Honestly, Michael had a bit of a Pokémon-collecting complex.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be so fixated on Red-Haired Shanks.
After all, this was a two-armed Red-Haired Shanks—who wouldn't want him?
Of course, there's probably no way to recruit Shamrock from the World Government, aka "Stinky Shanks."
But knowing Michael's temperament, even if he could recruit him, he'd probably just eliminate him.
Shamrock's upbringing determined that he's the most typical Celestial Dragon.
You could say he's practically a carbon copy of Figarland Garling.
As for recruiting Shanks, the only real issue is how to make him willingly abandon his so-called "pirate" identity.
After all, he's not like Whitebeard or Charlotte Linlin—those two never had any real attachment to being pirates in the first place, which is why they were so easily persuaded by Michael to give it up and establish their own kingdoms when the time was right.
But Shanks?
Both in spirit and ability, he's the perfect successor to Gol D. Roger.
And that's no joke.
In a way, it's like the passing of the torch between protagonists of an era.
From Roger… to Shanks.
Pirates always seem to be the main characters.
You could say… this is just Oda's imprint on the world at work.
So, Michael made up his mind completely…
He would give Shanks a reason he couldn't refuse—one that would force him to "join the rebellion."
Now, Michael wasn't the type to destroy someone's family just to "recruit" them.
But as long as it didn't cross his own moral boundaries, he was more than happy to scheme a little to pave the way for Shanks' allegiance.
Life, after all…
What's a little cunning in the grand scheme of things?
And the trio of Uta, who had appeared nearby and been rescued by Luffy, was the perfect starting point.
"Hey, hey, hey… Michael, that smile of yours is kinda creeping me out right now," Imu waved a hand in front of Michael's face, then flashed an equally unsettling grin.
"Luckily for you, I'm not exactly a saint either."
"Don't slander me," Michael pinched Imu's cheek lightly, making her yelp in pain before her expression returned to normal.
"I'm just thinking… how best to take advantage of this rare opportunity."
"Rare opportunity?" Imu scoffed. "Have some shame… This practically fell right into your lap. That poor Figarland girl is just plain unlucky."
"First of all, her name is Uta. And she's not Shanks' biological daughter—she's adopted. You get what I mean?"
"Oh, I get it. I definitely get it," Imu smirked meaningfully. "In the 'adopted children' department, no one can hold a candle to you… Well, except maybe that 'Whitebeard' guy from your era. Though he was more into collecting sons."
As she spoke, Imu suddenly sniffed the air.
"Wait… what's that smell? It's amazing…"
"Ah, that?"
Michael's sharp senses had already caught the scent as well.
The rich, unmistakable aroma of meat.
He led Imu toward the source.
The smell was coming from here.
Imu craned her neck to look at the stall ahead.
Dozens of racks stood in neat rows, each one strung with ropes holding bone-in cuts of meat.
"This thing is called Sui Sui Meat, a specialty of the Ship Country that you can't find anywhere else," Michael said as he paid for two whole racks of it.
"Even exceptionally skilled chefs buy this to eat."
Imu took one piece of Sui Sui Meat, sniffed it lightly, then took a cautious bite.
The texture was delightfully springy like jelly, yet brimming with the rich aroma of primal meat.
"My... what an extraordinary texture!" Imu's eyes sparkled as she ate. "Eight hundred years later... there are still some good things around after all."
Watching Imu finally behave in a manner befitting her age, Michael couldn't help but smile warmly.
With Sui Sui Meat as the starting point, Imu began to truly let loose.
She enthusiastically explored the busiest street in Water Seven, while Michael followed silently behind, quietly paying for everything.
The Ship Country is also one of the key components of the Angel Alliance.
Today's Sea Train network, which connects this paradise seamlessly and is gradually expanding across the four seas, is the result of the Ship Country's efforts supported by the Angel Alliance.
This was also part of Michael's original vision.
Beyond connecting the entire paradise and making Log Pose navigation obsolete among civilians, the Sea Train system allows war resources concentrated in the major nations of the paradise to be transported to Sabaody Archipelago at unprecedented speeds, then distributed across the New World.
After all, war ultimately comes down to logistics.
Especially when there's no significant disparity in military strength between opposing sides.
Beyond warfare, the Sea Trains have brought revolutionary improvements to civilian life.
At the very least... in most cases, people no longer need to worry about being robbed by pirates when traveling between islands to visit relatives.
With steam-powered and other energy-driven Marine ships aside, it's pure fantasy for any sail-powered vessel to match the speed of a Sea Train.
Even if they could catch up, few pirates in the paradise possess the capability to forcibly stop a Sea Train under such circumstances.
Even if they somehow met all these improbable conditions, they'd still face train guards from across the world.
Amazonians, Fishmen from Fishman Island, samurai from Wano Country, Shandians from Skypiea...
So unless they're completely brainless, pirates would never dare target the Sea Trains.
The potential losses far outweigh any possible gains.
Thanks to the Sea Trains, civilian happiness levels in the paradise have even begun surpassing those in the most peaceful regions of the four seas.
This explains the flood of letters arriving daily from the four seas.
Some from Angel Alliance officials stationed there, others containing suggestions from civilians, even joint petitions.
Nearly every letter asks the same question: When will the Sea Trains come to our region? We're waiting urgently, desperately!
In just the short time since Michael's return, he's received nearly twenty thousand such letters.
This is also why Grandma Tsuru didn't join Michael's pirate crew.
Beyond her complete lack of interest in running wild with a bunch of smelly old men...
The main reason is she needs to remain at Marineford to manage these communications, ensuring these letters don't go unanswered.
Truly great work needs no explanation.