Next Bonus, 100!!
News of Jin heading to Red Hair's territory had sent shockwaves through the New World.
Without hesitation, the powerful from all sides rushed there. Some out of curiosity, some to watch the show, some hoping to fish in troubled waters...
Over the past year or so of publicity, Jin had become a figure on par with the Four Emperors in the minds of the people.
The title "King of Paradise" was well-deserved.
Not only had his territory and influence expanded, but he also led the Paradise Warlords, and even the Marines and the World Government had acknowledged him. His ventures into the entertainment industry—Hannabal, Gran Tesoro, Entertainment Weekly—were world-famous.
If one were to choose the most influential person in the world over the past year, aside from Uta, it would undoubtedly be Jin.
And now, in Red Hair's territory, the islands that received the news were in a panic...
Calls were flooding in to Red Hair. Everyone wanted to know what was going on.
Shanks looked exasperated. "Hey, hey... is it really that big of a deal?"
He knew Jin and Uta were coming. It was just so Uta could meet the crew.
He hadn't expected it to cause such a stir in the New World.
Beckman puffed on his cigarette and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Jin... what he did last year affected the whole world. Most people probably think he's coming to fight us, so they're running over to watch the show and see if they can pick up any scraps."
Shanks rubbed his forehead.
It was true. With their status and strength, every move they made was watched by everyone. They couldn't keep a low profile even if they wanted to.
"What do we do now?" Yasopp asked.
"Guests are guests," Shanks said with a grin, his spirit undiminished. "As long as they're not here to cause trouble, we'll welcome them all."
—————————
Blue sea, blue sky, not a cloud in sight.
The Empress sped through the New World, kicking up waves like piles of white snow as it plowed through the water.
Inside!
Elegia.
It wasn't dark here. The demonic carrier could direct sunlight into the space.
A small town had been built on the island, along with an amusement park, a school, training grounds, shops, bars, and more.
And the original Music Hall was being restored to look as it did in Gordon's memories.
There was also a large lake on the island, filled with seawater, with Yarukiman Mangroves planted along the shore. Their resin was a valuable industrial material, used for coating ships, making bubbles, and even creating optical fibers. Jin's trade with Fish-Man Island and the Sabaody Archipelago included large purchases of natural red resin.
Furthermore, separated by the lake, a high wall had been built on the other side.
Inside were technology testing grounds, factory workshops, and ancient equipment salvaged from undersea ruins.
Craftsmen and scientists recruited from all over the world formed various research teams.
Over the past three years, Jin hadn't just annexed the Germa Kingdom and its technology and personnel. He had also been constantly recruiting talent through various channels.
Currently, inside the demonic carrier, in addition to the crew, clones, and doctors, there was a research army of 2,000 people.
Their families had been settled in the town, with all necessary living amenities provided.
Silent Elegia was bustling once again.
The influx of researchers and craftsmen had liberated Jin.
All he had to do was assign research topics or look for projects among their brilliant ideas.
Their research data and results were collected and recorded by Ai, becoming "nutrients" for the Munch-Munch Fruit.
Once a product had a detailed composition and a complete development process, the Munch-Munch Factory could synthesize it.
Mass-producing parts.
Then assembled by craftsmen.
Of course, some products with low value or low cost-effectiveness were moved to the islands of the kingdom, where processing plants were set up.
Step by step, achieving the goal of "Industry 1.0."
In the amusement park.
By a swimming pool the size of a basketball court, parasols were set up.
Porche and the girls from the dance troupe, wearing swimsuits, were playing water volleyball.
Their skin was fair and tender.
Warm mist drifted through the air.
The scent of their bodies wafted on the breeze.
As they jumped for the ball, their figures bounced, flowers trembling in the wind.
Accompanied by their laughter.
It was a nosebleed-inducing scene.
Brook, with his afro, sat on a stage in the distance, playing a bluesy jazz tune on his guitar.
Soothing and light.
Although Brook liked to see panties, he had absolutely no interest in the girls in front of him who were wearing only panties.
Jin reclined on a lounge chair.
He was shirtless.
His physique was robust, his skin bronzed, his muscles defined and powerful, filled with explosive strength.
He exuded a tough, wild aura that drew the girls' gazes.
But Jin wasn't looking at them. He was reading the newspaper, keeping up with news from around the world.
After the Revolutionary Army launched an armed uprising, a "Counter-Insurgency Unit" directly under the Five Elders was officially established.
The leader, Saint Figarland Garling, would select a group of elites from Cipher Pol and the Marines.
This was outside the original plot.
The root cause was Jin taking Kuma away, and his influence on the Revolutionary Army. The balance had shifted, forcing the World Government to change.
However, due to the establishment of the Counter-Insurgency Unit, the Five Elders had demanded a 10% increase in the "Heavenly Tribute" from all member nations for the coming year.
This meant more oppression, more exploitation to pay the tribute.
And so, more people went to sea, more people rebelled...
Or more people died in weakness and silence.
Not long ago, there bad been a surge in applications for citizenship in the Winter Blossom Kingdom. Many of them were from the wealthy classes of various countries—doctors, teachers, craftsmen, and even nobles.
This was the effect.
Taxes in the Winter Blossom Kingdom weren't low, and there were requirements for military service and stricter laws.
But compared to other kingdoms, it was a paradise.
Besides, people were fed up with the destruction caused by disorder and riots. Most people yearned for order and a stable life.
"In the Winter Blossom Kingdom, you don't have to worry about pirates breaking in at night and stealing your life savings. You can sleep soundly."
That's what people said.
"Sigh... this is so annoying!"
Jin looked up.
Uta was sitting on the chair next to him, looking glum.
"We're about to see Shanks and the others soon. What are you worried about?"
"That's exactly why I'm uneasy," Uta said.
"Homesick?"
Jin could understand her feelings. Shanks and the others were her family. With Uta's current popularity and success, she surely wanted to share it with them.
Reuniting with Shanks meant a lot to her.
"Relax. Enjoy the moment. Be like Brook. He's just a skeleton, and he's still optimistic."
Uta looked at Brook. "Well, apart from his weird catchphrase, he is a good bone."
She laughed.
Jin smiled too.
He knew that although the destruction of Elegia was caused by Tot Musica, Uta was too empathetic.
She still blamed herself.
Furthermore, in her work on Hannabal, she came into contact with fans and their letters, all of which affected her. The Sing-Sing Fruit allowed her to infect and heal others with music, but it also made her heart more sensitive than most.
Falling into the fantasy of "nihilism" was what led her to do foolish things in the plot of Film: Red.
Jin had noticed this.
This voyage was for diplomacy, but it was also to help Uta relax. To see the vast ocean, to experience the world. To relieve stress through adventure.
And Jin also had the idea of finding Shanks and going to Elbaf, the land of giants.
Robin's old friend, Saul, was there.
Also, Jin wanted to see the murals of Elbaf with his own eyes and meet Loki.
"Master, the Red Hair Pirates have appeared!" Ai announced.
Last time, when Shanks came to see Uta, he had left a Vivre Card, so the demonic carrier could pinpoint their location.
"Alright, good!"
Jin stood up and ruffled Uta's hair. "Go get ready. Red Hair and the others are just outside."
"Eh?"
Uta was surprised, then jumped up in excitement.
Jin put on a shirt.
In an instant, he was outside.
He scanned the horizon, his gaze sharp, and saw an island, and the Red Force docked in the bay.
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