Thanks to Smoker's prompting, Zephyr became highly invested in the academy's structure. He offered numerous suggestions, even proposing that Ain, Binz, and Shuzo could teach here.
What else could Dante do? Naturally, he nodded in eager agreement.
He also informed Zephyr about the plan to expand the Marine Academy. They had already secured an island, they were just lacking a dean capable of holding down the fort. He hoped Zephyr would consider the position.
Zephyr didn't refuse, merely stating he would need to think about it.
Of course, Zephyr's group had noticed the recruits physical training results, which far exceeded those of standard Marines. Knowing he would need to ask Zephyr to train his troops later, Dante didn't hide it and directly explained the Aqua Ursa, immediately startling everyone.
Who would have thought this tiny East Blue branch had developed something that could actively assist with physical conditioning?
Hearing the explanation, Smoker's eyes lit up, and his lingering irritation over being tricked vanished instantly. So this was the reward!
"You should have said so earlier!" From that moment on, Smoker kept his eyes glued to Dante the entire way, terrified the kid might go back on his word.
After touring the academy, Dante led everyone to the other facilities.
When they saw the shipyard unique to the 16th Branch, the group was shocked yet again. Who would have thought a local branch would not only have its own academy but also its own shipyard? Everyone finally understood where those standardized warships docked at the pier had come from.
They were all built by the 16th Branch itself.
And that wasn't all. This shipyard utilized its own propulsion wheel technology, completely distinct from Marine HQ's designs.
What exactly was Dante trying to do? Was he planning to build his own independent fleet?
Before they could recover from their astonishment, Dante led them to the armory situated right next to the dock.
The 16th Branch had possessed its own armory for quite some time. Ordinary equipment wasn't difficult to manufacture, after the shipyard was completed, the armory had naturally followed.
Although it was small, it was more than enough to satisfy their training needs. Row after row of Marine Swords and rack after rack of Marine Rifles drew gasps of admiration from the HQ veterans.
But this was just the beginning.
Since he had already decided to show them around, Dante figured he might as well show them more.
He took them to the facilities that brought immense wealth to the branch: the cosmetics factory, the brewery, the snack factory, and the smart foot bath assembly line. From the 16th Branch to the Conomi Archipelago, massive crates of goods were shipped out daily, reaching all corners of the East Blue and beyond.
The bustling harbor and the endless flow of merchants drew continuous waves of admiration.
They clearly hadn't expected this small branch to be so astronomically wealthy. The shock only deepened when Dante casually mentioned that these factories were only a fraction of his operations, and that current output still wasn't enough to satisfy global demand.
The East Blue and the other seas... just how much wealth was that generating? Even Zephyr couldn't help but shudder. Then, as if realizing something, he looked at Dante speechlessly. 'You're already this wealthy, yet you still beg HQ for funding?'
Dante could only shrug in resignation, explaining that they really used to be poor, so they had no choice but to ask HQ for money to survive. He also implied that the wealth wasn't solely his, half of it belonged to a silent partner.
Of course, as an honest Marine Captain, Dante didn't expose the Shichibukai working behind the scenes.
Smoker, who knew the full story, kept his mouth shut. He just scoffed skeptically at Dante's claim of 'being poor in the past.' This kid was the wealthiest man in the entire East Blue! Poor? His own investigation had proven Dante was bulk-buying weapons from the Loguetown armory years ago.
Smoker suddenly realized which faction was secretly working with the Loguetown armory owner. He also understood where those crates of weapons Dante had "gifted" him came from. Dante had purchased the weapons in Loguetown, handed them to Smoker as a favor, and essentially got them sent right back to Loguetown.
He also figured out why the armory owner had abruptly terminated his partnership with a local pirate crew recently, even though Smoker hadn't actively pressured him yet. It wasn't because Smoker's management was too strict, it was because Dante already had his own weapons factory up and running.
As a result, the armory owner had been chewing Smoker out for weeks over lost business.
At the thought, Smoker took a hard drag on his cigar and cursed mentally. 'This bastard.'
After touring the factories, Dante took the group by boat to the Tontattas plantation base.
The veterans were utterly amazed by the plump harvest yielded from the superior grain seeds the Tontattas had grown. However, after having their minds blown repeatedly all afternoon, they recovered their composure much faster this time.
They were getting used to it. In fact, they were practically numb.
What surprised them more than the agricultural modifications was the sheer fact that there were Tontattas living in the East Blue at all. Ain and Tashigi's faces brightened instantly upon seeing them.
After briefly chatting with the Tontattas and praising them effusively in Montblanc Noland's name to boost their morale, Dante brought the group back to the Conomi Archipelago.
He deliberately avoided taking them to Vegapunk's technology island. Vegapunk's significance was on an entirely different level. It wasn't that he doubted Zephyr, but loose lips sink ships. He figured it was better to keep that secret restricted for now. He could take Zephyr alone in a few days.
Since it was getting late, it was time to show the guests a good time. Dante took everyone straight to Romance Dawn.
The lavish interior left the veterans stunned. When they saw the dazzling lights, Binz and Shuzo smirked. Dante really knew how to live.
It's just... why had he brought Ain, Tashigi, and Zephyr-sensei along? Couldn't he see Zephyr's face turning red with disapproval?
Left with no choice, Dante carefully explained that this was a strictly legitimate establishment. If they didn't believe him, they could ask the regulars, Smoker and Tashigi.
Upon getting confirmation, Ain and Zephyr breathed easier, while Binz and Shuzo sighed in deep disappointment. Under Zephyr's sharp glare, however, the two men immediately straightened up, loudly declaring they weren't 'that kind of men' anyway.
Led by Dante, the group headed inside. He expertly booked a private VIP room and ordered the premium set menu.
Before long, the exhausted group comfortably reclined in the heated baths.
"So this is Romance Dawn? It's quite comfortable indeed. No wonder Kuzan keeps talking about it," Zephyr noted, eyes closed in relaxation. He looked at Dante. "But I saw the prices at the door, they're far too high. We can relax here today, but we can't make a habit of it."
Binz and Shuzo immediately sighed in disappointment. Zephyr-sensei was right, this place was wildly expensive.
Before Dante or the speechless Smoker could respond, Zephyr remembered something. "By the way, I heard that Garp is a VIP here. Dropping his name might get us a discount."
This time, Smoker spoke up flatly. "This place is run by Dante too."
"What do you mean, I run it?" Dante quickly denied it. "This is Conomi Archipelago property, everyone's property, not just mine. Even I have to pay when I come here!"
"No free rides here," he added with a smile. "Of course, while you still have to pay, Binz and Shuzo, you two can get a discount whenever you visit from now on."
"Really? That's great!" Binz and Shuzo's eyes lit up. "By the way, what's our salary?"
"Alright, we'll discuss the details later," Zephyr laughed helplessly. He looked at Dante, a touch of genuine sentiment softening his expression. "I really didn't expect this was yours as well."
The Marine Academy, the shipyard, the weapons factory, and those massive wealth-generating industries. In just a few short years, Dante had achieved total self-sufficiency. The Marine HQ blockade had essentially been rendered useless.
This kid's ambition was truly unexpected.
However... the World Government wasn't so easy to deal with.
As Zephyr wrestled with these conflicting thoughts, a Den Den Mushi began to ring.
*Purupururu, purupururu~*
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