Following Oguro's orders, representatives from the various villages gathered together.
Without wasting time on pleasantries, Oguro directly announced the formation of a joint management committee.
The structure was similar to a parliament from his previous life. Each village would have committee seats based on its population and economic strength.
Genzo was appointed as the chair.
Using the Ten-Person Guard as the base, each village contributed able-bodied members to form a security force. Rangiku temporarily served as its captain.
By midday, the basic framework was finalized.
A notification from the system sounded in Oguro's ears: 2,000 achievement points successfully credited!
With the joint management committee, the ten villages could consolidate their resources, forming a complete production and trade chain. They focused on handmade goods and fresh produce for maritime trade.
Following Oguro's suggestion, the villages established a formal trade company, implementing structured management.
Oguro even explained the rules, organizational structure, and division of positions from trade companies in his previous life, along with common marketing strategies.
While these concepts were basic in his world, for Genzo and the others they were revolutionary!
The One Piece world may have unmatched fighting power, but in other aspects, it lagged far behind. Otherwise, monarchical rule would not have dominated.
Oguro's strategies were effectively a "dimensional drop" for this world. Even the famed Seven Water City shipyards relied largely on word of mouth to attract clients.
With the business matters settled, Oguro's group left Cocoa Village, leaving only the Ten-Person Guard behind.
As navigator, Nami naturally accompanied them on the ship.
"My lord Oguro, where are we headed now?" Nami asked.
"Hm…" Oguro pondered. Coming out just for a trip and then heading back so soon would be dull.
"Let's go to the Baratie! That's the most famous restaurant in the East Blue!"
He was curious to taste the food that had earned such universal praise.
With Nami at the helm, the cargo ship followed the optimal course.
Later, Nami reported to Oguro, "My lord, according to our schedule, we should reach the Baratie tomorrow."
"Good work!" Oguro replied, his anticipation evident.
Suddenly, lookout Yamada shouted, "My lord, fifty ships ahead! Flying pirate flags—it's a pirate fleet!"
Oguro frowned. In the East Blue, only one pirate crew could muster fifty vessels.
He ascended the deck and confirmed his suspicion: it was the Kurekku Pirates, the most formidable force in the East Blue.
At the front sailed their massive flagship: the Dauntless Warship Saber. A three-deck super pirate ship with a black panther figurehead and a Jolly Roger flanked by hourglasses.
Although the fleet looked imposing, Oguro remained unfazed. A crew that got wiped out by Dracule Mihawk within seven days of entering the Grand Line hardly deserved his attention.
As long as they didn't provoke him, he would ignore them.
Unfortunately, the pirates had other plans.
The lookout's report of Oguro's cargo ship reached Kurekku, who grinned cruelly.
"A cargo ship, huh? Let's take it! Perfect for some rookies to practice!"
To prepare for the Grand Line, Kurekku was constantly recruiting. These newcomers lacked combat experience.
With a command, the Kurekku fleet turned and headed straight for Oguro's ship.
Nami was startled. "My lord Oguro, we need to get out of here! The Kurekku Pirates have five thousand people!"
She knew Oguro's strength was immense, but she had never witnessed it firsthand. Two fists can't beat four hands—especially when facing a fleet of five thousand!
Oguro's expression darkened, but he showed no intention of retreating. Besides, their small cargo ship couldn't outrun the pirates.
Soon, the cargo ship was completely surrounded.
"Hehehe…"
On the bridge, Kurekku, with short purple hair and a flowing cloak, laughed arrogantly.
"Good! You didn't try to run. Even better. Hand over all your valuables, and I might let you live!"
Though he said this, anyone who trusted Kurekku would be naive. He was a typical pirate: cunning, deceitful, and cruel.
In the original story, even after being saved by the Baratie chefs, he tried to steal their ship. Trusting him to keep a promise? Might as well trust a sow to climb a tree.
Oguro smirked inwardly. So he thought he could intimidate me?
Before Oguro could respond, Rangiku's expression darkened. Her voice cut through the air.
"Arrogant scum! How dare you speak to Lord Oguro this way! Kneel and apologize at once!"
Yet Kurekku and his men merely laughed in response.
"Hahaha! Did you hear that? She called that little brat 'Lord Oguro!' Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter!"
"If he's a 'Lord,' then I'm the King of the World!"
"Hey, girl! Nice figure. Leave that brat and come with me—I'll make sure you experience heaven on Earth every day!"
Their words dripped with mockery toward Oguro, and lecherous desire toward Rangiku. For pirates, stealing, killing, and taking women were just part of daily life.
Bang!
Before the pirate could finish his sentence, a fist landed on his face, sending him flying unconscious.
Oguro stood atop the Dauntless Warship Saber, his Shihakushō fluttering in the wind, elegant yet imposing.
Cold, ice-like eyes surveyed the pirates indifferently.
"Talking too much! Were you raised eating shit?"
Kurekku's pupils contracted.
He hadn't even seen how Oguro appeared on the deck. This kid was no ordinary opponent.
But Kurekku's lackeys didn't see it. Watching their companion being punched unconscious, they charged at Oguro with furious shouts.
"How dare you disrespect the Kurekku Pirates! I'll mince you into meat paste!"
"That little brat dares provoke us! Doesn't know what death is!"
Nami, anxious, shouted, "Rukia, Rangiku, aren't you going to help?"
Rukia's lips curved slightly. "Relax. These trash are no match for Lord Oguro."
Rangiku's voice held reverence. "He is the Lord who commands all Shinigami, the apex of the world. How could he fall to these filthy bastards?"
Their words were immediately proven true.
Boom!
Oguro's fist smashed into the leading pirate. He spat a massive mouthful of blood, chunks of internal organs mixing within.
Invisible energy began to emanate slowly from Oguro's fist, coiling and pulsating like a living force.
***
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