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As the two Celestial Dragons departed, the enormous Hell Cerberus transformed into black flames and returned to Shamrock's side.
Daichi lowered his middle finger and stroked his chin.
"Hell Cerberus!"
"The Celestial Dragons truly possess many good things!"
Even a mere sword was a Mythical Zoan, and in its awakened state at that. The word 'luxurious' couldn't even begin to describe it. The Celestial Dragons had ruled the world for eight hundred years.
Their accumulated wealth was immense.
Mythical Zoans, rarely seen in the outside world, were as common as cabbages to the Celestial Dragons. Even the Azure Dragon Fruit and the Paw-Paw Fruit were originally their possessions.
This signified that all elites among the Celestial Dragons possessed top-tier abilities. Even if their personal foundation and Haki were somewhat lacking, their combat power would not be low.
The Five Elders plus God's Knights comprised at least fifteen top-tier powerhouses, in addition to the Marines, and the soon-to-be-born Pacifista and Seraphim.
This was the World Government's complete form.
In comparison, the Beast Pirates' combat power was severely lacking. The only ones who could truly fight were Daichi and Kaido, at most adding King and Yamato.
Not enough, completely insufficient.
"Damn it, I'm having a firepower anxiety attack!"
Daichi cursed under his breath.
Hearing the explosions, his subordinates rushed over, and even a certain restless Empress joined in the commotion.
However, the enemy had already left.
"Daichi-sama, were there enemies?"
"No big deal."
Daichi walked towards his subordinates, smiling and waving his hand, saying. "Two annoying Celestial Dragons came. They wanted to invite me to join the God's Knights, but I beat them away."
"Eh???"
Beat away the Celestial Dragons?!
The subordinates were greatly startled.
Although they didn't know what the God's Knights were, for Celestial Dragons to appear, they knew it wasn't simple.
As expected of Daichi-sama!
Hancock knelt on the ground.
She had stayed in the Holy Land and knew of the God's Knights' existence. Joining the God's Knights meant becoming a Celestial Dragon, and one with a higher status than ordinary Celestial Dragons.
Not only did this man fight Celestial Dragons,
He even refused to become a god?
How could such a fool exist in the world!
"Alright, everyone, get back to work!"
Daichi reprimanded them. After his subordinates dispersed, he summoned Speed.
"How long until Totto Land's Tea Party?"
"Half a year left."
Speed was somewhat puzzled.
The Tea Party in Totto Land was similar in nature to the Fire Festival, usually held in winter, unless there were special circumstances.
"Good, as long as it doesn't clash with our schedule."
Daichi calculated.
With the Giants' assistance, the fortress here could be completed in at most three months. Subsequent interior decoration could be done slowly.
It needed to be faster!
Thinking of the World Government's combat power, he couldn't sit still. Although the possibility was low, what if those high and mighty individuals lost their minds and wanted to fight him to the death?
It was never wrong to be prepared.
Daichi's eyes narrowed.
"Speed, go send invitations to the major powers in the New World. Tell them that in three months, our Beast Pirates will host a grand banquet.
Whitebeard and Big Mom should also be invited."
"Understood."
Speed nodded.
Normally, major Yonko crews wouldn't casually interact. Just like the Tea Party wouldn't invite the Beast Pirates; they were enemies.
Daichi nodded, adding. "Also, immediately send people to the Labor Country to recruit workers. We need to accelerate the progress of this project; it must be completed within three months!"
"Yes!"
A moment later, at the Kin Inari Shrine.
Daichi sat on a bench.
"Shrine maiden, cast another divination for me."
"Hmm?"
The shrine maiden crossed her arms, her ears perked up in dissatisfaction.
Today's divination had already been cast!
Extra divinations cost extra money!
"Slap!"
A gold coin was slapped onto the table.
100 gold!
The shrine maiden's eyes lit up. She swiftly tucked the gold coin into her sleeve, then cautiously asked. "No need for change this time, right?"
"Not if it's accurate!"
Daichi emphasized.
The previous divination proved true, giving him some trust in the woman's fortune-telling ability. Perhaps this woman wasn't entirely a charlatan.
"Now, tell me the location of Zou!"
"Alright, Daichi-sama."
The shrine maiden happily took out the fortune-telling sticks and forcefully pulled a tuft of fur from the tail behind her as an auxiliary tool.
Fur grew back every year, but opportunities to make money, once missed, were truly gone. Moreover, summer was approaching, and she was in her shedding period.
"The sea of clouds is vast, the morning sun rises."
"The divination indicates the direction is due east, but there will be weather obstructions. Finding it might take some time."
"Good."
Daichi's eyes narrowed.
Previously in Wano Country, the divination indicated the northwest. This time, it was due east. The directions were completely opposite, meaning Zou was wandering somewhere slightly north between the two points.
Let Jack go find it.
Currently, the officers with the least to do were the three All-Stars. Among them, Jack was diligent and reliable in his work.
The shrine maiden looked at Daichi's expression and hesitantly asked. "Daichi-sama, are you planning to conquer Zou?"
"That's right."
Daichi nodded.
As Kaido said, the more combat power, the better. The Minks were quite formidable, definitely a rare force.
He wanted to unite various forces to make the World Government hesitant, and at the same time, increase the Beast Pirates' military strength as much as possible.
Two hands working together!
"Do you care about Zou?"
"No, it's just....."
The shrine maiden was somewhat conflicted.
She was born in Wano Country and had no particular affection for Zou. However, she did have Mink blood, and both emotionally and logically, she didn't want Zou to suffer devastation.
"I can understand your concerns."
Daichi curled his lips, smiling as he suggested. "How about this: once I conquer Zou, you will become the King of the Minks, and from then on, all the money the Minks earn will be shared with you!"
"Eh?!"
The shrine maiden's eyes widened in surprise.
She wasn't interested in being a King, but she was very interested in sharing the money. How much money would the entire Mink race earn?!
Moreover, she was a shrine maiden, a messenger of God!
Deceiving people was her old profession!
"It's settled then, I have other matters."
Daichi stood up and left.
The Celestial Dragons gave a one-month deadline, meaning there was no need to worry about war within that month. So he also had to seize the time.
Within this month, the path must be laid. Within three months, the fortress on the other side of the Calm Belt must also be largely completed.
And take Zou.
The order quickly returned to Onigashima.
The pirates hastily found Jack. "Captain Jack, Daichi-sama has sent an order for you to find Zou. This is the coordinates Daichi-sama sent."
Jack took the sea chart.
This was the first time Daichi had given him a task!
He must complete the mission!
"Immediately gather all available personnel!"
"Yes!"
Half a day later, dozens of Beast Pirates' grand fleet ships of various sizes departed from Wano Country, heading towards the eastern sea.
Meanwhile, in the Labor Country.
Recruitment notices were posted everywhere, and the benefits were quite generous, attracting the interest of many laborers.
A certain old man seized the opportunity.