragon Pirates.
Julian directly asked a News Bird for a newspaper. The bird demanded five thousand Berries, and Julian paid immediately. He saw that his bounty had risen to five hundred million Berries, far surpassing the Supernovas of this era. Morgans was not yet the News King, and there were still several news companies around, but Morgans definitely understood public opinion. What he was best at was piling tributes onto living people, praising them to death and creating newsworthy spectacles.
Julian felt that he could recruit that guy in the future. Morgans used trained News Birds to capture news, putting him far ahead of the other news agencies.
Julian's fleet had been sailing for nine days. He asked the navigator Garud how much longer it would take to reach Philojina Island. Garud said that if the first mate could keep using his Devil Fruit ability, they would arrive that night. If the first mate could not hold on, they would arrive the next morning.
Herbert was at the stern, controlling a storm to accelerate the ships. Julian said, "He'll be fine. He can definitely hold on." Meanwhile, crooked-mouthed Kizaru had already arrived in the Philogina Kingdom when he suddenly received an order from Fleet Admiral Kong: temporarily abandon the plan to strike at Flame Dragon pirate Julian. The Roger Pirates were challenging the world's taboo, and many New World pirates were attacking Marine bases. Kizaru was to return to Marine Headquarters first. To pursue Roger with full force, the Marines had to stabilize the New World.
Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong said, "These pirates are all unhappy that Roger is stealing the spotlight. They're stirring things up, trying to make names for themselves as great pirates, and attacking Marine bases in groups. The New World seas are lawless territory. The Marines can barely get involved."
When the Great Age of Pirates arrived, the strongest pirate crews would later be labeled the Four Emperors—the Four Emperors of the New World—and become emperors of the sea.
The Marines could not rashly attack the Four Emperor pirate crews, allowing them to rule the New World seas instead. During the era when the Four Emperors ruled the New World, they did indeed bring order to the seas. Other pirates were either killed or absorbed by the Four Emperors, or they fled the New World outright.
Then, in Luffy's era, Whitebeard was gone. After Luffy brought down Kaido and Big Mom's forces, the Marines could finally move freely through the New World and enter the region without obstruction.
Even though Akainu had swapped the G-1 Branch with Marine Headquarters, he still could not touch the Four Emperors' forces. He could only shout slogans. Aside from driving off Blackbeard near Marine Headquarters while rescuing Bonney, who had Celestial Dragon blood, he made no other moves.
Blackbeard kidnapped Marines and imprisoned them on Hachinosu Island. Akainu did not dare rescue those Marine prisoners, nor did he allow anyone else to save them. Garp ignored Akainu and sailed the Dog-Head Warship to rescue Koby and the other Marine captives. The Four Emperors were all hostile to one another, and pirates fighting pirates was perfectly normal. But when it came to Blackbeard, the other Four Emperors were effectively three against one. Red-Hair, Luffy, and Hawk Eyes all had close ties, while the only people Blackbeard could rely on were Shiryu of the Rain and the crippled Aokiji.
Buggy the Clown directly formed Cross Guild and completely screwed over the Marines. He openly placed bounties on the heads of every Marine at Marine Headquarters, making many Marines feel that their jobs had become dangerous. Their pay was not easy to earn—one day, they might lose their heads.
Crooked-mouthed Kizaru arrived in the Philogina Kingdom. The first thing he did was look for Gion. After finding a shopping center, he began a shopping trip. He bought a yellow nail clipper and clipped his fingernails as he walked, muttering "How scary" with every snip. Kizaru said, "What was my mission again?" Then he strolled around the island, soaked in hot springs, and bought a yellow suit and a gentleman's hat.
Kizaru said, "Time passes so quickly. I'm almost forty already, and this salary isn't enough for retirement. Sentomaru will grow up wanting to be a bodyguard, so I should bring him out to catch pirates and earn back some funds." Kizaru added, "This island really is perfect for a vacation." As soon as he said that, the corner of his mouth twitched again. At that moment, his Den Den Mushi rang. Steel Bone Kong's voice came from it.
Fleet Admiral Kong asked, "Where are you?" Kizaru said, "I'm getting ready to return." Fleet Admiral Kong asked, "Have you found any trace of the Flame Dragon Pirates?" Kizaru said, "Nope." Fleet Admiral Kong added, "Go check on Colonel Gion." Kizaru replied, "Understood, Fleet Admiral Kong."
Thus, Kizaru went to the island's Marine base. He planned to ask his junior apprentice Gion what was going on and whether she had successfully infiltrated them. The same two Marine soldiers were standing guard again.
Kizaru walked over. Seeing his outfit and recognizing him as a Marine vice admiral, the two soldiers immediately saluted. "Vice Admiral, sir." Kizaru asked, "Has a woman come here claiming to be a Headquarters colonel?" The leading Marine soldier replied, "Reporting, Vice Admiral, the civilians on this island are poor. Lots of people like to come to our Marine base to scam food and drinks. Several people a day claim to be Marine major generals."
Kizaru said, "I see." Marine Soldier B said, "A few days ago, someone claimed his uncle was Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong and asked me for five hundred thousand Berries. He said he'd pull some strings to make me an admiral at Headquarters. He even came up with the title, Admiral Fat Dragon. Five million Berries a month. I gave him a few slaps right then to teach him a lesson." The leading Marine soldier added, "Another young man claimed he was Marine Hero Iron Fist Garp. He said he'd teach me Iron Fist for one hundred thousand Berries. I punched him once and made him cry." The corner of Kizaru's mouth twitched. "How scary. Are all the civilians on this island such skilled scammers?"
Kizaru looked at the two talented soldiers before him and asked, "Where is your base commander?" One soldier replied, "He went out tonight. We don't know where he is." Kizaru asked, "Does he have a Den Den Mushi?" The soldier said, "Don't know." Kizaru thought, Then I'll rest for another day and come look tomorrow. With that, he prepared to leave.
Another scruffy young man walked over and said to the two soldiers, "I'm a Marine Headquarters vice admiral. I need to enter the Marine base." The two soldiers glanced at Kizaru, whose mouth twitched as he remained silent.
The two soldiers exchanged a look and walked toward the young man. One used his fist, the other his palm, and they beat the young man away. Kizaru said, "How scary. Does everyone on this island use a Marine vice admiral's name to mooch meals?"
Gion had already spent five days cleaning and working as a waitress at a hotel. Because she was hungry, she had come to this restaurant for a meal. Without money, she planned to eat on credit and told the server, "I'm a Marine Headquarters colonel. I didn't bring any money right now. Can I put this on credit? I'll make up for it once I get money."
The server's smiling face instantly turned dark. He shouted toward the kitchen behind him, "One dine-and-dasher! Have the guards deal with her!" Just like that, Gion was assigned to work as a waitress to pay off her debt. She wanted to explain to the owner that she truly was a Marine Headquarters colonel, but the owner said angrily, "I run into at least seven or eight people every day trying to eat without paying. They either claim to be Marine Headquarters vice admirals or say they're with the Whitebeard Pirates. I've sold them all into the slave market."
A middle-aged man trying to dine and dash said, "My uncle is Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong of Marine Headquarters. Waive the cost of this meal, and I'll tell my uncle to make you Head of Logistics at Marine Headquarters. Four million Berries a month. What do you think?"
The owner had security guards take him to the slave market. Gion said awkwardly, "Boss, I'd better work to pay off my debt!" As she spoke, she picked up a mop and began mopping the floor.
At that moment, another young man said, "Boss, my uncle is Marine Hero Garp. Give me this meal for free, and I'll teach you my uncle's invincible Iron Fist. How about it?" Even Gion, who was cleaning, was dumbfounded. They were trampling on the dignity of the Marine Hero. Just as she was about to refute him, a guard knocked the young man down with one punch and took him to the slave market.
Gion shook her head. Why was this island so poor? Was it because corrupt nobles and the king had made it impossible for commoners to survive? Would they rather become slaves than struggle to live? Gion stopped thinking about it and continued cleaning.
At the owner's counter, she saw a newspaper. Flame Dragon Julian's photograph was on the front page. Flame Emperor Julian's bounty had reached five hundred million Berries. The second newspaper had Morgans praising Julian as the strongest Flame Dragon.
Gion complained inwardly, Another World Government member nation has been plundered. I still need to infiltrate the Flame Dragon Pirates. For justice, I must bring them to justice. I have to reclaim the Marine Rokushiki and uncover the secret of Flame Dragon Julian eating a second Devil Fruit.
The Flame Dragon Pirates seemed to be arriving at this island soon. When they did, she would infiltrate them. Just then, a young man trying to dine and dash said, "I am Julian, captain of the Flame Dragon Pirates. Put this meal on my tab for now. Next time, I'll give you all the treasure from the kingdom I robbed."
That young man was also knocked unconscious and taken to the slave market. The hotel owner said furiously, "Anyone who wants to dine and dash will be sold to the slave market immediately!"
Meanwhile, Kizaru picked up that newspaper on the street. After robbing one Flame Dragon pirate crew, his bounty was five hundred million; after robbing another World Government member nation, it had risen again. Looking at the newspaper, Kizaru said, "What a terrifying ability." He also saw information about the other members. First Mate Herbert was an expert Swordmaster who could control hurricanes, nicknamed the Hurricane Swordsman. Morgans had reported on Herbert long ago.
Kizaru kept saying "How scary," while Julian's wanted poster was updated as well. It had been one hundred million Berries before, but now it was in the five-hundred-million range. Because Julian had kept accelerating, he had already reached the island. He said to the navigators, "Everyone, prepare to land." Julian told the Division Captains, "Once we land on the island, everyone be careful."
Twenty-two ships docked neatly at the harbor. Julian slowly disembarked with Alice, Beatrice, and Marlena. He had the logistics department manage the ships, while everyone else went ashore to spend some money on the island. He assigned the Seventh Division to accompany the logistics department's procurement team. Julian had Pablo select some people from logistics to establish a procurement department.
That way, Julian would not have to personally buy things all the time. He paid these people every day, so if he did not find work for them, wouldn't he be raising idlers? Managing the finance department was necessary. There were over four thousand people aboard, and their monthly wages exceeded one hundred million Berries. Even Julian felt that was expensive. He slashed the logistics department's wages to five thousand Berries per month, while the division members' wages remained unchanged.
Julian said, "A logistics worker earns the equivalent of two hundred Choppers a month. Isn't that corruption?" Julian and the three women walked from the harbor toward the city, taking more than thirty minutes.
The island was not very large, only a little over thirty thousand square kilometers, about the size of one Wanwan. Its population, however, exceeded one million. The king, Philogi Gardes, was skilled at exploitation and indulgence. All the nation's land belonged to the king, and the citizens were extremely poor.
Beggers could be seen everywhere on the streets. This entire area was a slum, with people begging everywhere and lying in the streets asking for food. Julian, Alice, Beatrice, and Marlena all felt the lifeless atmosphere. Julian was speechless. "What is going on here?"
Julian took out a large handful of Berries and gave them to an elderly man. He asked, "What happened here? Why is everyone begging in the streets?" The old man replied with a sorrowful expression, "The king demands that we pay exorbitant Heavenly Gold. When we can't afford it, he takes all our land."
Julian asked, "Why don't you work for those nobles?" The old man's face filled with grief and indignation. "Working for them earns us no wages at all. Everything goes to the king as Heavenly Gold. They even allow their lackeys to bully us commoners." Julian asked, "Why not reclaim land yourselves?" The old man said, "Any land we reclaim is seized by the kingdom."
The king claimed that all the land belonged to them. Julian understood the island's situation. The nobles had joined forces to control the central land in every region. The king had to pay enormous Heavenly Gold, all of which was squeezed from the commoners. Most of those begging were elderly people or children unable to pay the Heavenly Gold. Their lives were truly unbearable.
More than ten li farther inland was the island's central city and commercial district. That place was overflowing with wealth.
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