"You could say that."
Roy did not deny it.
" The New World order is being reshaped, and we need a solid base."
Hachinosu boasts a superior geographical location, but its defensive weaknesses must be addressed.
Jhin was silent for a moment, then said,
"What Boss Kaido means is that the Beasts Pirates will fully support your development."
But he asked me to remind you— Hachinosu is a tempting target, and many people are eyeing it.
Ochoku was able to occupy this place for so many years partly because of his own strength,
On the other hand, it is also due to the mutual checks and balances among various forces.
"Now you've replaced Ochoku, and those smaller surrounding forces that he previously suppressed..."
And the powerful forces that have always coveted Hachinosu will all be eager to make their move.
Roy nodded.
"I know. In fact, the first wave of probing has already begun."
He pointed in a direction on the nautical chart.
Three days ago, a pirate fleet consisting of five ships appeared in the outer seas, attempting to approach the Earth Star Fortress.
They were repelled by the garrisoned Bullet, with two ships sunk and one captured.
"Just some small fish and shrimp."
Jin disagreed.
"The real trouble is yet to come."
"So I need your help."
Roy looked at Ash,
"I plan to dedicate all the craftsmen and workers sent by Kaido to the construction of the outer islands."
Construction on the main island can be postponed; let's first establish the defense system.
The two discussed some details, after which Jin went to arrange for personnel to land on the island, while Roy gathered the core members to readjust the construction plan.
With the support of the Beasts Pirates, the construction of Hachinosu accelerated dramatically.
Five hundred experienced craftsmen quickly integrated into the various engineering teams, and their professional skills greatly improved the quality of the projects.
Two thousand workers were assigned to the three fortresses of Gold Star, Fire Star, and Earth Star, with priority given to building gun emplacements, watchtowers, and defensive walls.
Meanwhile, Master Tom, along with Iceburg, Kokoro, and a fifty-person engineering team, followed Kaido's ship to Hachinosu.
"OMG!"
Master Tom stood on the top floor of the palace, gazing at the newly laid-out islands on the nautical chart, his beard trembling with excitement.
" Roy, you really did it!"
"Don't get excited, Master Tom. Now is the time when we need you."
Your Sea Train project can now be officially launched. Contact Tesoro if you need anything.
"I understand, Roy!"
A fierce flame ignited in Master Tom's eyes.
"This is the challenge I've been dreaming of! Give me three months, and I'll give you a complete design plan!"
The project has commenced in full swing.
At the Gold Star Fortress, workers are building gun emplacements under the guidance of Hawk Eyes.
The location of the battery was carefully calculated to cover a 120-degree radius of the surrounding sea.
It also forms crossfire with the adjacent Wood Star and Water Star Fortress.
On the Wood Star Fortress, Crocodile organized people to mine timber on the island to build barracks and watchtowers.
The Sand-Sand Fruit's abilities have played a significant role in engineering construction—it can quickly level land, dig foundations, and transport building materials.
Water Star Fortress was built on an island rich in freshwater, where the bears constructed a large reservoir and a water purification system.
It not only meets the needs of the island itself, but also transports fresh water to other islands by boat.
A small iron ore deposit was discovered beneath the Fire Star Fortress, Tesoro immediately organized mining and smelting to provide the islands with much-needed metal materials.
The Earth Star Fortress has the most treacherous terrain, and Bullet personally oversaw the construction of its defenses.
He demanded that all fortifications meet military standards and be able to withstand heavy artillery bombardment.
The inner layer has five sentry posts for wind, rain, thunder, electricity, and light, which are smaller in scale but were built more quickly.
Kyros, Savi, Enel, Pea, Charon, Yamato each took charge of one.
Watchtowers, communication stations, and small military outposts were constructed according to unified standards.
On the Trial Island, Roy planned several dedicated areas.
Gravity training ground, combat zone, weapons testing range, capability development area...
This will become the training base for members of the Roy Pirates and their elite forces.
One month later,
When Roy once again stood atop the palace and looked down, the face of Hachinosu had undergone a complete transformation.
On the main island, commerce is thriving and residents live in peace and contentment.
The new tax system has reduced the burden on businesses, while standardized management has made the business environment more fair and transparent.
The medical station and school established by Xiong have begun operating, providing a place for children to attend school and enabling patients to receive timely treatment.
On the eleven surrounding islands, basic infrastructure has been initially completed. Fortifications, watchtowers, barracks, warehouses... although they are far from meeting design standards.
However, it already possessed basic defensive and residential functions. Those unstable elements participated in labor under strict supervision.
Many people received rewards for their good performance and began to truly accept their new identities.
What pleased Roy even more was that the islanders' mindset had changed.
Initially, they were only afraid of the Roy Pirates; later, seeing Roy repair the plaza and improve people's lives, they began to feel favorably towards him.
And now,
Seeing such a grand construction plan and rapid implementation progress,
Many people began to truly accept the rule of the Roy Pirates.
at the same time.
In the New World, at an underground intelligence exchange.
In the dimly lit room, several figures sat around a round table.
A nautical chart of Hachinosu was spread out on the table, marked with the latest intelligence information.
"It's confirmed, Ochoku is indeed dead."
A hoarse voice said,
"The body was found in the waters off Hachinosu; the heart had been pierced, and the death was swift and decisive."
" The Roy Pirates... the brat who caused all that trouble at Enies Lobby and Impel Down a while back?"
Another voice, filled with doubt,
How could he possibly defeat Ochoku?
Ochoku was a former officer of the Rocks Pirates and Devil Fruit User.
"Intelligence indicates that Roy himself is Great Swordsman and possesses some kind of mental-type Devil Fruit ability."
He also has many powerful subordinates.
' Devil's Descendant ' Bullet, ' Hawk Eyes ' Mihawk, ' Thunder God ' Tesoro... none of these people are simple."
A brief silence fell around the round table.
"What's the situation on Hachinosu now?" the third voice asked.
"Large-scale construction. Roy moved eleven islands from other places and built a two-tiered defense system."
Kaido sent King to lead the support team, and the construction progressed very quickly.
" Kaido has gotten involved too?"
The first voice turned serious.
"That makes things complicated."
"What's more complicated is that Whitebeard Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates are keeping an eye on Hachinosu."
Although they haven't taken any direct action yet, the reconnaissance ships they've dispatched have already appeared in the nearby waters.
The people around the round table exchanged glances.
Hachinosu's geographical location is too important—it is located slightly north of the New World Center and is a hub connecting many important shipping routes.
In the era of Rocks, this was the trading center of the New World Underworld;
Although it declined somewhat during Ochoku's era, it remained an important black market stronghold.
Whoever controls Hachinosu will gain the strategic initiative in the New World.
"We can't let Roy gain a foothold."
The first voice said decisively,
" Hachinosu must be in our hands."
"But the Roy Pirates are quite strong, and they also have Kaido's support..."
"A direct confrontation is unwise."
The second voice said,
"But we can use other methods."
Hachinosu is undergoing massive construction and requires a large amount of supplies. If their supply lines are cut off...
"At the same time, contact those who are dissatisfied with Roy."
The third voice supplement,
" Ochoku's former subordinates, expelled illegal merchants, and those restless people on the island..."
Give them weapons and support, and let them create chaos from within.
"A two-pronged approach."
External pressure leads to internal disruption.
"Once Roy is exhausted from dealing with this, we'll strike again."
The plan was thus finalized.
These people are representatives of a medium-sized Pirate Alliance in the New World.
They don't possess the vast power and strength of Whitebeard, Golden Lion, or Charlotte Linlin, but even united, they are not to be underestimated.
Most importantly, they are very close to Hachinosu and have always considered this area of water as their sphere of influence.
During Ochoku's era, they dared not provoke this former Rocks cadre.
But now that they have a new person in charge, they feel their opportunity has arrived.