The next morning.
"Get the hell off my bed!"
Still half-asleep, Gurd was kicked off the bed by Stussy, landing on the floor in utter confusion.
Last night, she'd called him "sweetie," and now she was booting him out of bed?
How could her attitude flip so fast?
Scratching his head, Gurd headed to the bathroom to wash up. Staring at his burly reflection in the mirror, he suddenly understood.
"Is it because of these muscles?"
If there was one thing that had changed, it was his current hulking form. Speed had also preferred him leaner before.
Bam!
Front double biceps pose!
Side chest pose!
Most muscular pose!
And finally, the mighty crab pose to finish it off!
MAN!!!
Gurd clenched his fists together, steam puffing from his nostrils.
Ohhh, the more he looked, the handsomer he felt!
Back when he first arrived, he hadn't liked these exaggerated muscles, but over time, he'd grown fond of them.
As a Pirate, you had to look imposing and domineering.
After admiring himself for a while, Gurd returned to the room, flexing subtly as he eyed the woman with her sour expression.
Stussy ( )!
Muscles bulged.
Stussy ( _ ).
Tch! Such a shallow woman!
A short while later, on the balcony.
As Gurd ate breakfast, he flipped through the company's recent financial reports and development plans, silently impressed. Stussy was truly capable.
Aside from the development projects in Hachinosu Island and dealings with the Underworld Emperors, Stussy had already begun acquiring land across the New World under the company's name—especially islands affiliated with the World Government and its member nations.
Thanks to the powerful intelligence network laid out by [Girls' Ship], Stussy had an iron grip on the New World, drastically improving the company's efficiency.
The only limitation was insufficient funds.
Each investment project required at least 1 billion Berries to start, and the company's current liquid assets were less than 5 billion.
They needed money!
Next time he returned to Wano Country, he'd have to crack open Kaido's little treasure vault. What was the point of hoarding all that shiny silver?
Closing the report, Gurd asked, "Stussy, has the World Government or its member nations given our company any trouble?"
"There have been some issues."
Stussy nodded slightly.
The company was still in its early stages, so the Celestial Dragons wouldn't bother with such trivial matters. As for the higher-ups in the World Government and local officials, a little bribery would suffice.
The company's paperwork was in order, and with her and Gernica backing it, officials wouldn't cause too much trouble.
The real headache was the member nations. Many were underdeveloped, and their nobles guarded their territories fiercely, unwilling to let outsiders interfere.
Gurd nodded.
In the end, it all came down to insufficient benefits.
After a moment of thought, a devious idea formed in his mind. "Here's what we'll do. Send people to negotiate with those member nations privately. If they're willing to cooperate with our company, they'll get a 20% discount on weapons purchased from Joker!"
"..."
Stussy's lips parted slightly.
What a ruthless scheme!
Not every nation could mass-produce weapons. To pay the Celestial Tribute and maintain their prosperity, member nations often resorted to invading others to plunder resources.
But war required weapons.
The reason Joker had become such a hotshot middleman in the Underworld was precisely because he had Kaido's backing—and a massive arsenal.
To obtain more weapons, nations would surely make concessions. And with more weapons, the scale of war would escalate, leading to land devastation, allowing the company to seize vast territories in the chaos.
In the company's plans, it wasn't just about property development—land was a key component, especially fertile fields and mineral resources.
Not only would they sell the Beasts' weapons, but they'd also reduce the company's financial investment while making nations willingly cede their land.
Killing three birds with one stone.
Was this man truly a genius?
Stussy hesitated before speaking.
"But what about the Beasts and Joker?"
"I'll handle it!"
Gurd curled his lips into a smirk.
As the acting captain and Kaido's esteemed son-in-law, such trivial matters were nothing. Besides, the Beasts wouldn't lose anything.
There was always Doflamingo to fall back on.
Ah, well. Doflamingo would just have to endure a little hardship.
"Alright."
Stussy nodded, hesitating as if she wanted to say more.
Gurd smiled faintly.
"What is it?"
"Nothing, just... a little confused."
Stussy furrowed her delicate brows, picking up a report with a puzzled expression. "Gurd, you're a Pirate. Why are you doing all this?"
"To make money."
"Just for money?"
"Of course not just that."
Gurd studied the woman with amusement.
He couldn't tell if Stussy was probing for information or just making casual conversation, but it didn't matter.
Against enemies, he could be ruthless, but with his own people, he preferred sincerity.
After all, scheming was exhausting.
And to earn trust, sharing secrets was an effective method—especially when outright confrontation wasn't an option.
Gurd's smile widened. "I just think being a Pirate has no future. I have to try something, see if I can find another way to break the deadlock."
"That's a rare perspective."
Stussy couldn't help but ask.
"What deadlock are you referring to?"
"Well, Stussy."
Gurd narrowed his eyes meaningfully. "If one day, the World Government, the Navy, the Pirates—all factions—are forced into direct conflict, what would you choose? Which side would you stand on?"
"..."
Stussy fell into thought.
The scenario Gurd described likely referred to the battle for the Pirate King's Throne. But even if a new Pirate King emerged, they couldn't threaten the World Government.
Roger and Rocks had proven that.
She was an agent—she couldn't change sides.
Gurd crossed his legs, grinning. "I'd guess... you'd side with Vegapunk, right?"
"Huh?!"
Stussy's lips parted in shock.
Did Gurd know her secret?
"Don't worry, I mean no harm."
Gurd waved dismissively. "I've just heard some troubling rumors. That Vegapunk seems to be researching the Void Century. If the World Government finds out... you know the consequences."
"I just want you to know."
"When that day comes, I can save him!"
"It's getting late. I should go."
Gurd stood and left with a wave.
Stussy remained seated, unable to process what had just happened.
Gurd had said Vegapunk was researching the "Void Century"?
As a Cipher Pol Aigis Zero agent, she knew better than anyone what that meant. Even a genius like Vegapunk wouldn't be tolerated by the Celestial Dragons.
It was the world's greatest taboo!
No!
She had to go to Egghead immediately!
If what Gurd said was true, she had to prepare for the day the truth came out. In this world, the only one who might be able to save Vegapunk was truly Gurd!
Pleasure Quarter, Harbor.
The Groudon Ship had been fully resupplied, and the girls who had spent the day enjoying the island had all returned. They were ready to set sail at any moment.
"Set sail!"