When Roger returned to the dock with Gibbs and Billy, the dozen or so pirates who were working immediately surrounded him.
"Brother Roger, how did it go? The Captain didn't make things difficult for you, did he?" a pirate asked worriedly.
They had all seen Barraba angrily call Roger and the others away just now, and thought something had happened.
"It's nothing."
Roger waved his hand, a relaxed smile on his face.
He stood on a raised wooden crate, cleared his throat, and announced loudly to everyone:
"Brothers, stop what you're doing for a moment, I have some good news to tell everyone!"
Everyone stopped their movements, looking at him curiously.
"Our 'the explorer' is about to embark on its first long voyage!"
"We are going to a place, a place even more exciting than the treasure of the santa trinidad!"
Roger's words instantly ignited everyone's spirits.
"Are we going treasure hunting again?"
"Great! Following Brother Roger means there's always good food!"
"Where are we going this time? Is there another mountain of gold and silver waiting for us?"
The pirates chattered excitedly, their faces filled with anticipation and thrill.
Watching everyone's high morale, Roger nodded with satisfaction.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
He pressed his hand down, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
"However, before we set sail, our 'the explorer' is not yet perfect."
He pointed at the empty gunports on the ship and said, "It still lacks its sharpest teeth!"
"It still lacks its strongest armor!"
"So, starting today, our mission is to arm it to the teeth!"
"Gibbs!"
"Here!"
Gibbs immediately straightened his back and saluted comically.
"You, take a few men now, take this list, and go to the best canvas and rope shops in town. Buy everything on it, without missing a single item!"
"Remember, only the best, no matter the cost!"
"I only want the most expensive!"
Roger handed him a list he had prepared earlier.
It was densely covered with various specifications of canvas and ropes.
"Yes! Mission accomplished!"
Gibbs took the list and saluted excitedly again.
"Billy!"
"Present! Brother Roger!" Billy also came closer.
"You take men to procure food and fresh water, and rum!"
"The quantity must be enough for thirty of us to sail at sea for two months!"
"The standard... just follow the standard from that spanish warship we plundered before!"
"Alright! You just watch!"
Billy's eyes lit up when he heard about rum.
"As for me..."
Roger's gaze turned towards the most chaotic and mixed black market in Tortuga.
"I'm going to get some real big guns for our the explorer!"
After speaking, he turned to go find Barraba for a "withdrawal."
The pirates watched Roger's decisive arrangements, each of them feeling their blood boil.
This was the leader they were willing to follow!
He had clear goals, decisive action, and most importantly, he was willing to spend money!
The sturdier the ship, the safer they would be!
Many had already begun to consider staying on the explorer.
Roger quickly returned to the sea serpent.
The Captain's Cabin door was tightly shut, guarded by two of Barraba's loyalists.
Seeing Roger, their eyes were unfriendly, but they dared not stop him.
Roger pushed the door open and walked straight in.
Inside the cabin, Barraba was sitting alone, his hand caressing the gold coin, looking dazed.
It was only when he saw Roger enter that he seemed to awaken from a dream.
"How is it? Have you thought of a plan?" he asked eagerly.
"I've already thought of a plan, now I need money to get things done."
Roger was concise.
"More money!"
A flicker of pain crossed Barraba's face.
"Captain, I'm doing this for you."
Roger reminded him.
"Buying cannons, buying supplies, recruiting crew, which of these doesn't cost money?"
"Without a powerful ship, without enough men, what will we use to break into Port Royal?"
"What will we use to fight the monsters of Isla de Muerta?"
Barraba was speechless, unable to answer.
He knew Roger was telling the truth, but he just grudged his gold.
He had risked his life for that!
Seeing his miserly appearance, Roger sneered inwardly.
He deliberately sighed and said:
"Since the Captain finds it difficult, then forget it."
"Anyway, I'm not the one cursed. At worst, I'll continue repairing my ship here, and once it's done, I'll find two girls and go out to sea to live a carefree life."
"As for you... you're on your own."
With that, Roger turned to leave.
"Don't! Don't go!"
Barraba was truly panicked now.
What he feared most was Roger giving up and leaving.
He hurriedly grabbed two heavy money bags from a large chest under the bed and threw them to Roger.
"Is this enough? Here are five hundred gold coins!"
Roger weighed them; they were quite heavy.
He was overjoyed inside.
Barraba, this old fox, was truly a qualified ATM.
Using his money to arm his own ship and recruit his own crew felt incredibly good.
"That should be about enough."
Roger's face, however, remained impassive.
"But a ship and weapons aren't enough; we have too few men. I need to recruit some more reliable brothers."
"Recruit! Recruit as many as you want!"
Barraba just wanted to get rid of Roger, this plague god, as quickly as possible.
"As long as the curse can be lifted, I'll give you whatever you want!"
"Good, you said it."
Roger took the money bags and walked out of the Captain's Cabin.
He already had an even bolder plan in mind.
Barraba, you won't just give me money.
Your men will soon be mine too!
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