When Silas arrived at Sphinx, everyone at Sphinx's harbor erupted in excitement.
Not only ordinary residents and pirates, but also intelligence agents who had been staying at Sphinx, wanting to gather first-hand information about the White Wolf Pirates.
After disappearing for a year, White King Silas finally appeared again!
No one thought Silas disappearing for a year was any big deal. These seas were vast. Famous pirates disappearing for a few years and then suddenly emerging with big news was commonplace.
Many believed Silas had probably gone to recover from injuries.
After all, given Silas's age, simultaneously facing three Marine top-tier fighters, even escaping unscathed would leave some injuries.
But as long as Silas could maintain this combat power, he would remain the most sought-after legend on these seas for a long time to come.
White King Silas found Pure Gold!
This news somehow spread, and combined with Silas's seemingly ageless physique, not only ordinary pirates believed it, but even numerous World Government high officials were ordering CP organization intelligence agents to collect information.
No one could resist the temptation of immortality.
Even if it was not Pure Gold, Silas, over seventy years old, suddenly rising with rapidly advancing strength meant he had definitely found something similar to Pure Gold if not Pure Gold itself.
Sphinx Harbor.
After a year of development, the rebuilt harbor town was over ten times its previous size.
With the massive funds from the Heavenly Tribute Silas had seized injected into it, all of Sphinx's development had entered a fast track.
Row upon row of shops stood side by side. After a period of observation, as Silas's battle record at Elbaf spread, even profit-seeking merchants knew Silas's rise was unstoppable.
As Silas's headquarters, Sphinx not only had his protection but was also a World Government member nation. No need to worry about Marine suppression.
Doing business in Sphinx at this time was completely risk-free profit.
Even powerful, individualistic pirates would not easily challenge the White Wolf Pirates' authority at Sphinx or casually cause trouble within Sphinx territory.
Fight however you want outside, but cause trouble at Sphinx?
Did they think the White Wolf Pirates had no one?
Roya, Lily, and Ed, three great pirates with bounties over 100 million, could be called a massive force even in the New World.
Plus Black Merchant Duke Gate, a pirate under the White Wolf Pirates' banner, Sphinx had four great pirates affiliated with the White Wolf Pirates alone.
Without top-tier fighters, who could handle four great pirates?
Black Merchant Duke Gate was equally glad he had not fled after Silas left. Who knew Silas, bringing White Wolf Pirates veterans, could fight two Marine top-tier fighters and single-handedly battle three top-tier fighters while escaping unscathed?
If Silas learned he had run away and decided to hunt him down in anger, would he not be finished?
Moreover, though working for others, Duke Gate was satisfied with his current job. Besides the White Wolf Pirates members, he held the highest authority and status on all of Sphinx.
Great trees provided good shade.
After Silas's outstanding battle record spread and gained World Government certification, some great pirates with higher bounties than his who came to Sphinx were polite and respectful, something he had never dared imagine before.
In the New World, which great pirate was not proud and arrogant? Even the former Silas, despite standing at the pinnacle of great pirates, could be challenged by three united great pirates.
But if Duke Gate had to choose again now, he would immediately kneel and welcome the royal army.
Of course, all this was built on Silas's outstanding battle record. If Silas did not appear or act for a long time, fearless pirates would soon come to Sphinx, causing trouble and challenging Silas.
Defeating the strong and replacing them, this was something every New World pirate enjoyed doing.
At least for now, such people did not exist yet.
For CP organization intelligence agents, gathering White Wolf Pirates intelligence was currently their most important work.
"This month's intelligence fee!"
In Sphinx's underground port market, a CP organization intelligence agent stuffed a thick package into the hands of a girl wearing sunglasses and a concealing hat in a corner.
"I need this month's White Wolf Pirates intelligence!"
"100,000 Belly?"
Weighing the package in her hands, the girl pursed her lips.
"Do you still think I am that little nurse from before? Now I am Witch Kureha's disciple, a White Wolf Pirates reserve crew member. You want to buy me off with 100,000? Are all CP organization people as naive as you?"
"As far as I know, Witch Kureha has not taken you as a disciple, and there is no news of the White Wolf Pirates having reserve crew members."
"That is just a matter of time!"
Hearing the CP organization member's words, the girl shouted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Do not tell me you do not know. The White Wolf Pirates currently lack a ship doctor. Witch Kureha is so old she cannot possibly go to sea again. Goat Doctor will not leave his clinic either. How could that old bastard refuse a beautiful doctor with superb medical skills like me?"
"You CP organization people have wanted to plant spies within the White Wolf Pirates for a long time, right? As long as I join the White Wolf Pirates, you can get first-hand White Wolf Pirates information anytime."
"Is there anything more profitable than this?"
The girl looked left and right, lowering her voice. "Now I just lack some strength. As long as you find me a Devil Fruit, joining the White Wolf Pirates will be a sure thing. A White Wolf Pirates ship doctor does not need to be super strong but should have some self-defense ability, right?"
"I will apply to my superiors, but I cannot guarantee success."
"Make it quick."
Waving her hand and casually tossing some intelligence to brush off the CP organization intelligence agent, the girl's expression immediately fell.
"Dr. Kureha, when will you take me as your disciple? I am on edge every time I deal with these CP organization intelligence agents, afraid they will suddenly attack me."
"Haha, I think you are quite happy! Even using our names to try conning a Devil Fruit from the CP organization. That is not easy."
After the CP organization intelligence agent left, Kureha appeared beside the girl. This conversation had actually been planned in advance.
"Since they so want to plant spies around us, let us grant their wish. It is perfect that they approached you."
The girl was none other than Stussy, who worked as a nurse at Goat Doctor's clinic.
"But I do not want to become some CP organization informant!"
Stussy looked at Kureha pitifully.
"I have lived on Sphinx since childhood, always growing up hearing Captain's name. No one loves Captain Silas more than me! Joining the White Wolf Pirates has always been my dream!"
"Haha, catching the Captain's eye is not easy. But you were right about one thing. I cannot possibly continue sailing with Silas. If you want to join us, working hard to learn medicine is your only chance."
At sea, being injured was not the worst thing. Getting sick was. Even top-tier fighters could not avoid the possibility of illness.
So a good doctor's importance was beyond question.
Having lived so long, Kureha had seen all kinds of people.
She knew exactly what Stussy was thinking.
But was having ambition not good?
Ambition was great!
Without ambition, there was no motivation to work hard.
Even if this ambition was to climb into that guy Silas's bed.
But thinking you could control that guy was naive.
"Let us go back. I just received news. Silas has returned."
"Really!?"
Hearing Kureha's words, Stussy immediately perked up.
God knew how she had spent this past year!
She had been studying day and night this whole year for what? To join the White Wolf Pirates!
Now the moment to test her had arrived!
When Silas set foot on Sphinx territory, he saw tens of thousands of Sphinx islanders who had spontaneously come to welcome him.
More Sphinx residents were hurrying toward the port after receiving the news. If not for the harbor town expanding over ten times in the past year, it really could not accommodate so many people.
Because after Silas's arrival, the changes to Sphinx were real and substantial.
With White Wolf Pirates' suppression, pirates behaved themselves. When pirates behaved, islanders' lives improved.
Moreover, with massive capital investment, Sphinx had numerous job opportunities.
As long as you were willing to work, you never had to worry about going hungry.
So at Sphinx, though Silas had not been crowned king, he was no different from an actual king.
Newgate looked completely stunned.
Having lived on Sphinx for over ten years, he knew what Sphinx was like but had not expected that after just half a year away, all of Sphinx had completely changed.
The harbor town clearly had the momentum to become Sphinx's largest city. Even Sphinx's current royal capital could not match the harbor town's prosperity.
Moreover...
"Captain, over there. Is that a shipyard?"
Ripley pointed into the distance, where many worker-dressed islanders had also gathered, led by none other than their White Wolf Pirates' fish-man shipwright.
"Haha, opening a shipyard has always been my dream. I never expected it would be realized here instead of Fish-Man Island."
Dean's voice was wistful.
Sphinx had always lacked its own manufacturing industry. When Dean began building a shipyard here, it meant Sphinx finally had its own pillar industry.
Silas bumped fists with Dean on the chest. Just having something was not enough. You needed the power to protect that treasure.
"Everything is just beginning."