“Are you okay?”

Ian approached Yamato, who was sitting on the ground. She was rubbing her forehead, where a large bump had formed, along with a noticeable burn mark that was now bright red.

“Ian’s ability is so unfair!”

Yamato didn’t cry out in pain but was instead grumbling about another issue. “No matter what, you’re impossible to injure!”

Indeed, Ian’s abilities completely countered hers.

While it wasn’t exactly like being immune to low temperature, freezing Ian, who could generate extremely high temperatures at any time, wasn’t an easy task.

At least, Yamato couldn’t manage it.

With elemental attacks ineffective, the only option left was physical assault. Unfortunately, Ian’s defense was not something Yamato could break through at this moment.

“I told you, you’re still far from being able to hurt me. To do that, you’d need to master the advanced form of Armament Haki.”

Ian patted her head, not worried that she would be discouraged.

“Hmph! Just wait and see, Ian!”

Yamato pushed Ian’s hand away, jumping up with confidence and declaring loudly, “I’ll master that kind of Armament Haki you’re talking about very soon!”

But it wouldn’t be that easy.

Both of them had just recently awakened their Armament Haki, with both its quality and quantity still quite low. They could manage basic things like hardening but were far from Internal Destruction or Emission.

It was foreseeable that Yamato wouldn’t have the capability to inflict significant harm for quite some time.

“Then you better get to work,” Ian said with a light laugh.

“Of course!” Yamato wiped her nose, her desire to surpass Ian was just as strong as her desire to surpass Kaido.

“Ian big brother!”

Seeing their fight had ended, Jack, accompanied by Umit, approached. “This guy came looking for you! Seems like he’s the Deep Ocean Current you mentioned before.”

“Deep Ocean Current—”

Ian looked at the man. He wore a captain’s hat, had small eyes, a pair of upturned mustaches on his upper lip, and a thick beard on his chin.

“Yes, that’s right. The Deep Ocean Current Umit, correct? You’re here to discuss the procurement of Sea Stone.”

In the original story, this man was one of the underworld giants of the New World, known as the King of Shipping.

“Mr. Ian, it’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time.”

Umit eagerly extended his hand to Ian.

This young man seemed to hold a high status within the Beast Pirates.

Just moments ago, all the pirates who were watching had cheered for him.

The boy, referred to as Jack, also called him “big brother.”

“Thank you for coming all the way here, Mr. Umit.”

Ian shook his hand and then glanced at Yamato. “Would you like to join us?”

“No way, it’s too boring,” Yamato shook her head repeatedly. “I need to train! I must master advanced Armament Haki as soon as possible!”

“Then go ahead.”

Ian nodded lightly, watching the girl cheerfully run off.

Then he turned back to Umit. “Let’s go inside, Mr. Umit. We’ll talk inside.”

“Huh? Talking with you?”

Umit couldn’t suppress his curiosity. “Aren’t we supposed to meet with Kaido?”

“Idiot, do you even know who you’re talking to!”

Jack, hearing the disrespect toward his most esteemed big brother, immediately shouted angrily, “Ian is Lord Kaido’s disciple and the ruler of Wano! He manages all of Wano and oversees the business of the Beast Pirates!”

Kaido’s Disciple? The King of Wano?

Umit’s eyes widened in shock.

So this young man was such a significant figure?

“I apologize for my presumptuousness.”

Umit quickly bowed to Ian, “Please forgive me, Mr. Ian.”

“It’s nothing. You didn’t know,” Ian replied nonchalantly. “Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

Umit stopped hesitating and followed Ian into the main building.

As they walked, he covertly observed Ian’s back.

He couldn’t be more than fifteen, could he?

The Beasts Pirates hide a true monster within!

Ian led Umit to the meeting room, where they both took their seats.

“Mr. Ian,” Umit suppressed his curiosity about the young man and quickly asked, “Let’s skip the formalities. I am willing to purchase Sea-Prism Stone from you at twenty percent above the market price!”

The price is actually negotiable.

Umit’s psychological price was even fifty percent above market value!

Even so, he still felt it was worth it!

After all, this is the Beasts Pirates!

If he could use this opportunity to build a friendship with them, what’s a little extra cost? Consider it a fee for friendship.

However, Ian merely said, “It’s not about the price, Mr. Umit. Sea-Prism Stone is a very rare mineral.”

“Aside from the portion we keep for ourselves, the rest has already been allocated to specific buyers. If you wish to purchase in bulk, it will inevitably reduce the shares available to others.”

Umit gritted his teeth silently.

“Yes, especially after discovering that ships embedded with Sea-Prism Stone can move freely in the Calm Belt, the value of Sea-Prism Stone has skyrocketed.

Who would want their share to diminish?

And those who were previously able to purchase Sea-Prism Stone from the Beasts Pirates are all significant powers, aren’t they? Just a casual visit?

Umit suddenly looked up at Ian and said, ‘Mr. Ian, if you have something to say, please speak directly.’

If you really intended to refuse him, there would be no need to have him come here at all. Yet, they were even being polite and inviting him to negotiate.

Ian’s lips curled into a smile.

It’s always easy to talk to smart people.

‘Are you interested in cooperating with the Beasts Pirates, Mr. Umit?’ Ian asked.

‘Absolutely!’ Umit’s eyes brightened as he spoke without hesitation.

He didn’t even ask what the cooperation would involve.

‘Great,’ Ian said with a satisfied nod. ‘We can sell you Sea-Prism Stone, but we hope you can do us a favor in return.’

‘Please, go ahead,’ Umit sat up straight.

‘I know you are a renowned shipping magnate in the New World,’ Ian continued. ‘Your fleet is spread across the New World, and you even have interests in the Four Seas and the Grand Line.’

‘Just a modest achievement,’ Umit shook his head, though a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

‘I hope you can help us sell weapons,’ Ian said. ‘In the distant parts of the New World, as well as in Grand Line and the Four Seas.’

The reason for seeking Umit’s help was straightforward.

To put it simply, Wano Country’s weapon production has exceeded its needs.

In the past five years, Wano Country has undergone tremendous changes.

Due to Ian’s order to abolish swords, the samurai class has been completely eradicated. There are no longer any samurai in this country; the only people qualified to wield swords are the Beasts Pirates and Ian’s soldiers, along with the security officers in various towns.

Additionally, the land reclamation efforts have been ongoing for these five years, forcing many farmers to leave their lands.”

To survive, they had no choice but to enter towns, factories, and mines.

The influx of labor led to rapid industrialization.

In just five years, factories began to rise across Wano Country.

In addition to weapon factories, industries related to mining, steel, manufacturing, and construction were also developing at a breakneck pace.

Such massive changes inevitably brought significant upheaval.

The Abolition of Sword Order undoubtedly sparked widespread resistance from former samurai. Some samurai even banded together, leading displaced farmers in uprisings. However, these were easily quelled under the suppression of the Beasts Pirates.

Even now, only a few stubborn individuals still shout slogans about divine retribution against traitors and seek to eliminate Ian.

The farmers who had been forced off their land had settled down by now.

After all, the benevolent Ian had reduced their workload, shortened working hours, and provided wages based on performance.

A diligent worker might not become wealthy, but at least they could manage to support themselves and their families. Even with a larger household, a couple working together could make ends meet.

This situation wasn’t much different from their former farming days, and they didn’t have to worry about climate-related crop failures.

Life was barely manageable.

For the lower-class populace, this was already enough.

Would they risk everything to oppose the Beasts Pirates while managing to survive?

So, although there were still some hidden rebels, the overall situation in Wano was under control.

The booming industry, abundant mineral resources, and stable domestic environment resulted in a significant boost in productivity.

Especially in the weapon industry, what initially began as a supply for the Beasts Pirates became surplus. Only after realizing the excess did they start selling abroad.

Now, the sales to countries and islands affiliated with the Beasts Pirates were already outpacing production capacity.

Thus, Ian decided to expand the channels.

At this moment, Umit, who had been in contact with the Beasts Pirates, entered his line of sight.

The news that ships embedded with Sea-Prism Stones could cross the Calm Belt was, of course, released by Ian himself, intended to raise the price of Sea-Prism Stones.

Unexpectedly, there was such a pleasant surprise.

Umit is one of the few shipping tycoons in the world. With his help, the weapons from Wano Country could be sold all over the world.

“Of course, that’s no problem at all!”

Umit didn’t hesitate for a moment. “In addition to helping with the transportation, I can also help you find good distributors in Grand Line and the Four Seas! I know plenty of people like that!”

It’s a small favor! As long as it can earn the friendship of the Beasts Pirates!

“Oh!”

Ian’s eyes lit up. This guy is really considerate.

“Then, shall we have a happy cooperation?”

“Happy cooperation!”

Umit shook Ian’s hand firmly.

**********

Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.

patreon.com/PirateKing24

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep