With just one week left until the Fire Festival, the entire Wano Country was bustling with activity, especially the residents of Ebisu City.
The rice had ripened—harvest time had arrived.
"Hurry, transport the grain to the granary!"
The people, beaming with joy, loaded the Beast Vehicles with rice and sent them to Ebisu City's granary. After weighing, they kept thirty percent to take home.
Having lain fallow for fifteen years, Ebisu Town's land was exceptionally fertile, and the weather had been favorable—resulting in a bountiful harvest. Moreover, each family of three could rent ten acres of farmland. Even with only thirty percent of the yield, it was barely enough to feed a family for half a year.
There wouldn't be much surplus grain. Families with more mouths to feed would have to tighten their belts, leaving no room for luxuries like new clothes.
Yet, despite this, the common folk remained deeply grateful to the Warlord. At the very least, they no longer had to worry about starving to death.
What's more, the Warlord was considerate of their needs, providing plenty of job opportunities. Those without specialized skills could work in the weapons factory to supplement their income, while skilled laborers were in even higher demand.
Though exhausting, the life they now led was something they had never dared to dream of before—it was simply too blissful.
"Lord Gurd is truly a benevolent man!"
"That's right."
"Once I get home, I'm going to enshrine Lord Gurd!"
Carrying their share of grain, the people continued to sing Gurd's praises.
Meanwhile, at the Warlord's residence in Ebisu Town...
Gurd sat at his desk, reviewing the harvest report submitted by his officials. The smirk on his face was harder to suppress than a misfiring AK.
Nearly a hundred thousand acres of fertile land had yielded a bumper crop.
The granaries now held thirty thousand tons of rice!
Such an enormous stockpile could feed the Beasts Pirates for an entire year. Converted to currency, it would easily fetch no less than five hundred million Berries—and selling it abroad would net even more.
And this was just one harvest. Given Ebisu Town's climate, two harvests per year were possible—meaning an annual income of one billion Berries.
Add in the yields from other regions...
The total annual grain output alone could reach a staggering five billion Berries.
Equivalent to one of the Four Emperors!
No matter what endeavor one pursued, once the numbers scaled up, qualitative changes inevitably followed—especially when operating at a national level.
Such was the allure of collecting rent!
"Kekeke, nurturing the labor force is indeed the way to go."
Given Wano Country's developmental stage, labor was the foundation of everything. And securing that labor was simple—just ensure the people didn't starve.
Though Wano lacked an abundance of young workers, even the elderly in their seventies and eighties could still till the land as long as they could move!
The old folks in Ebisu Town had all found a second wind.
Of course, the people couldn't be allowed to eat their fill either.
They had to be kept in a state where slacking meant hunger, while hard work barely sustained them. If they wanted better clothes or improved living standards, they'd have to toil relentlessly.
Striking that balance was an art in itself!
Rising from his seat, Gurd walked to the window and gazed down at the increasingly prosperous Ebisu City, giving himself a mental pat on the back for his brilliance.
As a highly educated man, his accounting skills were razor-sharp!
"The officers should be coming to stir up trouble soon."
He had deliberately issued a challenge to the All-Stars—there was no way the Flying Six could resist such bait. They were bound to come knocking.
With momentum on his side, he intended to tighten his grip on Wano Country. If the officers realized just how lucrative this venture was, they'd undoubtedly scheme to undermine him.
Times had changed. Now that he had the strength to stand firm within the crew, it was time to act boldly.
Tuwan, Prisoner Quarry.
The explosive music reverberated.
"If I lost weight, I'd be too popular."
"I'm the type who stays fat on purpose."
"Funk!"
Amid the jailers' screams, Queen swayed happily at the center of the stage, basking in the thrill of being adored.
Singing, dancing, rapping!
And overalls!
This was the Funk of the singing-and-dancing prince!
"Muhahaha, I missed you losers so much!"
"Lord Queen!"
The jailers shrieked in excitement!
Once the performance ended, Queen plopped down onto his exclusive seat, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a raised hand.
It had been a while since he last performed—dancing was exhausting.
"Da-da-da-la, Babanuki!"
Queen turned to Babanuki and held up three fingers. "Let's get started! The recent troubles ranking!"
"Third place?"
"A thousand prisoners were transferred away."
Babanuki answered truthfully.
With Lord Queen back, hiding the loss of so many prisoners was impossible—but he could shift the blame.
"Ehhh—?!"
Queen's tiny eyes widened in shock.
"Second place?!"
"Hyogoro was also transferred."
"Ehhh—?!"
Queen broke out in a cold sweat.
"First place?"
"The prisoners who were taken... don't seem like they'll be returned."
"Ehhh—?!"
Queen exploded in rage.
"Bastard! Who did this?!"
"It was Lord Gurd."
Babanuki's face fell as he tearfully recounted the events, painting himself as a long-suffering victim.
Though, to be fair, he was a victim.
"Lord Queen, it's all my fault for being incompetent!"
"Damn it!"
Queen roared in fury.
"To think they'd dare mess with me!"
"We're heading out—to Ebisu Town!"
"I'm gonna get some answers from that brat!"
Queen's convoy sped off, kicking up a trail of dust, arriving at Ebisu City in less than an hour.
"Ehhh?!"
Staring at the bustling scene before him, Queen's eyes nearly popped out of his head, almost mistaking it for the Flower Capital.
Had it only been half a year? They'd built such a massive new city? And made it this lively and prosperous?
How the hell did that brat pull this off?
He was this capable?
Queen's confidence wavered, but the thought of the quarry prisoners being dragged off to work in Ebisu reignited his anger.
Wait—a city this big must be raking in serious money. And since he'd provided so much labor, demanding some compensation wasn't unreasonable, right?
Queen's eyes gleamed.
"Boys, show some spirit!"
"Ooooh!"
Amid the chaos, Queen stormed toward the Warlord's residence with his entourage in tow.
Gurd had been waiting for a while, greeting him with a smile.
"Well, if it isn't Lord Queen!"
"Gurd, you damn brat!"
Queen charged at Gurd with a furious expression, hoping to intimidate him and gain the upper hand for better bargaining. But before he could even speak, Gurd dropped a bombshell.
"Komurasaki is in my hands."
"Thud!"
Queen slammed on the brakes but failed to stop in time, tripping flat on his face and sliding right to Gurd's feet—
As if performing a grand bow.
The next moment, Queen sprang up with surprising agility, clasping his hands together, his comical face plastered with an ingratiating grin.
"Aiya, Brother Gurd! I just came to have a drink with you, nothing else! Don't get the wrong idea!"
"Oh, is that so?"
Gurd smiled warmly.
After skimming wool from the Prisoner Quarry, Queen would definitely come looking for trouble. But Gurd had long been prepared.
"Lord Queen, the Fire Festival is approaching."
"Komurasaki specifically asked me to convey that she'd love to perform on stage with you."
"You wouldn't want to disappoint her, would you?"
Queen was overjoyed, nodding eagerly like a pecking chick.
Komurasaki wanted to perform with him?
Muhahaha, had Komurasaki finally succumbed to his charm?
Without Orochi around, he was clearly No.1 in her heart—ah, this damn charm of his couldn't be hidden even if he tried!
Gurd looked troubled.
"But Komurasaki has been quite troubled lately. She's kind-hearted and can't bear to see the poor suffer, so she wants to contribute by helping develop villages like Kuri into proper towns."
"What do you think, Lord Queen?"
"I'll help!"
Queen beamed, readily giving his word.
Muhahaha, what kind of fool would doubt the woman he loved?
This was a favor he would absolutely take on!
(End of Chapter)