Julian had George and Leo arrange the other slaves. Seeing Beatrice's grief, Julian decided to handle it personally. He said, "She lost her family, so I have to make up for it. Let the women stay on the second floor, including the dozen or so little girls. The men can squeeze in for now. Tomorrow morning, I'm planning to rob some Pirate Ships too. After all, this world is ninety-nine percent ocean. A ship is a pirate's life."
Julian first brought Beatrice to the third floor and said, "Rest in that bedroom for now." He pointed at an especially luxurious room. Beatrice hurriedly asked, "Is this really okay?" Her face showed her embarrassment. Julian said, "It's fine. Leaving these rooms empty would be a waste." Beatrice reluctantly moved in.
The bedroom covered over two hundred square meters and included a kitchen, bathroom, sofa, bookcase, and more. Julian went to the captain's treasure storage room and released the gold, Berries, and pearls stored inside his body. In an instant, they filled half the storage room. He estimated the total value at around 1.2 billion Berries. Murder and arson really do make you rich. I made an absolute killing today. I'll never be able to spend all these Berries, never. Julian laughed. "If I do this a few more times, my company will become filthy rich. And there are still so many World Government member nations waiting for me. I'm going to get rich!"
Julian immediately summoned Leo and said, "These are the weapons I robbed. Get some men to move them from the captain's quarters into the warehouse. We'll replace the brothers' weapons tomorrow." After saying that, Julian had Leo call people over to move the equipment. There were more than three hundred Knight Spears, over seven hundred guard swords, more than two hundred Flintlock Guns, fifty-three bows, over five thousand arrows, and four cannons with plenty of ammunition. Leo said, "We don't lack weapons or ammunition anymore." Julian sighed with emotion. "When I first took over this pirate crew, we lacked guns, ammunition, crewmen, and even more so, Berries and gold. Then I found those kings and nobles. Now I finally have the confidence to go up against that little bastard Kozuki Momonosuke."
Leo said, "The remnants of the Kozuki Clan?" Julian said, "That little bastard Kozuki Momonosuke watched maids bathe at three, forced maids to watch him bathe at four, and went around groping women at eight. At twenty-eight, he pretended to be an eight-year-old idiot and went around stealing and tricking women into letting him grope them. He's utterly shameless." The most disgusting part is that little bastard Momonosuke latched onto his daddy Luffy's thick thigh. Daddy Luffy even beat Kaido for him, and then the little bastard became shogun. There are so many beautiful Courtesans in Wano Country. Once that little bastard becomes shogun, he'll be able to grope women every day.
After Leo finished moving the weapons, he left. Julian returned to his room, but he tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Julian cursed, "Pah! That little bastard... the moment I think of you, I can't sleep. I, Julian, swear to heaven and earth: whoever kills the remnants of the Kozuki Family, I'll support them for life." Julian thought of the Wano Country Arc again and complained, "Those disgusting little bastards are unbearable." Julian said, "I still have to steal ships tomorrow morning. I need to sleep early tonight."
Julian thought of Beatrice again, then ran to her door. He knocked on Beatrice's bedroom door and said, "Sister, my Dao heart is in turmoil. I feel so miserable alone." Blushing furiously, Beatrice opened the door and said, "All right." The next morning, Julian was utterly refreshed. He looked at Beatrice beside him and said, "Darling, I'll be back soon." Beatrice silently watched Julian leave.
At eight in the morning, George, Pekki, Leo, Rose the ship's doctor, and the others had lined up, including the people who had just come aboard the previous night. Everyone stood in formation on the deck. Julian said domineeringly, "All of you who came aboard yesterday, stay behind. Garud and all logistics personnel will stay behind as well." Those with weaker combat ability were assigned to the second-line units, which were basically the logistics department, while the first-line units consisted of stronger elite combatants.
Julian also ordered, "Bring up the guns and equip all of them." The First Division had twenty men, and the Second Division had twenty men. The marksman squad had only three people, so Julian added ten second-line logistics personnel to Leo's unit, bringing it to thirteen men. Leo equipped these members with Flintlock Guns. These logistics people are rookies anyway. At least they can fire a few sneak shots with guns. We'll make up the numbers first. Julian shouted, "Brothers, move out!"
Their target was the White Wolf Pirates, one kilometer away from the Mud Dragon Pirates. Why had he chosen them? Naturally, they were among the pirates with the highest bounties in this area! Their bounty reached fifteen million Berries. The White Wolf Pirates' captain was a Zoan Devil Fruit user, possessing the Dog-Dog Fruit, Common Zoan, White Wolf Form. He wielded a katana, and his swordsmanship was exceptionally sharp. On the first day after arriving on the island, Julian had already sent people to gather intelligence. By sheer coincidence, the White Wolf Pirates had docked on this island several days ago. Weren't they delivering themselves right to him? The White Wolf Pirates had robbed four World Government member nations. Although they had failed three times, they had at least succeeded once.
Julian believed that if one wanted to eat meat, one had to take a big bite. He led George, Pekki, Leo, and the others toward the White Wolf Pirates. The White Wolf Pirates were asleep at the time. They had held a banquet the night before, and only a few subpar crewmen had been left behind to stand guard. When those inferior crewmen saw members of the Mud Dragon Pirates appear at the docks, their faces filled with panic as they shouted, "Captain, this is bad! Something's happened! Someone is attacking us!" The White Wolf captain immediately ran out and asked, "Who dares ambush my White Wolf Pirates? Everyone, assemble! Kill those bastards!" With that, he began gathering the crew and preparing for battle.
Julian had no intention of wasting words. Upon reaching the White Wolf Pirates' docking pier, he activated his Earth-Earth Fruit ability and assumed the Mud Dragon Giant Soldier form. Earth elements wrapped around his body, shaping Julian into an earthen dragon-man over fifty meters tall. His appearance imitated Kaido's Azure Dragon Beastman Form, with the black color of mineral-rich soil. Why had Julian copied Kaido's Beastman Form? Julian's answer was simple: Kaido was the most intimidating figure in the pirate world. It would be a waste not to take advantage of that.
Julian looked domineeringly at the White Wolf Pirates and asked, "Do you want to live or die? Anyone who refuses to surrender will die." The White Wolf Pirates stared in shock at Julian in his mud dragon form, then looked to their captain, White Wolf Allison. White Wolf Allison said, "What kind of Devil Fruit user are you? Stop playing tricks. Watch me cut off your dog head!" Allison activated his Devil Fruit ability, transformed into a White Wolf Beastman, and charged forward with a katana in hand. Julian caught the leaping Allison in his right hand. The more than fifty-meter-tall Mud Dragon Julian looked down at the over four-meter-tall wolfman Allison clenched in his palm.
Julian said, "Surrender, and I'll spare your life." Allison said to Julian, "Do it. Even if I, White Wolf, die, I will never surrender to you." Julian looked at White Wolf and said, "It's normal that you lost to me. As long as you surrender, I'll let you go, along with every brother on your ship. Do you want them to die with you?"
Julian continued tempting him. "Once you're dead, you'll have nothing. Are you sure you want to die so generously? Won't you look upon this beautiful world? Won't you see this Grand Line? Won't you head to the New World and challenge for the throne of the strongest pirate? Instead, you choose to die in this unknown port. People should look forward, not deceive themselves."
White Wolf Allison hesitated and said, "Do it. I'm not afraid of you." Julian snapped, "You think I don't dare kill you, is that it?!" With a wave of Julian's left hand—
The dirt version of a 9.9-Berries free-shipping Chibaku Tensei appeared. All the earth to the right of the dock flew into the sky, forming a massive two-hundred-meter earthen sphere six hundred meters overhead. Then it plummeted rapidly from the sky. With a thunderous BOOM, the White Wolf Pirates' little lackeys trembled in terror. They all thought, Is this really power a human can possess? This is too terrifying. Of course, this was the South Blue, where overall strength was mediocre and people had rarely witnessed grand scenes.
The open ground became a giant crater over a thousand meters wide, filled with smoke and dust. Julian said to Allison, "If you refuse to surrender, that pit will become the grave that buries your White Wolf Pirates." After speaking, Julian stared at Allison with the look of someone who expected him to be smart. 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 and led the White Wolf Pirates in surrendering to the Mud Dragon Pirates, offering up their savings as well. Julian looked over the recruited White Wolf Pirates. There were over two hundred of them, four Division Captains, and many elite personnel. Julian said to the surrendered crowd before him, "Welcome to my pirate crew, everyone. From today onward, we're family. Let the unpleasantness from before pass."
Julian spoke as if Boss Cao had possessed him. "With Brother Allison's aid, I have gained a million elite Marines. With such a fine general, what great undertaking could possibly fail?" Allison smiled and said, "Thank you for the praise, Captain." Julian said, "You all need to know the rules of our pirate crew." Allison replied, "We've just learned them." Julian said, "Allison, you will become the Third Division Captain of my Mud Dragon Pirates. First Mate Pierre, you will temporarily serve as Captain Commander of logistics. You can slowly build your division in the future." Pierre nodded and said, "Thank you, Captain."
Julian thought of Garud, who had always managed the navigators and shipwrights while also handling logistics. He had been worked far too hard, constantly rushing everywhere. Now they had a dedicated Captain Commander of logistics. Julian naturally planned to break up the White Wolf Pirates' personnel first, preventing them from rebelling. He turned White Wolf's four Division Captains into Squad Leaders and split them among George's First Division and Pekki's Second Division. Those assigned to the marksman unit were mostly older or weaker people. Leo was quite upset about this.
White Wolf Allison's division had fewer people now, but Julian said he would replenish it once they boarded the Mud Dragon. Allison also offered the savings he had accumulated over the years, more than eighty million Berries. Julian did not lack Berries, but he still had to accept them. They were Allison's token of allegiance. Allison had been defeated, not someone who had voluntarily come to join him. There was a difference. Allison had five ships, all stolen. The largest, the White Wolf, was about the same size as the Mud Dragon and had a very similar design.
Julian filled the massive crater back in with earth. The land was innocent. Seeing Julian's terrifying strength, everyone felt fortunate that they had surrendered to the Mud Dragon Pirates. They believed it had been the right choice. After making 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 handsome young man full of spirit, while Pierre was an exceptionally cheerful man who was also very handsome.
Julian asked, "What are your dreams?" Allison said, "Captain, our dreams are to become strong, challenge powerful opponents, conquer the Four Seas, and become famous throughout the Four Seas." Julian said, "Those are great dreams. But the Sea is filled with powerful people. Challenging them without strength is just courting death. Still, I'll teach everyone how to become stronger." Julian continued examining Allison and said, "White Wolf, your Devil Fruit combined with your swordsmanship is indeed formidable. Train your physical strength well." Allison nodded sincerely. "Thank you for your guidance, Captain."
Julian said, "There's another swordsman on our ship named Herbert. His swordsmanship far surpasses yours, so you can learn from him properly. Your Devil Fruit should come second. Swordsmanship and strength should come first." Allison said, "Understood." Julian asked, "Pierre, how is your swordsmanship?" Pierre said awkwardly, "I'm pretty average."
After the five ships rendezvoused with the Mud Dragon, Julian gathered all the officers together and announced before everyone, "Today, Brother White Wolf Allison joins our Mud Dragon Pirates and becomes part of our family. First, I appoint Allison as the Third Division Captain. George, bring out Herbert, who's still recovering from his injuries."
Julian said to Herbert, who was wrapped head to toe in bandages, "This is Master Swordsman Herbert. He is now the Fourth Division Captain of our Mud Dragon Pirates." Julian planned to assign all those slave crewmen to the various divisions and raise the fleet's combat power as quickly as possible. Herbert was utterly puzzled. After nursing his wounds for one day, he had somehow become the Fourth Division Captain.
Julian asked Pierre, "When you robbed four World Government member nations, did any of them have Devil Fruits?" Pierre said, "We had just led people onto the king's island when the nobles and ministers resisted with their guards. Then the king fled with most of the money, Berries, and Devil Fruits. Finally, the Marines arrived, and since we couldn't beat them, we ran too."
No wonder they robbed several World Government member nations, yet Pierre never got to eat a Devil Fruit. Rather than openly invading other kingdoms with such fanfare, it would be better to secretly empty those kings' King's Treasure Rooms in one go.
Before you continue