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At the same time, good news had arrived from Hannabal. The second issue of Entertainment Weekly had sold eight million copies. Though it hadn't broken the ten million mark, its reputation was established. It was only a matter of time.
Other smaller papers and various powers, seeing the massive profits to be made from the "lottery," had begun to imitate it.
But Jin wasn't worried. The concept might have been simple, but it was easy to screw up.
He had Ai for statistics, analysis, and oversight, as well as special anti-counterfeiting measures. And with his own power, he wasn't worried about anyone causing trouble.
All he had to do was maintain his "integrity."
Any other power might be able to make a quick buck, but in the long run, it was a difficult game to play.
Besides, competition was a good thing. It would get more people involved. And the allure of a "billion-Berri" prize would be enough to draw in those who had gotten a taste of winning from the smaller lotteries.
And in any case, Jin's real purpose in all this was to seize a portion of the "public discourse." The lottery was just a marketing tool.
And it was working beautifully.
The more chaotic the times, the greater the people's desire to get rich quick.
Weren't those who risked their lives to become pirates just gambling with their lives for wealth and fame?
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As they approached the massive mangrove trees, a group of ferocious, armed pirates blocked the demonic carrier's path.
Cannons roared, and black smoke filled the air. The cannonballs arced through the sky, most of them landing in the sea, with only a few hitting the ship. They did minimal damage.
That's why boarding was the pirates' primary method of attack.
"Alright, men! Let's go!" the pirate captain sneered. "If they've got money, we take it! If they don't, we take them! In the Sabaody Archipelago, everything is for sale—including people!"
They had clearly picked the wrong opponent.
Jin didn't even have to lift a finger.
One by one, the pirates leaped into the fire.
In the end, even their ship was swallowed.
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"Dammit..."
Gunfire erupted.
The moment Jin docked, he saw a group of bounty hunters and a group of pirates in a firefight. The Marines quickly arrived to break it up.
As the meeting point of all seven routes of the Grand Line and the gateway to the New World, the Sabaody Archipelago had always been a gray area where darkness and light intertwined, a place of both prosperity and poverty.
In the sunlight, round bubbles scattered a rainbow of colors. Bubble cars, a bubble Ferris wheel, houses built inside bubbles... it was a unique culture.
"Young man, you'd best stay away from Groves 1 through 29," the old man collecting the docking fee said kindly. "That's the lawless zone—a real snake pit. Even the Marines don't like to go in there."
"Thanks," Jin said with a smile.
He was only here to collect some of the Yarukiman Mangrove resin, to analyze its composition and see if he could synthesize a new material, and to take some cuttings to transplant and cultivate.
The old man told him about a trading company on the island that sold such things. Jin had Robin take some of the crew to make the purchase.
He himself rented a bubble car and headed for Grove 13.
Hancock had told him to go to "Shakky's Rip-Off Bar." Someone there would take him the rest of the way.
'Rayleigh?' Jin thought. The Kuja were in the Calm Belt, and they had a "no men allowed" policy. He was likely the only one who knew their location.
Hancock's caution was probably Gloriosa's idea. In a matter of such importance, it wasn't surprising that they were being careful.
And this was a perfect opportunity to meet the vice-captains of the former "idol" group of the world and the Pirate King's crew.
"This place really is crawling with crooks," Jin mused, glancing around. He had just entered the lawless zone, and he was already being watched.
A bounty hunter flipped through his wanted posters.
"Handsome, a real pretty boy," a slave trader appraised him. "If I sell him, some rich old hag will pay a high price."
A pirate? Even simpler.
"This road is mine—" a group of armed pirates appeared in front of him.
In the next instant, the shockwave from a single punch exploded like a cannonball.
The aftermath was pure carnage.
Jin's show of force was enough to deter anyone else. The covetous gazes retreated.
And the friendly shopkeepers appeared.
"Sir! We have beautiful women of all races! Mermaids, Longarm Tribe, Giants..."
"You want a man? We can do that too! With the right price, anything is possible!"
"Feeling lucky? Come on down to the casino! Ten thousand Berries just for walking in the door! Short on cash? You can mortgage anything... including yourself!"
"The Flamingo Underground Auction House! Beautiful slaves, muscular men, antiques, famous swords, weapons... we've got it all!"
"A Devil Fruit? Not at the moment. But if you give us your contact information, we can let you know when one comes up for auction."
See? When you're strong, everyone around you is a good person.
"Shakky's Rip-Off BAR."
This was the place.
Jin pushed open the door.
"Welcome. What can I get for you?"
A woman with short black hair sat at the bar. She had one hand on the counter, a cigarette between her fingers. In front of her was a steaming cup of coffee. She was casually reading a newspaper, her legs crossed.
It was Entertainment Weekly.
For some reason, many of the beautiful women in the world of One Piece became grotesque in their old age. Shakky was one of the few who had aged well, along with Vice Admiral Tsuru.
But women like Gloriosa and Bakkin... they were an eyesore.
"I'm the king of the Winter Blossom Kingdom," Jin said, sitting down at the bar. "I was told to wait here for someone."
"Oh?" Shakky's eyes moved from the newspaper. She looked him over. He matched the picture in the paper. She took an elegant drag from her cigarette and exhaled a fragrant puff of white smoke. "He'll be here shortly. A drink while you wait?"
"Alright," Jin said. "I'll have your specialty."
"A man of taste," Shakky said with a light laugh. "But it's not cheap."
"In that case," Jin said, "I'll just have a glass of water."
"Huh?" Shakky was surprised. She had expected him to put on a show, to boast about how much money he had. But he'd just... given up? "Hey, you're a king. Are you really that broke?"
"The 'Rip-Off' in your sign tells me everything I need to know," Jin said. "Even a king's coffers aren't bottomless these days. A penny saved is a penny earned. And I'm not about to line the pockets of a swindler."
Shakky was taken aback.
So this is why Hancock said he was different.
She turned and poured him a glass of water. "The water isn't free, either."
"In that case," Jin said, "I'm not thirsty."
"Hahaha..."
A laugh came from outside. The door opened, and a man with long, wavy gray hair walked in, a smile on his weathered face. He had a short beard, a pair of glasses, and a vertical scar over his right eye.
"Rayleigh, what are you laughing at?" Shakky shot him a look.
Rayleigh cleared his throat. "Nothing. I just heard a funny joke on the way here." He sat down at the bar.
"So you're the one?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. "The king who wants to do business with the Kuja?"
"That would be me," Jin said with a light laugh.
"Is Entertainment Weekly your doing?" Rayleigh asked eagerly.
"It is."
"Do you know the winning numbers for the next drawing? I don't need the grand prize. Third prize would be just fine."
There was no greed in Rayleigh's eyes, only the simple desire to win. Some people love to gamble, not for the money, but for the thrill of the game, the rush of dopamine that comes with a win.
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