บท 34: Chapter 34: Infrastructure Strengthening and Alliance Formation.
"Move aside, move aside!"
Luffy, carrying a huge log, dashed past, shouting in the wind.
"I'm definitely the king of brick movers!!"
Seeing Luffy's energetic trips between the construction site and the logging area, the other workers were infected by his enthusiasm.
"Everyone, keep it up!"
"Haha, Nami's friends are really enthusiastic~~~"
"With their help, we can build a fortress in a few days, not just a few weeks!"
This world has no excavators or large construction machinery. But in terms of efficiency, it doesn't lose to Roman's previous life. The key lies in the physical abilities of people in this world:
Luffy, as a 'powerful' all-purpose tool, goes without saying. Zoro's speed in cutting down trees with one slash can make even the bravest bears dare not speak out, and Sanji can kick giant rocks like soccer balls…
With them around, it's much faster and more efficient than any machinery. Anyway:
As Roman would say, before he fully recovers, it's a good opportunity for the trio to do some rehabilitation training.
And the so-called 'not fully recovered' Roman is currently:
——————
"…That's the outline of the 'alliance' I propose."
In the largest building in Cocoyasi Village, which was the village chief's house, Roman sat at the head of the conference table. On his right was the scarred policeman named Genzo, and on his left was Nami, who was taking the meeting minutes. Behind him, like guardian deities, stood Yosaku and Johnny, each gripping a sword.
At the long conference table sat twenty people, each from different villages and towns that had been under Arlong's rule.
By the way, before Roman and his group arrived, the neighboring town of Housha had just been destroyed by Arlong's gang for failing to pay the 'population tax'. Half of the population was massacred, and the survivors were now gathered in Cocoyasi Village.
"I've said my piece,"
Roman looked around, his calm gaze carrying no threat, yet no one dared to meet his eyes.
Of course, this was the man who had single-handedly crushed Arlong to dust!
It was like sitting with a tiger... no, a T-Rex.
"Who agrees, who opposes?"
After a moment of silence, Roman's words were met with unanimous agreement. Whether sincere or not, none of the leaders of the villages and towns that had been under Arlong's rule dared to voice any objections to Roman's plans.
"Very well, then we'll proceed as I've outlined. As for the details of daily maintenance, military expenses, and material transactions..."
Roman stood up and stepped aside.
"The rest of the meeting will be handled by the village chief of Cocoyasi Village."
---
"Is this really okay?"
Walking out of the village chief's house, Roman thoughtfully stroked his chin in response to Nami's question.
"It's better than doing nothing, right?"
This world is in a turbulent era, whether it's called the 'Great Pirate Era' or the 'Great Age of Exploration'. Behind the heroes' revelry lies the blood and tears of ordinary people.
When heroes draw their swords, it brings ten years of disaster to Blue!
Maybe Roger had his reasons, maybe he was just following his heart, or maybe... he was just playing a joke on everyone.
But regardless, when the Pirate King declared, "Do you want my treasure? If you want it, you can have it. Go find it... Grand Line! I left everything in the world there!" it set the stage for the world's turmoil.
For the strong, it was the start of a dream.
But for most ordinary people, it was the beginning of a nightmare.
"We'll soon set sail for the Grand Line. Before that, we need to ensure that Cocoyasi Village has the ability to protect itself."
Heroes can't be relied upon, as they are destined to wander the seas in their quest for justice.
The Marines can't be relied upon, as too many unjust people have infiltrated the cause of justice.
"So, I've formed this alliance of twenty-one villages and towns to give the people here some strength. With the 100 million Berries you provided as startup capital, and the weapons from my ship, we can form a militia and build a coastal fortress. That should be enough to deal with ordinary pirates."
Of course, if they encounter experts like Roman, Luffy, or even someone like Kuro who excels at 'bullying the weak', an army of ordinary people would still be very weak.
"Yosaku, Johnny."
Roman turned to the two third-rate pirate hunters behind him.
"So, have you considered my previous proposal?"
"Uh~~ Brother Roman..."
"...We... still want to be pirate hunters."
"Don't be silly,"
Roman rubbed his forehead, "I'm not trying to stop your dreams, but with your haphazard swordsmanship..."
How to describe Yosaku and Johnny? In terms of bounty, their endurance is at the million-Belly level, but their swordsmanship is still at the 2.5 million level. To put it bluntly, they're 'hack and slash' types. Yet, despite their lack of skill, they insist on going out to sea every day.
They always lose by just a bit...
"Take your time to refine the swordsmanship I taught you, then pursue your dreams."
Although Roman always claimed he only knew 'a little bit' of everything, his 'little bit' was far beyond what most pirates could achieve in a lifetime.
So his swordsmanship was more than enough to give Yosaku and Johnny a significant boost in strength!
Yes, to solve the problem of Cocoyasi Village lacking 'experts,' Roman had to persuade these two tanky swordsmen to stay. With Yosaku and Johnny's strength, combined with the well-armed militia, they could defend themselves in the East Blue as long as they didn't encounter someone like Krieg.
"You've noticed, right?"
"With your haphazard swordsmanship, you're just fodder for real experts. Staying in Cocoyasi Village, you can help Nami protect her family and improve yourselves."
Roman deliberately smiled, "Or are you planning to take my swordsmanship and run?"
"That's... impossible!"
"Don't joke, Brother Roman!"
"What we're going to do next is-"
——————
"Great, manpower, weapons, 'experts'... Once the coastal fortress is completed, we'll have the strength to resist ordinary pirates."
Roman thought as he walked.
Leaving after doing good deeds is fine, but this is Nami's hometown. Roman didn't want to suddenly see news like 'Cocoyasi Village Destroyed' in the papers.
Self-reliance is the right path!
As for the Marines...
Although he couldn't remember clearly, Roman knew that Luffy's grandfather was in the East Blue at this time. He even created the classic 'Axe-Hand' Morgan incident. With his position and authority in the Marines, he would definitely 'closely' watch over his grandson, so:
"The Marines, I'll leave to that old man."
Although Vice Admiral Garp seemed unreliable most of the time, he was never ambiguous about major issues. —This was very similar to Luffy.
"Roman, what did you just say?"
Facing Nami's question, Roman waved his hand.
"Nothing, let's go check on the progress of those guys at the construction site."
"Although it's fine to have them help with construction, we're pirates, not builders. Staying too long isn't good for anyone."
——————
"Very good, place those stones over here..."
"Raise the logs—"
"Dig half a meter deep here..."
When Roman and Nami arrived at the construction site, the outline of a 'fortress' had already taken shape, and the foreman was:
"Usopp, how's the progress?"
"Well, the main building will be completed in at most two days..."
Don't forget, Usopp is a truly 'multi-talented' person. After Roman provided the main structure, he quickly drew up the building plans and directed everyone in the construction.
"Great, once the main project is completed, the alliance will also be established."
With the courage of Cocoyasi Village to fight against the fish-men and the weapons provided by Roman, ordinary pirates would not be their match. In that case:
"In two days, we'll be ready to set sail—Luffy, what do you think?"
"Hehehe, sounds good!"
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