The tense, thrilling construction work began.
The pirates who had once been slaves had no complaints about the job.
When they had been slaves, they had done everything—even work more grueling and troublesome than this.
The ordinary pirates recruited from Ship Island had some grievances, but under Charles's imposing presence, they dared to be angry but not speak out. They could only work obediently.
Even Bruce, Quake, Dalle, Qiu Qi, and all the Tide Warriors had to take part in the construction.
Some were responsible for quarrying stone and felling trees, some for transport, and some for building.
The entire mountainside of the island became a vast construction site.
Faced with such a massive undertaking, Quake, Dalle, and the others had not understood at first.
Quake asked, "Captain, we're pirates. Why are we building such a defensive fortress?"
"This island isn't even a necessary stop along any sea route, is it?"
Charles smiled at that. "Do you plan to remain an ordinary pirate for the rest of your life?"
"Don't you want to become great pirates like those of Bloodsail Ship Island?"
Quake nodded excitedly. "I do!"
"But Captain, the other great pirate crews all establish Ship Islands. That way, they don't have to worry about being blockaded by the kingdoms' navies."
"Even if the kingdoms' navies gather a huge force, they can still flee."
"But if we stay on this island, won't we be fixing our position in place?"
"If we get surrounded by a massive kingdom navy force, won't we be unable to run?"
Charles laughed. "See? Your way of thinking still hasn't changed."
"Very soon, the navies of the major kingdoms will be nothing before our pirate crew!"
"This place will become the starting point of the Undertow Pirate Crew's rise!"
"From now on, I'll lead you