Chapter 417: Recruiting the World's Greatest Genius
"So you're forming a merchant fleet, and then flipping goods between various islands for profit. Is that what you mean?"
After hearing his words, Franky couldn't help but ask. However, Reiner shook his head.
"I'm forming a trading guild. I'm not recruiting merchant fleets, but the various countries of the Grand Line. Let them join and do business under my alliance system."
"Eh?"
Franky blinked, a little bewildered. Although he had been a gangster, he had also established his own ship-dismantling company. He could barely be considered a businessman.
He could understand how exaggerated the profits would be if he could form a merchant fleet that was not restricted by various forces.
But he didn't quite understand what Reiner was saying. A trading guild? Recruiting countries?
"I don't plan on doing the trading myself. Buying low and selling high does seem profitable, but once the entire trade route becomes active, the price difference will slowly come down."
"Unless I violently monopolize the trade channels, this business model won't last long. I don't want to do that either."
Reiner continued to explain his idea.
With his current reputation and strength, if he wanted to form a trading guild, plenty of people would be willing to join him. It wouldn't be difficult to monopolize a trade route either, but he wasn't going down that path.
He was going to earn money while standing up!
He would make others willingly, and even eagerly, send money to him, and also have them spread his fame everywhere.
The business he was talking about was not with merchants, but with countries.
"As for the name, let's call it the [Black Snake Guild]. I will provide protection for all the countries that join the Black Snake Guild, so they don't have to worry about pirate plunder and the threat of underground forces."
"Besides that, the Black Snake Guild will also provide safer and more reliable shipping routes. Nami has already drawn many ready-made ones on our journey."
"I won't participate in the specific trade. It will be conducted by the various countries themselves. I'll just be responsible for providing them with convenience. There's no need to pay to join the Black Snake Guild."
"Wait a minute. In that case, won't you be doing all this for nothing, without earning a single penny?"
Hearing this, Sanji was a little confused.
"And you'll also need an exaggerated number of people, right? Otherwise, how can you protect the trade safety of the entire route?"
"No. I don't need to provide the guards. The countries' own armies will be responsible. If something happens, the Black Snake Guild will just have to compensate them."
"Whether it's encountering a shipwreck on the route I provide, or being plundered by some tactless pirates, the Black Snake Guild can compensate for their losses after verification."
"As for the forces that disrupt the business under the Black Snake Guild... this is the only thing I need to take care of. With my current strength and reputation, there won't be many tactless forces."
Small-fry pirates could be dealt with by the armies of most countries.
By the time it was necessary for Reiner to make a move, most would probably be secretly instigated by competing forces. He had too many means to trace them. At that time, he would ruthlessly uproot the forces behind them. After making an example of a few, there would slowly be fewer and fewer.
As for making money...
In the beginning, he could just take a commission. After it had reached a certain scale, he could start selling advertising space.
To put it bluntly, this Black Snake Guild was actually a platform, and those countries were the merchants.
Besides the commission, when he had time in the future, he could also slowly create more paid services to provide to those countries.
The entire platform was his. If they wanted to trade on his platform, could they still go and use someone else's services?
For the countries, making a profit was a profit, no matter who they gave it to. As long as the price difference was not large, they would of course be willing to use the services provided within the platform.
That's right. The other name for this Black Snake Guild was actually 'Taosnake'...
At that time, there would also be Jingsnake Direct Sales, which would specifically provide for some small countries with weaker national power, which had a hard time organizing their own large merchant fleets but had good specialty products, such as the winter island, Drum Island.
The merchant fleets recruited by the Black Snake Guild would go and collect the products of these countries and sell them themselves. But this part would require Reiner to invest his own manpower and resources, so it could only be discussed later.
But in any case.
This could not only make money but also had great significance for the development of the whole world. To open up and activate the trade of an entire route was an out-and-out good thing for the development of the sea.
Now they had almost reached the end of the Grand Line. After the adventure was over, Reiner was also preparing to find some other things to do to pass the time.
He would establish the Black Snake Guild and do some business, and at the same time, he could continue to travel and adventure everywhere, surveying and winning over more countries to join his guild.
After all, Nami also wanted to continue to travel the world and draw a map of the whole world. At that time, this sea chart would also become one of the most competitive and irreplaceable core advantages of the entire Black Snake Guild.
Speaking of this, Reiner once again looked at Hancock. In his eyes, the other had already become a business partner.
"Kuja Island is rich in agricultural products, and your skill in hunting Sea Kings is also very strong. For many countries, you are a very high-quality cooperation partner. I hope you can join us at that time."
Reiner sincerely invited.
To be honest, if Kuja wanted to do business, they didn't need anyone's protection at all. Never mind Hancock herself, even the female warriors on the island were all masters of Haki.
What's more, the island was rich in agricultural products. One had to know, this was not the modern era he had lived in before. The value of food in this world was extremely high.
And there was the meat of Sea Kings. The Calm Belt was the nest of Sea Kings, but for others, it was a disaster. For the Kuja warriors, it was a natural hunting ground.
The only thing that had restricted them from doing business since ancient times was actually just the problem of transportation.
Hancock was also about to bring this up, but Reiner saw her thought in her eyes and took the initiative to say:
"Transportation in the Calm Belt is not that difficult to deal with. Vegapunk's technology is not just for Marine warships."
"Your problem, to put it bluntly, is that you can't buy Seastone and have no shipbuilding ability. And I happen to have a way to help you solve these two problems."
"You can buy Seastone from Wano Country. Just say we introduced you. As for shipbuilding..."
A corner of Reiner's mouth lifted slightly as he looked at the big guy at his side.
Franky, getting the hint, grinned.
"For shipbuilding, of course, it's the Galley-La Company of Water 7! That's a world-class shipbuilding company."
"I'll write you a letter of introduction later. That idiot Iceburg will give you the best price,"
Franky said to Hancock with full confidence.
Hearing these words, Usopp immediately shook his head and said with a serious face:
"No, no, no. With a letter of introduction from you, Uncle Iceburg will probably rip you off."
"Have faith in Franky. You'll definitely be ripped off."
Reiner also couldn't help but laugh.
"In any case, that's about it. At present, I only have a prototype of the idea. There's still a lot of work to be done to actually implement it. I don't have the time for that for now."
Originally, he had planned to talk about these things after this adventure was over. When he had washed his hands of being a pirate, he would continue to travel the seas. At that time, he would set up a trading guild to play with.
Otherwise, he would feel that the journey was a bit monotonous. After all, in terms of strength, there was no one on the sea worth his challenge.
"I thought you had no ambition. Thinking about it carefully, your idea is simply too terrifying."
Vegapunk said, his long tongue hanging out as he sighed with emotion.
Even though Reiner had already introduced it comprehensively, among those present, only Vegapunk could truly see what a terrifying plan this was.
The others only thought Reiner was going to establish a trading guild to facilitate trade between various countries. Only he knew that this was not a so-called trading guild at all, but a trade system, a trade system that radiated to the entire Grand Line.
Once it was successfully established, this guild would directly hold the economic lifeline of the entire Grand Line and could even subvert the politics of a country with a light and casual stroke.
"Um..."
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Vegapunk looked at Reiner with a calm expression and said shamelessly:
"I suddenly don't want to join the Revolutionary Army anymore. Please let me join you. As long as you give me 20 billion Berries a year for research funds."
"Are you crazy for money!!!" ×N
Nami and the others bared their sharp teeth and shouted at him.
"20 billion Berries! Do you know what 20 billion is!"
"If you changed it into paper money, it would be enough to crush your brain into pulp!"
"Exactly, exactly! 20 billion to buy cotton candy... I couldn't finish it in a lifetime!!"
"Who would buy 20 billion in cotton candy, you idiot!!"
Slap!
Nami viciously slapped him on the back of the head.
"Wuwu~~" Chopper shed tears.
"Sure."
However, to everyone's surprise, Reiner directly agreed, his tone as flat as if he had just spent 200 Berries.
"Wait a minute, Reiner! Are you crazy? That's 20 billion Berries!"
Nami was so scared she hurriedly turned her head and cried out.
Reiner raised his hand and directly interrupted, smiling faintly:
"His value is far more than that. The research funds the World Government gives him every year are probably several times higher. This is already very cheap."
One had to know, the cost of a Pacifista was 100 million Berries. And that was just the cost.
For the fifty latest-model Pacifistas that were detonated during yesterday's war, from research and improvement to experimental testing, and finally to mass production, the total investment would have to be at least doubled.
The funds and time invested in the research of the seven Seraphim were even more incalculable.
Vegapunk's brain was a treasure of all mankind. There was no doubt about this. And the innocent heart that only wanted to devote itself to scientific research to benefit the world was even more precious.
It was just that he had no money now. When he made money in the future, Reiner would be willing to invest as much as he wanted in this money pit.
"You've got good taste. Don't worry. One day in the future, you will definitely be glad of today's choice."
Vegapunk nodded lightly, then held up an index finger and said:
"Oh right. 20 billion is just for research funds. Any invention that is to be mass-produced will require additional money."
"Fine."
Reiner directly agreed and said:
"This number will be increased in the future. But I don't have that much money right now. You can help me plan the guild's affairs first. In the future, a third of the guild's profits will be used as your research funds."
"A third!!"
This time it was Vegapunk's turn to be shocked. He widened his eyes, a little in disbelief.
"Wait a minute. Are you serious? Do you know how terrifying the annual revenue of this guild will be once it grows! At that time, you'll still give me a third as research funds?!"
"I can."
"What about the research content? To offer such exaggerated conditions, what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Half of the funds will be used for the research I plan each year. The rest will be up to you to decide the research content. Of course, you have to report to me in advance and get my permission."
Reiner's smile remained.
He could only say that the World Government's development of Vegapunk was less than a tenth. All they knew was to study that pile of scrap metal weapons. It was simply too much of a waste.
Give him three to five years, and Reiner would launch a massive Internet revolution in this world, instantly bringing the world into an era of information explosion!
The weapons that could change the world's structure were by no means as one-sided as the Pacifistas or the Seraphim.
"You bastard, you really are..."
Vegapunk was already so shocked he didn't know what to say.
One had to know, it was because Reiner had his current strength and reputation that he felt this guild could be established. Even if Reiner didn't know how to do business, with Vegapunk's own mind, a little study would be more than enough to support the operation of the guild.
More importantly, besides Reiner and the World Government, there was no one else in the world today who had the conditions to create such a behemoth. This meant there would be no competitors.
An invisible monopoly had already been formed. This was a trade channel that could potentially cover the vast majority of countries on the entire Grand Line!
Seeing this, Nami and the others finally dared to expand their imagination a little. They gradually began to realize that the 'guild' that Reiner had described in a light and casual manner was probably far more terrifying than they had imagined.
Even Vegapunk, who dared to ask for 20 billion Berries, had such an exaggerated reaction to the condition of a third of the profits being used as research funds. It was hard to imagine how much money this thing could make.
At this point, Hancock no longer had any hesitation. She bowed her head and said to Reiner with a serious expression:
"I understand. I, as the queen of Amazon Lily, now agree to join the Black Snake Guild. I will go to those two places as you said to prepare the ships. I will contact you when the Kuja merchant fleet is formed."
Hancock wasn't thinking that much. She just wanted to do something to repay the other's help. Even if her own merchant fleet didn't need the protection of the Black Snake Guild, she didn't mind sharing a little of her profits with Reiner.
"Good."
Reiner nodded with pleasure.
The first member was the world-famous Amazon Lily. To have the world's most beautiful woman, the Pirate Empress, lead them to join... this was an excellent publicity opportunity for the Black Snake Guild. In the initial stage of the guild's establishment, its value was far greater than that little bit of profit.
A mere Pirate Empress... in the future, she will obediently be reduced to my production tool. Gegege~~
Reiner laughed so sinisterly in his heart.
"Then what about me? Should I go with you?"
Vegapunk asked.
Reiner glanced at him, rubbed his chin, and thought for a moment. He had taken this guy in on a whim. He hadn't really thought about what job to arrange for him.
After a while, as if he had thought of something, he quickly came up with an idea:
"You... go to Water 7 first. I have something for you to do. It can also be considered my first planned research project."
"Water 7?"
"Mm. You've surely heard of the Sea Train."
"The Sea Train... of course I know. Mr. Tom is truly a great shipwright. I have been sighing with admiration ever since I heard of his deeds."
A glimmer of excitement appeared in Vegapunk's eyes. One could even see a bit of admiration and faith in them.
Reiner couldn't help but find it rare. He exchanged a smile with Franky, then turned his head back and continued:
"My first research target is it. Go and see if the Sea Train and the tracks can be improved and upgraded. And come up with a plan to popularize the Sea Train on the Grand Line."
"I see! I understand!"
Vegapunk was full of excitement. It was clear that he was already eager.
He hadn't expected that a pirate, after obtaining his ability, would not think of researching what weapons and cannons, but would set his first target on a transportation problem that almost all pirates would not pay attention to.
Suddenly, for a moment, Vegapunk was surprised at his own heart. He actually felt a sense of having found a soulmate in a pirate.
"Alright. In that case, all the matters here have been arranged. Luffy."
Reiner looked at Luffy.
"Hee hee hee. Then let's get ready to set off!"
Luffy grinned, raised his hands, and jumped up excitedly, full of passion between the azure sea and sky.
"Set sail, everyone! Target: Elbaf!!"
"—Yeah!!"
(End of chapter)
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