Since the number of orphans was considerable and Hina and the employees couldn't handle it all, I recruited widows from Loguetown to give them jobs and help with the orphanage work. Of course, only those without issues after reading their memories with [Mental Intrusion]. The Marines also stayed for a while and prevented pirates from approaching.
As the volume increased and there were more labor-intensive tasks, it became difficult with only female employees and children. So, since the Marines said they would guard for the time being, I switched all drones to packaging and taught the employees to handle orders, guide merchants coming to buy goods, and reception work.
Of course, I was careful not to let the drones be discovered. Since the drones applied many technologies not present in One Piece, it would be troublesome if they were leaked. I also told the employees in advance and did not disclose the production facility to the Marines, saying it was confidential.
Aokiji seemed to have no intention of leaving, lying on the beach in a swimsuit, so I asked him.
"Aren't you going? Vice Admiral Garp asked for liquor to be sent. How do you plan to handle the aftermath..."
"Gasp! That's right. I promised to deliver the liquor."
Only then did he hurriedly prepare and get ready on the warship. The liquor and sausages were already loaded. The Marines also couldn't gather their senses and prepared hastily.
After that, I also had some leisure and started selling ingredients and liquor to nearby restaurants and Marines. Of course, I sold them a bit more expensively to leave the basic market intact, but since the quality was good, they sold well. Especially the liquor was really popular, and as word spread, merchants began competing to bring merchant ships to buy liquor.
Since excessive sales seemed problematic, I divided the liquor into regular, premium, and top-grade to sell. Regular liquor was expensive, but premium was something ordinary people couldn't even drink, and top-grade was produced in very small quantities, making it really hard to obtain. Of course, the taste differed. Regular was aged 20 years, premium 40 years, and top-grade was made by analyzing Dalmore 62-year-old.
And as I continued researching ingredients and making food, before I knew it, the [Cook-Cook Fruit] also awakened. Now, just by touching an object while using the [Cook-Cook Fruit] ability, it changed into the ingredient I thought of, making mass production comfortable.
There was one problem: the Den Den Mushi's communication range wasn't very far. So, I analyzed the Den Den Mushi's waves with 'nano' and decided to launch satellites to enable communication even in the Grand Line. Making it didn't take long since I made it with various parts brought from the MCU, and I solved the energy problem using the Arc Reactor. Launching it was also quick using the Talaria camping car.
Using satellites had the advantage of not only communication but also making maps of the One Piece worldview, so it was absolutely necessary. So, I made satellites, flew into space using the Talaria camping car, launched the satellites, returned, and started making maps through the linkage of AI and satellites. This was done secretly because if the World Government found out, who knew what crazy things they would do to steal the technology. Honestly, Vegapunk's technological level was laughable.
Now that preparations seemed complete, I decided to only sell liquor at the base for the time being, as the employees could handle it, and I would move around personally to sell ingredients. I asked Hina to contact me if anything happened at the base. For the first time, I headed to 'Marine Ford' where Marine Headquarters is located, riding the Talaria camping car. Although I had a map, I didn't know the place names, so I took out [Jack Sparrow's Compass] again to check the direction and moved.
If I saw a village or city on the way, I would briefly land, ask people for the place name, and move again, repeating this. The problem with the teleportation ability gained from Jumper was that I couldn't teleport to a place I hadn't been before, so I had no choice but to do this. I couldn't use Mystic Arts because it was too flashy, and I was worried it might cause problems if someone saw.
Moving like that, before I knew it, I could arrive at Marine Ford. Marine Ford was the same as seen in the original, a large white building with the characters 'Navy' written in Kanji. Several warships were also docked at the port. When I teleported to the entrance of Marine Ford and arrived, the Marines were surprised and aimed their guns, but since there was a Marine who had been on Aokiji's ship, he recognized me and guided me. Garp welcomed me warmly.
"Oh~ Taejin! Come in. The liquor and sausages you gave last time were really delicious."
"Long time no see, Vice Admiral Garp."
"And I heard from Kuzan about the children. He said their faces have become much brighter?"
"Yes, as I made delicious food and various play equipment, the atmosphere gradually improved."
"That's fortunate."
"If more orphans appear, please send them. There's still room in the facility."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"And I have a proposal for the Fleet Admiral; could you introduce me?"
"Really? What is it?"
"I'm thinking of doing mobile sales too. So if you could tell me the general locations of the headquarters, I could deliver directly to the warships."
"Huh? Is that possible?"
"It's possible. If I use the flying ship I made. And..."
I showed Garp my ability to take items out of my inventory.
"Oh~ so you're a Devil Fruit ability user."
Since it's a world with many strange fruits, this was easily persuasive.
"That's right. So I can supply fresh ingredients anywhere. But I'll charge a bit more."
Garp thought for a moment and said.
"It would be good not to have to return due to food shortages. Wait a moment."
Garp went somewhere. I sat on a chair and waited. While waiting, Kuzan approached and greeted me happily.
"Taejin, nice to see you. When did you arrive?"
"Just now. Did you get scolded by Vice Admiral Garp?"
"Ahaha... about that. I got hit for being late. I'll visit again sometime."
"Come anytime."
Then Sakazuki, who was behind Kuzan, spoke.
"You're the merchant named Taejin. The liquor was really tasty. I enjoyed it."
"Nice to meet you. You must be Vice Admiral Sakazuki. I'm merchant Taejin."
"Is ordering possible?"
"Actually, I came to ask about that. From the Fleet Admiral."
"That's really good news. He'll probably allow it. The liquor you sell is that tasty."
"You flatter me."
This is the first time I've seen Sakazuki's good expression. In the original, he always had a frown.
Then Garp came and said.
"Fleet Admiral Kong has allowed it. He wants to see your ability once."
"Understood."
I followed Garp into the Fleet Admiral's office. Fleet Admiral Kong, as seen in the anime, was sitting and filling out documents.
"Oh~ you're merchant Taejin. I enjoyed the liquor. It was really tasty. The aroma was good too."
"Nice to meet you, Fleet Admiral."
To show my ability, I took out a bottle of premium liquor made at the base from my inventory and placed it on the table. Since it was premium liquor, the bottle was designed quite beautifully.
"A gift."
"Thanks for the gift. And that's your ability."
"That's right."
"Honestly, I thought Garp was senile and talking nonsense. Now I can believe it. Good, then contact the merchant's island when we need goods."
"Understood."
It seems the base I made has been named 'Merchant's Island'. Then Garp interrupted and said.
"Don't I get anything? I introduced you."
Garp was asking for more even though I sent a lot. I took out another bottle and handed it to Garp.
"Bwahahaha! Thanks."
After expanding business contacts like that, I left Marine Headquarters and moved to the New World on the Talaria. To go to Whitebeard's ship, the Moby Dick. Of course, I planned to sell goods to pirates too. Only normal pirates who could be reasoned with. This time too, I stopped at cities or villages on the way to ask for place names while moving.
After moving for about 5 hours, the Moby Dick started to come into view. Since I had seen it before, the crew didn't guard but waved their hands and welcomed me warmly.
"Taejin, long time no see. I heard you sell liquor now; rumors spread widely. They say it's so tasty."
Thatch welcomed me first happily. Other crew members were the same. And it seems rumors had already spread here.
"Long time no see, everyone. I came to promote the liquor and since I bought Den Den Mushi, to exchange contacts now."
"Oh~ can we drink that rumored liquor?"
I immediately took out 10 barrels of liquor from my inventory.
"This is free for promotion."
Wah~~~!!
At the word "free," everyone cheered. Thatch urgently told the crew.
"Tell Father quickly that we're having a banquet today!"
"Got it!"
Hearing the news, Whitebeard and all the resting crew members came out.
"Oh~ this is the rumored liquor. Taejin, you made it yourself?"
"Yes, it's a new product made at our merchant's island this time. Try it."
Whitebeard poured liquor into a large cup and savored the aroma.
"Hmm~ good. Then here goes."
Gulp gulp
Other crew members swallowed saliva and waited.
"Gurarara~ good, tasty. I'm drinking such liquor for the first time. Good! Today is a banquet!"
Wah wah~~~!!
Thatch repeatedly brought out made dishes, and the crew drank while laughing and chatting. Then Whitebeard said to me.
"You. I heard rumors that you're taking in war orphans on the island, feeding and teaching them."
"Yes, I should give back as much as I earn."
I said this, but there was actually a reason. It was more reliable to raise and use employees than to hire strangers, and it was also to circulate funds. If there's only incoming money and no outgoing money, various problems arise. This was one measure to prevent that in advance.
"Gurarara~ my eyes are accurate as always. Liquor made by such a person tastes even better."
"Hahaha, you flatter me."
Like that, I talked happily with the crew and drank until the next day. In the middle, when liquor ran out, I took out 10 more barrels. Thatch also stopped bringing out food and drank together.
The next day, the crew were all sprawled on the deck, and few were conscious. Only the commanders were still sitting, eating and drinking while talking.
Vista said.
"Phew~ Taejin, thanks for the liquor. Drank to death after a long time."
Hearing that, Marco also agreed and said.
"It goes down smoothly because it's soft, yoi."
"I'm glad you like it so much."
I don't get drunk due to [Status Ailment Immunity]. But these people are like monsters. Despite the liquor having quite high alcohol content, they drank all night and are still conscious. Though they seem drunk.
"Sons, let's rest now. And you."
"Yes."
"Sell me some liquor; I'll pay generously. And rest for a day before going."
"Understood."
I'm glad Whitebeard liked it. Like that, I was assigned a room and fell asleep. Waking up, I heard sounds of crew members suffering from hangovers here and there.
Ugh... water...
Ugh... head...
Going out of the room to the dining hall, everyone was swaying like zombies. It was natural since they drank until this morning. Thatch saw me and spoke.
"Taejin, you really handle liquor well. I'm having a hard time too."
"Ahaha... I have a constitution that handles liquor well."
"I see. We have many heavy drinkers, but seeing you drink, we have to fold, I guess."
Thatch, suffering from a hangover, made and brought me soup. Taking a spoonful, his cooking skills were indeed good.
"Ze-hahahaha Taejin, drank well yesterday!"
Teach also came to the dining hall and sat in front of me, eating soup.
"Oh right! I obtained one Devil Fruit; would you like to see it?"
"Oh~ really?"
I took out a Devil Fruit from my inventory and showed it to Teach. I already knew what it was. Teach observed the fruit carefully. Teach had memorized all fruits. To steal if he sees a needed fruit.
"Hmm... this is the 'Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Black Cat'."
"I see."
"Unfortunately, it's a fruit I don't need. If you get more, bring them. I'll appraise them for you."
"Alright."
Since I know Teach's black-hearted intentions, I plan to only show useless fruits occasionally. Anyway, after laughing and chatting like that, it seemed time to go, so I went to the deck and said they were buying 40 barrels, so I took them out. Thatch calculated the liquor price and gave a bit more than I said.
"Father said to give more to buy snacks for the children."
"I see. Please convey my thanks."
"Will do. Now that we can contact each other, we'll see you often. Take care on your way."
"Oh right! I should give a service."
I took out a few bags of candy and handed them over.
"Yeah, this candy is too tasty too."
"If you eat too much of that, your teeth will rot. Eat it occasionally when bored."
"Hahaha, got it."
"Then see you next time."
"See you next time."
I boarded the Talaria, moved to a nearby island, and used teleportation to return to the island. Seeing me arrive, the employees rushed over.
"Boss Taejin, big trouble. The liquor is all sold out. Merchants are all waiting in the waiting room."
"How can that be? I clearly made 500 barrels."
"That's because Mary Geoise took 300 barrels at once... They bought all the premium liquor too."
"Ah... the Celestial Dragons took them. Can't be helped."
I took out all 300 barrels from my inventory and placed them in the warehouse. That day, I sold regular liquor but no more premium liquor. The merchants protested, but when I said Mary Geoise took them, they all gave up.
The next day, I spent the whole day scooping seawater and making liquor with [Matter Manipulation]. Of course, since I made it in my laboratory, there was no worry of being discovered. Like that, I stored 1000 barrels of made liquor in the warehouse and 2000 barrels in my inventory. I also made 500 bottles of premium liquor.
And I went to the orphanage, said it was from a cool grandfather, and distributed snacks to the children. Then the children tried to tear open and eat the snacks immediately, but Hina said loudly.
"You kids! You should thank the grandfather who gave you snacks!"
Hearing that, the children stopped tearing and shouted simultaneously, 'Thank you, grandfather!' and started eating. Hina saw that and showed a pleased smile, saying.
"Hina is touched! I didn't know there were such good people. The world still seems warm."
"That, right..."
Hina would faint if she knew that person was the Yonko Whitebeard.