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"You're saying that ever since Maya woke up, she's been able to hear all sorts of voices, and she can even talk to animals and plants?"
Back on Asuka Island, Jin had helped Izaya and her people drive away the Marine soldiers who had come to investigate the forest.
The tribe was hosting a feast in his honor.
During the feast, Izaya told him about the changes in Maya after she had been unconscious for a day and a night.
The constant noise was causing her great pain. She couldn't even sleep peacefully.
When Jin had returned, he had used his Calm-Calm Fruit to create a zone of silence, and only then had she been able to fall into a deep sleep.
"It's Observation Haki," Jin said.
"Haki??" Izaya was surprised.
Haki was even rarer than Devil Fruits in the first half of the Grand Line. Even if someone had it, most people wouldn't even know what it was.
"Yes,"
Jin explained. "It's an energy that exists in everyone. It can be awakened through training, or under extreme stress. You said Maya had a great talent for shamanism, a strong connection with nature. It's likely she was already on the verge of awakening it. The residual soul of the ancient shamaness in the Seven Star Sword must have sensed this, and that's why she gave her a final push before she faded away. Observation Haki can help her avoid a lot of danger, but it doesn't do much to increase her strength. And because she can't control it, she's suffering."
"We've been isolated from the world for too long," Izaya sighed. "So much has changed."
She gazed up at the starry sky, her expression firming.
"KING JIN." she said, "—we accept your offer. We will help you grow your mushrooms."
Jin waved his hand. "No, not help. This is a partnership. Mutually beneficial. We'll grow together."
"Alright," Izaya said. "But I have two conditions."
"Please," Jin said. "Go on."
"First," Izaya said, "you must guarantee the safety of our tribe and manage our relations with the outsiders."
Jin nodded. "No problem. I'll talk to them."
"Second," she continued, "I want you to take Maya with you. Teach her how to control her power and how to interact with the outside world."
The power Jin had displayed had left a deep impression on them. Izaya believed that if Maya was truly talented, leaving her on the island would be a waste. She should go out and see the world.
And she could act as a bridge between the tribe and Jin, which would help the tribe grow stronger.
Jin thought for a moment. Maya's awakened Observation Haki, the ability to communicate with animals and plants... it was a very special ability.
Similar to Roger's and Luffy's.
She was worth training.
"Alright," he said.
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Jin stayed on Asuka Island. After a series of "negotiations" and a bit of "persuasion," he unified the outlying towns and villages.
He then contacted Hina and, through her, communicated with Marine Headquarters, informing them of his partnership with the Asuka tribe and requesting the cooperation of the Marine training base.
If he was going to develop Asuka Island, he needed to have all his bases covered. He even called the CP0 agent.
"Asuka Island?" the agent said. "Since it's not a member nation, if you take it, it's yours. You don't need to report such trivial matters to me."
Jin explained that his forces were spread thin, and he needed a powerful backer. And Saint Jalmack and the CP0 agent were his backers. He had to report everything, big or small.
The CP0 agent was very pleased. This king might be young, but he knew how the world worked.
"Saint Jalmack is thrilled with 'Dream,'" the agent said. "Keep the supply steady, and your throne stays yours. You could get away with murder—just don't piss off a Celestial Dragon, and we'll take care of the rest."
"Really?" Jin said, delighted. "What if I... accidentally kill a few Marines?"
"I don't mean I'm going to kill Marines," he quickly added. "I'm just worried that as my trade expands, I might be threatened by some corrupt Marines or pirates."
"Marines?" the CP0 agent sneered. "They're just the dogs of the World Government. And the World Government exists to serve the Celestial Dragons. Do you understand? If any Marine officer threatens you, you call me. Cipher Pol will take care of it. If you run into pirates, you can contact the World Government, and they will dispatch the Marines to assist you. In short, remember this: you are the king of a nation affiliated with the World Government. Do not underestimate the power and status that comes with that title. And you are the official supplier of tribute to Mary Geoise, hand-picked by Saint Jalmack himself. How many kings would kill for that position??"
Jin was satisfied. "I understand."
That was the guarantee he had been looking for.
Now he had a "Get out of jail free" card.
In other words, he now had the authority to deal with Marine officers and mobilize the Marines.
Once that door was opened, he could slowly push it wider...
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While settling the issue of Asuka Island's ownership, Ai conducted a survey and found that the island's climate was suitable for breeding dozens of species of edible and medicinal fungi.
Ai also collected a number of native mushroom species for the breeding chamber's gene bank.
Since this was their first time, they would start with the easiest species to grow, to train a group of skilled farmers.
Jin spent the next couple of weeks teaching Izaya and her people the necessary techniques.
The seeds, however, could only be grown in the lab with the help of the Mushroom-Mushroom Fruit.
That was the core technology.
As for a market for their products, Jin wasn't worried. Alabasta was a market of ten million people. And if that didn't work out, he could always sell to the Marines.
The only real problem was transportation.
The unpredictable weather of the Grand Line isolated many islands, creating unique ecosystems. But it also made it impossible for ordinary people to travel the seas.
However, Asuka Island had a Marine training base. And every month, a Marine warship would arrive with supplies.
That created an opportunity.
A full ship comes in, an empty ship goes out?
Why not have them help transport the mushrooms?
What? It's a warship?
Please...
With the right incentives, Marines are just people.
In fact, there was a thriving smuggling trade within the Marines. It was an open secret.
The proof?
The trade between the Four Blues... who was transporting all that cargo? Who had the ability to cross the Calm Belt?
Was the one route through Mary Geoise really enough?
If you peel back the layers of friendship, dreams, and freedom that coat the world of One Piece...
If you look at any government, any incident, and see the reality behind the facade...
At the end of the day, it's all about money, power, fame, and profit.
After all, from the very beginning, Roger had set the tone for the entire era.
Wealth, fame, power. The man who had it all, the King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger.
The words he spoke before his death drove all men with dreams to the sea.
"My treasure? If you want it, you can have it."
"Go find it! I left everything in that place!"
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After getting everything in order on Asuka Island, Jin once again set sail. He first returned to Drum Island to give Dalton some instructions.
Then, he went to Hannabal Island to take care of some business, mostly just signing papers.
After that, he rendezvoused with Lieutenant Commander Hina, who had come to meet him. Together, they would travel to the Marine G-3 base, where he would be trained by Garp.
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