"Of course not." The Koron owner instantly understood the meaning behind the other's words. "Highest specifications" would mean both sides dispatching their highest-ranking figures. He wasn't one, and neither was the other party. This was normal.
In other words… His eyes flickered with a keen light. 'Is that person called Morass their supreme leader then…' he thought. For now, let's just use the term "leader." Because up to this point, he and the Revolutionary Army organization still couldn't figure out what kind of faction this was. They didn't even know if "Morass" was a real name. Morass seemed to have appeared out of thin air. He even had a suspicion that… the so-called Morass might not be a single person.
"Have you brought the money?"
"Have you brought the goods?"
After confirming identities, both sides spoke simultaneously, without any beating around the bush or any sense of ceremony. Even their spoken words carried a whiff of uncultured ruffianism. After speaking, both the Koron owner and Vice paused for a moment, then their expressions returned to normal. Exchanging money for goods had always been a straightforward matter. Both sides dispatched men from behind them to inspect. After confirming everything was in order, the transaction of money for goods was truly settled. Without another word, both parties turned and left, just as they had arrived, having only exchanged the items they had brought.
The night was heavy. On the rooftop, a puddle of swamp stirred and departed.
"Boss, the first batch of goods has been delivered. Payment received in full." It was a considerable sum. After leaving, Vice immediately found a deserted corner and, unable to contain his excitement, dialed Wilder's Den Den Mushi.
"Understood. Report the full amount of the payment to headquarters. You don't need to turn this money in. Return directly to HQ. Meet up with Eigg and Yves midway. Use this money to recruit personnel. Remember, do it secretly. Don't get noticed," Wilder's calm voice came from the Den Den Mushi.
Although Vice didn't know why Wilder suddenly wanted to recruit personnel so urgently, he never questioned Wilder's words. He answered firmly and forcefully, "Yes, sir!"
Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Wilder fell into deep thought, gazing at the town faintly lit by scattered lights under the night sky, an enigmatic gleam in his profound eyes. Next was the wait. Waiting for Ashin's news… Waiting for the cannons to roar in the five nations…
Time slipped by quietly. Two days later, the second arms shipment also arrived at the transaction island. Another night. Watching the transaction complete in secret and both parties depart, Wilder covertly issued a command. The speed of arms delivery increased. In less than five days, all the arms were delivered.
The Black Serpent Merchant Guild received a large sum of funds. Without exception, Wilder ordered all these funds to be used for recruiting personnel, factory construction, island development, and the armaments and scientific research departments. Although it was a drop in the bucket, it temporarily accelerated Fish Scale Island's development by several stages.
At this point, Wilder no longer needed to observe in secret. He took little Aisha and rented an elegant courtyard house outside the town on the transaction island, quietly waiting for news. Fish Scale Island had not expanded outwards so far. The persistent white fog enveloping its periphery provided special protection and concealment for its covert development. According to the information relayed, Wilder learned that Fish Scale Island now had five large docks. At the same time, the island's defensive lines had been initially established, with dozens of hidden cannon emplacements and a staggering three hundred and twenty-eight cannons visibly encircling the entire island.
This rapid progress was entirely because the Black Serpent had poured all its energy, resources, and funds into this. The daily consumption of resources and Beli was unimaginable. If not for the considerable wealth accumulated previously, it would have been difficult to maintain such a pace. Even so, their coffers were now nearing empty. So, very soon, they would face financial problems again, and not minor ones. This was an ever-present problem, so Wilder wasn't overly anxious. The news he was waiting for wasn't about this either. In fact, the solution to all these former problems lay within the latter news he awaited.
Waiting while shouldering heavy responsibilities was never an excuse for idling. Wilder never forgot that strength was fundamental. Therefore, during these few days of waiting, Wilder didn't stop his training for a single day; in fact, he trained even harder than before. The previous battles had made Wilder understand more profoundly the importance of Haki and its irreplaceable role. Thus, these past few days, Wilder had slightly eased off his ability training and focused on Haki cultivation. He could now simultaneously cover both his lower legs and his entire arms with Armament Haki, a significant improvement from not long ago. This rapid progress was largely due to his application of Life Return and his understanding of his own body. Now, Wilder could even train while sitting still. Of course, the effect and efficiency couldn't compare to training while in motion.
It was the same for Observation Haki. Perhaps due to his soul, Wilder's Observation Haki had been stronger than average from the moment he awakened it, and his rate of improvement could be described as lightning fast. Now, the range of Wilder's Observation Haki had reached a radius of five hundred meters, and its "clarity" had more than doubled, leading to Wilder's exceptionally sharp combat reflexes.
The current Wilder was confident he could defeat Momonga within a hundred moves without using his Devil Fruit abilities. Yes, defeat him. Last time, it might have seemed Wilder was strong enough to fight both Apoo and Momonga and still have the upper hand, but in reality, Momonga had been constrained. During the fight, he not only had to deal with Wilder but also guard against Apoo. If it were a one-on-one battle with Momonga fully focused, the combat power Momonga could unleash would absolutely not be weak. At the very least… he definitely wouldn't lose to an average Warlord of the Sea. Although… if they had truly fought to the end that time, Wilder would still have been able to defeat him, but he reckoned it wouldn't have been too easy.
And in Wilder's mind, there were three "not average" Warlords: Hawk-Eye, Doflamingo, and finally… the Pirate Empress also counted. After all… she was a woman even Fleet Admiral Sengoku acknowledged as fearsome.
Training was endless. Wilder knew his opponents were never just in the East Blue. This time, he would build himself a solid home base, a bulwark for him to stand tall in the New World. While everyone else was fighting and killing, scrambling for interests in that sea region, he had chosen to withdraw from the rapids and come to this weakest of seas. His purpose was not self-preservation, but… to sharpen his fangs.
In the blink of an eye, another two days passed. On this day, Wilder received news from Ashin. The investigation into the five nations was complete. A concise summary of the information was delivered to Wilder. Three days later, five battlefronts would open simultaneously.
"The Revolutionary Army truly has great boldness…" Wilder put down the documents, his calm face showing no emotion. After a brief thought, he turned and entered a room at the back of the courtyard house. Taking little Aisha, whose small hand automatically found its way into Wilder's, the two left the courtyard house.
The war in the five nations would begin in three days. During this period, Wilder needed to plan and issue some commands to secure enough benefits for himself. Overthrowing five nations at once was no simple matter. When the time came, it would undoubtedly attract countless eyes. During this period, he needed to grow as much as possible. This was an opportunity not to be missed, and Wilder wouldn't let it pass.
"Once the war begins in three days, immediately bring the several islands surrounding Fish Scale Island covertly under our control. Seize the opportunity to absorb resources and expand manpower. All who resist… kill!"
"After taking the surrounding islands and sea areas, immediately put the personnel into training. Do not conduct it at the Black Serpent headquarters; find another uninhabited island for training. The Scientific Research Department and the armaments factory are to expedite the production of heavy machine guns."
"Additionally, select a portion of the personnel who perform outstandingly in training, as well as newly recruited, yet-to-surface officers and members. Separate them from other trainees and increase their training volume and programs."
Command after command was issued. The Black Serpent Merchant Guild quickly mobilized, its actions meticulous and orderly.
One day… Two days… Soon, the third day arrived…
And on this day, Ashin sent unexpected news. "Discovered the whereabouts of the Revolutionary Army's leader… Dragon."
A simple sentence, yet it sent a jolt through Wilder's heart.
"Where?" In less than a second, he suppressed his surging emotions and asked calmly.
"Yandang Country, one of the five nations," Ashin's low, hoarse voice came from the Den Den Mushi.
"Understood."
Wilder hung up the Den Den Mushi. Taking little Aisha, he silently boarded a ship. Destination: Yandang Country. Fortunately, all five nations were not far from the transaction island. Otherwise, they wouldn't have chosen to trade there; it was for the ease of arms transport.
Half a day later, the merchant ship Wilder was on arrived at the port of Yandang Country. Clad in a black cloak, wearing a new mask emblazoned with the character "王" (Wáng - King), he stepped onto this island. Beside him, the little figure barely reaching his knees was similarly enveloped in a small black robe, her mask bearing the character "爱" (Ài - Love/Aisha). Wilder had someone make these on a whim. Unexpectedly, little Aisha looked quite fitting in it, exuding an air of cool mystery. It would have been even better if not for her occasional foodie outbursts.
Although Wilder was very satisfied with this attire, little Aisha, whose opinion hadn't been sought, was very dissatisfied with it.
"Why do I have to wear these kinds of clothes?! Mister," the small mouth under the black cloak grumbled, her little face puffed into two mounds.
"Ah… if you want to follow me, this is necessary. If you feel you have no human rights, you can choose to leave at any time," Wilder said faintly.
"Oh." Little Aisha huffed indignantly from within her cloak, but her small hand clutching Wilder's fingers tightened unconsciously.
"Let's go."
"Okay."
...
In a small tavern located on the edge of the nation's town—this place was not open to the public. Only those holding a membership card for this establishment could enter. The signboard was made of bound wood. It bore no tavern name, only a line of tiny characters carved in the bottom right corner, almost invisible without close inspection. It was a serial number, reading: 4041.
Finding this place was not simple. First, one had to navigate complex streets and alleys. Then, this tavern didn't look like a tavern at all; it more closely resembled… a general store. Dilapidated wooden planks, a signboard hanging crookedly to one side, a small doorway, a large window, all covered in a layer of dust—this was the tavern's facade.
Two figures, one large and one small, both completely enveloped in black cloaks, approached from one end of the street and stopped before this tavern. The larger one looked up, his gaze like a torch, staring at the signboard on the doorframe for a long time. An exaggerated curve formed on his lips, his low voice carrying a hint of excitement. "This is the place…"
"What is this place for, mister?" a clear, slightly lisping voice came from under the small figure's cloak. "Is there food inside?"
"Perhaps," Wilder said, taking the little one's hand and stepping inside.
An old man sat inside the large window. Perhaps a general store was the true nature of this establishment. The wooden shelves extending inwards from the window were filled with all sorts of daily necessities and snacks, including alcohol. Regarding their arrival, the old man merely opened his eyes, which had been narrowed to slits, glanced at them briefly, and then turned away, appearing quite indifferent.
"Mister, why does that old grandpa have an extra finger?" Little Aisha kept looking back as she walked, her small face full of curiosity from within her cloak. Only after they had walked quite a distance did she finally look up and ask Wilder.
Wilder walked on without pause, his cloak hanging low. He replied casually, "I don't know. Maybe he was born that way. People are born with differences; not everyone is part of the majority."
"The majority...?" Little Aisha didn't understand, but that didn't stop her from nodding vigorously under her cloak, a serious expression on her face.
Arriving before a door, Wilder and little Aisha stopped. A young man dressed as a waiter stood before the door. He showed no expression upon seeing Wilder, but when his gaze shifted to little Aisha, a clear trace of suspicion and astonishment appeared on his face.
"Please present your membership card." But this surprise quickly vanished without a trace. The waiter, his expression calm, extended a hand towards Wilder and Aisha.
Wilder didn't move, seemingly unmoved by or not understanding the waiter's words. As the waiter's gaze grew increasingly wary and guarded, Wilder finally spoke. "If I were to say… I'm here to discuss business with Dragon, and I don't have a membership card, would you let me in?"
The waiter was clearly astonished, seemingly wanting to confirm if he had misheard. However, once his brain finally processed the shock, there seemed to be no need for further thought. "Please tell me your name." There was no immediate action or calling for backup after a secret was seemingly exposed. Aside from the waiter's expression turning serious, the entire process was unbelievably civil and polite.
"Morass," the person hidden beneath the black cloak said faintly.
"It's you...!" The waiter showed a surprised expression, his pupils flickering slightly. He took a deep look at Wilder, then nodded and said, "Please wait here for a moment. I'll go in and inform them."
He then opened the door behind him and went inside. The door closed again. Wilder stood quietly on the spot, waiting.