Strengthening Grassroots Construction

Julian incorporated the five ships of the White Wolf Pirates. Counting them up, he now had five new vessels, six in total. Julian planned to distribute the ships, assigning one to each division captain. He would station himself on the Mud Dragon, put Allison in command of the White Wolf, and let George, Pekki, Leo, and Pierre each pick a ship and rename it to their liking.

George chose the Giant Bear, Pekki the Wild Boar, Leo the Flying Eagle, and Pierre the Black Wolf. Julian split the new crew members and the previously rescued slaves, assigning them to George's First Division, Pekki's Second Division, Allison's Third Division, the Fourth Division, and the Sharpshooter Brigade. Julian also had the division captains like George assess their members and classify them by strength.

The weakest batch of crew were called Rookie Pirates, the second tier Regular Pirates, the third Senior Pirates, and the fourth Elite Pirates. Rookie Pirates earned a monthly salary of ten thousand, Regular Pirates fifty thousand, Senior Pirates one hundred thousand, Elite Pirates two hundred thousand, and officers one million Berries.

Julian promised, "Anyone who breaks through to Elite Pirate can form their own squad." He assigned all the old, weak, sick, disabled, younger ones, or those unwilling to engage in operations or piracy to Pierre, tasking him with logistics support.

Pierre had been the First Mate of the White Wolf before and was indeed very capable in administrative affairs. Julian trusted him completely. Julian said to Pierre, "I'll leave it to you from now on." Pierre replied, "Captain, rest assured, I won't let you down."

The ship doctor, Rose, was already surrounded by women. Julian assigned most of the female crew to Rose and had him teach those who wanted to learn medicine. Julian also promised all ship doctors a monthly salary of ten thousand Berries. The female crew were shocked by the pay, and many requested to become doctors or nurses. Rose instantly became the center of attention.

The next month was approaching. Julian had the women compile the ship's rules and mottos into handbooks and distribute them to all division captains and crew. Julian demanded everyone memorize them; anyone who couldn't would be confined to the brig for five days. Julian chuckled inwardly: These elite crew will be brainwashed through repetition—they'll become my loyal brothers and die-hard fans.

Ship Doctor Captain Rose worked on the Mud Dragon, and Julian was more than happy to have the beautiful nurses stay on board. The Mud Dragon was no longer as crowded, with each division captain stationed on their own ship.

With six sailing vessels now, Julian had originally planned to assign Herbert to the Black Wolf, but his body hadn't recovered yet, and his division had only about a dozen people. Julian kept Herbert on his own ship for now, planning to replenish personnel later.

On Logistics Chief Pierre's Black Wolf, the crew was the largest, over two hundred people. This was because that sly Leo didn't want weaklings in his division and had purged a large number, and the other division captains had done the same. Many former slaves hadn't recovered yet and felt awkward joining other divisions, so resting in the logistics department was a good option. Pierre took them all in.

Julian walked up to Herbert and asked, "Brother, how's your wound? Feeling better?" Herbert replied, "Much better, it'll heal in a couple of days." Julian smiled and said, "I have something good for you. This manual, Gale Style Swordsmanship—can you understand it?" Herbert looked at the sword manual and said, "I can. This style is about fast-draw techniques. It's called Gale Style Swordsmanship, a powerful sword art."

Seeing the eager look on Herbert's face, Julian knew what was up. Julian laughed, "This is my gift to you. I also have a katana for you." With that, Julian handed the katana to Herbert. It was, of course, the katana from that fool Quick-Blade Nedup. No one on the ship knew swordsmanship before, so the blade had been gathering dust in storage. Herbert said, "Thank you, Captain."

That afternoon, Julian took Beatrice into the city on the island to shop. Holding her hand, they walked and chatted. Julian asked, "Anna, how do you feel on our ship?" Beatrice said, "I've made a lot of friends and get along with everyone happily." Julian grinned and started spinning promises: "Don't worry, once I'm strong enough, I'll take you to see the most beautiful scenery in the world, buy you the most precious gifts, and make you the happiest woman." Beatrice blushed and said, "Thank you, Julian."

Soon, Julian and Beatrice entered the town. At the entrance, many notices were posted: the king's palace had been robbed of its gold and jewels by thieves, and the fat count's estate had been attacked. The king had issued a bounty for the thieves. Julian laughed at the notices and said, "Don't worry—tonight, I'll clean out all those nobles' estates. I'll treat everyone equally; not a single noble will be left out."

Julian and Beatrice started strolling through the streets. Julian asked, "Is there anything you like?" Beatrice shook her head. "No, not really." Julian took her into a huge department store. Spotting a section selling Den Den Mushi, Julian said, "Finally, I see some Den Den Mushi." Beatrice said, "These are sold in many affiliated kingdoms, but only nobles can afford them." Julian smirked, "And I rob nobles."

Julian turned to the female clerk and asked, "How much for one Den Den Mushi?" The clerk said, "Two million Berries each." Julian looked at the roughly twenty Den Den Mushi and said, "I'll take them all." The clerk smiled and said, "Sir, that'll be fifty-eight million Berries." Julian paid upfront. Impressed by his generosity, the clerk said respectfully, "Sir, here are your items. Please take care." Julian said, "Thanks," and continued shopping with Beatrice. Beatrice offered, "I'll give you one." Julian replied, "We're together every day, no need."

Julian thought to himself: This mall must be run by a noble on the island, with guards keeping order, and it's several stories tall. He went into full shopping spree mode—hundreds of clothes, thousands of shoes, daily necessities, toiletries, tableware—all bought in bulk. After paying, he stepped aside and stored everything in his Mud Space, then moved on to other stores.

Beatrice asked, "Julian, why are you buying so much?" Julian laughed, "To give the brothers on the ship some clothes. Many new crew members are in rags, and the weather on the sea is unpredictable—we need warm clothes." After saying that, he found a pharmacy and bought out the entire stock.

Julian also planned to steal the nobles' treasures tonight and then head to the next island. He also intended to visit a Marine base in the South Blue to steal the Rokushiki training methods. After spending over three hundred million Berries, he took Beatrice back to the ship. Julian called all the division captains to the main ship.

Julian gave each division captain and officer a Den Den Mushi. He also placed the clothes and daily necessities he'd bought in town on the deck, telling the division captains to let their members pick what they needed. With the Den Den Mushi, communication was now convenient. Julian said to the captains, "Everyone can go enjoy the town. Be back on the ship by nine o'clock tonight."

With that, Julian pulled fifty million Berries from his Mud Space and handed each division captain ten million. Julian said, "Brothers, spend it all—today's expenses are on the captain. But no visiting brothels." The captains replied with righteous faces, "Thank you, Captain. We're all upright men; we won't go to brothels." George said, "Captain, you've given us too much. We can't possibly spend it all—absolutely can't!"

Julian instantly channeled his inner success guru and said, "You have to learn to spend money before you can earn it. Money is just a worldly possession; we should prioritize loyalty." The captains looked at him with admiration. Pekki chimed in, "The Captain is the most honorable man on the sea, treating money like dirt, selfless and righteous." Julian said, "Exactly, loyalty is worth more than gold." All the captains shouted, "Long live the Captain!" Allison said, "A captain like you—I love you to death."

Seeing that he'd played his part well, Julian added, "Everyone, go shopping in the city. Spend plenty." He then instructed Pierre, "Keep an eye on Monkey. Don't let him start a fight over someone's comment about his looks." Pierre said, "Don't worry, Captain, I'll watch him." The members of the Mud Dragon Pirates headed toward the town.

Julian wasn't worried about the crew causing trouble, but he didn't like trouble either. Just then, a flock of News Birds flew by. Spotting Julian on the deck, they asked if he wanted a newspaper. Julian studied the birds, recalling the six emperors of the underworld. The King of News was Morgans, who controlled the power of public opinion and had trained a large flock of News Birds.

Julian said, "Give me a paper." A News Bird handed him a newspaper, and Julian stuffed Berries into the basket on its chest. He looked at the headlines: the top story was Marine Hero Garp chasing Roger across the New World, only to be toyed with by Roger. The second page showed Roger's bounty. Julian muttered, "Whitebeard and Garp teamed up to defeat the Rocks Pirates, the only crew bold enough to directly attack the Celestial Dragons at the God Valley Hunting Ground." Julian laughed, "That fool Morgans really dares to write anything. Stabbing Marine Hero Garp in the back like this—isn't he afraid of Garp's iron fist?"