Economic control

Doflamingo had operated in Dressrosa for years, and the network of connections and resources he possessed was truly terrifying, reaching into both the underworld and legitimate society.

After Satoru Gojo had Lucci take over Doflamingo's connections, Dressrosa's economic development gained a powerful boost.

All kinds of Blue Star goods purchased from the system shop sold rapidly through these channels, proving popular with the public.

Devices called mobile phones, which had the functions of Den Den Mushi, were soon shipped across the world and became popular in many countries.

Den Den Mushi certainly worked well, but their signal strength varied. Generally, the larger and healthier they were, the stronger their signals, and their communication range was limited.

Moreover, Den Den Mushi were expensive and required time and effort to care for. Only nobles, government organizations, and wealthy people could afford to use them, making widespread adoption impossible.

Dressrosa's mobile phones had none of these drawbacks. They required no care at all, and their signals would not disappear no matter where they were.

Most importantly, mobile phones were very cheap compared with Den Den Mushi. Even commoners could afford to use them.

A mobile phone cost only 5,000 Beli, at most a month's wages for a commoner, with a monthly phone bill of just 100 Beli.

The phones also had the Nautical Map App, which provided navigation and replaced Log Poses. It was more convenient than a Log Pose, too. A Log Pose had to fully charge with an island's magnetism before it could point toward the next island, while the Nautical Map App let people head wherever they wanted, anytime and anywhere.

It was immensely helpful to fishermen, pirates, marines, merchants, national fleets, and others who frequently sailed the seas.

With their affordable prices, powerful functions, and diverse sales channels, Dressrosa's mobile phones soon sparked a buying frenzy around the world.

Demand frequently outstripped supply, and merchants placed additional orders with Satoru Gojo almost every day.

Although buying phones from the system took Satoru Gojo almost no time, shipping them to other countries took a while.

This led to shortages of phone stock. Satoru Gojo had initially told the merchants to price them at 5,000, but because of the shortages, some prices were driven up to 20,000 or even 30,000.

The enormous profits from selling phones attracted the attention of merchants everywhere. Many traveled great distances to Dressrosa, hoping to sign agreements with Satoru Gojo to become phone distributors.

In a dim room in Alabasta.

Mr. 1 said to Crocodile, "Boss, this is a very popular product lately. Apparently, it has the functions of a Den Den Mushi, and even more powerful ones at that. There's a lot of money in this product right now. Should we get involved too?"

Crocodile glanced at the phone in Mr. 1's hand and said:

"Understood! I'll consider it. You can leave!"

"Yes!" Mr. 1 replied.

After Mr. 1 withdrew, Crocodile took the phone out of his coat and dialed a number.

"Hello, Satoru Gojo speaking!"

Satoru Gojo answered the call.

"You've been making quite a stir in Dressrosa!"

"Oh, it's you, Crocodile! Looks like you've received the phone and my number that I sent you!"

Crocodile's phone had been delivered by someone Satoru Gojo sent, along with Satoru Gojo's phone number.

"The thing you sent is pretty useful. Much better than a Den Den Mushi. You've come up with quite a few good things in Dressrosa!"

"They're all right. Want to help sell them? With your influence in Alabasta, you should be able to make quite a bit selling phones and things like that!"

"Sure, no problem!"

"Then it's settled. Send people to collect the goods as soon as possible! Remember to send plenty of ships, or you won't fit it all. Alabasta has a huge population, and the commoners have considerable purchasing power. If you order too little, you won't have enough to sell!"

"Understood!"

"Also, you've caused a drought throughout Alabasta. Plenty of commoners have no water to drink, and their land can't grow food. When you come to collect the goods, bring along some commoners who are willing to live in Dressrosa. Tell them there'll be food for them here!"

"What do you need so many people for?"

"A large population is the foundation of a strong country! Dressrosa is going to become the strongest nation in the world. We need more people!"

"You're quite ambitious!"

"Same goes for you! Also, Crocodile, be careful! Don't get beaten by a rookie pirate again!"

"Do you think every rookie pirate is a monster like you? Someone with Emperor-level combat power the moment he sets sail!"

"Hahaha! Don't underestimate your opponents too much! Otherwise, I'll have to come bail you out!"

"Bail me out? What do you mean?"

"Nothing. That's all, I'm hanging up!"

Satoru Gojo had no intention of telling Crocodile that Luffy would defeat him and he would then be thrown into prison.

Besides mobile phones, many other products were popular as well.

Wano Country.

Queen the Plague was drinking black water in his residence.

"Buurp~"

"That hits the spot!"

A voice came from outside.

"Queen, come on, let's go drinking!"

Jack the Drought walked in through the door and invited Queen out for drinks.

"Booze? What's so good about booze? Come, come, have some Happy Water!"

"Booze isn't good? Did I hear that right? You're actually not drinking?"

Everyone in the Beasts Pirates knew that Queen loved booze as much as life itself, yet now he was saying it wasn't good! Jack wondered if he had misheard.

"Come on, sit down and have some Happy Water!"

"Happy Water? What's that?"

Queen quickly took out an unopened bottle of Happy Water from beside him.

Jack took it and looked at the transparent plastic bottle, silently marveling at how finely made it was.

Then he looked at the words on the packaging: "Happy Water." It also listed a production date and shelf life. Jack had never seen product labeling like this before.

Jack unscrewed the cap, and a hiss of bubbles came from the mouth of the bottle. Looking at the black liquid, he hesitated and said:

"Can you drink this black stuff?"

"Of course you can! Would I hurt you?"

With Queen's assurance, Jack took a doubtful drink.

As a mouthful of Immortal Happy Water went down, the tingling sensation of its bubbles made Jack's body involuntarily shudder.

His mind went blank, his entire consciousness savoring the taste sensation from that moment.

Then Jack came back to his senses. His eyes lit up as he looked at the bottle in his hand and took another sip, his expression one of utter enjoyment.

Jack said excitedly, "What's with this Happy Water? How can it taste so good? This feeling is amazing!"

Queen said rather proudly:

"Well? Tastes good, doesn't it?"

"It's incredible! Even better than booze! Where did you get this?"

"I bought it from merchants from Dressrosa."

"Dressrosa isn't Doflamingo's territory anymore. Are the Jujutsu Pirates selling it?"

"Yeah!"

"I didn't expect the Jujutsu Pirates to come up with something this good! But they defeated Doflamingo and ruined our Devil Fruit production plan. We still have a score to settle with them!"

"Let's not talk about that today. Come on, let's drink!"

"Gulp, gulp, gulp! Delicious! Where can I buy it? I'll send someone to get some too!"

"It's already sold out. You'll have to wait until next time."

"Remember to let me know next time!"

"Sure, no problem!"

Dressrosa's various products continued to sell everywhere, sought after for their low prices and convenient functions.

Dressrosa's products were steadily taking over markets in countries around the world, gradually displacing some local products.

This was Satoru Gojo's strategy for influencing the world: first, gradually establish economic control over the world, increase his influence and control over its nations, acquire funds, and strengthen himself.