Recruiting the White Wolf Pirates

Julian had George and Leo arrange the other slaves. As for the grieving Beatrice, Julian decided to handle her personally. Julian spoke: "She lost her family, I have to make it up to her. The women can stay on the second floor—there are over a dozen little girls among them. The men will have to squeeze in for now. Tomorrow morning, Julian also planned to rob a pirate ship. After all, this world is ninety-nine percent ocean, and a ship is a pirate's life."

Julian first called Beatrice up to the third floor and said: "Rest in that bedroom for now." Julian pointed to a very luxurious room. Beatrice quickly said: "Is this really okay?" Her face showed a hint of embarrassment. Julian replied: "It's fine. Leaving these rooms empty is just a waste." Beatrice reluctantly moved in.

That bedroom was over two hundred square meters, complete with a kitchen, bathroom, sofa, bookshelf, and more. Julian went to the captain's treasure storage room. He released all the gold, Berries, and pearls stored in his body, instantly filling half the storage room. Estimating roughly, the total came to about one point two billion, everything included. Julian thought to himself: As expected, killing and burning pays the belt. Today's haul was way too big. From now on, I'll never run out of Berries—completely unspendable. Julian laughed heartily: "Hahaha! If I pull this off a few more times, my company will become a nouveau riche. And there are so many World Government member nations waiting for me. I'm going to get rich."

Julian immediately called Leo over and said: "These are the weapons I looted. Call some people to move them from the captain's room to the warehouse for storage. Tomorrow, we'll swap out the brothers' gear." After speaking, Julian had Leo summon people to move the items. The quantity of these weapons: over three hundred Knight Spears, over seven hundred guard swords and blades, over two hundred flintlock guns, fifty-three bows with over five thousand arrows, and four cannons with plenty of ammunition. Leo said: "We won't be short on weapons and ammo now." Julian said with a sigh: "When I first took over this pirate crew, we were short on guns and ammo, short on crew members, and even shorter on Berries and gold. It wasn't until I went after those kings and nobles that I finally have the confidence to clash with that little brat Kozuki Momonosuke."

Leo said: "The remnants of the Kozuki Clan?" Julian said: "That little bastard Kozuki Momonosuke was watching maids bathe at three, forcing them to watch him bathe at four, groping around everywhere by eight, and at twenty-eight he's still playing the part of an eight-year-old little retard, sneaking around to steal and cheat women out of their touches. Utterly despicable." Julian thought to himself: The most disgusting part is that little bastard Momonosuke latched onto his big daddy Luffy's thick thigh. His big daddy Luffy even beat Kaido for him, and the little brat became the shogun again. With so many beautiful courtesans in Wano, that little bastard will get to grope them every day once he's shogun.

After Leo finished moving the weapons, he left. Julian returned to his room, lay down on the bed, and tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Julian cursed: "Pfft—you little bastard, just thinking about you keeps me awake. I, Julian, swear to heaven and earth: whoever kills the remnants of the Kozuki Family, I'll be their fan for life." Julian then thought back to the Wano Country Arc and complained: "These disgusting little baga, I really can't stand it." Julian said: "I still have to rob ships tomorrow morning. I need to sleep early tonight."

Julian then thought of Beatrice and went to her door. He knocked on Beatrice's bedroom door and said: "Sister, my Dao heart is in chaos. I feel terrible alone." Beatrice blushed deeply as she opened the door and said: "Alright." The next morning, Julian felt incredibly refreshed. He glanced at Beatrice beside him and said: "Dear, I'll be back soon." Beatrice silently watched Julian leave.

At eight in the morning, George, Pekki, Leo, Ship Doctor Ross, and the others had all lined up, including those who had just boarded the ship last night, standing on the deck in formation. Julian said with a domineering air: "All of you who just boarded yesterday, stay. Garud and all the logistics personnel, stay. Those with weaker combat strength, I'm putting you in the second-line squad—basically all logistics. The first line will be the stronger elite combat personnel."

Julian also ordered: "Bring up the guns and swap them out for all those people." The First Division had twenty men, the Second Division had twenty, and the sharpshooter squad only had three. Julian added ten second-line logistics personnel to Leo's group, making a total of thirteen. Leo had these members all switch to flintlock guns. Julian thought to himself: These logistics guys are all rookies anyway. With guns, they can at least take potshots. Let's just fill the numbers for now. Julian shouted: "Brothers, let's move out!"

The target was the White Wolf Pirates, located one kilometer from the Mud Dragon Pirates. Why pick them? Because they were one of the highest-bounty pirate crews in this area! Their bounty reached fifteen million. The captain of the White Wolf Pirates was a Zoan Devil Fruit user—a Common Zoan, Dog-Dog Fruit, White Wolf Form. He wielded a katana with very sharp swordsmanship. On the first day Julian landed on the island, he had people scout for information. As luck would have it, the White Wolf Pirates had docked at this island a few days ago. Wasn't this a gift delivered to his doorstep? The White Wolf Pirates had robbed four World Government member nations—though they failed at three, they succeeded at least once.

Julian figured if he wanted fat meat, he had to go for the big pieces. Julian led George, Pekki, Leo, and the others toward the White Wolf Pirates. At that moment, the White Wolf Pirates were asleep. They had held a banquet the night before, leaving only a few half-baked crew members on watch. When those half-baked crew members spotted the Mud Dragon Pirates members appearing on the dock, they panicked and shouted: "Captain, something's wrong! Someone's attacking us!" The White Wolf captain immediately ran out and asked: "Who dares to ambush my White Wolf Pirates? Everyone, assemble! Beat those bastards to death!" With that, he began gathering his crew, ready for battle.

Julian didn't bother with nonsense. When he reached the White Wolf Pirates' dock, he activated his Earth-Earth Fruit ability and entered the Mud Dragon Giant Soldier form. Earth elements wrapped around Julian, condensing him into the shape of a fifty-meter-tall mud dragon-man. Its appearance mimicked Kaido's Azure Dragon Beastman Form, colored like black mineral soil. Why did Julian copy Kaido's beastman form? Julian's reasoning: "The most intimidating figure in One Piece is Kaido. Why not take advantage of that wool?"

Julian looked down at the White Wolf Pirates with a domineering expression and asked: "Do you want to live or die? Anyone who doesn't surrender dies." The White Wolf Pirates were utterly shocked as they stared at Julian in his Mud Dragon form, then looked at their own captain, White Wolf Allison. White Wolf Allison said: "What kind of Devil Fruit user are you? Stop putting on an act. Watch me cut off your dog head!" Allison activated his Devil Fruit ability, transforming into his White Wolf Beastman form, and charged forward with his katana. Julian's right hand grabbed the leaping Allison mid-air. The fifty-meter-tall Mud Dragon Julian looked down at the four-meter-tall werewolf Allison clenched in his hand.

Julian said: "Surrender, and I'll spare your life." Allison said to Julian: "Do it. I, White Wolf, would rather die than surrender to you." Julian looked at White Wolf and said: "It's normal for you to lose to me. As long as you surrender, I'll let you go—you and all your brothers on this ship. Do you want them to die with you?"

Julian continued to tempt him: "When a man dies, there's nothing left. Are you sure you want to die so heroically? Not take another look at this beautiful world? Not see the Grand Line? Not charge into the New World for the throne of the strongest pirate? You'd rather die in this nameless port? A man should look forward, not deceive himself."

White Wolf Allison hesitated and said: "Do it. I'm not afraid of you." Julian grew angry: "You think I don't dare kill you, don't you?" With a wave of his left hand, a budget knockoff version of Chibaku Tensei appeared. The dirt on the right side of the dock flew into the sky, forming a massive two-hundred-meter mud ball at six hundred meters altitude. Then it came crashing down fast. A thunderous boom echoed, and the White Wolf small fry trembled in fear. They all thought: Is this the kind of power a human can possess? It's terrifying. Of course, this sea was the South Blue—generally weak, never having seen such a spectacle.

The empty space turned into a massive crater over a kilometer wide, dust and smoke billowing. Julian said to Allison: "If you don't surrender, that crater will be the grave of the White Wolf Pirates." After speaking, Julian stared at Allison with a look that said, "I can see you're a smart man." Allison's mouth twitched as he said: "I'm willing to surrender. Thank you, Captain Mud Dragon, for sparing my life."

Allison accepted the outcome. He led the White Wolf Pirates members in surrendering to the Mud Dragon Pirates and offered up his savings. Julian looked over the newly absorbed White Wolf Pirates—over two hundred people, four division captains, and plenty of elite members. Julian said to the surrendered crowd: "Welcome, everyone, to my pirate crew. From today on, we're one family. Let the unpleasantness of before be in the past."

Julian, as if possessed by Boss Cao, said: "With my brother Allison's help, it's like gaining an elite force of a hundred thousand Marines. With such a fine general, how could my great cause fail?" Allison smiled and said: "Thank you for the praise, Captain." Julian said: "You all need to know the rules of our crew." Allison replied: "I just learned them." Julian said: "Allison, you will become the Third Division Captain of my Mud Dragon Pirates. First Mate Pierre, you'll temporarily serve as the Logistics Captain Commander. Your division can be built up slowly." Pierre nodded and said: "Thank you, Captain."

Julian thought of the navigator Garud, who had been managing navigators and shipwrights while also handling logistics—worked too hard, always running around. Now, with a dedicated Logistics Captain Commander, things were better. Julian naturally broke up the White Wolf Pirates' personnel to prevent mutiny. He turned the four White Wolf division captains into squad leaders, splitting them between George's First Division and Pekki's Second Division. Those assigned to the sharpshooter squad were mostly older or weaker members. Leo was also unhappy about this.

White Wolf Allison's division shrank in numbers. Julian said he would replenish it once they boarded the Mud Dragon. Allison also offered his savings from the past few years—over eighty million Berries. Julian didn't lack Berries, but he still accepted them. That was Allison's pledge of allegiance. After all, he was defeated, not a voluntary recruit—there was a difference. Allison had five ships, all looted. The largest, the White Wolf, was about the same size as the Mud Dragon, with a similar design.

Julian filled the massive crater back with dirt—the earth was innocent. Seeing Julian's terrifying power, the surrendered men felt fortunate to have joined the Mud Dragon Pirates. This choice was the right one. After handling the personnel appointments, Julian gave the order: "Set sail and rendezvous with the Mud Dragon." Julian, Allison, and Pierre boarded the same ship. Allison was a spirited, handsome young man, while Pierre was someone who loved to laugh, also very good-looking.

Julian asked: "What are your dreams?" Allison said: "Captain, our dream is to become strong, challenge masters, conquer the four seas, and make a name for ourselves." Julian said: "A great dream. But the Sea is full of powerful people. Challenging them without strength is suicide. However, I will teach you all ways to grow stronger." Julian studied Allison and continued: "White Wolf, your Devil Fruit combined with swordsmanship is indeed formidable. But you need to train your physical strength well." Allison nodded sincerely and said: "Thank you for the guidance, Captain."

Julian said: "Our crew also has a swordsman named Herbert. His swordsmanship is far above yours. You should learn from him well. Put the Devil Fruit in second place—swordsmanship first, strength first." Allison said: "Understood." Julian asked: "Pierre, how is your swordsmanship?" Pierre said awkwardly: "I'm pretty average."

When the five ships rendezvoused with the Mud Dragon, Julian gathered all the officers together. In front of everyone, he announced: "Today, brother White Wolf Allison joins our Mud Dragon Pirates, joins our big family. I hereby appoint Allison as the Third Division Captain." George also called out Herbert, who was still recovering from his injuries.

Julian said to Herbert, wrapped in bandages: "This is a swordsmanship master, Mr. Herbert. He is now the Fourth Division Captain of our Mud Dragon Pirates." Julian planned to assign all the former slave crew members to various divisions to quickly boost the fleet's combat strength. Herbert was also puzzled—after nursing his wounds for a day, he suddenly became the Fourth Division Captain.

Julian asked Pierre: "When you robbed those four World Government member nations, did you get any Devil Fruits?" Pierre said: "When we charged onto the king's island, the nobles and ministers resisted with their guard forces. Then the king fled with most of the money, Berries, and Devil Fruits. Finally, the Marines showed up, and we couldn't beat them, so we ran too."

Julian thought to himself: No wonder they plundered several World Government member nations and Pierre still hasn't eaten a Devil Fruit. Julian mused: Instead of grandly invading other kingdoms, it's better to sneak into the king's treasure room and clean it out in one go.