Many seemingly weak individuals in One Piece were actually powerful.
For example, Kuro, Kaya's butler, was a typical example. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji also appeared weak.
They were unremarkable in the pirate world.
There was no such thing as "don't provoke the old, young, women, or disabled" in the pirate world. Weakness meant vulnerability.
But Alistair, favored by Hancock, was weaker than Mont Blanc. How did he win Hancock's favor?
Even more surprisingly, he subdued the Devils Luck and Spade Pirates.
While the Kuja Pirates played a role, Alistair's ability to turn defeated pirates into his forces was remarkable.
Unfortunately, they remained tight-lipped, revealing nothing during training.
Lafitte and Van Augur didn't understand Alistair's charm, only seeing the group's potential—like joining Blackbeard's crew.
The crew had potential; if it failed, they could leave.
Blackbeard's crew lacked loyalty; only Blackbeard's strength, ruthlessness, and unique ability to steal powers held them together.
They even discussed disbanding if their plan failed.
Robin, however, understood Alistair's appeal after witnessing his interactions with the merchants.
His approach was satisfying and comfortable, impressing Robin.
But this world valued strength; Alistair's charm wasn't enough to make strong individuals serve him.
With this in mind, Alistair began organizing Mock Town.
He had Lafitte draw a map, then had Robin, familiar with Mock Town, mark the buildings' owners. He then drew new plans.
He intended to demolish these buildings, but to respect private property, he'd use a simple exchange method.
The merchants would receive equivalent replacement areas for their businesses.
But these shops would have only 10 years of rent-free ownership; after that, rent was due.
The merchants didn't mind; they even smirked—even Shichibukai didn't maintain their positions for more than ten years.
Most Shichibukai lasted less than five years, discarded like used paper—Crocodile and Moria being prime examples.
Others lasted seven or eight years, the system itself facing abolishment.
The Shichibukai system was a temporary measure. Once the Marines overcame their difficulties, the Shichibukai would be useless.
Ambitious individuals used their Shichibukai privileges.
Lafitte and Van Augur saw Alistair as one of them.
Though they didn't know how he charmed Hancock, his actions were undoubtedly ambitious.
Mock Town's strategic importance wasn't lost on Lafitte and Van Augur.
Even Blackbeard hunted pirates here to impress the World Government.
But with Hancock's control, others couldn't easily interfere.
Alistair seemed to plan on demolishing and rebuilding Mock Town—an ambitious undertaking. No other Shichibukai had this determination/guts and vision. Was Hancock different?
Or…
Lafitte, Van Augur, and Nico Robin focused on the young man by Hancock's side.
He was calmly drawing, seemingly unconcerned.
Mock Town was bustling—pirates training, Mihar and Van Augur monitoring from the church, Ace's flames attracting attention, but less than the Shandora Union laying foundations outside the town.
The Shandora Union was effectively absorbed. They didn't mind; their large crew relied on fishing for food, their salvage business insufficient for survival—partly due to unfair pricing.
Now, they wouldn't be cheated.
They no longer needed to endure merchant exploitation.
All factories operated outdoors, including steel mills.
The Shandora Union, while individually unskilled, had over one hundred members. Alistair didn't want them as fighters—their salvage and diving skills showed a foundation of industrial division of labor, capable of more.
Their close cooperation demonstrated their ability for assembly-line work.
This simplified things.
The merchants had tools, the Shandora Union had division of labor skills, and Alistair had the concept of modern factory assembly lines…
Everything fell into place!
____________________
for more advance chapters visit my p@treon
[email protected]/kane45
Casual Reader - 20 Advance Chapters
Intermediate Reader - 40 Advance Chapters
Expert Reader - 60 Advance Chapters