Early the next morning, Julian summoned all the division captains and first mates to a meeting room. He said, "I plan to establish twelve intelligence squads. They don't need many people—ten per squad will be enough. They will be known as the Twelve Dark Dragon Guards of the Flame Dragon Pirates. Every member will be a captain and an Elite Pirate. The first Dragon Guard will be codenamed Dragon One, the second Dragon Guard will be Dragon Two, and the twelfth squad will be Dragon Twelve."
Herbert said, "Captain, why did you suddenly decide to form such elite squads?" Julian replied, "These Dark Dragon Guards will usually gather intelligence—information on every pirate crew and the Marines. Their compensation will be the same as Squadron Captains', though their rank will be one level below division captains. We'll first establish twelve Dragon Guard squads, then select a Dragon General. We'll choose thirteen men from the Squadron Captains, and the strongest one will become the Dark Dragon General, leading the twelve Dark Dragon Guard captains."
Julian said, "I also plan to strengthen these Dark Dragon Guard captains. I'll first select several powerful Dark Dragon Guards and distribute a few Devil Fruits." Herbert said, "Everything will proceed according to the captain's wishes." All the division captains voiced their support. George said, "Captain, you truly plan ahead and foresee everything! My admiration for you is as vast as the sea!" Allison thought to himself, Damn it, that bootlicking bear said all the good things already. What am I supposed to say?
Julian thought to himself, Yesterday, I had planned to keep five Devil Fruits. But now that I think about it, that won't do. I should give the Speed-Speed Fruit to the Dark Dragon General as well. I'll need them to gather intelligence, and without speed, that really won't work. When we reach other islands, relying entirely on division captains to search for information is far too troublesome. It would be better to establish a specialized spy organization.
Julian said, "The World Government has CP0, while the Flame Dragon Pirates have twelve Dark Dragon Guard squads. We must keep pace with the World Government and get in line with them." Herbert said, "I support the captain's decision." Julian said, "Then I'll begin selecting the Dark Dragon General and the Dark Dragon Guard members."
Julian selected twelve young Squadron Captains. The first was Passat, the second Mars, the third Leschi, the fourth Dex, the fifth Harry, the sixth Hamrick, the seventh Asland, the eighth Exon, the ninth Robrant, the tenth Gulia, the eleventh Adi, and the twelfth Lux. All twelve Squadron Captains were very strong.
Julian told the twelve Squadron Captains, "From today onward, your code name will be Dark Dragon Guard. You may keep your own names, but now you must also take new ones. The twelve of you will be called Dragon One, Dragon Two, Dragon Three, Dragon Four, all the way to Dragon Twelve. You are all outstanding crew members. Today, you will become the captains of these twelve Dark Dragon Guard squads. Your daily duty will be gathering intelligence. No information may be overlooked."
Julian then addressed a Squadron Captain beside him named Talilun. "From now on, you will be called the Dragon General. Maintain your concealed identity and take responsibility for commanding these twelve squads." Julian continued, "You must train diligently and improve your strength. I will prioritize giving you Devil Fruit powers." The thirteen Dragon Guard officers all said, "We will definitely train hard and improve our strength."
Julian continued to Talilun, "Xiaolun, from now on, you are the chief Dragon General of the Twelve Dark Dragon Guards, as well as the Dark Dragon General. Your compensation will be the same as a division captain's. The other Dragon Guard squads will also be under your command. The first mate and I both think highly of you and trust you."
Talilun said excitedly, "I swear to complete my mission even unto death and never betray the captain's trust." Herbert said, "Keep it up, Talilun." Julian told the Twelve Dragon Guards, "From now on, Talilun, the Dragon General, will be responsible for your missions. You must obey the Dragon General's orders unconditionally. His orders are the same as mine and the first mate's. Understood?" The twelve Dragon Guards all answered, "Understood!"
Julian said, "We are one whole. Only by standing united can we become stronger." He then said, "Talilun, this Speed-Speed Fruit is for you. You must work hard to develop this fruit." Talilun accepted the Devil Fruit from Julian with an excited expression. "Thank you, Captain. I will protect our Flame Dragon Pirates."
Julian then told Dragon One, "Passat, this Paramecia Storage-Storage Fruit is for you. It is an extremely powerful storage-space Devil Fruit. I hope you will continue striving, improve your strength, and earn more merit for our Flame Dragon." Dragon Two said excitedly, "Understood, Captain! I will definitely train hard."
Julian was very satisfied with Talilun's and Passat's attitudes. He thought to himself, As expected of the pirate crew I built myself. Look at that attitude—they know how to be grateful. Not bad at all.
Julian told Dragon Two, "Mars, this Zoan Devil Fruit—the Bird-Bird Fruit, Common Zoan, White Dove Form—is for you. I hope you can also bear the heavy responsibility of being a Dragon Guard captain of the Flame Dragon Pirates. Train more in the future and improve your strength." Dragon Three said, "Thank you, Captain." Julian nodded. "I have high hopes for all of you Dark Dragon Guard officers. Work hard from now on and earn more merit."
Julian then told Dragon Three, "Leschi, work hard. This Ox-Ox Fruit, Common Zoan, Great Black Ox Form, is for you. You must train diligently as well." Dragon Three said, "Thank you so very much, Captain."
Julian had distributed four Devil Fruits, leaving four remaining. He thought to himself, I can't hand out those fruits anymore. If I do, I'll have none left for myself. Besides, those Devil Fruits aren't ordinary Devil Fruits—they're treasures that can only be found by chance. And I already have two descendants. I want to have a few more sons in the future. If the inheritance isn't divided fairly, the brothers will end up resenting each other.
The four Dragon Guard officers who had received Devil Fruits began eating them. Devil Fruits tasted awful, but all four swallowed theirs in one bite without showing the slightest discomfort. Herbert said, "Your willpower is firm. You're all good men." George said, "Everything the first mate says is right. Very reasonable."
Julian said, "Talilun, do you have a direction for developing your Speed-Speed Fruit?" Talilun replied, "Captain, I don't have any direction yet." Julian said, "Speed is power, though power is not necessarily speed. First develop your speed, then strengthen your physical power afterward. First, how many times faster you can move. Second, how many times faster you can attack. Third, how many times faster you can flee. Once you master these, you can roam freely across the four seas. Your enemies will find it hard to kill you." Talilun said, "Understood, Captain."
Julian continued, "Passat, your Devil Fruit is a space-type fruit. You can develop space-based storage abilities. It is a functional Devil Fruit, so develop your storage space daily and practice Marine Rokushiki more." Dragon One said, "Understood, Captain."
Julian continued, "Mars, yours is the White Dove Form. Practice kicking techniques and marksmanship more in your daily training. Get used to fighting in the air and bring out the Bird-Bird Fruit's greatest strength: aerial combat." Dragon Two said, "Thank you for your guidance, Captain."
Julian then looked at Dragon Three and said, "Your Great Black Ox Form is a power-type Devil Fruit. Practice Marine Rokushiki more." Leschi smiled. "Understood, Captain."
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