"Gurgle~ Gurgle~"
Warm spring water continuously gushed from the ground, quickly forming a puddle.
"This is it!"
Daichi couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from turning up.
Groudon was the creator of the land, controlling the power of the earth, and as his host, he inherited this power.
Currently, he couldn't create land, nor could he move mountains or fill seas, but sensing the terrain structure was still very simple.
Directly beneath the Flower Capital, there was a large amount of magma, coupled with the special environment of Wano Country—the existence of an inland freshwater sea, which led to an extremely large underground freshwater reserve.
This created excellent conditions for the birth of hot springs.
As long as he found a suitable location and then used his power of the earth to open a small opening above the underground hot spring, he could draw the hot spring water up with the help of surface pressure.
And the warehouse beneath his feet, or rather, the land in this entire area, was very suitable for creating hot springs. He bought this warehouse mainly because it was cheap and had a large enough area.
In short, property value skyrocketed!
"Hehehe, once I convert this place into a hot spring inn, won't I have trouble renting it out?"
"No, I'm a pirate. How can a pirate open a hot spring inn? It should be called the Heavenly Abode Inn!"
"I'm a damn genius!"
Daichi rubbed his smooth head and walked into the city feeling refreshed.
Soon, he arrived at his destination.
Minatomo Carpenter's Shop.
His striking body immediately attracted the attention of the carpenters.
"I'm looking for Master Minatomo."
Daichi explained his purpose.
The owner of this carpentry shop, Minatomo, was the best carpenter in Wano Country. Even the Skull Dome on Onigashima was designed and built under his lead.
Soon, a short old man with two nails in his nostrils walked out, saying impatiently. "Pirate kid, say what you need to say quickly. I have a lot of work to do."
"Master Minatomo, I'd like to ask you to help me build a large mansion!"
Daichi took out a design drawing, which was a rough sketch he drew from memory, with a layout similar to a garden.
"Oh!"
Minatomo took one look and became interested.
The drawing looked messy, clearly drawn by an amateur, but the layout was quite interesting, somewhat similar to the style of Wano Country, yet very different.
"What is it for?"
"A hot spring club—an inn!"
Daichi almost misspoke.
Minatomo frowned deeply, and after a long time, he returned the drawing to Daichi.
"Ah, you should find someone else."
"Master Minatomo, money is not an issue."
Daichi immediately added.
Minatomo shook his head, saying with a happy yet troubled expression. "It's not about money. It's that I don't have any spare time. I currently have eight houses to build, eight houses!"
"..."
For some reason, Daichi could perfectly understand the other party's feelings at this moment.
He once had eight houses too!
Alright, you forced my hand!
"Master Minatomo."
Daichi pulled the short old man aside and whispered. "I'll be frank. This hot spring inn is actually Kyoshiro's property. He entrusted me to come."
"Kyoshiro?"
Minatomo's eyes immediately widened.
If it was truly Kyoshiro's property, then he had to take this job, and treat it as a top priority.
In this vast Flower Capital, who dared to disrespect Kyoshiro, especially since Kyoshiro was so kind and righteous.
The question was, was this pirate kid lying to him?
Even if Kyoshiro wanted to build a house, he should send his subordinates, so why would he send a pirate to find him?
Minatomo hesitated.
"Don't believe me?"
Daichi smiled brightly. "Master Minatomo, how about this: you arrange for a disciple to go to Kyoshiro's residence, give my name, and say you're here to ask for construction funds."
"This..."
Minatomo believed most of it in his heart.
Such a thing could not be faked. If Kyoshiro's family paid for the house, then the house would naturally belong to Kyoshiro.
"Wait a moment!"
Although he believed Daichi, Minatomo still sent a disciple to Kyoshiro's residence to confirm. Whether it was to verify the truth or to request funds, he had to make the trip.
While waiting, Minatomo looked at Daichi, who was drinking tea, and grew more and more puzzled. He couldn't help but ask. "Pirate kid, what exactly is your relationship with Kyoshiro?"
"Well,"
Daichi put down his teacup, his smile unchanged. "Kyoshiro and I are dearest friends, brothers through and through!"
In the evening, Daichi boarded the Beast Pirates ship returning to Onigashima.
After confirmation, he discussed many details with Master Minatomo and agreed on a one-month construction period.
The time seemed short, but it was completely enough for skilled craftsmen. If not for building it beautifully, they could have finished it in half a month.
In addition, Master Minatomo personally took charge and brought a group of elite carpenters, so the construction cost naturally increased as well.
Friendship discount price: 2000 gold!
But it didn't matter.
All expenses would be paid by Kyoshiro!
"Gegegegege~~"
"..."
Speed looked at Daichi with a strange gaze.
Since this guy got on the ship, the smile on his face hadn't stopped.
His mouth was even crooked from smiling.
He just went to the Flower Capital once, look how happy this country guy is. Anyone who didn't know would think he picked up a large sum of money.
"Daichi, are you really okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm great!"
Daichi's smile grew even brighter.
In less than a day, he had mastered Haki, got a free mansion, and extorted a huge sum of 500 gold. How could he not be feeling good?
How did that saying go?
He had never had such a wonderful start!
If Kyoshiro hadn't been short on cash and owed him 500 gold in compensation, he would have bought a few more houses.
But it didn't matter. He would collect the debt next time he went to the Flower Capital to collect rent, and then ask Kyoshiro to help him find tenants.
"Hehehehe~~"
"..."
Speed rubbed her arm uncomfortably and couldn't help but say. "Stop laughing, it's creepy. I'm getting goosebumps."
"Hmph, what do you, a woman, know?"
Daichi arrogantly lifted his chin.
In his distant hometown, literati described villainous bigshots laughing like this. It was a characteristic smile of his hometown, both impressive and deeply culturally significant!
Speed pressed her hand to her forehead in frustration and very decisively changed the subject. "You'll be going to the dungeon when you return to Onigashima, right?"
"That's right."
Daichi nodded.
Yamato was currently locked in the dungeon, he wondered if she had woken up.
Onigashima was the Beast Pirates' main base. Almost no enemies could break into Onigashima. For example, the Kozuki remnants gathered to attack Onigashima several times, but were wiped out before they even saw the coastline.
Furthermore, the Beast Pirates usually sent captured enemies to the Prisoner Mine to work, which made Onigashima's dungeon a mere decoration. It had held Yamato more times than it had held enemies.
Without prisoners, there naturally wouldn't be jailer guards, so he, who caught Yamato, also had to be responsible for guarding her.
It was like he was serving time with her.
"Ooh—!"
Daichi suddenly covered his cheek.
Speed was startled.
"What's wrong with you?"
"My—hiss—!"
Daichi lowered his hand, his face twitching continuously.
"My face is cramping, quickly rub it for me!"
"Serves you right, go to hell!"
A soft pink fist landed on Daichi's face.