Onigashima, Beasts Pirates officers' meeting.
Kaido sat at the head, tossing a report on the table for the others to see.
Most Beasts Pirates officers were as uneducated as Kaido and only glanced at the key points—but even with a quick scan, they saw something odd.
Every officer who read the report looked both pleasantly surprised and confused.
"Where's Gusion? I want him to explain this."
Kaido said. The report's results contradicted everything they knew about running factories, and about being pirates.
"Mr. Gusion sailed from the port this morning—he should be arriving at Onigashima soon."
King said, having watched Wano's changes closely and worked with Gusion the most.
Because this influential officer treated Gusion well, even those unfamiliar with him stopped looking down on him.
"Good timing. Bring him straight here."
Kaido didn't think much of it, just felt it was good to have Gusion around when needed.
Soon, Gusion was brought in and surprised to see the room packed—he hadn't expected a full meeting.
It was his first time seeing all Beasts Pirates officers together—big and small, all kinds, like a flamboyant zoo.
It had been a month and a half since he and Yamato began governing Wano, and the three factories had been running for two weeks. He'd come to Onigashima to propose new projects.
But as soon as he entered, everyone turned to stare at him.
"You're just in time. Tell me, what's going on here?"
Kaido pointed to the report.
"You didn't forge these numbers, did you?"
Gusion recognized the report; he'd sent it to Onigashima two nights before. Even though Kaido said to let him and Yamato handle things, Gusion always kept Kaido informed about major events, like factory construction and pilot reforms.
"Why would I? Are you saying you doubt the report, Governor-General?"
Gusion grinned. After a month in the Beasts Pirates, he understood the vibe—they were indulgent to the strong and the valuable. So he spoke more casually now.
"Your report says that in two weeks, the new factories' output is thirty percent higher than the old ones. Isn't that a lie?"
Kaido asked seriously.
"Why lie? If I wanted to please you, I'd have written triple the output."
Gusion walked up, picking up the report. He knew Kaido probably hadn't read the details—the explanation would come from his mouth.
Actually, he hadn't written the report himself, but had Yasuie's team compile it. He found it accurate and handed it to Kaido.
Some officers got agitated.
"Don't get cocky. That's a thirty percent boost with all new workers!" said Jack the Drought.
Gusion nodded.
"Exactly. It's because they're new the output isn't higher—I actually expected output to reach half that of the old factories."
This stunned the officers, and Kaido's eyes gleamed,
"Gusion, explain—what's going on?"
Only Black Maria and King seemed to be pondering the real reasons.
"It's simple."
Gusion explained,
"The workers I picked are all elites. They hadn't worked in the old factories, but they're talented craftsmen—perfect for the weapons and seastone factories. The devil fruit factory is different, with lots of new tech, so untrained people can't be efficient."
He pointed to the report.
"Weapons and seastone factories have already surpassed expectations, with fifty percent more output than before. The devil fruit factory matches the old one. The thirty percent increase is the total average."
The officers were shocked. Kaido snatched the report to examine the data, his face brightening.
"Mr. Gusion, why is the devil fruit factory lagging? Is there a problem with your plan?" asked Black Maria.
Gusion shook his head.
"No, I never expected high output there. It's all new tech, and without systematic training, the workers can't be efficient."
"So if we transfer experienced craftsmen from the old factory to train the new ones, output should rise, right?" Maria mused.
"Exactly," Gusion said, then added, "But I don't recommend it. I'll explain why soon."
"So the new factories are more productive—but why?"
Kaido pressed, eager to know if he could replicate it in the old factories.
"Simple: they're free workers, motivated to do their best. That's always better than being forced."
Gusion explained,
"People's attitude makes a huge difference in productivity."
Kaido thought for a moment, still not understanding.
"But we don't force the old workers—they get paid."
Gusion surveyed the officers—they looked as confused as Kaido. He sighed and explained:
"In a way, the old system and mine are the same—people work because they have to. But the factory models are totally different. Old factory workers get poor pay, barely enough for themselves, and are under harsh pressure—often beaten by overseers. That's basically slavery."
"How's that slavery? We pay them enough to eat—isn't that enough?" Maria frowned. She'd designed the old management system.
"No wonder…"
Gusion muttered under his breath—Maria was a dominatrix who liked slave systems, so even with wages, the factories were twisted.
"What was that?!"
Maria was annoyed, feeling underestimated.
"I mean, Ms. Maria, you've fallen into a trap—thinking that paying workers enough to eat is sufficient."
Gusion raised a finger.
"If it's just him, he can eat. But most adult workers have families—when they buy grain, they share it, so the worker goes hungry."
As Maria gaped, he continued,
"If a person is hungry, they're weak. Chronic hunger leads to depression—they can't work efficiently. If they space out, overseers beat them. If they're hurt, they grow weaker and start to hate the Beasts Pirates. At that point, you're lucky they don't sabotage things. It's a vicious cycle."
Gusion's voice grew solemn.
"It won't last long—people in that state don't live long. I don't know if anyone's counted, but I bet few factory craftsmen survive ten years."
His words laid bare the old factories' vicious cycle, and many officers suddenly understood.
"Mr. Gusion, I know what slaves are like," King said.
"If you say the old factory workers were basically slaves, I'd agree. But why do you say free workers are better than slaves?"
King and Kaido had both experienced the world's darkness—King had been a slave and a test subject.
He saw slaves as property, forced to work for no pay—just fed scraps. Kaido paid his workers, but it was essentially the same, with slave-like management.
He admitted slavery was a cheap way to use labor.
Gusion smiled.
"This is counterintuitive. Doesn't everyone think slave labor is cheap?"
All the Beasts Pirates nodded—it was obvious.
"But actually, using slaves isn't cheap. You've all traveled to many countries—some feudal, some slave societies. Haven't you noticed that slave societies are often less prosperous than feudal ones?"
Gusion didn't spell it out—he knew in real history, some powerful nations used slavery, but those systems eventually collapsed due to slavery itself.