"What!? Build a sewage treatment plant?"
Kaido, sitting at the head of the table, looked unhappy at Gusion's proposal.
"Why is Mr. Kaido so against it?"
Gusion was curious—he hadn't even mentioned the cost yet.
"I've seen how factories handle this in some countries—complicated, expensive, and it cuts into profits."
Kaido grumbled.
Gusion was surprised Kaido even knew wastewater should be treated. But Kaido just didn't want the trouble or loss of profit.
"Kaido, you're thinking about this the wrong way."
Gusion explained, "In normal countries, treating industrial waste is a big expense—mainly manpower. But here in Wano, labor is cheap."
He produced a document with his calculations.
Kaido glanced at it, surprised. "It's that cheap?"
Gusion nodded. "Yes. Like I said, food is cheap. Our only real cost is grain, and our products are hugely profitable, so allocating labor for sewage barely affects profits."
"Labor maybe, but doesn't it require technology?"
Kaido reasoned.
"True, technology is the main cost. People alone can't purify sewage. We need high-tech equipment at each factory for primary purification, then large-scale equipment at the river's end for final treatment."
Gusion spread out a map of Wano, showing the network of factories.
"That many devices will cost a fortune."
Maria frowned at the map.
Kaido didn't care much about the exact numbers, but waved his hand, "Let Doflamingo get the equipment. I'll give him one hundred million Berries."
Gusion grinned. "That's the pirate spirit."
"He'll agree."
King, sitting beside Kaido, added coolly, "He's made plenty from artificial Devil Fruits. He knows what this means."
Kaido wasn't a pushover—he knew when he'd been cheated.
Now, they could squeeze Doflamingo for the equipment, making him pay back what he'd earned.
By Gusion's estimate, that equipment was worth over five billion Berries in the One Piece world. Kaido would never have agreed to spend that on environmental protection.
But now, with Doflamingo as the target, he had no choice. As Joker of the underworld and Caesar's direct contact, he could get the equipment cheap.
Whether Doflamingo wanted to or not didn't matter—he was smart enough to be terrified by now.
"Glad you agreed, Kaido. I thought it'd be hard to convince you—I haven't even mentioned the long-term benefits yet."
Gusion smiled.
"There's more benefit?"
Kaido was puzzled. He wouldn't have agreed months ago, but now he fully trusted Gusion, believing every plan was in his favor.
"Of course. I said before, to achieve your dream, you need momentum. If foreigners come to Wano for tourism, they'll see our prosperity—and our factories. If they see us dumping sewage directly into the sea, what'll they think?"
Gusion explained, "That would hurt Wano's reputation, and make it hard for you to recruit strong allies."
"I see. If we anger other countries, rumors will work against us. When we raise an army, we'll have no support."
King mused. "Mr. Gusion, you really think ahead."
For their grand plan, spending a little now was worth it.
"That's settled then. Anything else today?"
Kaido was in a good mood, ready to drink.
"Yes, one more thing, Kaido: you need to visit Wano yourself."
Gusion smiled. "The new houses are ready—I need you to hand out deeds to the workers without homes."
Kaido was confused. "Can't a subordinate handle that? Why me?"
Gusion was speechless. Kaido really didn't get the value of appearances, but sometimes showmanship is necessary for a leader.
Wano was in recovery, and people were benefiting—but their only concern was their ruler's reputation as a notorious pirate.
Even though Yamato was officially the shogun, everyone knew who the true power was—the Yonko, Kaido.
Kaido's ferocity was legendary. To be a Yonko, people assumed he had to be terrifying and brutal.
But that image hurt Wano's long-term rule. Gusion needed the people to change their view of Kaido, just as they liked Yamato as a good shogun.
If Kaido could be seen as a benevolent protector, recruitment of workers and soldiers would go much more smoothly.
Gusion explained a bit, and Kaido, though confused, followed along.
…
The next day, under bright sunshine, crowds gathered outside the new city.
With Gusion's reforms, factories now had a two-day weekend—today was a holiday.
Kaido had initially resisted giving days off, but Gusion patiently explained the benefits of work-life balance, and Kaido reluctantly agreed.
In front of the crowd, a temporary stage had been built for speeches.
The eager crowd waited in order, not crowding the stage or shoving.
This was not just because soldiers kept order, but because everyone remembered what kind of country they lived in, and dared not make trouble.
"Look! Lord Gusion is here! He didn't lie—we're really getting houses!"
"Heavens above, I'll finally have my own home—and not a wooden shack. It should last for years."
"I can't wait to move in. My wife and kids have suffered in the cold for years—we'll finally be safe."
"Long live Shogun Yamato! Long live Lord Gusion!"
…
As Gusion appeared, cheers broke out.
But the excitement quickly faded to silence.
Because behind Gusion, a huge figure climbed the steps—Kaido, dressed today in a black Wano-style robe.
Even the wide robe couldn't hide his muscles, but compared to usual, he was dressed quite properly.
As he stepped onto the stage, everyone fell silent, a faint fear spreading through the crowd.
Everyone recognized him—the pirate who broke through Wano's gates, Yonko Kaido.
"Everyone, calm down. As you can see, this is our country's Guardian, Mr. Kaido."
Gusion stepped forward. "This housing plan was carried out under Kaido's orders. Now that the houses are built, the first distribution should be handled by Mr. Kaido—a historic event."
Kaido stood beside Gusion, tall and silent, a stern face.
Actually, he was silently reciting the speech Gusion had taught him.
"Now, please, Mr. Kaido, say a few words."
Gusion retreated a step.
Everyone focused on Kaido, but most looked down after a few seconds—he was simply too intimidating.
Not because of his looks, but because of his reputation and the aura he carried.
Kaido saw the reaction and silently praised Gusion for predicting it. He began speaking as planned: "Everyone, lift your heads."
He tried to sound gentle, but his booming voice still made the front rows tremble.
"Why do you fear me so? Is it because I am a dreaded pirate? Or because I broke through this country's gates?"
Kaido couldn't memorize long speeches, and stumbled on the second line, but Gusion, hidden behind Kaido's massive body, quietly prompted him.
"But think—who ruled this country these past years? Who invited me here?"
Kaido's strong voice carried far: "I only sought a place to stay, never claimed to be shogun, never interfered with Orochi's rule. But you all know how Orochi abused this land."
At this, many in the crowd clenched their teeth in anger—they hated Orochi.
"Yes, I'm a pirate, one of the Yonko, ruling with strength. But even I couldn't stand Orochi's actions anymore."
At this, Kaido's face looked awkward—truthfully, he'd never cared about Orochi's abuses, but he forced himself to keep reading as Gusion had told him.
"I too come from a poor country. I've been oppressed, and seen many oppressed people. My heart told me I could not stand by, so I overthrew Orochi, stepped forward, and vowed to liberate this country and bring happiness to everyone."
With Kaido's words, many in the crowd looked up, meeting the so-called King's gaze for the first time.
They were just ordinary people, not versed in politics, and many were seeing Kaido for the first time.
They'd thought Kaido was just a cruel villain, but now, he didn't seem so bad after all.