"I see!!!"
Franky roared and nodded emphatically at Gawain, who immediately burst into tears.
Gawain smiled with satisfaction as he watched Franky's unusually anime-like wailing.
"Alright, stop crying, calm down, and listen to me."
He spoke to everyone, and Franky indeed managed to stop crying, kneeling there and looking at Gawain with emotion.
"Sit down, everyone. It's almost 2 a. m. I'll get the work done as soon as possible, and then everyone can get some rest."
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone gradually relaxed and returned to their respective sofas. After everyone was seated, Gawain lit a cigarette and smiled.
"First of all, Iceburg, I need a ship, a new ship."
I have only one requirement for this ship: it has to be big enough!
Of course, the ship doesn't need to be as big as an island, but it must be one or two times larger than the various types of ships that the Celestial Dragon used to frequently travel on.
Firstly, because I need to use it as a training ground—not just for me, but for all my future subordinates to use simultaneously.
Secondly, it's time to replace the flagships of those nerdy Celestial Dragon in Mary Geoise.
Just as I defined you, Iceburg, you are an excellent businessman, so I'm giving you the opportunity to profit from the wealth held by the Celestial Dragon!
Everything will start with the ship. My new ship can serve as a model, spreading the word to my people.
In addition, I will encourage Mjosgard and Shalria to try to create a new wave of ship-changing frenzy in Mary Geoise.
The funding needed for the Sea Train project cannot be fully raised by you alone in Water 7. You need to leverage your current advantages and expand your sources of funding as much as possible!
At this point, Gawain flicked his cigarette ash and then looked at Lucci not far away.
"Lucci, after Kalifa brings Shirahoshi back, talk to her and ask her to take over my current financial management work."
Currently, my annuity is Miss Tuesday, and Mjosgard has also decided to give me his annuity to use, which is the same as mine.
Remind Kalifa to quickly establish a money transfer channel between Mary Geoise and Water 7.
Next, I will use the exaggerated promotional goal of a 100 billion dollar ship for Water 7, aiming to create a series of ultra-luxury ships for the Celestial Dragon, priced at least 30 to 50 billion dollars.
"We must strive to replace the flagships of the vast majority of the Celestial Dragon!"
After speaking, Gawain pondered for a moment. The purchasing power of the Beli was roughly the same as that of the Japanese Yen. In that case, a super-luxury cruise ship specially supplied to the Celestial Dragon would cost around four hundred million US dollars, which wouldn't be too outrageous.
Thinking of this, Gawain smiled at the Iceburg.
"You already have a plan in mind, right? You know how to make this money, Iceburg?"
"Certainly!"
Iceburg nodded solemnly.
"Please rest assured, I already know the scale to which this ship should be built!"
With your endorsement and that of the other two Celestial Dragon you mentioned, I think this trend can be easily stirred up.
However, besides what you suggested—making money off great Celestial Dragon like yourself—I have some other ways to expand my income. I hope you'll approve of them!
"Oh?" Gawain smiled. "Tell me about it."
"Yes, sir, I hope to obtain through you a clause limiting the number of ships Water 7 build and prohibiting Water 7 from dumping ships on pirates!"
"Haha, that's interesting."
Gawain looked at the Iceburg with appreciation.
"You're planning to turn Water 7 into a limited-edition, ultra-high-class shipyard, right?"
"Your Excellency has great foresight. In the past, I did indeed rely on the Sea Train line connecting Water 7 to vigorously develop the tourism industry and small commodity distribution business, and transformed Water 7, which had been in decline five years ago, back into a shipping center in the nearby sea area."
However, this kind of vision seems somewhat out of step with the future you've described.
If we can develop Water 7 into a high-end shipbuilding center for the next era, then we will need to make a clearer distinction in the selection and classification of customers who need shipbuilding services in Water 7.
For nobles and wealthy merchants from all over the world, we can significantly increase the price of ordinary ships by releasing them in limited quantities, thereby creating a premium brand.
With the concept of banning the dumping of ships to pirates, I can use underhanded tactics to increase the price of pirate ships by at least one to three times.
In the current Grand Line, the Reverse Mountain Shipyard Center and the Sabaody Coating and Shipbuilding Center, due to their proximity to the Red Line, have become the main places for both nobles and pirates to purchase ships.
After all, whether it's near Reverse Mountain when they first enter the Grand Line, or near Sabaody Island, the only passage to the New World, these are the places where pirates and merchants frequently change ships.
Compared to that place, we don't have a geographical advantage, so we can only build and promote the concept of a premium brand.
"Sir, do you think this is acceptable?"
"Sure."
Gawain nodded decisively.
"I'm certainly not as good at business as you are, but you're qualified to make on-the-spot judgments based on the situation regarding how to proceed."
As for those clauses you mentioned, I will have Lucci and others retrieve them for you later."
"That's wonderful, sir."
Iceburg smiled with satisfaction.
After reaching an agreement with Iceburg, Gawain turned to Franky and Dan, who were standing to the side.
"Franky, Dan, Iceburg is no longer just a shipwright and designer, so I guess I'll still have to rely on you guys to build my ship."
There's a large enough pool on the deck; I have a little Merfolk at home, and I need to leave her a place to rest.
In addition, I hope you will quickly master the blueprints for the Sea Train. While you are building the ship for me, you can first expand upon the existing Sea Train.
I noticed that the existing Sea Train only has one track, which is far from enough. I think the number should be expanded to three.
For the next period of time, you should take this as your goal and gradually work on developing and testing a new Sea Train."
At this point, Gawain tapped his finger lightly on the armrest of the sofa.
"As Iceburg said, compared to ordinary ships, the Sea Train can play a very positive role in the flow of people between the islands of the Grand Line."
To travel to the islands by ship, one must first have a ship that is safe enough to cross the Grand Line, and secondly, one must have guards strong enough to fight against ordinary sea monsters and small groups of pirates.
Finally, there must be Eternal Pose between the islands.
These three requirements combined resulted in 99% of ordinary people never having the chance to leave their island in their entire lives.
With the Sea Train, civilians don't need to worry about sea and celestial phenomena, getting lost, or finding extra guards.
With just a boat ticket, they can safely travel on the Sea Train route. Safety and simplicity are two factors that greatly facilitate the movement of people and the transport of goods!
In the past, Roger, as the Pirate King, stirred up the seas once again, and countless young people left their hometowns, even though most of them never returned, they still flocked to him.
And now, or in the future, when you succeed, those who flock to you will be 90% of the people in the next era!
The names of Tom, the creator, and all of you who created them, are destined to remain forever revered in the hearts of future generations, along with the times!
So Franky and Dan, you have a great responsibility. The new era is in your hands. Seize the time!
"Yes!" Dan wagged his tail excitedly.
"Understood, Gawain!"
Franky nodded emphatically.
Seeing this, Gawain nodded, then looked at Lucci not far away.
"Rob Lucci, from this moment on, you are completely out of CP9. You no longer need to take orders from the World Government."
From now on, you and your team will follow my instructions directly and report only to me. Do you understand?
"I am most honored, my lord!"
Lucci knelt on one knee and answered excitedly, at which point the pigeon on his shoulder began to dance with joy.
Watching the hopping pigeons, Gawain couldn't help but lick his lips.
"Haha, your pigeons are quite chubby... and very cute. You might want to raise more in the future; it might have a surprising effect."
Additionally, I'd like to suggest that you create a separate team, select the personnel yourself, but try not to choose from the Navy or other departments.
Focus more on young people.
As for the name of your team...
Gawain pondered for a moment, then smiled.
"Black Ice Terrace!"
He pointed at Lucci.
"You shall be called the Black Ice Terrace, and you shall be responsible for performing various miscellaneous tasks for me. As for your specific duties, I will explain them to you in detail once we arrive at Amazon Lily."
"Yes, sir!"
Lucci calmly knelt down and agreed, then got up and returned to his sofa, sitting upright.
As for Gawain, after explaining things to Lucci, he clapped his hands one last time.
"That's all we need to do right now. Iceburg, work on a series of future business plans. Franky, build ships and research Sea Train. Lucci, fill the Black Ice Terrace's ranks as soon as possible."
"Since everyone knows what to do, let's call it a day and go back to rest."
Upon hearing this, everyone around agreed and then left Gawain's study.
After they left, Gawain leaned back lazily on the sofa and stretched.
At the same time, Gion's body suddenly slumped, and she became languid.
As for Jinbe, he sat there pondering for a moment, then turned to Gawain and spoke.
"Sir, since you have decided to split up and control CP9, and have even given them new designations."
"So, do you also want to change your name, you Shichibukai?"
"Indeed."
Gawain nodded.
"The Shichibukai definitely need to be changed, because your members must be replaced and expanded. We can't wait until later when a dozen or twenty new members suddenly appear among the Shichibukai, can we?"
However, even if we were to make changes, it's too early to talk about it now. Although we have plans, you're currently our only Shichibukai.
"Let's talk about this after more Shichibukai join."
"Yes." Jinbe nodded in understanding, and at the same time, Kalifa was taking Shirahoshi home.
Dabai Star splashed water all the way to Gawain's sofa.
"My lord, hehe, I bought Aqua Meat! It tastes amazing, and it's so tender it's unbelievable!"
I have spicy and sea salt flavors here, which one do you want?
Why don't we try them all?
Such dismal results! The average order value is only over 500 points. Even with perfect attendance, you might not be able to get a meal.
It's okay, I'll keep updating regularly, and my grades will definitely improve gradually, so don't worry.
Also, regarding the bonus chapters, we currently have around 500 average chapters, so we can add one more chapter. We also have a guild leader, so we'll add another chapter for that as well.
I only owe two more chapters for now; I'll release the rest gradually.
Love you all.