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A campsite was re-established on the beach.
"Daichi-sama, please don't move."
Kikara carefully bandaged Daichi, her heart trembling at the sight of the bloody wound on his chest, as if it had been cut on her own body.
"You damn Red Hair! If you have the guts to pick a fight, don't run away! My captain Kaido and my crew will be here soon!"
Daichi grumbled angrily.
"What Divine Departure? I won't dodge it next time!"
"Daichi, you couldn't dodge it this time, could you?"
Yamato couldn't help but retort.
That Red Hair was incredibly strong, just as strong as her father. It was her first time seeing such a powerful individual other than her father.
She also wanted to fight Shanks.
"Huh?!"
Daichi glared at Yamato.
You brat, whose side are you on!
"Wororororo!"
Winds surged, and lightning flashed.
A colossal Azure Dragon extended part of its body from the thunderclouds, its gaze filled with suppressed fury as it looked down at the people on the beach. "It seems it's over."
"Kaido!"
Daichi quickly stood up and waved, claiming credit. "You're late! I've already chased off that mere Red Hair!"
Kaido fell silent.
Mere... Red Hair.
You brat, before bragging, can't you look at the wound on your chest? That doesn't look like someone who chased off an enemy at all.
And that damned Red Hair kid!
How dare he be so ruthless to his people!
Flames of anger erupted in Kaido's eyes.
"Which way did Red Hair's ship go?"
"Due East!"
Daichi's eyes lit up, and he immediately pointed due east. To the east was Elbaf, which was also one of Shanks's strongholds. The Red Hair Pirates were different from the other Yonko crews. They didn't stay in one fixed location and often traveled around.
However, because Shanks captured the Giant Prince Loki, he gained the friendship of the Giant Race, and Elbaf became his most important supply point.
"Wororororo!"
Kaido let out a low roar and flew off towards the east without another word.
Daichi watched Kaido leave, then sat down feeling much more at ease, his anger largely fading.
But half of it remained.
"Heh, Red-Haired Shanks!"
Daichi's eyes were full of ill intent.
Even if Kaido stepped in for him, this matter wasn't over. This situation was exactly what he wanted to see, and he had long thought about how to get revenge on that guy.
But before that, he had to increase his own strength. Only with enough confidence could he rampage in the other party's territory.
Now, first, solve the labor problem.
"Gabul, it's your turn!"
"Yes, Daichi-sama."
Gabul nodded bitterly, then turned and walked towards the army of laborers. Before he could speak, the laborers threw their weapons to the ground.
During the previous battle, they were far away.
But the terrifying aftermath of the battle, and that enormous red monster, had completely shattered their will to resist.
"I'm sorry, Captain Gabul."
"We give up."
"It's impossible to win."
Knowing that the path ahead was a dead end, how could they have the courage to continue? Even if it meant returning to the hellish weapon factory, at least they would still be alive.
Gabul remained silent for a long time, then slowly raised the gun in his hand!
"This uprising succeeded!"
"What?!"
The laborers were stunned.
Succeeded?
Did they mishear?
Gabul raised his voice and shouted, raising his gun high.
"Brothers, I have convinced the pirates through negotiation! From now on, we will no longer live in fear of death and violence as before!"
"Although we still have to work hard, it's not because we are oppressed by pirates, but for our families, to strive and fight for a better tomorrow!"
"We will live with dignity!"
"We won!"
The laborers' minds buzzed, as if they were in a dream.
Did they really win?
Gabul silently put down his weapon and returned to the village, exhausted.
"Everyone go home. I will tell you the specific negotiation details before nightfall."
"Captain Gabul."
The laborers looked at Gabul, feeling that Captain Gabul's back was full of loneliness, which made their hearts ache.
But Captain Gabul's victory declaration also filled them with hope.
"Go home first!"
As night fell, Gabul gathered the labor representatives from various villages and towns at the tavern and informed them of the specific negotiation details.
If laborers wanted to earn money, they could go to the weapon factory, rent land, or mine in the ore fields. There were multiple options.
The land rent was very high, requiring more than seventy percent of the harvest, which was not enough to support a family, so additional work was necessary.
The weapon factory and the mine operated on a twelve-hour workday, with half a day off per week. Although the wages were not high, combined with the land harvest, it was enough for a family of four to live, though the quality of life would be low.
To earn more money, there was also an overtime system, allowing them to work two extra hours a day, with these two hours paid at one and a half times the normal rate. In addition, there were bonuses for performance, perfect attendance, and outstanding employees.
Furthermore, laborers also had paths for advancement.
For example, technical positions paid much higher than general labor, and they could also obtain certificates for other professions, such as trade, navigation, and so on. They could even become glorious warriors.
Gabul, dispirited, conveyed Daichi's instructions. "There's one more thing. Mr. Daichi is recruiting construction workers. The salary is double that of the weapon factory, but it requires going overseas. If you are willing, you can sign up."
"Captain Gabul."
The laborers exchanged glances. After a brief silence, everyone excitedly raised their glasses and cheered from the bottom of their hearts.
"Captain Gabul, thank you!"
"You are our great hero!"
"Haha, we never dreamed that you, Captain, could make the powerful pirates compromise. You truly are the Son of the Revolution!"
"A toast to the Captain!!!"
Compared to their previous precarious, slave-like existence, the conditions proposed by Captain Gabul were like a dream.
As long as they worked hard, they could support their families, and by working even harder, they could live better and earn more money.
Not only that, their children could also study, have a better future, and even become warriors protecting their homes.
How wonderful it was!
This was their greatest dream!
The laborers rushed towards Gabul and tossed him into the air with force.
"Long live Captain Gabul!"
"Hero Captain Gabul!"
"Hero! Hero! Hero!"
Gabul was tossed up again and again, and as he listened to the happy cheers of his companions, his mind became increasingly confused.
Why, why were they thanking him?
He was clearly the devil's servant.
In past revolutionary victories, the oppressed people would often rush into the nobles' homes, plundering their wealth and dividing their land.
Although they felt it was wrong, they couldn't stop it, because ultimately, it wasn't the Revolutionary Army that governed the country, but the victorious people, and the new king would also be chosen by the people.
Overthrowing tyrants was what revolution was about.
But at this moment, despite being the result of a compromise with pirates, which hardly counted as a successful revolution, why were the laborers here so happy?
It was as if he was truly a hero.