In the sky, one large and one small island were moving in the direction of the East Blue.
Punk Hazard was in front, with the smaller island following behind, like a mother whale leading its calf.
On the small island, a group of people were sweating profusely as they worked.
The men swung axes to chop down trees and delivered them to an open area, where the children took over, removing the branches and leaves before handing them to the women for further processing.
Around three hundred people had chosen to follow Reddy away from Water 7, including about eighty orphans like Terry and the others.
Reddy did not settle these people on Punk Hazard.
In his plans, Punk Hazard would serve as the main island, the core of the "Ideal Land."
This small island, on the other hand, would act as a satellite island to Punk Hazard, used to take in impoverished people willing to join him.
This included orphans like Terry and the others.
However, this did not mean Reddy left them to fend for themselves.
After plundering Thriller Bark, Reddy had obtained treasure worth approximately two billion Berries.
Punk Hazard, as a key base for the World Government and the Marine Headquarters' science division, was already well-stocked with supplies and did not require immediate replenishment.
So Reddy used some of the money to purchase tools, farming equipment, and other means of production in Water 7 for these people to use.
The small island was in its natural state, completely undeveloped, a true virgin land.
Yet none of the people brought to this island complained. Instead, they actively began their new lives.
Because Reddy had painted them a grand vision of the future.
Everyone was looking forward to a better life, and no one slacked off. They all worked hard to build their own paradise.
Reddy also helped a little, clearing a patch of land to serve as the future site of their town.
Beyond that, he left everything else to them.
"Brother Terry, we've brought water!"
The island had a freshwater stream, so there was no shortage of drinking water. The younger girls among the orphans couldn't handle heavy labor, nor could they join the boys in their work. So, led by a young girl, they took on the task of delivering water to everyone.
"Everyone, take a break. Hali and the others have brought water."
Though Terry was the youngest among the men cutting trees, his outstanding abilities had earned him a leadership role.
At his call, the others put down their axes, wiping their sweat as they chatted and laughed, taking wooden bowls filled with clear water from Hali and the others and drinking deeply, their faces lighting up with happiness.
These wooden bowls had been made by the girls themselves.
The craftsmanship was rough and simple, but they were sturdy.
Terry took the bowl Hali handed him and drank it all in one go before returning it to her and picking up his axe again.
"Rest for a bit."
Hali blushed as she whispered her suggestion.
Terry shook his head. "I'm not tired. I need to build stronger muscles. One day, I'll be able to help Doctor Reddy."
"I'll help Doctor Reddy too!"
Haya emerged from the woods, hearing Terry's words and immediately chiming in enthusiastically.
The island was still undeveloped, and the living conditions were even harsher than when they had lived in the sewers.
But Haya was content.
Here, they didn't have to sneak around stealing jobs from gangs, nor worry about being extorted. There was no longer any reason to despair about the future.
To him, Reddy, who had given them all this, was nothing short of a god.
"You're just slacking off!"
Hali was annoyed that Haya had interrupted her time alone with Terry and didn't hold back in scolding him.
Haya stuck out his tongue and boasted proudly, "Come on, I came to tell Brother Terry to hurry up. We've already finished our work and are just waiting for you to bring more trees."
"So fast?"
Hali was surprised.
The island had been uninhabited, and its trees were tall, most over seven or eight meters high.
Removing the branches and leaves wasn't an easy task.
Haya gave her a look of disdain, like an adult scolding a child. "Don't underestimate us, Sister Hali. We're not little kids who need coddling. We're super strong!"
He wasn't wrong.
The boys in charge of clearing the branches and leaves were all highly motivated.
Groups of three or five handled each tree, quickly stripping away the excess foliage. They even had time to pile the branches and leaves in the open to dry in the sun, using them as firewood to keep warm at night.
"Horo horo horo horo… What a cocky little brat."
The three of them immediately tensed and turned toward the voice, spotting a strangely dressed girl floating in the air. A single word flashed through their minds.
Devil Fruit user!
Perona, having regained her confidence after the battle on the beach, looked down at them arrogantly and commanded, "I order you to build me a castle in the mountains…"
Terry's expression darkened, his grip tightening on the axe.
Haya and Hali also glared at Perona with resentment.
"Don't cause trouble on my turf."
Reddy walked over, hands in his pockets, a smile on his face that looked like a demon's grin to Perona.
"I don't need them. I'll build my own castle."
Perona had regained her confidence, but she still didn't dare act arrogant in front of Reddy. She muttered defiantly before flying off into the mountains to find a suitable spot for her castle.
By now, she understood Reddy's true strength.
The World Government's three billion Berry bounty on him was no exaggeration.
He was on a level Moria could never hope to reach.
"Doctor Reddy!"
Haya, seeing Reddy chase away the annoying girl, excitedly ran over. "Who is she? Is she going to live on the island too?"
"Yep."
Reddy had originally planned to station one or two clones on the island. After all, he had just captured Rob Lucci and the other CP9 members, so genetic material wasn't an issue.
But Perona, emboldened by her victory over CP9, insisted she needed her own castle.
After some thought, Reddy agreed.
Punk Hazard, as a scientific hub and the core island, had its land fully planned out. So he assigned Perona to this island instead.
On one hand, it fulfilled her request. On the other, it also put her in charge of the island's security.
After all, in this world, aside from the very top tier of fighters, most people stood no chance against the Negative Hollows.
Haya pouted, wanting to argue further. He really didn't like that strange-looking girl.
"We'll get along with her." Terry cut in before Haya could say more.
Perona's goal was clearly the dark forest, while they were building their future town near the beach. Their paths wouldn't cross much.
"How have things been lately?"
Reddy shrugged. "I still have research to do, so I don't have much time to visit. If you need anything, let me know."
Terry and the others shook their heads.
Life here had already exceeded their expectations.
It was tough, but full of hope.
After a moment's thought, Reddy added, "Finish building the houses as soon as possible. Once that's done, I'll arrange for someone to come teach you all how to read and write."
"Really?"
Haya's face lit up with joy. The happiness was almost too much to believe.
Back then, Reddy had told them about a country where all children could go to school. He had only half-believed it.
Now, Reddy was confirming it again.
Reddy shrugged. "Knowledge changes fate. As long as you're willing to learn, I'll provide."