One day later, in the family courtyard.
Gawain rested on a recliner, glancing over at the young people fighting fiercely in the distance.
Beside him, Franky chuckled and kept patting his chest, his large metal hands striking his metal chest with a sound like muffled thunder.
While patting him, he kept nagging at Gawain.
"Giao, it's really not used to this. This great one actually has to leave the Dark Bird Ship for a while."
But there's really no other way; if there were any possibility, I really wouldn't want to leave everyone right now.
However, the industrial scale of the Dark Bird Ship was indeed insufficient to support a Sea Train project that would spread throughout the entire Grand Line.
To get this project implemented as quickly as possible, I still need to go back to Water 7.
Water 7, the current Dark Bird Ship is still a bit too small, so, sir, I'll take the Dark Bird Ship to Water 7 for an upgrade while I'm at it.
This time, we need to upgrade the Dark Bird Ship to a large ship with a range of at least ten kilometers to recruit more people to board and build our own mobile maritime industrial and agricultural base!
As soon as he finished speaking, Franky stood there forlornly. The thought of having to leave everyone temporarily made this weirdo actually miss him quite a bit.
He even considered Charlos, after all, that guy takes football very seriously.
Despite being a little overweight, Charlos is a very aggressive and energetic player who loves to run.
They're much better than those guys who only know how to eat sea cucumbers.
Hearing Franky's words, Gawain nodded slightly.
"Indeed, if we want to integrate the raw materials that will be shipped from all over the world as quickly as possible, Water 7 our ships."
However, Franky, are you sure you can manage the research and upgrades for the Dark Bird Ship while overseeing the Sea Train project?
I think Dan is capable of managing the Sea Train project on his own, after all, it was his brother's proudest project.
So...
Your temporary departure this time will probably not be for long. You only need to upgrade the Dark Bird Ship slightly and add a sufficient industrial zone and agricultural planting center to the ship.
The industrial zone is naturally your responsibility. Over the past year, your innovative ideas have needed a sufficiently large industrial zone to support and monetize them.
As for the agricultural area, Binz has recently achieved considerable success in his crop optimization and breeding projects, and he needs a larger testing field to expand and validate his results.
After speaking, Gawain nodded to Franky in affirmation.
Franky, on the other hand, immediately patted his chest again.
"Don't worry, Captain, I'll take good care of what you've asked me to do!"
However, after making the promise, he was still a little unwilling, and he continued to speak thoughtfully.
"However, Captain, although Uncle Dan is in charge of the Sea Train project, he's alone..."
Okay, Uncle Dan is capable enough. I admit I'm just a little unwilling to accept it.
Even if I don't participate in the entire Sea Train project, at least let me get started, okay?
"Please let me stay in Water 7 a little longer. After all, that's my hometown, and my brothers are still there."
After saying that, Franky looked at Gawain expectantly; he hadn't been back to his hometown for quite some time.
The last time he returned to Water 7, he was just a down-on-his-luck kid who barely managed to become the boss of a street with the help of Iceburg.
As for now, he has eaten an excellent Devil Fruit and become the chief scientist of the Dark Bird Ship.
He also wants to go home and show off his current self!
As the saying goes, "To return home in glory and wealth is like wearing fine clothes at night," isn't that right?
He really wanted to show his former underlings just how successful their boss was now!
Just as Franky was excitedly lost in thought, Dan, who was resting on a beach chair next to him, breathed a sigh of relief.
So Franky's single-minded desire to return to Water 7 wasn't simply to compete with him for the Sea Train project.
This child is just... attached to the traces left by his master and wants to experience the thrill of showing off in front of others.
Sigh, I've been worried about this for a long time now. After all, the person in charge of a project like the Sea Train is someone who's destined for fame.
Tom has already made his mark on history as the creator, and I, as the inheritor and the one who carries it forward, naturally don't want to fall behind.
As for his previous concerns, can the primary person in charge and the secondary person in charge be the same?
Dan was well aware that although he was skilled in shipbuilding and small-scale machining, he was still far behind Franky in terms of genius.
Especially after eating the Munch-Munch Fruit, Dan felt that Franky had become the strongest materials science expert on this sea.
Perhaps only the incredibly mysterious Vegapunk has a chance to compete with Franky for the title of world's best in materials science...
Or perhaps I should eat a suitable Devil Fruit myself?
But if I, Merfolk, were to eat the Devil Fruit, wouldn't that go against tradition?
Even if I were Fish-Man, at least I'd have legs.
Why...
Hearing Dan's relieved sigh, Gawain looked at Dan with amusement; he knew perfectly well what Dan had been worried about.
Gawain then chuckled and said...
"Dan, don't worry. When it comes to promoting the Sea Train, you are more trustworthy than Franky."
After all, you're not as carefree as him, are you?
After you travel to Water 7, divide Water 7 industry into three parts.
A portion of these were specially made money-making tools for the Celestial Dragon, a two-trillion-dollar ship.
Given the Celestial Dragon's extravagant spending habits, each of the remaining eighteen families could easily order one.
There are also many Celestial Dragons are not clan leaders; they would sell everything they own to provide us with business.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the large shipbuilding business will bring us more than 20 trillion in net profit over the next three to five years."
This statement is not absurd. Even a low-end version of a large ship sold to Mary Geoise can yield at least 1.4 trillion Beli. 20 trillion berries? And with only a dozen or so ships, this figure is probably an underestimate.
"Besides being in charge of the large ship projects, Water 7, the world's largest shipyard, must not lose its reputation. I need some people to focus on fulfilling the orders at sea."
Whether it's the profits from the large ships or the gold from Golden Town, a portion can be allocated to Water 7 first.
Tell Iceburg that Water 7 will have to operate at overcapacity from now on. You need to recruit more people and maximize the scale of your industry.
As for the last part, there's nothing special about it; that part is entirely your responsibility.
"No matter how much you invest in this part, I will not set a limit on your spending. For the next three to five years, all my funds will revolve around Water 7 and your Sea Train project."
"Understood, sir!"
Upon hearing Gawain's words, Dan nodded excitedly, then broke into an incredibly excited smile.
From this moment forward, I am truly in charge of the grand expansion plan for the Sea Train!
Their own names will also become a part of history that future generations will remember as the Sea Train continues to expand!
As for Franky, cough cough.
This young man is incredibly talented. He not only has the title of the creator of the Dark Bird Ship industrial marvel, but also has countless projects worth developing.
I won't envy him, but he shouldn't envy me either.
As long as they both make a name for themselves in history, Dan won't have any conflicts with Franky. After all, at Dan's age, what he cares about is his posthumous reputation.
Seeing Dan agree so readily, Gawain nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at Franky.
Meeting Franky's expectant gaze, Gawain spoke.
"As for you, Franky, you can participate somewhat in advancing the Sea Train project, but I hope you will keep your focus on upgrading the Dark Bird Ship."
Some time ago, I discussed with you those designs... laying metal lines in Adam Wood to improve the effect and efficiency of lightning operation, and to a certain extent, using lightning as fuel to accelerate speed, while also expanding the effect of lightning.
I hope you can perfectly replicate the effects we've planned on the future Dark Bird Ship!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain looked at Franky solemnly.
By now, Gawain's swordsmanship has reached a monstrous level, but in terms of physical skills and Devil Fruit, he is still far from reaching a leap forward.
In terms of physical skills, only hard training will suffice. With the help of gravity, Gawain's training is sufficient. He does not expect to make leaps and bounds in physical skills through external forces.
But aside from physical skills, his Devil Fruit does indeed have the potential to break through Awakening with the help of external forces, and even if it doesn't Awakening, it can still be greatly enhanced by external forces.
Even Enel possessed a golden Maxim, which allowed him to unleash an attack far superior to Maxim's Gawain, an attack powerful enough to destroy an entire island—an attack that even Gawain would find difficult to execute now.
Enel could do it, and so could he. Gawain felt that if he could get the assistance of the new Dark Bird Ship, even if he couldn't Devil Fruit Awakening for the time being, he could at least use the Devil Fruit Awakening ability through the Dark Bird Ship at that time!
Because the barrier to Awakening is now only a stone's throw away from him!
Franky nodded vigorously as he listened to Gawain's instructions.
"Don't worry, Captain, I remember all of that."
And, haha, believe it or not, I know how to modify that ship!
As he spoke, a blueprint vaguely appeared in Franky's eyes. Having been in contact with that blueprint the longest, he could hardly forget every detail of it!
That was something that could destroy an island with a single shot. Even though that ability had long since become a legend with its demise, Franky firmly believed that he could replicate it!
However, looking at the imposing Gawain beside him, Franky felt that he didn't need to replicate him so thoroughly.
After all, Gawain is far more reliable than a stationary weapon.
He had to make a trade-off between the functions of Pluton, and the function of providing Gawain with magnetic field guidance support.
This is truly a happy problem!
In an instant, Franky's fighting spirit was completely ignited. He was never afraid of facing difficulties; he was only afraid that his life would lose its challenges and passion!
Pluton's name is too old; it's time for a new legend to emerge from the sea!
Suddenly, he raised his hands and thrust his arms side by side into the air.
Then, with immense excitement, he stepped forward in a lunge position and shouted.
"Uncle Franky is getting excited, hahaha!"
Don't worry, Captain!
This grandpa will definitely bring you another huge surprise!
Just wait for my good news!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Franky rushed back to his laboratory and swallowed all his data and the equipment that Vegapunk had given him.
Just as Franky was preparing for departure, Dan also left the courtyard and returned to the Dark Bird Ship to prepare.
Meanwhile, Gawain summoned Crocodile and Jinbe.
Upon arriving near Gawain, Jinbe smiled at Gawain first.
"Hehe, sir, what can I do for you?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he patted his large belly with a smile.
At the Reverie over the past few days, Neptune successfully secured trade benefits for his race, which increased the construction speed of the Fish-Man Three Islands of Sabaody by countless times.
In particular, under the joint protection of the Navy and Black Ice Terrace, more than 300,000 Fish-Man have joined the construction of the Fish-Man Three Islands.
Before long, all my people will be able to enjoy the sunshine and the forest to their heart's content!
Seeing Jinbe laughing Jinbe, Crocodile also smiled deeply.
Then, he looked at Gawain and bowed slightly.
"Sir, Jinbe right. You summoned me here because you have some instructions?"
"Indeed."
Gawain nodded and gave the instructions.
"You should know that the Sea Train is about to start construction. With the Alabasta Route as its core, it will spread like a fishing net throughout the entire Grand Line."
At the same time, the Sea Train is also the core and top priority of all our plans.
Therefore, I am very concerned about Franky and Dan, as well as the safety of the Sea Train project.
I need you two to temporarily leave the Dark Bird Ship and stay by Franky and Dan's side, protecting them wholeheartedly for a while.
The reason I put you two together is because one of you has Logia, and the other is Fish-Man without Devil Fruit.
Whether it's Marine Admiral arriving on orders from the Five Elders to stop them, or Four Emperors learning of the situation and heading to sabotage them, the two of you together have the potential to contend with and even defeat the monsters."
At this point, Gawain gently raised his right hand, Crocodile immediately knelt down in front of Gawain, supporting Gawain's hand with his shoulder.
With a hand on Crocodile's shoulder, Gawain nodded and continued with a smile.
"As you know, Crocodile, once the Sea Train project expands to a certain extent, you will no longer need to continue your guard duties."
By then, I will need some people to completely seal off both entrances and exits to the Grand Line!
Undoubtedly, Jinbe will be responsible for Fish-Man Island and Sabaody, and I haven't decided on his partner yet.
As for you, Crocodile.
Based on your past control over the first half of the Grand Line, I believe you have the ability to stop all the pirates coming from Reverse Mountain for me.
Don't worry, you'll have a great partner. I guarantee that together with your partner, you won't be easily defeated, even against the Four Emperors, and you might even turn the tide of battle.
In short, buddy, do everything you're supposed to do, show me your determination, and give me more confidence in you.
Only then can I confidently let go of your string and let you fly higher, right?
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain placed his hand on Crocodile's shoulder and chuckled softly.
At the same time, Crocodile was slightly taken aback, then he lowered his head in great surprise.
"Yes, sir!"
Please rest assured, with Jinbe and I protecting Franky and the others, both his safety and the safety of the Sea Train project are assured.
I swear on my life, they will have absolutely no problems!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Crocodile knelt down with his head bowed, awaiting Gawain's next instructions.
Gawain patted him on the shoulder, gesturing for him to stand up.
As Gawain watched Crocodile get up, his mind raced.
In the next few years, most of the officers on the Dark Bird Ship will probably have to be sent abroad.
However, this is an inevitable path after expanding one's power.
Just like Kaido and Big Mom always stay in their core area, while the ones who go out to handle matters are one after another Sweet Commanders and All-Stars.
How can people who want to get things done stay together forever like in fairy tales?