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Hannabal.
The Music Hall.
As Uta's song came to an end, a new announcement rang out.
"And now, Soul King Brook will perform a classic—'Binks's Brew'!"
Brook, a walking, talking skeleton, took the stage with his guitar.
"Binks's Brew" was the quintessential pirate shanty. It had originated in the West Blue, and hearing it here in Hannabal felt perfectly natural.
"A skeleton?"
In the VIP box, Hina watched the stage. She was there at Jin's invitation, taking a much-needed vacation in Hannabal.
She wasn't alone.
Reiju, Nami, Carina, and Kaya were with her. Their six months of basic special training had just concluded.
Tonight was a farewell.
Reiju would be staying with Hina to study administration and gain more experience.
Nami was heading back to the East Blue. Her heart was set on rebuilding Cocoyasi Village, and Jin had appointed her treasurer of his East Blue Trading Company—a role she was all too familiar with.
Kaya was bound for Drum Island to study under the legendary Dr. Kureha. As a "gift" to smooth her apprenticeship, Jin had given her Hogback's medical notes and a collection of rare medical texts he had acquired—all to be presented to the doctor.
The old witch had a notoriously fiery temper—even Jin couldn't manage her. Kaya would have her work cut out for her. But Dr. Kureha's skill was undeniable. Doctors like Law, the 20-Doctors, and even Crocus would have to stand and listen when she spoke. She was a national treasure.
And finally, Carina would be joining the musical troupe, studying under Gordon and the other masters.
It was a time for learning and growth. As long as they applied themselves, the experience would benefit them for the rest of their lives, regardless of the paths they ultimately chose.
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Over the past three months, Jin had ordered a systematic survey of all the islands under his command.
Reports were compiled on each village's economy, population, and current state of development.
As it stood, the Winter Blossom Kingdom's official territories now included:
Drum Island
Hannabal
Asuka Island
Melcyse Island
Port Raven
The Conomi Islands in the East Blue
Skypiea, being a world away, wasn't counted.
He also had administrative assistance agreements with 3 more Islands.
But as they were also member nations of the World Government, his authority was limited to protecting their waters from pirates.
In reality, however, Jin had already "bought" those three islands from their kings.
Yes, bought!
These were not large nations like Alabasta. They were small islands, much like Drum Island, with a dozen or so villages and a population of twenty to thirty thousand. Their entire annual GDP was less than 100 million Berries.
It wasn't surprising. The wealth gap between the nations of this world was staggering. Drum Island had only held some sway at the World Council because of its medical prowess—a status that had been shattered by Wapol's "Doctor Hunt."
The World Government claimed over 170 member nations, but more than half of them were just like this. The kings of these nations held less real power than a neighborhood busybody back on Earth. A nation like Alabasta, with a population in the tens of millions, was a world power. These were not.
For Jin, with his current wealth and status—bolstered by his position as a Warlord—"buying" three small countries was a simple matter. Through financial control and the leverage of the Heavenly Tribute, their kings had no choice but to submit.
Of course, he hadn't—and couldn't—strip them of their titles. A certain level of decorum had to be maintained. If he went too far, the World Government would not stand idly by.
With the initial survey complete, all the data was fed to Ai for large-scale analysis and management, allowing for the creation of tailored development plans for each island.
The survey had also identified a number of promising young individuals, recommended by their villages. They were brought to Jin to participate in a "King's Training Program" for further observation and special training.
Next, Jin ordered a unified household registration.
Nobles, landowners, slaves, merchants, farmers—everyone was to be registered as a citizen of the Winter Blossom Kingdom.
This was not just for administrative convenience. It was a subtle way to dismantle the old systems of nobility and slavery that still lingered on these islands, unlocking the population's productive potential. It was the groundwork for future reforms in taxation, military service, law, and education.
But he had to take it one step at a time. He planned to roll out the reforms gradually over the next year and a half.
He wasn't trying to eliminate the concept of nobility entirely. Instead, he was developing a new aristocracy—a meritocracy based on military and commercial achievement, designed to counterbalance the power of the old land-owning elites.
He had already started this on Drum Island with his "Twelve Decrees." The island was no longer the sleepy backwater it had once been.
The people, having gone through militia training, were now joining escort fleets and the kingdom's navy, participating in foreign campaigns, and earning merit, money, and status. They were becoming a new interest group, one that would naturally support his reforms.
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As one of Jin's closest confidantes, Robin had a front-row seat to this sweeping series of reforms. With his permission, she began to document them, to write the history of this new era.
"The King believed that the World Government's eight hundred years of rule had corrupted not just individuals, but the very era itself," she wrote, the light of the lamp casting a warm glow on the page.
"Therefore, the new era, in the King's eyes, would not be born from the death of a single person, but from the replacement of an old system with a new one. To overthrow the old society and build a new one. He, too, was still finding his way."
"Putting aside his... personal life, the King's greatness was undeniable."
Robin didn't know it then, but her journal would one day be revered as a national treasure. The first half of that last sentence, in particular, would be the subject of endless interpretation, spawning countless entertaining—and often wild—stories about the King's private life.
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