Fraud Island

Julian stopped caring about the slums and took the three women to the commercial street at the island's center. Along the way, Julian beat up many who tried to hit on them or scam them. This island was full of fraud—everyone had a lying mouth, especially when they saw Julian in his yellow cloak with a golden dragon head on the back, clearly a rich man.

Many people tried to approach Julian on the spot, but after seeing him slap several people flying with a single backhand, most fell in line. There were also extortion attempts. For example, when Alice was walking, a young man tripped her with his foot, then said to her: "Miss, look how you've dirtied my shoes. These shoes cost five hundred thousand Berries—you have to pay me compensation." Seeing this kind of blackmail, Julian struck directly.

Alice was several weeks pregnant. If she had been tripped, Julian would have been beating the corpse on the spot. That young man was thoroughly beaten by Julian, and the other swindlers, con artists, and even human traffickers were all terrified.

Julian continued taking the three women shopping. Alice said: "These young people refuse to pay the expensive Heavenly Gold, and they have no money or food, so they can only cheat everywhere. This country is truly a failure."

Julian said: "The rich man's gates stink of meat and wine, while frozen bodies lie on the road—isn't that how it is? The nobles and lords sing and dance every night without stop. This is the norm of the world. Unless the king and noble system is overthrown, things like this will always happen." Julian continued: "Alright, let's mind our own business. The three previous vassal kingdoms also had slums like this; we just didn't see them. And those villages were full of commoners who had to pay a large portion of their taxes to the king to support the kingdom's ministers—they certainly wouldn't live well."

Alice said: "Why is this island so poor? It's still because the nobles control it too tightly." Julian said: "The king system has even more corrupt places. I'll tell you later."

Julian didn't plan to say more, since this was the mainstream of this world. Julian then saw a large casino ahead in the middle of the street, with men and women, young and old, all pouring into it. Julian said to the three women: "You shop on your own. I'm going to gather information—there are Devil Fruits on this city too."

Julian stored all the items the women had bought into the Mud Space in his body. Alice looked at Julian with a puzzled expression and said: "Are you sure you don't just want to gamble?" Alice continued: "What Devil Fruit would be in a casino? Your words are getting less and less truthful."

Julian said helplessly: "Didn't you see the huge crowd coming and going in this casino?" Beatrice said: "It should be true. Julian is an upright man." Malena said: "There seems to be a beauty salon ahead. Let's go try it! And a hot spring bathhouse too—wow, that's really nice."

Alice said: "It's been a long time since I've seen things like this." Malena said: "Let's go, sisters." Malena led the way into the beauty salon.

Julian looked at the huge casino before him and thought to himself: This casino was opened by some noble on this island. There really are a lot of rich people gambling inside. Many maidservants in revealing outfits are serving those nobles or business tycoons—all wealthy people.

Julian saw a man over three meters tall who stood out like a crane among chickens. Julian looked at the familiar face—a man who looked over fifty, with a decadent expression. Then Julian saw his mouth twitch as he said: "How terrifying~ I've won another five million." Julian immediately recognized who it was: Crooked Mouth Ape. He was in casual clothes, wearing a nobleman's gentleman's hat on his head, and beside him, a maid in revealing clothes was cheering him on, congratulating the lord on his great fortune.

Julian thought to himself: If you weren't so decadent, I wouldn't have recognized you. Crooked Mouth Ape is actually using Observation Haki to gamble. A large group of gamblers were following Vice Admiral Kizaru, playing dice—betting on big or small. Julian immediately pulled out five hundred million Berries, and seeing Kizaru bet on big, Julian also bet all his money on big.

Kizaru suddenly saw a large stack of Berries appear in front of him and looked at Julian with a puzzled expression. Julian smiled at Vice Admiral Kizaru and said: "Senior, take me for a ride this time!" Kizaru said doubtfully: "Kid, you trust me that much?" Julian laughed inwardly: You're using Observation Haki to gamble—how could I not trust you?

Julian said: "Of course! I've loved gambling since I was a kid, and I never lose. This round is definitely big." When the others saw Julian betting so big, they stopped following Kizaru. Kizaru looked at Flame Dragon Julian in front of him, thinking: Should I arrest him or not? Ah, forget it—there's no overtime pay.

Kizaru laughed: "How terrifying~ Little brother's luck is really good." Soon the dice were opened—three dice showing four, six, six—big. Julian saw the casino manager's pained expression. This casino had good credit, and they quickly paid Julian his Berries.

Julian looked at the huge pile of Berries, feeling very happy inside. He immediately took out two hundred million Berries and pushed them to Borsalino. Kizaru's mouth went straight as he said: "Yo yo, kid, this is gambling profit." Julian laughed: "Yes, Senior. These Berries were all won by following your lead. Sharing a bit of the spirit is only natural."

Julian continued: "Senior, make your move quickly—next round is coming." Kizaru, with his face like a man in his fifties, looked at the table and placed five million Berries on small. Julian also activated his Mud Perception, but the result was that he couldn't sense a thing. Julian bet five hundred million Berries on small. The other gamblers looked at Julian with great envy and said one after another: "This guy is really loaded—five hundred million just like that."

Kizaru told the maid to get two large boxes, then packed the money into the boxes. He gave the maid over a hundred thousand Berries, then smiled at Julian and said: "Little brother won again." Julian laughed: "Thanks to Senior's blessing." Julian again took out two hundred million Berries and handed them to Kizaru, then asked: "Senior, are you heading back?"

Kizaru said: "Yeah. Generous little brother, see you later." He took out two more boxes to pack the Berries. Looking at the huge sum of money, Crooked Mouth God of War Kizaru seemed to have found the meaning of life. Indeed, the world is all fake—only Berries are real.

Kizaru also thought to himself: When I retire, I definitely won't be poor. Kizaru smiled warmly at Julian: "Generous little brother, I'm off now." Julian asked again: "Senior, what are you betting on next round?" Kizaru said: "Don't bet on the next round—they're going to cheat." Kizaru picked up his boxes and walked out.

Julian saw that the casino seemed temporarily unable to produce that much cash, so they were preparing to exchange items. Julian walked to the casino's merchandise area. The top two treasures were a Great Grade sword worth three hundred million Berries and a Devil Fruit. These two were what Julian liked most. The rest were things like manuals or pirate treasures.

Julian wasn't interested. A Devil Fruit was priced at one billion Berries. Julian smiled and said: "As expected of an island noble—they're even selling Devil Fruits." He immediately took out eight hundred million Berries and bought both the Devil Fruit and the Great Grade sword.

Julian looked at the Devil Fruit in front of him. The five hundred million in winnings settled the account. Julian continued choosing items in the merchandise area. The security guards here were all armed with guns and had decent strength. Julian saw several Grade swords—thirty million instantly spent. Three Grade swords were bought by Julian. He kept walking. Things like Golden Bracers, golden chamber pots, deep-sea pearls, volcanic stone jewelry—Julian had no interest in any of that. Finding something that could improve his strength was more practical.

Julian also saw a complete set of golden cups, some crystal goblets, and a Body Strengthening Potion Recipe. Julian thought to himself: This is nowhere near as good as Rose's Flame Potion, which uses Fire Dragon Blood Essence Congealed Blocks combined with Rose's Medicine-Medicine Fruit to develop the Flame Potion.

After taking it, one gains the Dragon Blood Body Strengthening effect, might master the Fire Dragon's flames, and can strengthen physique and bones. Julian had arranged for all his Division Captains and Squadron Captains to get it. For now, the quantity was limited. Julian also took it himself, and Alice, Beatrice, and Malena each had only one portion.

Julian also hoped Rose could awaken this fruit—that would be amazing. It could produce multiple medicinal preparations and improve overall strength. However, the Body Strengthening Potion Recipe was a low-tier version; it could still improve physical fitness, though it didn't require many materials—just the bone marrow of some fierce beasts and a portion of plant sap.

Julian said: "I'll buy it and give it to Rose. His fruit ability should also enhance the potion's effects. And right now, Rose is very interested in all kinds of plants. Ship Doctor Rose often tells Julian: 'I want to use my fruit ability to refine various potions.'"

After Julian finished browsing the huge merchandise exchange area, he left. Around eleven at night, Julian took out a Den Den Mushi and called the three women. They had already returned to the ship. Julian immediately activated his Fire Dragon Beastman Form and flew toward the dock where the ship was moored. Since he now had flight ability, Julian basically flew directly, at extremely fast speeds.

All the Division Captains of the Flame Dragon Pirates were at the strength level of Marine Headquarters Major Generals. George was already at the level of a Marine Vice Admiral. They had all basically mastered one or two Marine Rokushiki techniques. George's Great Bear Form had reached a body length of twenty-eight meters and a shoulder height of nine meters. Standing upright as a bear, he could also slap with both claws. His one-meter-long claws made his Finger Gun attacks terrifyingly powerful. The second strongest Division Captain was Pierre.

Pierre's Magnet-Magnet Fruit was developed very powerfully. He could assemble hundreds of swords into a single giant sword, a two-hundred-meter-long greatsword flying through the air. That giant sword could also transform into countless flying swords. Julian had inspired this—from the story of the Shu Mountain Sword Immortals, using the Magnet-Magnet Fruit for Sword Flight. Pierre's Magnet-Magnet Fruit was originally for controlling scrap metal and reshaping it, so playing with flying swords was very smooth.

Herbert's strength improved even faster. Ever since he learned Flying Slash, his power skyrocketed. His Armament Haki had already awakened, and his Observation Haki was slowly awakening too. Herbert could feel the wind in nature. Any slash carrying his Devil Fruit ability could send a Wind Blade over two hundred meters away. A crescent-shaped Wind Blade over ten meters wide would fly out, plowing through the ground for over two hundred meters.

With so many powerful members in the Flame Dragon Pirates now, Julian grew more and more confident about his future ambitions. Moreover, every night Julian conducted willpower training, abbreviated as Dao Heart Training Version Zero Point Five.

Every morning, Julian shouted at the mirror: "I will definitely make it to Sky Island and become the God of Sky Island! Conqueror's Haki +1! I will become the strongest god in the world! Conqueror's Haki +1.5! Momonosuke—I will definitely kill that little bastard! Conqueror's Haki +3!"

Julian had also discovered the secret to Conqueror's Haki. He shouted: "Momonosuke, I'll kill your whole family! Conqueror's Haki +3!"

Julian knew that Conqueror's Haki grew based on one's conviction, willpower, Mental Power, physique, and aura. Julian said: "Shouting slogans every day strengthens my conviction, so it will definitely increase my Conqueror's Haki a little bit."

Of course, this kind of Dao Heart willpower training also enhanced Julian's vast Mental Power. From this, it seemed Julian really couldn't do without Momonosuke. If he didn't kill Momonosuke for a day, he felt uncomfortable all over. Most importantly, Julian's desire to kill Momonosuke might be greater than his desire to become the world's strongest.

The next morning, Julian started his Dao Heart Stability Training again. He shouted: "Momonosuke, I'll kill you, you idiot! I will become the king of the world! I'll storm Sky Island and crush Gan Fall!" Julian shouted at the mirror again. After shouting, Julian's heart was filled with confidence. Conqueror's Haki increased by a little more.

Julian laughed: "Indeed, the Dao Heart is crucial. Only by strengthening conviction can willpower be improved. This is physical conviction enhancement—using a physical method to train Conqueror's Haki, abbreviated as Dao Heart Training Version Zero Point Five." Julian felt it was very effective, but the downside was that it disturbed the neighbors and was quite cringey. Early in the morning, it woke up Alice and the others, and Alice scolded him for being a lunatic.