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The next day, morning.
"Get out of my sight!"
Daichi was still asleep when Stussy kicked him off the bed, leaving him completely bewildered.
Last night she called him her sweetie, but this morning she's telling him to get out of bed?
How could her face change so quickly?
Daichi scratched his head and went to the bathroom to wash up, looking at his burly reflection in the mirror, and suddenly understood.
"Is it because of these muscles?"
If there was any change, it was that he was now in his giant form. Speed also seemed to prefer him thinner before.
"Boom!"
Front double biceps!
Side lat spread!
Front double biceps!
And finally, the strongest crab pose!
Man!!!
Daichi clapped his fists together, two streams of steam erupting from his nostrils!
Oh, oh, oh, the more he looked, the more handsome he became!
When he first arrived, he really didn't like these exaggerated muscles, but over time, the more he looked, the more satisfied he became.
To be a pirate, one must be mighty and imposing.
After admiring himself for a while, Daichi returned to the room, looking at the woman with a sour face, and silently tightened his muscles.
Stussy (_)!
Bulging muscles.
Stussy (=_=).
Pfft! What a shallow woman!
A moment later, on the balcony.
Daichi ate his breakfast while reviewing the company's recent financial reports and development plans, and couldn't help but praise Stussy's capabilities.
In addition to the development projects on Hachinosu and with the Underworld Emperors, Stussy had already begun acquiring land in various parts of the New World in the company's name.
Especially islands belonging to affiliated nations and the World Government.
Through the powerful intelligence network laid out by Queen's Ship, Stussy had a clear understanding of the New World, greatly improving the company's efficiency.
The only limitation was insufficient funds.
Each investment project required a minimum of 1 billion Berries, and the company's current liquid assets were less than 5 billion Berries.
Time to make money!
Next time he returned to Wano Country, he had to pry open Kaido's private vault. What was the point of just saving all that white silver?
Daichi closed the report and asked, "Stussy, has the World Government and the affiliated nations caused any obstruction to our company?"
"There have been some troubles."
Stussy nodded lightly.
The company was still in its initial stages, so the Celestial Dragons wouldn't pay attention to such minor matters. As for the high-ranking officials of the World Government and local officials, at most, a little money would suffice.
The company had all its procedures in order, and with her and Guernica's prior instructions, the officials wouldn't make things overly difficult.
The affiliated nations, however, were more troublesome. Many countries developed slowly, and their royalty and nobles held their territories in high regard, unwilling to let outsiders interfere.
Daichi nodded.
Ultimately, it was about insufficient benefits.
Daichi pondered for a moment, and a mischievous idea quickly formed in his mind. "How about this, you secretly send people to contact those affiliated nations. If they are willing to cooperate with our company, they can get an 80% discount when purchasing weapons from Joker!"
"This—" Stussy's mouth slightly opened.
What a sinister plan!
Not every country could mass-produce weapons. To pay the Heavenly Tribute and maintain their own prosperity, affiliated nations often chose to invade other countries and plunder resources.
But waging war required weapons.
Joker could become a sought-after middleman in the underworld precisely because he had Kaido backing him, possessing a large supply of weapons.
To get more weapons, countries would surely make concessions, and with weapons, the scale of war would also escalate, leading to abandoned land, which the company could then seize in large quantities.
In the company's plan, it wasn't just about real estate development. Land was also a part of it, especially arable land and mineral resources that could be developed.
It sold Beast Pirates' weapons, reduced the company's capital investment, and made countries willingly cede land.
Killing three birds with one stone.
Is this man truly a genius?
Stussy hesitated before speaking.
"But what about the Beast Pirates and Joker?"
"I'll take responsibility!"
Daichi curved his lips.
As the All-Star and Kaido's good son-in-law, this was a minor matter. Besides, the Beast Pirates wouldn't lose anything.
There was still Doflamingo, after all.
Ah, Doflamingo would just have to suffer a bit.
"Alright."
Stussy nodded, about to speak but then held back.
Daichi smiled slightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just a bit confused."
Stussy's delicate brows furrowed, and she picked up the report, asking in puzzlement. "Daichi, you're a pirate, why are you doing all this?"
"To make money."
"Just to make money?"
"Of course, it's more than that."
Daichi smiled as he observed the woman.
He couldn't tell if Stussy was trying to probe for information or just casually asking, but it didn't matter.
He could be ruthless with enemies, but with his own people, he hoped for sincerity.
After all, scheming was exhausting.
And to gain sincerity, understanding each other's secrets was a very effective way, especially when they couldn't turn hostile.
Daichi's smile widened. "I just feel that being a pirate has no future. I always have to try and see if I can find other ways to break the situation."
"That's a rare thought."
Stussy couldn't help but ask.
"What do you mean by 'breaking the situation'?"
"Listen, Stussy."
Daichi narrowed his eyes and asked pointedly. "If there comes a day when the World Government, the Marines, pirates, and all forces have to personally enter the fray, how will you choose? And whose side will you be on?"
Stussy pondered.
The day Daichi spoke of was likely the struggle for the Pirate King's throne, but even if a new Pirate King was truly born, it wouldn't pose a threat to the World Government.
Roger and Rocks had proven this point.
She was an agent. She couldn't change professions.
Daichi crossed his legs and said with a smiling face. "I guess you'll choose to stand with Vegapunk, right?"
"Eh?!"
Stussy's mouth hung slightly open, her eyes wide with shock.
Daichi... knows her secret?
"Don't be nervous, I mean no harm."
Daichi waved his hand with a smile. "I just heard some bad rumors. That Vegapunk seems to be researching the Void Century. If the World Government finds out, you should know the consequences."
"I just want to tell you."
"When that day truly comes, I can save him!"
"It's getting late, I have to go."
Daichi stood up and left, waving goodbye.
Stussy sat in her chair, unable to snap out of her daze for a long time.
Daichi just said that Vegapunk was researching the "Void Century"?
As a CP0 agent, she knew better than anyone what that meant. Even for a genius scientist like Vegapunk, the Celestial Dragons would not tolerate it.
That was the greatest taboo in the world!
No!
She had to go to Egghead!
If Daichi was telling the truth, she had to prepare for the day the truth was exposed. In this world, perhaps only Daichi could truly save Vegapunk!
Pleasure District, Port.
The Groudon had been resupplied, and the girls who had been playing on the island all day had returned, ready to set sail at any moment.
"Set sail!"