"As most of you know, this great swordsman in overalls is our number one ace at clearing land."
Everyone burst out laughing. But he just kept drinking his tea, like he was thinking, "Of course I am."
What, is he secretly proud of it?
...Still, it was nice to see Robin laugh for real.
She's not as tense around Mihawk as she used to be, just like with Bege. This whole mess has changed things.
"Thanks to his amazing power, Mopuchi Country... well, we did something crazy by giving away all our food at the start of this mess... but we managed to plant enough grain fields to last us until spring. If we add the fall crops we're about to harvest, we should be okay... but."
"You don't have enough left over to sell, right?" Bege asked.
"Right. ...We plan to plant more next year, but we have a worker shortage. We can't grow too quickly."
I was hoping to use some of the grain to make stuff like alcohol for Bege to sell. I guess I was dreaming.
We will try to grow tea, tobacco, spices, and herbs next year. That should make us some money.
But we just don't have enough land.
And the locals will want to feel safe and have extra food.
"Then the Pirate Alliance attacked," I continued. "The non-member nations were already struggling, and this was the final blow. To rebuild, they will need even more supplies and workers than Mopuchi Country did."
"About supplies..." Bege said, "I had already stockpiled a bunch of food. The plan was to sell it cheap to nearby countries that were about to lose their government membership. It was supposed to be a demonstration of what we could do when Kuro started his new territory."
Man, if only that had worked.
The World Government would have ignored it, but if we got support from poor member nations, we might have gotten some power...
"Well, I used most of it during this crisis... But I still have some left in reserve. It should help a little."
"Even with that food and the supplies we're getting," Daz said, "if we also have to handle defense, I think we can only rebuild... one island at the most."
Daz looked the most upset.
Yeah, I've noticed Daz gets really depressed when he can't save everyone.
I need to teach him how to handle that.
"We will rebuild," I said firmly. "Taking a non-member nation—just a wasteland, really—and making it grow without the government's help... that success will be a powerful tool for us later."
This time, I drew a line on the map, not Robin.
"But it will take too long to gain influence by counting how many islands we've fixed. So..."
One end of the line was Mopuchi Country. The non-member nation we helped get back on its feet, at least with farming.
"From now on, we will challenge the World Government with a trade route."
The line pointed to an island. It wasn't far, but it wasn't close, either.
"The former Kanan Kingdom. A lot of people were taken from there, but the Marines got there so fast the pirates didn't have time to set fires. Thanks to that, their valuable forests are untouched."
Forests are so important. I learned that during this mess. Being able to get your own wood is a really big deal.
This is a world of oceans, after all.
Land that gives you fuel, building supplies, charcoal, and wood for ships is very valuable.
"We have a truce with the Marines, and it's an emergency, so we can move freely. Now is the time to rebuild this island and set up a trade route with Mopuchi Country."
There was a small, empty island in the middle of the route I drew.
I drew a big circle around it and then drew more lines coming out from it.
Those lines pointed to poor member nations, like the ones the Mogwa Kingdom used to control.
"There are no other member nations nearby, so it's less likely the Marines will attack us there after the truce ends. And this empty island is pretty close to other member nations. We can use it as a base. It might be a 'back-door' route, but it will let us trade with member nations—especially the poor ones. No, we will create that situation."
Even if it's just a secret agreement, if we can make a real route for trading normal goods, we can use it as a bargaining chip later.
"Unlike Mopuchi Country, which we chose as a test case because it was a good size, this new place has way more land we can farm. This is a simple map of it. Lots of flat land, and a river, see?"
Mihawk looked at the map I put on the chart. He smiled and said, "Oh..."
Good, good. I'm glad he's interested.
"Captain," Hancock asked, "rebuilding is fine, but where will you get the workers? If the people were taken, I assume only the elderly who cannot work are left."
"Good question. I have an idea for that. After this incident, the rescued people from member nations are being protected. But the people from non-member nations are in a tricky spot."
The World Government probably doesn't want to feed them, so they'll just be dumped somewhere.
"So, I'm negotiating with the Fleet Admiral to let me take responsibility for them. They seemed to be wondering what to do with them anyway, so it's looking good."
"So, temporary immigrants," Rayleigh noted.
"It feels like I'm taking advantage of the situation, but we need people to work together right now."
"I see..." Hancock said. "But what is your backup plan if the negotiations fail?"
...Wow, Hancock has really grown since I gave her that big job.
"It's not exactly a backup plan... but actually, some people I worked with before... ex-Marines that I rescued, like Amisu's group... they heard I was here and are gathering in the Mogwa Kingdom. There are about forty of them now."
"Could they be spies?" Bege asked.
"I can't say for sure. But I've confirmed it's really them. At least I know they aren't trained spies like CP. If all they do is leak info about what we're doing, they'll just be good advertising for us."
"Hmm... but only forty," Hancock said, frowning.
"I think it's enough to get started. Think about it, Hancock."
I looked over at the guy in overalls drinking his tea.
"We have a man who is insanely good at clearing land and is also an unbelievable defender."
"...Right," Hancock said, her eyes widening. "I forgot."
"Leave it to me," Mihawk said. "I've already told them to prepare extra seedlings after the harvest for the next planting."
Oh, wow.
"I've been meaning to ask, Mihawk... are you really okay with this?"
"I am simply doing what I feel is necessary."
"R-right... I mean, you've been a huge help, but..."
He's so reliable it's making me laugh. No, seriously, he's a huge help.
Look, the Pirate King's right-hand man, who you were just playing with, is laughing his head off again.
"Bege, what I need from you is—"
"The empty island, right?" Bege interrupted. "You want me to set up a base, a warehouse, and a port there to make it a future trade hub. That way, when your islands start making a profit, we can move right away."
"Exactly. Of course, you can take your time. Honestly, getting us supplies is more important right now. You're my ally, I can't ask you to work for free. At the very least, just claim the island so no other pirates take it. That's all I need."
Bege knows what he's good at.
Bege's real talent is knowing all the important people and making new routes to sell things.
That's why I need him for the business side, and he knows I won't stab him in the back.
"Heh heh heh, it costs a lot, but you've helped me make plenty of money, too," Bege chuckled. "You can count on me."
"Good. ...So that's our plan for now."
Working with the Marines made me realize that a good reputation is really important.
For us, this is just about making more stuff, but...
"Now, that's all the information our main members needed to share... but today, we have a guest who knows more about the Grand Line than anyone else in the world."
The people who understood tensed up. Or maybe they were smiling.
Robin just tilted her head, confused. Perona was drinking her cocoa again.
"Since you're here, I was hoping I could ask you a few questions about the Grand Line."
"Oh?" Rayleigh said, raising an eyebrow. "You have questions for a retired old man like me?"
...Why does that sound like a threat?
"Yes. This is a good chance. I already told some of the crew... well, Daz and Perona, about my plan for the Grand Line..."
They definitely still think I'm crazy. Especially the part about the South Bird.
See, Daz is laughing quietly, and Perona is doing her big "Horo-horo-horo" laugh. Damn it.
"So I wanted to tell everyone what I was planning to do. And if you don't mind, since you actually know the Grand Line, I'd like you to tell me if my information is correct."
"...Where your voyage will lead, eh?"
Rayleigh finished his drink and put the empty glass down.
"Very well. What do you want to know... or rather, what do you want to confirm?"
"Thank you. Then..."
"First... have you ever heard of an island called Jaya?"
"...Huh?"
Huh? What's with that reaction?