It's said that all businesses begin with an idea an idea so creative or maybe smart, that once it takes root, there is no turning back.
The purpose of a business is profit. Profit sustains it, fuels its growth, and carves its place in history. Visions may differ, whether it's glory, legacy, influence. But at the foundation of it all, there is always profit.
Without profit, a business is nothing but a dream waiting to starve. That is the first and final law of economics.
…
"Do you understand now, Seb?"
The words came from a young man in a sleek navy-blue suit, his tone calm but carrying a trace of exasperation. His dark eyes fixed on the boy lounging across from him, who only wore a defiant smirk.
An awkward silence hung between them.
Seb finally scoffed. "Okay, but why a business? We're in the East Blue, for crying out loud. You could just hunt pirates and get ten times richer. Easy." He leaned back, arms behind his head, clearly not buying it.
The suited youth pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting back a sigh. "You still don't get it. Pirates have dreams, right? To become Pirate King, or to find the One Piece." His words were deliberate and steady, the tone of someone explaining to a child.
Seb blinked, then gave a reluctant nod. "Yeah, yeah. Dreams. So?"
The young man lowered himself into the chair at the head of the wooden table, the weight of command settling over him. His voice dropped into something more ambitious.
"Right. A dream. I have one too."
He let the words hang before continuing.
"My dream is to build a business so vast, so untouchable, it surpasses even the title of Pirate King. A dream that will outlive legends, carve itself into history, and reshape the seas themselves."
Seb's lazy smirk faltered. His eyes narrowed, seriousness replacing indifference.
"…You mean it," he muttered, staring at his friend as though seeing him for the first time.
The youth leaned back, lips curling into the faintest of smiles.
"Sanemi Wayne. Remember that name. One day, the world won't remember about Pirate Kings or treasures. They'll remember me."
Seb exhaled loudly, waving his hand like he wanted to dismiss the weight pressing down on him. But his eyes told the truth, he understood now, even if he wouldn't admit it.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. You want to own the world's largest business. Fine. Just don't expect me to wear a suit."
Sanemi grinned lightly, the edge of tension finally slipping from his shoulders.
"Good. Welcome to the Wayne Group, Security Chief Erton."
Seb rolled his eyes like a stubborn child, but the corner of his mouth tugged upward despite himself. He stood, stretching lazily, then walked across the room.
Sanemi's right hand extended forward, fingers curling into that timeless gesture of partnership.. the handshake. But his smile was different this time, sharp yet reassuring, the practiced smile of a man born to close deals.
Seb stared for a moment, as if considering one last chance to mock him. Then he chuckled, low and amused, before clasping Sanemi's hand with firm resolve.
A crisp notification rang out in Sanemi's mind.
[Ding! Subordinate Recruited!]
[Position Assigned: Security Chief]
[Name: Sebastian Erton]
[Specialization: Combat / Loyalty]
[Effect: Security Division unlocked. Recruitment cost reduced by 20%.]
The words glowed briefly before fading, but the meaning was clear, this was the first cornerstone.
Sanemi's grip tightened, his eyes locking with Seb's. This is where it begins. Not with ships. Not with riches. But with people he can trust. People who will enforce my vision when I cannot.
Seb released his hand and shoved his own into his pockets, tilting his head with a smirk. "Well, boss, I guess that makes me your first employee. I hope your grand empire has room for sarcasm, 'cause you're gonna hear a lot of it."
Sanemi's smile widened, his tone calm but brimming with ambition. "Sarcasm is fine. As long as you do your job."
He turned toward the window, watching the sun dip toward the horizon, painting the sea in gold. The East Blue stretched endlessly, calm but vast, full of prey that didn't yet know they were prey.
"Sebastian Erton," Sanemi murmured. "With you as my shield, we'll recruit more. A business cannot survive on ideas alone. We'll need laborers, merchants, suppliers, enforcers… every cog in the machine. And soon, the Wayne Group won't be just an idea. It'll be reality."
Seb snorted and plopped back down on his chair. "You talk big, boss. But I'll admit, you've got me curious. Let's see how far this "Wayne Group" of yours really goes."
Sanemi's lips curled into a thin smile. "Then watch closely, Seb."
Sanemi eased into the chair at the head of the long rectangular table, its wooden surface buried under stacks of papers, ledgers, and scattered maps. His fingers tapped lightly against the wood as he surveyed the chaos, eyes glinting with purpose.
"You're the fourth person I've recruited personally, Seb," he said at last, voice steady yet laced with ambition. "That means we're close. Just one more… one more piece of the puzzle. And he won't just be another subordinate, he'll be one of the most important for the future."
Seb raised an eyebrow, half curious, half skeptical, but remained silent.
Sanemi sifted through the mound of documents with deliberate slowness, flipping page after page until he paused. A thin smile curled across his lips. He drew one sheet free and laid it flat on the table.
"Security Chief," Sanemi said, tone carrying both jest and command. "As Chairman of the Wayne Group, I'm officially giving you your first real assignment."
With a sharp motion, he slapped the paper onto the table. The sound echoed in the room, underscoring the weight of his words.
"Find this man."
Seb leaned forward, narrowing his eyes at the small portrait fixed in the upper-left corner. The illustration was crude but recognizable, a middle-aged man dressed in bizarre, almost laughable attire. His weapons, if they could be called that, looked as questionable as his fashion sense.
Sanemi's expression, however, was anything but amused. His gaze burned with raw greed, a predator spotting prey in plain sight.
"Coyote…" he whispered, almost reverently. Then, louder, firmer: "Bring this man to me. No matter what it takes."
The room fell silent for a moment, tension thick as Seb studied his Chairman.
"Now, now… go. I'll give you a bonus if you do well," Sanemi muttered, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. There was that dangerous glint in his eyes, the kind that made promises feel more like challenges.
Seb studied him for a long moment, expression unreadable, before finally turning on his heel. The document was clutched firmly in his hand as he walked out of the room. Bringing this guy in? Shouldn't be hard, he thought, a hint of amusement tugging at his lips.
Sanemi leaned back in his chair, letting the soft creak of the wood fill the silence behind him. His fingers tapped lightly against the table, mind already racing ahead.
This system… he mused, eyes narrowing slightly, lips curling into the faintest smirk. You were quite the surprise. But it's exactly what I need.
The light from the window painted his face in sharp gold and shadow, emphasizing the hunger in his gaze. Every plan, every move, every calculation was unfolding perfectly, or so he intended.
Once Coyote is in place… the Wayne Group will truly begin.