On the massive expanse of ice, Sean, Gion, and nearly four hundred Marines were gathered. Everyone was currently preoccupied with a single, gruesome task: butchering the colossal Sea King.
When Sean had suggested that Gion's subordinates help, she had agreed without hesitation. However, as she watched the operation, she couldn't help but wonder about the meat. While Sea King meat was a rarity for ordinary people and far more nutritious than typical livestock, was it really worth all this?
He was even arranging for several ships to be urgently deployed to transport the cargo back to the 16th Branch. Between the logistics and the sheer number of vessels required, the shipping costs alone would likely exceed 200 million Belly.
One had to consider the route: traveling from the Grand Line, crossing the treacherous Calm Belt, and then arriving at the 16th Branch in the East Blue. It was a long and dangerous journey. To Gion, the whole thing seemed absurdly excessive.
Then again, considering Sean's current net worth, Gion could only sigh. Who could blame him? The boy was filthy rich. She decided she would have to give him some advice later; no matter how much money one had, such extravagance was simply unnecessary.
Had Sean known what Gion was thinking, he would have likely scoffed internally.
'200 million Belly? That's nothing.'
Even if the costs rose to 200 billion, it wouldn't be an exaggeration given the potential value. If utilized correctly, these materials could potentially create thousands of "superhumans"—the kind of warriors Lucci had described—in a very short amount of time. To Sean, this Sea King's body was a priceless treasure.
"Rear Admiral Sean, the company has replied. They will split the order with three other firms. A total of five large and thirteen medium commercial ships will be deployed, arriving sequentially within a week," a captain reported, jogging up to Sean with a hint of excitement in his voice.
This was a massive contract. Although about half of it had been split among other companies, the remaining portion was still enough to net his own company 120 million Belly in revenue. More importantly, as the one who secured the deal, the captain would receive a three percent commission.
That was 3.6 million Belly!
For perspective, the captain usually made less than 2 million Belly after an entire year of sailing. It was impossible not to be thrilled.
"No problem, the price is fine," Sean replied after a brief pause. "However, I will station a few Marines on every ship. Additionally, for the security of the cargo, all ships will depart together once they are fully loaded. Our warships will provide a full escort for the entire journey."
The captain didn't even need to consult his company before agreeing. Having personnel on board wasn't unusual; in twenty years of shipping, he knew all too well that owners feared their own crews stealing from the cargo.
As for the offer of a full warship escort... he practically jumped at the chance. In the Great Pirate Era, having a Marine warship escort was a luxury most people would pray for and never receive. Since Sean was offering it voluntarily, only a fool would refuse.
"Ah, one more thing!" Sean added.
"Yes, sir!" the captain replied eagerly. At this point, as long as Sean didn't ask for something impossible, he would agree to anything.
"I'm bringing this Sea King meat back to reward the Marines in the East Blue. However, the journey is long, and there's a risk the meat will spoil," Sean explained. "Therefore, while we are en route to the East Blue, I want the idle personnel on each ship to help produce dried meat under the direction of my Marines. In exchange, I will provide an additional 20 million Belly as a bonus for all crew members participating in this work."
The captain froze.
That was it? Making dried fish or meat was a basic skill for any seasoned sailor. The four companies would have agreed to this the moment Sean asked, as it required almost no extra effort. In One Piece, manual labor was the cheapest commodity available.
And yet, Sean had just thrown another 20 million Belly at them.
"Is there a problem?" Sean asked.
"No! No problem at all! Absolutely no problem!" the captain exclaimed.
"Deal. But let's be clear: if any Marine finds someone hiding or stealing the meat, the company they belong to will pay ten times the contract amount in damages. We'll need to include that in the contract."
"Deal," The captain agreed.
The captain departed happily. Gion, who had been watching from the side, walked over to him.
"I truly don't understand you," she said, shaking her head. "Even if you're rich, there's no need to do this. Even without that 20 million Belly, they would have done the work for you."
"That may be true, but what does it matter? I have the money," Sean replied simply. "Besides, doing this ensures they'll be more than willing to cooperate with me in the future. Sometimes, the channel is more important than the Belly."
Gion felt a wave of defeat. No matter the argument, his answer always boiled down to 'I have money.'
"By the way, Gion, I need a favor," Sean said.
"What kind of favor? Let's hear it."
"I need you to escort the transport fleet to the 16th Branch."
Gion stared at him, stunned. "What? 'I'm' the escort?"
From the conversation with the captain, she had assumed Sean meant his own warship would handle the escort. It turned out he meant her.
"I have some business to attend to on Jaya Island," Sean explained. "So, you're my escort."
"You're just using me as a tool! No way, absolutely not!"
"You're really not going to do it?"
"I'm really not... unless..." Gion said with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Unless what?"
"You pay me. You've got plenty of money, right?"
Sean sighed. "Fine. I'll make sure the new ship you get is a high-end model."
"Deal! I'm on it," Gion chirped. Then, her expression turned curious. "But what are you doing on Jaya Island?"
"About that... I have an undercover agent in Mock Town who sent me some intel. I'm going to swing by and pick up some pirates. Otherwise, relying on the ones in the East Blue, it would take me ten years to earn enough merit to be promoted to Vice Admiral."
Sean kept the secret of the Golden City to himself. Gion wasn't entirely "one of his own" yet, so he provided a reason that sounded perfectly logical for a Marine.
However, when Gion heard his goal, she looked surprised.
"Vice Admiral... haven't you heard the latest news?"
Sean blinked. "What news?"
"The World Government is currently under pressure from dozens of Affiliated Nations demanding an explanation. After all, this is already the second time a Warlord has usurped a kingdom."
"When Doflamingo did it, he wasn't a Warlord yet, so although there was some commotion, it was quickly suppressed."
"But this time..."
"Consequently, to appease the Affiliated Nations and completely distance themselves from Crocodile, the World Government intends to announce that your mission to eliminate Crocodile and restore peace to Alabasta was, in fact, a secret assignment they entrusted to you."
"Additionally, due to the absolute success of this operation, there is a strong possibility you will be given an exceptional promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral."
Uh...
Wait, that's actually happening?
"But how do you know?"
"Tsuru told me. She even joked that you might end up becoming her superior one day..."
Well, if it came from Tsuru, it made sense. Presumably, the World Government had already coordinated with Sengoku, who then passed the word to Tsuru.
However...
Back when he was struggling to accumulate enough military merit to push for Rear Admiral, he had been promoted exceptionally. Now, while he was gathering merit to push for Vice Admiral, it was happening again.
He couldn't help but feel... that military merit was becoming irrelevant for him. After all, once he reached the level of Admiral candidates or an Admiral, it wouldn't be a matter of simple merit anymore.
'''
Three days later.
Sean left Kaku, Jabra, and two squadrons of Marines behind. He ordered them to scatter across the merchant ships to keep a close eye on the "cargo."
With the remaining seventy-odd Marines, he continued his journey toward Jaya Island.
As for whether he would stop by Mock Town, he would decide based on the circumstances. If there were any high-value targets there, Sean wouldn't mind paying a visit.
After all... once he returned to the East Blue and Crocodile's experiment proved successful, he would need more...
Ability users with powerful Devil Fruits!