After sending the people outside away, Caesar wiped a bead of cold sweat from his brow, his heart still pounding with lingering fear.
Once he had calmed down, he recalled what Wilder had said to him. He stroked his chin, and after a long moment, mused, "It seems... I'm not getting a bad deal out of this."
After leaving, Wilder re-boarded his small boat and sailed straight ahead.
"Now, it's time to get down to business. I hope our official meeting will be a pleasant one, Doflamingo."
The distance from Punk Hazard to Dressrosa was not far. Wilder could have even abandoned the boat and used Moon Walk to get there, but that would have consumed a considerable amount of stamina, and besides, he didn't feel like it. So, he simply took the small boat and set off towards his destination.
The journey was uneventful.
Before long, Dressrosa was on the horizon.
Wilder made landfall in a deserted, wooded area on the coast. He put away his small boat and walked towards the forest path.
He remembered that to get to the town of Dressrosa from here, one had to cross a bridge, and the waters beneath that bridge were home to a species of ferocious fish that could leap over the bridge deck to bite through steel.
"I think they're called Fighting Fish? Or maybe Bull Fish?"
Wilder's assessment of Dressrosa was quite high, or rather, his assessment of the man, Doflamingo.
As for Doflamingo's organization, Wilder had once held it in high regard. But now, as his own power had grown, the Donquixote Family no longer seemed so significant in his eyes.
What he valued was the underworld centered around Doflamingo. That was the foundation of the Donquixote Family's survival and strength.
In terms of pure combat strength, his own high-ranking officers were not lacking in the slightest. Claire and Vice were now no weaker than any of Doflamingo's men, and they wouldn't even fear the likes of the top executive, Diamante.
Whether it was Wilder himself or his other high-ranking officers, their individual combat power could be said to crush the Donquixote Family. Most importantly, even if his cadres and high-ranking officers were at a disadvantage in a fight, it didn't matter, because Wilder had more men. The Donquixote Family couldn't compare.
"Perhaps I can establish a promotion and rotation system when I get back. Establish twenty-five high-ranking officer positions and four minister positions, using a rotational promotion and elimination system. The capable will rise."
"Hmm, I'll think about it more when I get back. It might need to be more detailed. A clear division of labor is the only way to achieve the best results. As for checks and balances, with me around, there's nothing to fear. I'm just worried about the various problems that will arise after bringing in new blood."
"But then again, if Doflamingo were willing, I wouldn't mind taking him under my command. Nyehehehe!" Wilder couldn't help but laugh at his own words. It was an impossible thought.
He knew what kind of person Doflamingo was—a man whose pride knew no bounds, even more arrogant than himself. Wilder was almost certain that if he were to voice this thought in his presence, there would be no need for any further arrangements; Doflamingo would attack him on the spot.
Still, Wilder held a high opinion of the man himself. His methods, intelligence, and personal combat strength were not to be underestimated. One could only say that, like many others, his downfall was being introduced too early and coming up against the protagonist's plot armor.
How could a man who could trade several blows with Fujitora without falling behind suddenly seem so weak in the later parts of the story?
It was only because he appeared before the Sweet Commanders and the Calamities. If he had been introduced after them, who knows how formidable he would have seemed.
In Wilder's opinion, the Calamities and Commanders couldn't compare to Doflamingo. Of course, the top two of each group were exceptions.
So, if he were to fight Doflamingo now, Wilder was confident he would win, but it would be far from easy.
Most importantly, Doflamingo's attacks were particularly effective at breaking his defenses, and his physical skills were superb.
"No matter what, that guy is a hypocrite who prioritizes his own interests. For now, there's still a lot of potential for cooperation."
Unconsciously, he had already reached the bridge. A narrow, red steel bridge stretched straight from the cliff on this side to the other.
Without hesitation or pause, Wilder stepped onto it.
Halfway across, with a loud SPLASH, a wave exploded from below, and a vicious fish with two horns on its head and a savage face shot up, its mouth full of sharp fangs, lunging at him.
"No matter what, this isn't a very friendly way to treat tourists."
Wilder spoke lightly. Without even glancing at the fish, he raised his hand, and a sharp earthen spear shot out from his palm.
The sense of imminent danger and the icy killing intent emanating from Wilder made the charging Fighting Fish's blood-red eyes contract in an instant, a look of panic appearing on its face.
But it was too late. The earthen spear flew with heavy, fierce power, its force like a cannonball. It struck the Fighting Fish head-on, piercing straight through its skull. The tremendous force sent the fish's lunging body flying backward through the air.
Wilder didn't spare it a glance. He retracted his hand and continued walking.
However, that fish was just the beginning. Soon, over a distance of less than fifty meters, ferocious Fighting Fish leaped out one after another, snapping at Wilder.
Wilder spread his hands, aiming at both sides of the bridge railings. Sharp earthen spears shot out!
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
His steps never faltered, his expression calm. From beginning to end, Wilder never once turned his head to look at the Fighting Fish. By the time he reached the other side, the sea below was stained with patches of crimson, and numerous Fighting Fish were scrambling to devour the corpses of their fallen comrades.
After crossing the northern island, he had entered the main area of Dressrosa.
Dressrosa wasn't particularly large, nor was it particularly small. It naturally couldn't compare to Alabasta or Morass, but compared to other countries, it was in the upper echelon.
Walking at a normal pace, Wilder arrived in the town after half an hour.
He was in no hurry to find Doflamingo. Having arrived in this passionate kingdom, the first thing to do was naturally to experience its charm.
The most common sights on the streets were dancers, toy people, and roses. Wilder admired it all, finding it had a unique flavor. Passion was the theme of this country.
Putting aside the filth that lay beneath, at least on the surface, it gave off an atmosphere of passion and exuberance, a very strong one.
Wilder had to admit, this was the foundation of a nation. At the very least, neither his country in the East Blue, Fish Scale Island, nor the current Kingdom of Morass had this kind of atmosphere—an atmosphere of peace, prosperity, and vibrant life.
"But Doflamingo's failure lies in the fact that he didn't even notice the spies within his own country," Wilder thought of the revolutionary base in the flower field and smiled to himself.
As he was walking, a soft body suddenly threw itself into his arms. Wilder instinctively wrapped an arm around her, his hand landing on a soft, supple rear. He looked down with a wicked smile.
In his arms was a voluptuously dressed, beautiful woman. She hadn't expected Wilder to be so direct and bold. Her face instantly flushed red. She gave him a shy, reproachful glance and gently placed a hand on his broad chest, pushing him away.
"The Young Master invites you to the royal palace, Wilder-kun," she said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear and whispering softly in his ear, her breath sweet.
Wilder was surprised to have been discovered so quickly. Hearing the woman's words, he smiled slightly, turned, and pinched her cheek. As her eyes darted away in a mix of shyness and coquettishness, he let go and chuckled, "I understand. Go back and tell him that after I've had a taste of your country's charm, I will pay a visit to Lord Doflamingo."
"..." The beautiful woman shot Wilder a glance, snorted, and walked away, her graceful hips swaying.
"Tsk." Wilder watched her retreating back, a faint smile playing on his lips. These beautiful spies are quite a good intelligence system. I should take a page from their book when I get back.
"Or maybe setting up an all-female unit wouldn't be a bad idea."
"In fact, the intelligence system could directly recruit civilians from the territories under my rule, focusing on the owners of taverns and other shops. Incorporate these people directly into the intelligence network."
Wilder paused at an intersection, then walked into a tavern.
Drinking had always been one of Wilder's greatest pleasures, especially the unique flavors of each region.
The wine of Dressrosa, like its style, was passionate and fiery.
Wilder usually wasn't accustomed to stronger liquors, but this time, the strong wine of Dressrosa did not disappoint.
The first sip made his eyes light up.
A faint scent of roses mixed with the fiery, sun-like aroma of the wine flowed down his throat. It was like a torrent, yet also like a gentle stream—a contradiction. This was a fine wine that blended warmth and passion into one.
"I wonder how it compares to Binks's sake?" Wilder suddenly thought of the most famous drink from the original story, a wine he had only heard of in song but had never tasted. Wilder didn't know its name, only that the man who brewed it was called Binks. Perhaps... it was just called Binks?
Wilder suddenly felt a strong desire to know what kind of delicious liquor it was, and how it compared to the one before him. At the very least, this was the most unique and excellent wine he had ever tasted.
Taking another gentle sip, Wilder's gaze began to wander around the tavern.
He knew Doflamingo's men were surely watching him from the surroundings, but that wasn't surprising. Wilder would have done the same in his place.
It was called being cautious.
It was also to ascertain his purpose and origin.
Soft music played in the tavern. One of the strange things about this world was the peculiar level of technology in different places. Things like speakers for playing music existed, but it depended on the location. It seemed that most places didn't even know such a thing existed in the world.
Similarly, they could artificially create Devil Fruits and even make inanimate objects like weapons "eat" them. They even had laser cannons. It made no sense that they were still using outdated rifles in battle.
"What a deformed world of technology."
Wilder felt the business opportunities here were enormous. He could work on this aspect when he returned, using technology to stand at the pinnacle of the world.
To earn vast sums of money through technology, to become the world's greatest power, a power that no one could shake or dare to provoke—the thought alone was exciting.
It was truly incomprehensible.
They had motorcycles that could travel on the sea, sea trains, and refrigerators were readily available. In a few years, they might even have nuclear weapons, yet they didn't even have a single handgun that had moved slightly beyond a retro design.
Thinking of this, Wilder saw a business opportunity.
Weapons had always been his team's specialty. If they could develop something like a handgun...
The more Wilder thought about it, the more he felt that he had to focus on technological innovation when he returned, especially in the field of munitions. This was his most important channel for repelling all who dared to invade.
The more he thought, the brighter his eyes shone.
Imagine, if Big Mom's grand army were to attack from the sea, and at that moment, a few cruise missiles were launched from the land of Morass?
That scene... Big Mom probably couldn't withstand a few of those, could she?
At that time, would she still be the same Big Mom? Would her Big Mom Pirates still be the same Big Mom Pirates?
Would Wilder still be Wilder? His Kingdom of Morass would probably become one of the most untouchable powers in the world, wouldn't it?
He would innovate, sell the weapons that were obsolete to him to others, earn large sums of money, and use that money to develop new weapons, thus entering a virtuous cycle.
"There are many aspects to consider." Wilder was determined to develop his nation and stand at the pinnacle of the world. He had to protect his important assets.
His only advantage right now was his powerful research team. If that research team were to disappear, everything would be empty talk.
So, he had to protect it well.
"When I get back, I also need to establish a Science Unit. This unit will not be under the jurisdiction of the researchers. Only the Chief Science Officer will have partial command authority. It will report directly to me and be responsible for protecting the researchers and their research results, as well as reporting the research progress to me in a timely manner. It will also serve as a monitoring function, to prevent the possibility of traitors emerging."
There was also the issue of succession. Once these researchers grew old, it would mean his technological progress would stagnate. So, a science academy also needed to be established, as well as a school resource and logistics department. He had to compile the existing and future scientific knowledge into books, to be left for future generations.
"Appoint another deputy commander in the research team. The team needs to have regular group lessons. Also, researchers who are no longer able to conduct research can take on jobs as schoolteachers."
Wilder's eyes sparkled, the light in them growing ever brighter. "I will turn Morass into a nation of technology, a nation of military might! A nation of education!"
"Schools are of the utmost importance. Next, I need to introduce a number of policies and systems. The guiding principles must be established, the plans must be confirmed. Hmm... let's set a goal for every five years, and then a few hundred-year goals."
Wilder decided to model this system on his motherland from his past life. No matter what, the path his motherland was currently on was the right one, the beneficial one. He had to emulate it, emulate it greatly!
"Teach according to aptitude. Perhaps the Cadre Factory shouldn't be limited to personnel with combat abilities."
Wilder thought of the Cadre Factory. "It's about time for Mandigore and Bilvat to return. After this matter is settled, I can probably get that sorted out."
Wilder wrote a few words in his mind: National Strategic Policy!
He committed the contents of these words to heart, to prevent himself from straying from the direction he had just envisioned in the future.
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