Although he was making joking remarks, Zephyr actually had a wonderful smile on his face.
Watching Franky's retreating figure, Zephyr grinned widely and chuckled.
"But it's good to work hard like this. We're young, what are we waiting for if we don't give it our all now?"
Besides, the more this kid pushes, the more perfect my Seastone mechanical arm will become, hahaha!!!
Amidst laughter, Zephyr led everyone in starting today's training.
He himself didn't participate, since there were doctors watching him.
Amidst the constant shouts and cheers from the training ground, half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
It was noon, after lunch.
Vivi left the training field covered in sweat, and began to eat voraciously.
Watching Vivi devour the meat like crazy, Shirahoshi pouted, somewhat bewildered.
"Vivi ~."
She asked, puzzled.
Why do you train so relentlessly?
"You're not going to play with us anymore~~~?"
"Hmm..."
Hearing Shirahoshi's words, Vivi swallowed the meat in her mouth and mumbled something like "Uru wuru".
"Why can't girls exercise? Gion- sama and Hancock- sama are also very strong, aren't they?"
"If we don't train hard now, when we reach the age of Hancock and Gion, we can't be completely helpless, can we?"
As she spoke, Vivi stuffed another piece of meat into her mouth.
Beside her, watching Vivi chew incessantly, Shirahoshi blinked in confusion.
Even if we can't help, aren't we still family to the adults?
If adults abandon us because our family members are useless, then those adults are not real adults!
As soon as he finished speaking, Shirahoshi looked firmly at Gawain in the distance. Gawain was standing at the bow of the ship, pointing and gesturing to Dalton, who had come to ask for advice.
As she watched, Shirahoshi pursed her lips.
"At our age, all we need to do is be happy. This is something adults have told me many times."
"How about we Vivi practice this afternoon and go skiing together?"
"No way!"
Vivi quickly shook her head.
"Are you a member of the family, or... or the fiancée?"
Unlike you, I'm just a useless little kid.
Adults certainly won't abandon you, but we're different. If I'm still useless by my twenties, I might really be thrown off the ship!
So go ski by yourself, or go find Uta."
"Uta's been so busy writing songs and auditioning lately, she's been ignoring me, boohoo~~!"
Shirahoshi was genuinely saddened by Vivi's rejection. There were too few children on the ship, and after Uta and Vivi both found things to do, she was left feeling helpless.
Upon hearing Shirahoshi's words, Vivi revealed an expression that said, "I knew it."
"See? Uta has her own things to do, and so do I."
So, Shirahoshi, you need to find yourself a real hobby!
After saying that, Vivi started eating the meat by herself, while Shirahoshi stood aside, lost in thought for a long time.
Should I really find something to do?
Does that mean that if someone in their twenties only knows how to have fun, they'll really be thrown off the ship?
For some inexplicable reason, Shirahoshi, who didn't understand what involution was, seemed to see herself ten years later.
As a Merfolk who had grown up, I realized that I hadn't grown at all compared to ten years ago...
Immediately afterwards, Gawain viciously threw her off the Dark Bird Ship and into the water.
Drifting alone in the sea, watching Uta grow into an even better singer and Vivi into an even better warrior, he looked at himself with regret...
And so, as she thought about it, Shirahoshi rushed towards Gawain with tears in her eyes.
She had to ask the adults what she should learn while she was young so that she wouldn't be abandoned by them!
Meanwhile, in the Dark Bird Ship Recording Studio, Uta finished singing a song she had recently composed.
The perpetual snow on Winter Island brought her unique inspiration and ignited her passion for creation.
Therefore, creators always need to go out; even if they are creating behind closed doors, they should at least go out before closing the doors.
I have never stopped walking, never passed by anyone, and never been passed by by anyone.
How can one generate continuous inspiration for improvement without that?
Just as Uta stopped singing, Gordon, who was not far away, stood up from in front of the equipment.
His expression looked somewhat somber, and he asked Uta thoughtfully.
"Princess, are we really going to stay on this ship forever?"
"Why not?"
Uta answered without turning his head.
Hearing Uta's reply, Gordon took a deep breath.
"But, on Elegia's side, those people summoned into beautiful dreams by Your Highness's song..."
Princess, have you truly given up on them entirely?
"I haven't given up!!!"
At that moment, a shadow fell over Uta's face. She bit her lip and shook her head desperately.
"That was all a dream, it was all a dream!"
Just like I've always dreamed that Shanks would reappear before me and bring me back to their ship!
But the truth is different. He is a pirate, a pirate who, once he steps into this sea, can never turn back and will never stop!
He shattered my dream, and he also destroyed that country and massacred most of the people on that island!
I don't hate him, because I've never understood him!
But I don't want to dream anymore, I don't want to anymore!!!
With a loud shout, Uta angrily shoved his headphones away.
Looking at the earpiece that had been flung away, Gordon sighed, then quickly rushed to the vicinity and intercepted it from mid-air.
Holding the headphones, Gordon silently approached Uta, his head bowed, his mind a jumble of emotions.
After about half a minute of silence, Gordon raised his head again, a smile that wasn't pretty, but was exceptionally sincere.
"You're right, Princess, you no longer need to dream."
The dreams you once had—dreams of wandering the seas and battling the waves—have now become reality.
But in any case, Princess Uta.
Musicians can't lose their headsets...
As he spoke, Gordon gently placed the headset on Uta's head, and Uta's heart clenched in shock.
She took a breath, sobbing, and then her hands involuntarily went to the headset.
Stroking her headset, Uta couldn't help but ask leisurely.
"Uncle Gordon, won't the people of the City of Music be very sad without me?"
"Probably not..."
Gordon replied with a smile.
"After all, without you, their lives are just like a dream that has ended, just like yours."
After saying that, Gordon smiled and looked at Uta nodded very seriously.
"Yes, we've all just woken up from our dreams. Now, I've found someone who doesn't need me to dream anymore."
If you follow him, you will surely see the future he is building, and a life that I may never be able to depict even in my dreams.
He's such a trustworthy person, at least that's how I felt every minute I stood next to him!
After saying that, Uta calmed herself down and picked up her draft paper.
"Let's not think about that anymore, Uncle Gordon!"
She spoke with boundless energy.
"I'd better show my new song to the adult; he'll definitely love it, he's sure to!!!"
At the same time, on the bow of the ship, Gawain was quietly pointing at Dalton.
"You've been doing quite well these past few days, so why are you coming to me to talk about your country? You shouldn't be at the point where you're no longer up to the task, Dalton?"
"Of course not, sir!"
Dalton said earnestly to Gawain.
"While I am completely inept at governing a country, your subordinates have been a great help to me."
With their help, and with the old king's image firmly in my memory, governing was no problem at all.
But I still have some difficulties, my lord. I know how to take care of the common people in the kingdom, but I don't know how to give them hope again.
After the reign of Wapol, everyone in the Drum Kingdom now lives with extreme caution.
They developed a habit of saving money; they rarely spent it, and all their earnings were carefully kept at home.
In just half a month, there has been no sign of business recovery in the Drum Kingdom, and tax revenue is even falling short!
At this point, Dalton knelt heavily on the ground.
"My lord, there are less than two months left until the deadline for handing over the Heavenly Tribute this year!"
After handing over the Heavenly Tribute, we still have to attend the Reverie next summer, which will cost another huge sum of money!
However, there is currently no money in the palace of the Drum Kingdom.
In addition, the extreme poverty of the past, when even food was hard to come by, fostered a habit of saving among the people, resulting in a lack of commercial tax revenue for the country.
In that case, we simply cannot gather the Heavenly Tribute within two months. If we absolutely have to gather it, I will have no choice but to... I will have no choice but to increase taxes on the people out of thin air, just like Wapol did.
I really don't want to do that, but... I have no choice!
Therefore, please, sir, teach me how to overcome this current predicament!
At this point, Dalton burst into tears, looking at Gawain with expectant eyes filled with tears.
And Gawain...
He tilted his head thoughtfully.
"Is that so? That's strange. Has Wapol amassed such wealth through years of extortion that he has no money left to tide him over?"
Dalton, are you sure Wapol didn't leave you anything...?
"Cough cough!!!"
As Gawain said this, Kalifa behind him coughed twice.
Hearing the cough, Gawain looked at Kalifa with a puzzled expression. Kalifa quickly leaned close to Gawain's ear and explained in a very low voice.
"My lord, when Mr. Yixiao and his two companions launched a surprise attack on the Drum Kingdom's palace, Kuma destroyed the palace with a single move, while Mr. Shiryu slaughtered most of the nobles and guards in the palace."
After that, Mr. Issho simply used his ability to separate the ruins and the treasure, so Wapol's treasure is on our ship..."
"Well..."
Upon hearing this, Gawain's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Well, so the real culprit was right here with me.
However, Gawain will not spit out the meat he has eaten, even if he ate it while sleepwalking.
After all, no one on this vast ocean is more desperate for money than him...
So he smiled and said to Dalton.
"Dalton, even if Wapol doesn't have any spare money, there are still other nobles in the Drum Kingdom, aren't there?"
Now, Wapol's era is over, as are those nobles and those who followed him in Wapol numerous evils.
Their wealth, you can totally have it...
"Cough cough!!!"
Just then, Kalifa coughed twice more.
Upon hearing the cough, Gawain's face suddenly darkened.
Could it be...?!
Just as Gawain was guessing, Kalifa indeed came to Gawain's ear and continued to whisper.
"My lord, the wicked nobles and merchants of the Drum Kingdom were selected by Mr. Shiryu ten days ago and beheaded at the execution ground."
As for their property, Spandam immediately had it cleared out and delivered to our ship as well.
So..."
"Uh, so we didn't leave Dalton anything?"
Hearing this, Gawain was somewhat helpless. He slowly asked Kalifa.
Upon hearing this, Kalifa pushed up her glasses in a huff.
"My lord, at least when Mr. Shiryu executed the nobles, the commoners of the Drum Kingdom seemed quite pleased..."
"This is really... sigh."
Gawain shook his head helplessly, then reached out and pulled Dalton up from the ground.
"You flatter me, King Dalton. No wonder you've been having such a difficult time lately."
I initially thought this was simply because you were not yet comfortable in the position of king and were unable to make good use of the legacy of the Wapol government.
As it turns out, the mastermind behind it all was myself...
As he spoke, Gawain chuckled and tossed a bottle of wine to Dalton. After Dalton caught the wine, he continued speaking with a smile.
"I understand. I won't be leaving here for about five more days. During these five days, I'll try to think of a solution for you."
Devil Fruit no other way, then wait for the Cipher Pol to come and collect the tax, which means collecting the Heavenly Tribute.
Just give them the flag I left behind and tell them this is my private property!
Of course, that's the worst approach; getting the market economy running is the best approach.
Let me think about it.
As he spoke, Gawain pondered, having recently examined many livelihood issues related to the Drum Kingdom.
Recalling the series of data he had seen not long ago, Gawain narrowed his eyes slightly.
On the one hand, commercial activity within the Drum Kingdom is sluggish, and the common people who have emerged from poverty are unwilling to spend money, meaning they don't want to be victims of injustice.
On the other hand, the inner world of the common people in the Drum Kingdom is particularly empty. People who are used to rules and pain have returned to their old lives and have a stable environment.
They also find it difficult to rekindle their ideals and hopes, or even to pick up happiness again—something so simple yet so incredibly distant.
Given this situation, it would be quite difficult for the Drum Kingdom to get through it on its own. This thing would take at least a generation, or an era, before it could change.
When internal resources are no longer available, the only option is to rely on external markets to stimulate the domestic market!
So, what special products does the Drum Kingdom currently offer that can stimulate external consumption?
Thinking about it this way, Gawain felt rather helpless. After all, the Drum Kingdom used to be known for its doctors and superb medical skills, and in the future, it would be known for Wapol Metal.
As a result, doctors are still being trained. Even if a doctor is considered good at twenty, it will take at least several years or even more than a decade for them to revitalize the stagnant medical community on their own.
As for Wapol Metal...
The Drum Kingdom doesn't have those anymore; Franky ate Munch-Munch Fruit. These past few days, they've even started replacing the wings of the Dark Bird on their ship with Wapol Metal...
So how can I stimulate the market for the Drum Kingdom?
With this in mind, Gawain gradually began to understand, and he gently raised his hand.
"Kalifa, have Shakky inform Morgans to send a team of reporters to Winter Island as soon as possible."
As for the content of the notification given to reporters...
"I'm going to unlock Great Treasure left by a man for Winter Island."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain smiled deeply. Tourism will always be a powerful tool for stimulating local businesses!
In addition, by using the news he created, he can also bring a message to the world: Winter Island is now liberated, and Wapol is no longer the king of the Drum Kingdom.
In this way, those excellent doctors who were forced to leave their homes and were ruthlessly expelled by Wapol back then...
Among them, there will always be some who want to try returning to their roots, or at least go back to their hometown for a visit, right?