Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 156: Chapter 155: Kojiro’s Ambition

He comes from a merchant family. Since he was young, his father has demanded that he learn various things. Even though Wano Kuni is a closed-off country, understanding how to do business here is a profound knowledge.

The interflow of products between the six villages, the purchasing power of the citizens—all these need to be thoroughly studied. Before Kurozumi Orochi started taking action, things were still fine, but lately, Orochi’s behavior has been increasingly bizarre.

Arbitrarily changing the prices of goods, the currency circulating in Wano Kuni’s market has recently increased, and many are newly minted coins. If Wano Kuni’s currency weren’t metallic and without much foreign trade, the impact would have been greater.

He’s not the only merchant affected. Those who teamed up with Kurozumi Orochi in various industries have used inappropriate methods to eliminate competitors, reaching a monopoly status.

In Kojiro’s view, Kurozumi Orochi’s actions are a challenge to the limits. It would only take one trigger to cause Wano Kuni’s economy to collapse entirely.

This behavior is becoming more evident around the Flower Capital. The wealth gap is widening, and only the wealthy can continue living in the Flower Capital. Many families with small businesses have been forced to leave and settle in nearby towns and villages.

In other regions, because each Daimyo governs their own village, this trend is less noticeable. However, Wano Kuni’s economy is integral, and the Flower Capital is its economic center. Its influence inevitably affects other areas.

And the Hundred Beasts play a very unique role here, seemingly having some agreement with Kurozumi Orochi to help establish factories, but there appear to be contradictions in the details.

The meaning behind those orchards and pastures is long-term stability, entirely different from Kurozumi Orochi’s policies. He has observed for a long time that Orochi neither supports nor opposes this behavior from the Hundred Beasts.

Or rather, he doesn’t dare to oppose openly. He’s never seen Orochi’s people directly interfering in Hundred Beasts’ matters.

This suggests that the Hundred Beasts possess something that intimidates Kurozumi Orochi. Even though his thoughts are active, having never left Wano Kuni, he can’t imagine the vastness of the outside world, so he only has vague speculations.

This solitary visit is a gamble because he can see the Hundred Beasts also want to get involved in Wano Kuni’s economy, and eventually, they will participate. If others can’t accept it, they will ultimately be left behind because the Hundred Beasts have too great an advantage.

For example, the issue of oxen. He knows that the Hundred Beasts Pirates raise two special kinds of bovine creatures, and the labor force of those three-tailed monster bulls is at least ten times that of ordinary cattle, and they are stronger, even smarter, capable of understanding their owner’s commands.

In practical operations, one Tauros can do the work of more than twenty ordinary draft oxen, and the Hundred Beasts Pirates rent them out at the same price as regular oxen.

Now, most people fear those monster bulls, but some have started trying. When the time comes, they can cultivate more land or have free hands to pursue other livelihoods.

When neighbors see this, if they don’t want to be left behind, then learning their behavior and renting a Tauros is the best method.

He’s also seen products sold by the Hundred Beasts, many of which are new and novel within the country, with a vast market. As long as the issue of Wano Kuni’s xenophobia is resolved, the rest will be easy to handle.

He’s gambling, betting that he’s not wrong about the relationship between the Hundred Beasts Pirates and Kurozumi Orochi. If he’s wrong, then the outcome won’t be favorable.

However, after he finished explaining his reasons, there wasn’t an immediate response. Shaina gestured to the two pirates, who left the room. After a long wait, the two who had left returned.

”Big sister, we have verified that his experiences are true.”

The Hundred Beasts Pirates are indeed looking for a local merchant, but not to the extent that just anyone would do. Kojiro’s reasoning was compelling, but Shaina didn’t immediately trust him and sent people to investigate in Wano Kuni.

The spies left in the Brothel won’t take long to gather such news. If what he says is true, news of a merchant’s bankruptcy is easily fodder for people’s gossip.

After all, his father was merely a merchant, not a great philanthropist. Many envied the rich and would feel joy rather than sorrow at his misfortune.

”How many people do you need?”

”There are a few trustworthy elders at home. I don’t need many people in the early stages, as long as Orochi’s people don’t obstruct us.”

”You two will follow him from now on. Remember to carry a flag, and when you encounter Orochi’s men, show them the flag.” Shaina instructed the two who brought Kojiro along, giving them new orders.

With the support of the Hundred Beasts Pirates, Kojiro already had a future plan in mind. He needed to retrieve what he had lost by his own hands.

”By the way, you’re a smart person, so don’t do something only a fool would do.”

Before he left, Shaina offered a piece of advice, or perhaps a warning.

...

His family had already become impoverished. The Hundred Beasts Pirates meant that he only had to sell the products, and other matters were not his concern, but he refused.

Because he understood that finding someone to sell goods wasn’t difficult. Now, it’s because of Wano Kuni’s xenophobia. Once they adapt to the presence of the Hundred Beasts Pirates, his existence would become dispensable.

Therefore, before the Hundred Beasts gained public acceptance, he needed to demonstrate his value and make them understand that he possessed abilities others could not.

He borrowed money from the Hundred Beasts, used it to purchase a batch of goods, and boasted that he could always make advance payments in the future.

”Interesting, let’s see how capable he really is. If he’s quite skilled, there’s a shortage of excellent personnel at Hundred Beasts Fruit. If he’s trustworthy, bring him in; he’s a talent.”

After reading Shaina’s report, Arceus issued new instructions. The Hundred Beasts still lacked some professional talent.

Although he had gone bankrupt, his family was once a major merchant in Wano Kuni, and his family crest still held some reputation there. Within a few days, he started his commercial journey anew, pulling a small cart like an ordinary peddler.

With two from the Hundred Beasts accompanying him, he indeed avoided trouble from Kurozumi Orochi. Orochi was skilled at enduring silently, and although the actions of the Hundred Beasts Pirates differed from what he had hoped, he still achieved many things he couldn’t before by relying on their strength.

Since Kaidou did not agree, he didn’t dare claim it was Kaidou’s will. However, he deliberately behaved wantonly, making the Daimyos wary of him.