"Gururu~ Gururu~"
Warm spring water continuously bubbled up from the ground, quickly forming a shallow pool.
"This is it!"
Rogan's lips curled upward uncontrollably.
As the Jinchūriki of Groudon—the creator of land and master of the earth—he had inherited a portion of that power.
While he couldn't yet raise mountains or split the seas, sensing the terrain structure was child's play.
Right beneath the Flower Capital flowed vast amounts of magma, and thanks to Wano's unique geography—like its freshwater inland sea—the underground water reserves were massive.
That created the perfect conditions for hot springs to form.
All he needed was to locate a good spot and open a small vent above an underground spring using his earth power. With the pressure difference, the hot water would naturally rise to the surface.
And the warehouse beneath his feet—and the whole surrounding plot—was ideal for creating hot springs. He had bought the warehouse because it was cheap and had enough space.
In short, property value skyrocketing!
"Jajajaja! Once I turn this into a hot spring inn, you think I'll have trouble renting it out?"
"No, wait… I'm a pirate! What kind of pirate runs a hot spring inn?! It should be called 'Celestial Heaven Hot Spring Spa Resort'!"
"I'm a damn genius!"
Rogan rubbed his smooth scalp and strutted into the city feeling totally refreshed.
Soon, he arrived at his destination.
Kōtomo's Carpentry Workshop.
His hulking frame immediately drew attention from the carpenters.
"I'm looking for Master Kōtomo," Rogan said.
The owner of the workshop, Kōtomo, was the best carpenter in all of Wano. Even the skeletal fortress on Onigashima had been designed and led by him.
Before long, a short old man with nails shoved into both nostrils came out, grumbling,
"Pirate brat, if you've got business, make it quick. I've got a mountain of work waiting."
"Master Kōtomo, I'd like you to help me build a big estate!"
Rogan pulled out a blueprint—a messy sketch he'd drawn from memory. The layout resembled a traditional garden-style estate.
"Oh?"
Kōtomo's eyes lit up with interest.
The sketch was clearly amateur work, but the layout was intriguing. It resembled Wano's aesthetic, but with a fresh twist.
"What's it for?"
"A hot spring resor—uhh, inn!" Rogan nearly let it slip.
Kōtomo frowned, then after a long pause, handed back the blueprint.
"Sigh… find someone else."
"Master Kōtomo, money is not an issue."
Rogan added quickly.
Kōtomo shook his head with a conflicted grin.
"It's not the money. I just don't have the time. I've already got eight houses I need to build. Eight!"
"…"
For some reason, Rogan could completely empathize with the old man.
He too once had eight houses…
Fine, you leave me no choice!
"Master Kōtomo."
Rogan pulled the old man aside and whispered,
"To tell you the truth, this hot spring inn is actually Boss Kyoshiro's property. He asked me to come on his behalf."
"Boss Kyoshiro?!"
Kōtomo's eyes went wide.
If the property really belonged to Kyoshiro, there was no choice but to accept the job—and make it the top priority.
Who in the entire Flower Capital would dare disrespect Boss Kyoshiro? And the man was known for his righteousness.
But… is this pirate kid bluffing?
If Kyoshiro really wanted to build something, he'd send one of his own men—not a pirate.
Kōtomo hesitated.
"Don't believe me?"
Rogan grinned. "How about this: you send one of your apprentices to Kyoshiro's crew. Give them my name and tell them you're there to collect construction funds."
"Hmm…"
That was convincing.
It wasn't the kind of thing that could be faked. If Kyoshiro's crew paid for the construction, the property would obviously be his.
"Wait here!"
Though he believed Rogan, Kōtomo still sent an apprentice to confirm—both to check the story and to collect the money.
While waiting, Kōtomo eyed the tea-sipping Rogan with suspicion, finally asking,
"Pirate brat, what's your actual relationship with Boss Kyoshiro?"
"Well…"
Rogan set down his teacup, smiling brightly.
"Boss Kyoshiro and I are sworn brothers—tight as kin!"
By sunset, Rogan boarded a Beasts Pirates ship back to Onigashima.
After confirming everything, he and Master Kōtomo had discussed all the construction details and agreed on a one-month timeline.
It sounded tight, but for expert craftsmen, it was plenty. If not for aiming for top quality, they could've finished in two weeks.
Plus, since Master Kōtomo was personally overseeing the project and bringing his elite team, the construction price had risen accordingly.
Friendly discounted price: 2,000 gold!
But no problem.
Boss Kyoshiro was footing the entire bill!
"Pfft… pfft pfft pfft~~"
"…"
Speed stared at Rogan with a weird look.
Since boarding the ship, the guy hadn't stopped smiling.
His face was practically twisted with joy.
"What happened, Rogan? You okay?"
"Never better!"
Rogan's grin got even wider.
In under a day, he had awakened his Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), scored a free mansion, and extorted 500 gold in compensation.
Of course he was doing great.
As the saying goes—
"Never had such a perfect opening in my life!"
If it weren't for Kyoshiro being broke and short 500 gold, he would've already bought a few more properties.
No worries—he'd collect that debt next time he came to rent out rooms. Maybe Kyoshiro could even help him find tenants!
"Jajajaja~~"
"…Dude, cut it out," Speed muttered, hugging her arms. "You're giving me the creeps. I've got goosebumps all over."
"Hmph, what would a woman know?"
Rogan lifted his chin arrogantly.
Where he came from, this was how villains were described in novels—grinning evilly with style. It was a cultural trademark!
Speed sighed and rolled her eyes, quickly changing the subject:
"Back at Onigashima… you're headed to the prison, right?"
"Yep."
Rogan nodded.
Yamato was still locked in the dungeon—no idea if she'd woken up yet.
Onigashima was the Beasts Pirates' base. Almost no enemy had ever infiltrated it. Even when the Kozuki remnants tried attacking, they were wiped out before they could reach the shore.
Since enemies were usually shipped off to the quarry, the dungeon wasn't really used. In fact, Yamato had probably been jailed there more than anyone else.
With no other prisoners, there weren't even regular jailers. As her captor, Rogan was now responsible for guarding her.
He'd basically be going to prison with her.
"Ughhh!"
Rogan suddenly grabbed his cheek.
Speed flinched. "What's wrong with you?"
"I—I—ow!"
His face twitched uncontrollably.
"I've got a cramp in my face! Help me massage it!"
"Serves you right! Go die!"
POW!
Her pink little fist socked him in the jaw.
(End of Chapter)
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