On the Katorea docks, the gazes of the Gawain crowd looking at Gawain were not those of someone looking at God or hope.
On the contrary, their eyes were as fierce as those of wolves that had been starving for months, staring at a piece of bloody meat!
When Ace distilled water for them, they faced a water source that, no matter how hard Ace tried, could only flow slowly.
With Crocodile's help, the Cortenas learned to wait.
But now, looking at the water and food piled up throughout the entire hull of the Dark Bird Ship...
Especially the mountains of fruits and vegetables on top!!!
People who had barely satisfied their hunger and thirst were now experiencing the taste of hunger again!
In a very short moment...
Crocodile's discipline, which he had maintained for over ten days, is almost completely gone in the blink of an eye!
The crowd gradually shifted from clamor to restlessness, and then slowly evolved into... an urgent urgency, as if they wanted to push and shove their way into the sea!
As for Gawain...
There's a very interesting reality: no matter how important the person speaking on stage is, people will only listen to what they want to hear!
Now, when the people of Kotterena hear the food and vegetables they crave, they can hear nothing else!
If this were a world that is neither fantastical nor extraordinary, then few people could stop the current crowd.
What could stop such a group of people wouldn't be someone like Gawain who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, or some important figure who arrived unexpectedly.
The only ones who can stop them are the leaders who have long been their faith or hope.
But this is ultimately a fantasy world!
Seeing the increasingly restless crowd, Gawain gently closed his eyes.
He slightly raised his hand, then pressed it into the air.
Click!!!
With a loud bang, countless Inazuma descended from the sky in the blink of an eye. The Inazuma split into arcs and struck precisely into the gaps between each pair of people!
The moving arcs of electricity filled the air with a numbing sensation; in an instant, the hair and body hair of countless people became fluffy!
If someone can capture that moment, then people will see it.
Just a moment ago, Gawain Mantra could only temporarily cover every inch of land within a 4.5-kilometer radius.
The surging lightning covered everything, turning it into a deep blue sea of thunder!
And after that instant...
The crowd, on the verge of being overwhelmed by desire and transformed into beasts, finally regained the eyes of intelligent beings.
On the dock, Gawain opened his eyes, smiled, and looked around.
He had to admit that Logia Devil Fruit did indeed possess an innate, awe-inspiring power akin to natural disasters and tribulations!
Although Conqueror's Haki could also subdue everyone here.
However, the Conqueror's Haki- induced coma is somewhat unsuitable for the current situation.
Once he was sure the crowd had regained their senses, Gawain gently withdrew his hand.
Then, his gentle voice continued to emanate from the thunderous domain in the sky.
He said softly.
"Guys, you seem to be eager to get started. Water and food are right in front of you. Just follow my orders and do a good job of counting the number of people, and you will get them!"
So, if we don't start collecting statistics now, when will we?
"Wait until I lose my temper?"
After saying that, Gawain sent a wisp of lightning to Kalifa's ear.
Immediately, Kalifa heard a series of faint electronic sounds.
After receiving instructions from Gawain, Kalifa immediately led all the members of the Logistics Department and Finance Department to disperse some of the onlookers at the dock.
Then, they directly raised the banner of the Dark Bird Group in Katorea, a city in the Kingdom of Alabasta.
Afterwards, people carrying flags left the dock and headed to various locations in the city.
As those people left, the Cortés people instinctively followed in their footsteps, dispersing into countless tributaries and arriving at one relatively open area after another in the city.
At the same time, as he watched the crowd disperse, Gawain smiled and said to Cobra.
"King Cobra, all we need to do now is wait for the crowd to be properly arranged."
If you don't want to just stand by and watch, you can get involved. If you're interested, just contact Kalifa or Lucci.
Having said that, Gawain nodded slightly to Cobra, and without waiting for Cobra's reply, he walked off into the distance.
As he moved, the members of the Dark Bird Group naturally bypassed Cobra and Vivi, and followed Gawain's footsteps.
Beside Cobra, Vivi stared blankly at the crowd in the distance. In her eyes, even Uta and Shirahoshi were following Gawain pride.
In the eyes of those two girls who were about the same age as her, Vivi could see no nervousness whatsoever, nor even the slightest bit of fear!
It's as if, as long as they follow behind that person, no one in the world can hurt them anymore!
For a moment, Vivi couldn't help but show an envious look.
They're the same age, so why is she so incredibly nervous?
Just because I didn't bring that Dark Bird Emblem, and therefore I'm not qualified to call that person "Master"?
On the other hand, Gawain whispered instructions to the crowd as he took a walk.
"Alabasta has been affected by the disaster for more than six months, and people's hearts have long since changed. It is difficult to restore normalcy here as quickly as possible using ordinary methods."
Therefore, I can only use a relatively tough and dangerous stance to keep them calm as much as possible!
As soon as Gawain finished speaking, he smiled and nodded slightly.
"What you say is absolutely right, sir. In special times, decisive measures are necessary. Besides, you only put some pressure on them and didn't actually harm them!"
At this point, Yixiao couldn't help but turn to the Kuma not far away.
He smiled and said to the Kuma.
"During those years in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, I met the elites of your Revolutionary Army and even communicated with the West Army Commander."
Your attitude towards civilians is always the same: to encourage them to rebel.
That's not good, really, because while you're teaching people to escape their painful past through rebellion, you're not teaching them how to achieve a better life.
Perhaps even you don't understand what kind of life the people really need.
"This..."
Hearing Yixiao's words, Kuma couldn't help but shake his head.
"Long and I have discussed this for a long time. I believe that regular management can help people live better lives."
But the dragon believes that we are only qualified to guide people, not to manage them, because if we manage them, we will eventually become the Arlong that we overthrow!
Of course, I don't think he's necessarily right, but I do know one thing more clearly.
Whether a manager is Arlong or not cannot be determined by the manager's own will.
I myself was once a king, and I have management experience, but clearly, I am not a good manager.
Even if I use all my strength to give them orders that could clearly make their lives better.
They only like to call me a tyrant...
At this point, Kuma couldn't help but smirk. Wow, what a bear!
Listening to Kuma's words, Grandpa Rayleigh grinned.
"Don't be discouraged, Bear. After all, the hardest job in the world has never been for us knives who hang our heads on our belts, but for the king sitting at the top."
If a ruler doesn't know how to guide and manage the common people, then no matter how kind he is, he can only be seen as a fool who rides on the backs of the people and acts arrogantly.
However, we don't need to worry about that. Gawain is an interesting leader, and more importantly, a qualified one.
He is gentle when gentleness is needed, and even more so when cruelty is needed. He is not a clear line, but a point that moves in a state of balance, elusive yet always just right.
Just now, those poor, starving people looked at us with eyes that seemed to want to devour us as well.
But now, haven't they transformed from dangerous wolves into gentle sheep in the blink of an eye?
As soon as he finished speaking, Grandpa Rayleigh patted Gawain on the shoulder.
"People like Roger and me, no matter how strong our Conqueror's Haki, all we know how to do is kill people."
Even if Roger knows more than I do, he only knows a little about how to lead others to kill people.
I don't believe there's any real fantasy world out there. As long as humanity has wisdom, that wisdom will give rise to desires. Even the most Dawu person can't avoid the urge to compare themselves to others.
Therefore, there will always be a hierarchy among humankind, regardless of time or place. An unfortunate era is one in which the inferior person sits on top of the superior.
In other words, this fortunate era is one where suitable people like you can lead the way!
A world where those who truly deserve it can achieve greater things and live better lives is already a perfect world.
Grandpa Rayleigh clenched his fist excitedly.
"I've been following you for almost half a year now, haha, my heart is growing stronger every day. At least until now, I can't find anything about you that doesn't suit you!"
So, haha, what are we supposed to do in Alabasta?
With such a large population and such a vast amount of land, it's really not right to waste it!
"No rush!"
Hearing Rayleigh's words, Gawain waved his hand gently.
"We are not yet in a position to make the decision to compete with World Government."
Therefore, we cannot openly and legitimately transform the World Government Member States into land that truly belongs to us.
Therefore, let's use the help we provide to Alabasta during the crisis to help them get used to our presence and remember our flag.
With the food and water that we will continue to send with the Little Dark Bird, I hope that the Dark Bird Flag can fly throughout Alabasta, so that people will remember that the Dark Bird can give them a better life than they have now.
This only requires a little guidance and subtle influence.
However, even with a little guidance, everything we've done in Katorea is far from enough.
Ultimately, we will need to utilize sufficient personnel to spread information about us throughout Alabasta."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Rayleigh nodded slightly.
"This doesn't sound like something we're good at, haha, we're better at fighting and killing."
So, should we still leave these things to Lucci?
"No."
Gawain chuckled and waved his hand in response to Rayleigh's question.
"To Alabasta, we are nothing more than a powerful dragon crossing the river."
If it's just fighting and killing, our powerful dragon can easily handle it.
But when it comes to interpersonal relationships and social interactions...
It's best to let the locals do it!
Gawain turned around and waved gently to the crowd.
"I'm going to meet a seasoned local tyrant who's been entrenched here for over a decade, and I have some things to discuss with him..."
Haha, those words aren't suitable for even you to hear, because if a second person finds out, I don't care, but that snake will be in a bit of a predicament.
So, gentlemen, please help out in this city.
"Check on the security, maintain order, and also take Shirahoshi and Uta to enjoy the desert scenery."
At this point, Gawain turned to Uta beside him and said,
"By the way, Uta."
The concert in Alabasta is unlikely to happen anytime soon, since people there are struggling to even get enough to eat these days.
Art may be able to cultivate people's moods, but only when people are well-fed will they be in the mood to receive the cultivation of art.
So, before I solve their survival problem, you should prepare some songs suitable for people to listen to after the disaster."
"Mmm!"
At that moment, Uta nodded with utmost seriousness, looking at Gawain with admiration.
"Since you've given such a promise that you can definitely solve their disaster, then of course I won't hold you back musically!"
Wait for me, Gawain, I'm going to write a new song right now!
Upon hearing this, Gawain smiled with satisfaction, and then nodded encouragingly to Uta.
"Well then, good luck."
"Received~~."
Uta, perched on Shirahoshi's shoulders, responded solemnly.
As Uta responded, Shiryu, who had been itching to do something for a long time, also asked Gawain in Gawain.
"My lord, in a city that has been imprisoned by disaster for so long, there must be some people inside who can no longer be called human."
So, hehehe, I'll go wander around those shady corners and deal with the local black market or something.
Otherwise, even if we distribute the food and water, those black market people might take it back and use it for something disgusting!
As soon Shiryu speaking, Rayleigh, Kuma, and Issho immediately showed interest, and the group smiled at Gawain.
"Shiryu. Looking at it this way, perhaps we old folks can also get involved, maybe..."
"No, no, no!!!"
Before they could finish speaking, Shiryu frantically shook his head.
"It's just a small matter, no need for everyone to get involved, haha."
I can handle it myself!
If you're still worried, then I'll bring that General robot with me and have it clean the floor for me!!!
Shiryu spoke quickly, then looked expectantly at Gawain. When he saw Gawain nod, he immediately rushed excitedly into the distance.
Seeing that Shiryu found a job he liked, everyone suddenly remembered what they could all do to help.
Rayleigh and Shakky agreed to head towards the slums of Katorea, while Yixiao walked towards the casino.
Kuma directly became involved in Kalifa and the others' work.
Jinbe then took Shirahoshi and Uta to the desert outside the city for some research.
Only Gion and Hancock looked at each other.
"I don't consider myself someone who knows how to help others, so, hehe, let's find a place to fight!"
"I didn't learn how to do disaster relief in the navy, so I won't presume to make things worse. It's definitely more comfortable to move around a bit!"
Then, the two of them agreed to walk towards the distant desert.
After everyone had left, Gawain shook his head leisurely.
Then, he turned his head and looked at Crocodile was only eighty meters away from him.
At the same time, Crocodile also looked at Gawain with the same respect.
In the next instant, Gawain transformed into lightning and appeared beside Crocodile.
Upon seeing this, Crocodile's expression froze...
If the previous ability to control lightning could have been due to some other Devil Fruit...
Therefore, the only thing that can transform into lightning now is the legendary Rumble-Rumble Fruit!
The moment this Celestial Dragon appeared, he revealed his Devil Fruit power to me...
What exactly does he want to do?
Crocodile tried to guess what Gawain might tell him, and prepared several responses in his mind.
But...
Could Gawain be so easily figured out?