"No information has come through. It seems the Demon Locking Tower restricts even this."
On a small, unnamed island some distance from Jimo, Daniel Davis stood in front of a field of Lixiang Grass, muttering to himself. Two weeks had passed since the great battle at the Shu Mountain Sect. After visiting the Nest Country with Yun Tianhe and Han Lingsha once more, Daniel Davis had come here to set up a secret base.
With some free time on his hands, he decided to research and cultivate Lixiang Grass, a valuable raw material for making various types of incense. Once Liu Mengli's situation stabilized, he could approach her to develop related incense products.
This would not only create a new source of income but also allow him to gift high-quality incense to others. He had already decided to establish a merchant association in the Chinese Paladin world to acquire resources like medicinal herbs and gather intelligence on items such as the Five Spirit Pearls and the Nine Springs.
These tasks were handled by shadow clones. Among them, Daniel Davis had collaborated with Han Lingsha's family, the Han family. After Han Lingsha and Yun Tianhe's journey, the Han family had learned the reason for their族人's short lifespans and had stopped tomb raiding. However, transitioning to a new livelihood was challenging. Daniel Davis's merchant association needed manpower, and the Han family needed a new direction, making their collaboration mutually beneficial.
The Han family could also use the association to accumulate good deeds, while Daniel Davis could leverage their extensive knowledge to expand his operations. It was a win-win situation.
Han Lingsha also participated in the venture. While Daniel Davis respected her and Yun Tianhe's private life on Qingluan Peak, living in seclusion didn't mean they had to live in poverty. Yun Tianhe might not care, but Han Lingsha was a woman, and Liu Mengli, who had been raised as a noble lady, would also appreciate a comfortable life. Since they had the means, why not use them? Daniel Davis even sent over a large stock of Sea King meat for Yun Tianhe, who loved meat.
"This world is quite suitable for cultivating herbs." While Lixiang Grass was important, herbs that could cure all diseases were even more valuable.
Time passed as Daniel Davis cultivated plants, conducted research, and trained. He only emerged from the island after successfully merging the Qiong Hua Sect's and Shu Mountain Sect's sword techniques. He then prepared to leave the Chinese Paladin world.
"The Nine Dragon Silk Sword Tassel is truly a remarkable item."
Before leaving, Daniel Davis visited Han Lingsha, Yun Tianhe, and Murong Ziyun. As for Liu Mengli, he had previously agreed to wait a while longer. During this visit, Daniel Davis borrowed the Nine Dragon Silk Sword Tassel that Han Lingsha had given him. After analyzing and studying it, he managed to replicate its creation process.
Of course, Daniel Davis had no intention of using the Nine Dragon Silk Sword Tassel as an actual sword tassel. He didn't need one, as he usually stored his swords in a spatial ring, and the Hanguang Sword wasn't suitable for a tassel.
However, the Nine Dragon Silk Sword Tassel didn't have to be used as a sword accessory. It could serve other purposes, such as a waist ornament or a decorative cord for jade pendants. In short, the Nine Dragon Silk Sword Tassel was a symbol of prestige.
Originally, sword tassels weren't just decorative. They were used in combat to prevent the sword from slipping out of the hand. Early tassels were more like straps tied to the wrist and could also be used to distract enemies, entangle their weapons, or even throw the sword if necessary. Over time, however, sword tassels became purely decorative, associated with ceremonial or dance swords, and eventually became a symbol of literati. It was quite ironic.
---
*One Piece World*
"The World Government has already started a large-scale military recruitment, and the Summit War hasn't even happened yet. It seems they're really struggling."
Upon returning to the One Piece world, Daniel Davis immediately noticed a major event in the newspapers: the World Government had begun a global military recruitment. However, since the current three Admirals were still in office, the highest rank offered in this recruitment was Vice Admiral.
Daniel Davis understood this move. In the original timeline, the World Government's large-scale recruitment occurred after the Summit War, when the Navy suffered heavy losses, and figures like Garp and Sengoku retired, followed by Aokiji's departure. The recruitment was meant to fill these gaps.
Although the Summit War hadn't happened due to Daniel Davis's interference, the Navy's losses were even greater than in the original timeline. The World Government's dark dealings and the open slave auctions on Sabaody Archipelago had driven many elite Navy members to leave.
While the Navy's top-tier forces, such as the Admirals and Vice Admirals, hadn't suffered significant losses, the mid-to-lower ranks had been hit hard. Many Rear Admirals and below had resigned, some joining Dragon's Revolutionary Army, which had taken advantage of the World Government's corruption to recruit former Navy members.
Additionally, former Admiral Zephyr, disillusioned by the World Government's decision to make Edward Weevil a Warlord, had formed his own Neo Navy to fight pirates. Many Navy members, inspired by Zephyr's reputation, had joined him. All these factors had left the Navy's control over the seas on the brink of collapse.
In the New World, the destruction of the G-1 branch had severely weakened the Navy's presence. Although the branch had been rebuilt, its control over the New World was less than half of what it once was.
The G-1 branch's location was crucial, serving as the boundary between the Grand Line and the New World. When the G-1 branch was intact, most pirates entering the New World from Fish-Man Island were immediately intercepted and defeated by the Navy, significantly reducing the number of pirates reaching the New World.
Now, however, a flood of pirates had entered the New World. While many were eliminated, a significant number survived and grew stronger in the harsh environment of the New World.
The destruction of the G-1 branch had a ripple effect, causing the G-3 branch to reduce its operational range. As for the G-5 branch, it had become virtually non-existent.
Originally, the G-5 branch, located on the front lines of the New World, had already been in poor shape. It had become a dumping ground for troublemakers within the Navy. After the G-1 branch's destruction, many pirates in the New World began attacking the G-5 branch, forcing the Navy to abandon the island and withdraw its personnel to the G-3 branch, leaving only the G-5 branch's name behind.
This was the current situation the Navy faced in the New World. In the four seas, the Revolutionary Army's activities were in full swing. After learning from Daniel Davis what a true revolutionary army should be, Dragon had changed his strategy. With the addition of many mid-level officers recruited from the Navy, the Revolutionary Army's strength had grown significantly, even producing top-tier fighters comparable to Admirals.
The four seas had never been a priority for the Navy. Although there were many branches, their strength was generally weak. Faced with the Revolutionary Army's main forces, they were unable to resist. Only with the World Government's assistance had the two sides reached a stalemate. However, the Revolutionary Army's guerrilla tactics had left the Navy and the World Government exhausted.
The situation in the first half of the Grand Line was better than in the New World and the four seas, but only by comparison. Compared to the past, the first half of the Grand Line was also in chaos.
The mass defections and resignations from the Navy had left it severely understaffed, unable to maintain order as it once had. Combined with low morale, the Navy's combat effectiveness had significantly declined.
In this situation, the World Government had no choice but to resort to large-scale recruitment to address its difficulties.
As the saying goes, "Where there is great reward, there will be brave men." The allure of power and status had attracted many capable individuals to join the recruitment. Most were bounty hunters, though a few pirates had also hidden their identities to join.
In the Navy, promotions were typically based on both strength and merit. However, in this large-scale recruitment, strength was the primary criterion. As long as one was strong enough, they could directly become a Navy Captain, Rear Admiral, or even Vice Admiral.
A Navy Captain could be the highest authority in a branch, such as Captain Nezumi or Captain Morgan. With such power, they could act with impunity in their territories.
The truth was, the Navy's foundation was thoroughly rotten. Looking at the various Navy branches Luffy had encountered on his journey, many of them committed atrocities worse than pirates. Truly just Navy branches were few and far between. Poor Sengoku and Garp, standing at the top, had failed to see the true state of the Navy.
"Large-scale recruitment... This could be a great opportunity for the Revolutionary Army."
After listening to Chelsia's report on the recruitment, Daniel Davis couldn't help but want to call Dragon. The so-called large-scale recruitment wasn't primarily aimed at ordinary civilians. After all, civilians would require training, and the Navy didn't have the time for that given its current situation.
The main targets of the recruitment were the armies of the World Government's member nations. These nations, while not allowed to have their own navies, had substantial land forces and guards. For example, the Alabasta Kingdom had hundreds of thousands of regular troops, and the Goa Kingdom also had a sizable army. With over 170 member nations, the World Government could easily recruit enough soldiers to fill its gaps.
Moreover, these armies were unlikely to betray the World Government in the short term. The recruitment could also bring in skilled individuals from these nations, further strengthening the Navy.
It would be a mistake to assume that the World Government's member nations lacked powerful individuals. On the contrary, many strong individuals hailed from these nations. For example, Garp and Dragon were from the Goa Kingdom, and during the World Government's meetings, the current king of Goa had tried to curry favor with Garp.
Similarly, Sengoku, Tsuru, and Akainu also had their own national backgrounds. Akainu represented the hardline faction within the Navy, and many of his supporters came from the same nation.
While figures like Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, and the Admirals might not engage in factionalism, those below them certainly did. If one were to investigate the backgrounds of the Navy's officers, they would find that many were also nobles in their home countries, holding noble titles. This was one of the roots of the Navy's corruption.
"Forget it. I'll contact Dragon in a couple of days. Right now, the most important thing is to spend time with them."
After a moment, Daniel Davis decided against calling Dragon immediately. After all, once the call was made, there might be work to do. Having just returned from the Chinese Paladin world, Daniel Davis wanted to spend time with Ada and the others. Everything else could wait.
---
*Dressrosa*
"Should we visit Dressrosa?" As Daniel Davis spent time with Esdeath and the others on the ship, they arrived at Doflamingo's territory, known as the Kingdom of Dressrosa, the Land of Love, Passion, and Toys.
The Hobi Hobi no Mi (Hobby-Hobby Fruit) was incredibly powerful. Its ability to turn people into toys and erase their existence from memory was nearly unmatched. If not for its severe side effects, it could be considered one of the strongest Devil Fruits.
However, considering that Doflamingo hadn't used the Hobi Hobi no Mi against the Four Emperors like Kaido or Whitebeard, it was likely that the fruit had significant limitations. If someone like Whitebeard were unaware of Sugar's danger, they could easily fall victim to her ability.
"There's no need. We can't take action now. Let's head straight to Wano Country."
Although Chelsia and Leone wanted to visit Dressrosa, Ada, Esdeath, and Robin opposed the idea, so the ship continued on its course.
Ada wanted to avoid unnecessary complications, Esdeath was eager to fight Kaido, the strongest creature, as soon as possible, and Robin wanted to quickly obtain clues about the Poneglyphs in Wano Country, the birthplace of the Poneglyphs.
"They left directly without docking."
In the palace of Dressrosa, all the top executives of the Donquixote Pirates were present. After hearing Viola's report through her Giro Giro no Mi (Glare-Glare Fruit), they collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Esdeath and Ada's reputations were too formidable, and Doflamingo couldn't be sure they wouldn't attack him despite the Warlord agreement. Even with Sugar as a trump card, it was best to avoid conflict.
While Doflamingo and his crew were relieved, Viola felt a pang of disappointment. She had hoped that Esdeath and Ada's arrival might lead to the rescue of her father, King Riku, and others like Rebecca.
Daniel Davis was well aware of the situation in Dressrosa, but now wasn't the right time to act against Doflamingo. That would have to wait.
"Viola, keep an eye on them. Find out who their target is." After a moment of silence, Doflamingo issued the order.
As Esdeath and the others continued their journey through the New World, their target could only be one of the Four Emperors. However, it was unclear which one. Although Doflamingo's route led to Kaido's territory, the course could be changed to reach any of the Four Emperors' domains.
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I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS (Chapter 79)
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
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