Regarding Sphinx, Silas had made comprehensive plans over ten years ago.
Establish an underground black market, develop service and entertainment industries, use money earned from pirates to develop pillar industries, and finally go legitimate.
In a country with scarce resources, low technological levels and production capacity, and no foreign capital injection, the only option was to rely on the mountains for the mountains and rely on pirates for pirates.
This was not a short-term project, so originally Silas had only given suggestions, planted his pirate flag in Sphinx, and left.
But after all these years, Sphinx's development had remained stuck at the second step.
Because money from pirates was simply too easy to earn. Pirates who lived with their necks on the line were often willing to spend lavishly when faced with fine food, wine, and women. Casinos were also places pirates frequented most.
So even though Silas had repeatedly emphasized that these gray industries could not stand the light of day, and if Sphinx truly wanted to develop, it must strengthen itself, Sphinx's rulers had not paid attention.
Thus, when they used Silas's flag to extract large amounts of money from pirates, they ultimately could not produce the power to protect themselves when Silas's pirate flag could no longer function.
From that moment, Sphinx as a country existed in name only.
And this time, after defeating the alliance of three great pirate crews, Silas did not plan to return power to Sphinx's rulers.
He had not managed before because he did not have time.
Now that Silas planned to use Sphinx as a springboard to develop his own influence, he naturally could not let these incompetent nobles and royals hinder him.
"Silas, if you make Sphinx your territory, the Marines will not turn a blind eye."
Coming to the Black Pearl again to help change bandages for Rocks and the others, the goat doctor warned with obvious concern.
Silas needed the strength to defend this territory!
"Haha, you do not need to tell me that. I will not involve ordinary people."
Hearing the goat doctor's words, Silas showed a strange smile.
"Why do you think I chose Sphinx?"
Never mind anything else. Just the pirates under the three great pirate crews numbered over ten thousand. Do not look down on them as small fry who could not even withstand Haki, but during war, these small fry could still play significant roles.
Not to mention, besides the three great pirate crews, Sphinx had dozens of other pirate crews temporarily staying there.
If the Marines really went to war, they would have to consider these pirates in their calculations too.
"What if the Marines send an Admiral?"
"I will handle it!"
Silas said decisively.
Wanting to build your own influence while being unwilling to face risks? Where in this world was there such a cheap deal?
Even if he wanted to rally all of Sphinx's pirates to oppose the Marines, more likely these pirates would all flee the moment they saw Marines.
Unless he demonstrated the strength to face Marine Admirals head-on.
"In the end, they are just a bunch of rabble!"
So Silas had another option: running away.
It was perfectly normal for a pirate to run when encountering Marines, right?
"Ow!"
While Silas chatted with the goat doctor, a nurse-dressed girl was changing bandages for Edward Newgate and the others.
Her slender figure and impressive physique made many of the more mature boys could not help but swallow and want to reach out.
But as soon as they reached out, their hands were pinched, earning the girl's cold laugh.
"A bunch of brats want to take advantage of me? Wait for your next life!"
The girl was none other than Stussy.
After witnessing Silas defeat three great pirates, Stussy became even more determined to latch onto White Wolf Silas and make big money.
For this, she did not hesitate to throw tantrums until the goat doctor brought her to the Black Pearl.
And after getting close to Silas and seeing his appearance clearly, Stussy was even more smitten.
Although she wanted to make money, she had standards!
If White Wolf Silas were some decrepit old man, no matter how rich, she would not want to compromise herself.
But at first glance, where was the decrepit old man?
He was clearly a handsome uncle!
Especially when Stussy saw Silas having Black Merchant Duke Gate carry chest after chest of gold, silver, and jewels out from the cabin, her eyes completely transformed into the shape of dollar signs.
Older, handsome, and rich!
This kind of old man was hard to find even with a lantern.
However, every time Stussy tried to approach Silas, she encountered an obstacle.
Ripley!
A wildly dressed girl with an apparently cheerful personality.
Reportedly already a crew member of the White Wolf Pirates.
Stussy had originally thought that being roughly the same age, Ripley should have a better relationship with that conceited guy called Rocks.
But it was not like that at all.
Ripley was always hovering around Silas, bombarding him with questions and leaving no opening for Stussy to get near him.
"Annoying woman, just leave him alone already!"
Stussy chewed her nails anxiously, her mind churning with dark thoughts.
On the other side, Ripley did not know Stussy, just considering her a pretty nurse from the goat doctor's clinic.
But perhaps because she had been fighting recently and her Observation Haki was about to awaken, Ripley always felt Stussy's gaze toward Silas was strange.
"Captain, is my Observation Haki about to awaken? I seem to be able to sense other people's emotions!"
"Really?"
Silas frowned at Ripley. As far as he knew, Observation Haki that could sense others' emotions was usually innate.
"Can you sense my emotions?"
"Uh..."
Ripley looked at Silas and said carefully, "You think I am exceptionally talented, a genius?"
"Bullshit!"
Silas kicked Ripley irritably.
"I think you are an idiot right now!"
"So mean!"
Ripley grinned and made a face at Silas. Seeing him raise his leg, she quickly ran away.
In the corner, watching the interaction between Silas and Ripley, then seeing Silas occasionally guide Rocks's training and help him further master Haki, Edward Newgate's eyes showed some envy.
He was an orphan. Precisely because he was an orphan, he longed even more to have a family.
And in his view, the way Silas interacted with Ripley and the others was like a real family.
He had already heard from others that Silas would retake control of Sphinx, that the House of Lambs, which had closed due to funding issues, would be rebuilt, and that homeless children would once again have shelter.
But what about him?
He was no longer young enough to stay at the House of Lambs.
Go out and work?
But Sphinx did not have that many jobs available.
After thinking about it, Edward Newgate realized he had only one thought in his mind.
Noticing Edward Newgate's longing gaze, Silas smiled warmly.
He knew that now that he had retaken control of Sphinx and decided to make changes, Edward Newgate no longer had to worry about his companions and finally had no more concerns.
He extended his hand and asked again, "How about it, Newgate? Are you willing to become my family?"
This time, the youth did not hesitate.
"Yes!"
[Chapter Complete]
***
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