With Kuro—the bronze-level talent and 'leek'—no longer present, the daily experience Gawain gained returned to its expected range.
It stabilized around 20 to 30 points per day.
Staring at this data, Gawain fell into deep thought.
Just Kuro's daily training alone, as a bronze-level potential, had contributed more than ten experience points per day.
That meant two bronze-level crewmates could provide as much experience as over a hundred ordinary pirates whose potential had already been exhausted.
The disparity in individual worth was one thing. The larger problem was the inefficiency of maintaining such a bloated pirate crew under this system.
This was especially problematic considering Gawain's long-term goal of entering the Grand Line.
Even putting battles aside, just feeding, housing, and tending to the medical needs of hundreds of people required immense resources—resources they no longer had in abundance.
The warship they had commandeered had originally carried enough supplies to feed over a hundred people for a month. But once the Black Cat Pirates were merged into the crew, that supply would barely last ten days.
Not to mention, with dozens of wounded aboard, the stockpile of medical supplies was already depleted.
"Before heading to the Grand Line, claiming the title of Shichibukai, and establishing a proper base..."
"It's better to assemble an elite team—like the Straw Hats, Red-Haired Pirates, or Roger's crew. That setup best aligns with my ability."
"After all, a single bronze-level talent like Kuro provides experience equivalent to seventy or eighty black iron-level pirates—and their useful lifespan is much longer."
"And that's without even considering potential silver, gold, or legendary talents I might encounter in the future."
With that thought, Gawain made up his mind.
As long as the next phase of his plan went smoothly and he could recruit a few more promising individuals, he would begin streamlining his forces—keeping only those with bronze potential or higher. The rest would be left behind before entering the Grand Line.
And truthfully, those whose potential had been exhausted were better off staying in the East Blue. With decent strength and Gawain backing them, they could still carve out a decent living—one that didn't end in a shallow grave on the Grand Line.
However, Nezumie at which the crew consumed resources far exceeded Gawain's expectations. After only three days, the ship was already running low on both food and medicine.
In the Captain's Quarters
Gawain sat with several officers, all wearing grim expressions.
"Captain," Jango began, his tone somber, "the food left will last us about five days at most. It's barely enough to get us back to the base on Para Island—but even there, we're out of medicine and ammunition."
"If the injured don't get help soon, most of them won't make it. We... we need to act."
Jango's concern was clear. He wasn't like the cold and pragmatic Kuro—he still cared for the crew, unwilling to see them die in agony.
The cat brothers seated beside him nodded quickly. Seeing that Gawain remained silent, they hastily spoke up:
"Captain, many of these men were trained by you. They're your elites—it's not worth letting them die like this."
Gawain raised his hand, signaling for silence. Then he turned to Kuro.
"Do you have a stable procurement channel?"
Kuro nodded.
"Until recently, we got our arms and medical supplies from Habin at Raven Port."
"But he ran into some trouble a while back and was just rescued from the Navy. I suspect it might've been a trap."
"Doesn't matter," Gawain said firmly.
"If the Navy dares reach out their hand, we'll cut it off."
A cold snort escaped from Kuro as he pushed up his glasses. A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Gawain's answer didn't surprise him. In fact, it felt only natural.
It was this kind of resolve that justified Gawain's terrifying talent and monstrous strength.
Jango and the cat brothers exchanged glances, breathing a collective sigh of relief. When they looked back at Gawain, there was more than just fear in their eyes—there was respect.
In this era, captains willing to risk everything for their subordinates were rare indeed.
The Next Day
Gawain's fleet split into two.
The three pirate ships formerly belonging to the Black Cat Pirates, now led by the cat brothers and Jango, carried the wounded and non-combatants back to Para Island.
Meanwhile, Gawain led Kuro and a ship of elite fighters aboard the stolen navy warship, heading for Raven Port.
The warship still contained numerous navy uniforms—including one that belonged to Morgan.
Gawain ordered the crew to change into navy attire, and after resizing Morgan's uniform, he donned it himself.
Suddenly, the pirates on board looked like a full-fledged naval squad.
Gawain, already strikingly handsome, now radiated an aura of righteousness in his crisp navy lieutenant's uniform. From appearance alone, no one would ever suspect he wasn't part of the Navy.
Kuro's mouth twitched.
If he didn't already know Gawain was a pirate captain, he might have suspected him of being a navy spy.
"It's honestly the Navy's loss that you ended up a pirate," Kuro muttered.
Seeing Gawain's odd expression, he decided not to press the issue.
He too changed into a navy lieutenant's uniform. With his refined features and gloomy temperament, he now gave off an air of lawful authority.
"Well then," Gawain clapped him on the shoulder.
"With how we look, we're probably more convincing than the real Navy."
"Yes, sir!" Kuro grinned.
Meanwhile — Near Raven Port
A massive fleet of nearly twenty pirate ships drifted quietly into a hidden bay.
After confirming they hadn't been followed, Admiral Krieg emerged from the massive ship at the fleet's center.
Clad in golden armor and sporting short lavender hair, he walked to the deck and raised a telescope.
Far off in the distance—dozens of miles away—he could see Raven Port, bustling with activity. Merchant ships of every size came and went, laden with goods from all over the world—even the Grand Line.
It was a hub of immense prosperity.
A glint of greed flashed in Krieg's eyes. He lowered the telescope and studied a sea chart in his hand.
"Raven Port is a required stop for merchant ships in the East Blue. No naval base nearby either."
"If we seize this place, we control the economic lifeline of dozens of nearby cities."
"Even without doing anything, we'll be swimming in Beli every day."
"With that, I'll build an invincible fleet. Even the Grand Line won't be able to stop me!"
At that moment, a man with a striped turban, sunken features, and cold aura stepped forward.
"Captain, what do you need me to do?" the man asked coldly.
"The usual," Krieg replied, flashing a wicked grin.
"Gin, take your men, dress as navy, and infiltrate Raven Port. Wipe out internal resistance. Once you're in position, we'll attack from both sides and seize the place."
"Understood," Gin said with a nod.
"But there's a problem—the warship we stole has some minor damage. We'll need a few days to repair it."
"Make it fast," Krieg said coldly.
"If we wait too long, the situation might change. And I don't like surprises."
"Yes, sir!"