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The Beasts Pirates' flag was now flying over the port of Fish-Man Island. Baron Tamago, bruised and swollen, limped away with Pekoms, still clutching his dessert package. "Beasts, this matter isn't over yet!" he warned.
"Stop," Daichi said indifferently. Both men froze in their tracks. They didn't dare to move a muscle.
Daichi's lips curved into a smile. "Go back and tell Big Mom for me: If she wants revenge, she can find the Beasts Pirates. Just don't touch anything belonging to our Groudon Company, understand?"
The two pirates looked at each other, confused by what Daichi meant. "We will tell Mama!" they replied.
"Go," Daichi waved them off.
With only two Four Emperors crews left in the New World, some friction between them wasn't a bad thing. Besides giving his troops training, it would also accelerate the alignment of various factions. After all, who wouldn't want to join the crew of the future Pirate King?
It was a pity that even if the two Four Emperors crews fought to a victory, neither would be able to claim the title of Pirate King; only finding Laugh Tale could prove that. Just like Rocks back then, he had dominated the world of pirates but still couldn't be called the Pirate King. These were the unwritten rules among pirates. If it weren't for that, he would have truly wanted to conquer Totto Land.
"Let's go, too," Daichi said. His crew responded, "Yes!"
Half a day later, at Sabaody Archipelago, the war's end brought the islands back to their former appearance, with one major difference: the strong presence of the Groudon Company.
A construction team had already arrived, and taking advantage of the war's impact, the company acquired a large amount of land and property. Construction of the Hoenn Community had officially begun.
However, there were also many troubles. The person in charge was forcibly summoned by the Marines—not a formal arrest, but merely being called to the Marine branch for a talk. With things stabilizing, many wealthy merchants and nobles regretted selling their homes and were using pressure from the World Government to try to buy their properties back. This task fell to the Marines.
At the Marine Branch on Grove 66, a man named Snake, the head of the legal department for Groudon Company's Sabaody branch, was scolding the commodore.
"We are a legitimate company, Marine! Open your eyes and see! This is a business license issued by the World Government! Are you going to deny the World Government?" he shouted. "Look at these! This is our company's tax statement! And this, a land deed transfer certificate stamped by the World Government! All the procedures are complete!"
"Our company abides by the law, never evades taxes, and what you Marines should be doing is helping us deal with troublemakers, not causing us trouble! Are you worthy of justice?!" Snake slammed the table.
The burly commodore spoke softly, his presence completely suppressed. "We found evidence that your company bribed government officials—"
"Bribery? What bribery?!" Snake frowned. "Did I give money?"
"No… no," the commodore stammered.
Snake sneered. "If there's no money, what's it called bribery? Those government officials were busy working, and I saw their hard work, so I naturally wanted to repay them a bit. It was just a few egg yolk pastries! That's called etiquette, understand?! Don't you give gifts during holidays?!"
"Besides, even if it were bribery, it should be investigated by people from Enies Lobby, what does it have to do with you Marines?! You are the righteous Marines! Your duty is to capture pirates and protect law-abiding citizens like us, not to persecute!"
The commodore's eyes welled up with tears. He had never seen pastries with such golden fillings. "I… I'm sorry."
"Hmm, it's good to correct your mistakes," Snake's expression softened considerably. "Quickly withdraw all the Marine soldiers near our construction site. Don't be so suspicious all the time. We are a legitimate company, not a terrorist organization."
The commodore looked up at the ceiling, trying not to let his tears fall. They had already attacked Marineford and still claimed not to be a terrorist organization. If it weren't for the ambiguous attitude of his superiors, he wouldn't be suffering like this. He couldn't control the situation.
"I… I understand."
"En." Snake smiled and pulled out a heavy box of egg yolk pastries from his briefcase, the sound it made hitting the table as heavy as a brick. "Commodore, you've worked hard too. These are special custom-made egg yolk pastries from our company. You must try them. If you like them, I'll have a few more boxes sent over tonight!"
The commodore was silent for a long time. He then placed his large hand on the pastry box, his fierce face instantly blooming with a simple and honest smile. "I love egg yolk pastries the most! Mr. Snake, rest assured! This commodore will definitely bring those troublesome commoners to justice!"
That evening, at the Groudon Company's Sabaody branch, Snake said with a fawning expression, "Daichi-sama, rest assured, I am a professional lawyer, and there will be no mistakes!"
"I am indeed very confident in you," Daichi replied with a nod and a smile.
This guy used to be a pettifogger at Enies Lobby, specializing in civil disputes and helping whoever paid him—with absolutely no conscience. When Enies Lobby was destroyed by the Buster Call, he was forced out of work and drifted to Sabaody Archipelago, looking for a way to make a living. It was then that the company was recruiting. He was the exact talent Daichi needed.
Of course, the main reason for his success was that the World Government didn't want to start another war over such a small matter. Unless absolutely necessary, the World Government and the Four Emperors maintained an unspoken understanding of non-interference. No one was to provoke anyone.
After all, the World Government, from top to bottom, had long been incredibly corrupt. Even now, they still maintained secret dealings with the Beasts Pirates and were even selling them giant experimental subjects. They were far worse than the Marines.
"How is the pre-sale going?" Daichi asked.
"Super hot!" Snake said, excited. He had never seen house sales reach such a popular level. Yesterday, just two hours after opening, the first batch of residences was completely sold out, with the lowest price reaching 10 million Berries, which was five times the price of homes in other areas of Sabaody! He was shocked.
Daichi narrowed his eyes. There were too many rich people in Sabaody, including royalty and nobles; this house price was nothing to them. "The property management fee must be set high," Daichi thought. "Let's say 10% of the house price!"
On the other side, the fleeing members of CP9 returned to their hometown.
"Hmm?" As soon as he arrived on the island, Rob Lucci noticed something unusual. There was the aura of a fierce beast.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time!" A large, helmeted saber-toothed tiger walked out of the forest. "Rob Lucci," the tiger said.
"Who are you?" Lucci's gaze was cold.
"My current name is Who's-Who, and I was once a member of CP9!" Who's-Who reverted to his human form. "I've abandoned my old name, but you should have heard of my codename, which is my ability, Saber-toothed Tiger!"
"So, why are you looking for me?" Lucci's attitude remained cold, not taking Who's-Who seriously at all.
Who's-Who drew his short blade, a grin spreading across his lips. "Let's have a fight!" He wanted to prove who was the number one genius of CP9.