Kuro's ten-thousand-word strategy made Sig feel a bit uneasy.
He casually rambled about the importance of staying low-key, hoping to dissuade Kuro and Gilman from their plans.
Seeing both of them obediently lower their heads and fall silent, Sig felt satisfied.
"Alright, Gilman, you can go back now."
"Kuro, go stay in the cabin."
Sig immediately separated the two, ensuring they wouldn't have a chance to communicate.
After doing all this, Sig ordered the ship to set sail. Watching the ironclad ship leave the port, Sig finally let out a sigh of relief.
This should be stable now.
However, Sig didn't notice that both Gilman and Kuro subtly glanced at a person on the bow of the ship.
It was the smiling bald man.
"Just as the bald man predicted..."
Kuro sighed in admiration.
As the cautious strategist, Kuro had already asked the bald man to review his ten-thousand-word strategy the night before presenting it to Sig.
At the time, the bald man had speculated about how Sig would react after seeing Kuro's strategy.
"Kuro, your ten-thousand-word strategy is indeed very good."
"I estimate that the boss will be very happy when he sees it, but your staying isn't part of his plan. So, Kuro, you're destined not to get your wish."
"Therefore, I think the boss will hide his excitement and happiness, scold you, but Kuro, don't be discouraged."
"What the boss is doing is actually sending a message to Gilman."
"The boss has completely entrusted the foundation on Loguetown to Gilman, showing his full trust in him. No one else is allowed to interfere!"
"No matter how good your strategy is, the boss won't let you get involved, nor will he let you stay!"
At the time, Kuro looked at the ten-thousand-word strategy he had poured his heart into, feeling a mix of disappointment and doubt.
"So, what should I do?"
"Kuro, don't be discouraged. Just give a copy of your ten-thousand-word strategy to Gilman in advance."
"Although the boss won't use your strategy, he will fully recognize your talent."
"Whether the strategy is adopted or not is up to Gilman. It's entirely his decision, and the blame won't fall on you."
"When Gilman successfully develops the Loguetown base, I and Gilman will explain your contributions to the boss and give him a surprise!"
That's what the bald man had said back then.
Kuro hadn't believed it at the time, but now it seemed that Sig's reaction matched the bald man's predictions almost exactly.
"He really is the one who understands Sig the most..."
Kuro sighed in admiration.
"Kuro, what are you standing around for? Get to the engine room! We've already set sail."
Sig suddenly appeared beside Kuro, his face cold as he shouted.
Confused, Kuro followed Sig to a room deep inside the ship.
"Alright, use your Gas-Gas Fruit ability and pump gas into the engine pipes."
Sig said impatiently.
Kuro was a bit dumbfounded, but he followed Sig's instructions, extending his hands and channeling colorless gas into the pipes.
He could feel the massive, complex machinery trembling and roaring.
Looking out through the porthole in the engine room, he could see the pirate ship gradually accelerating, its speed increasing significantly.
"Good job, keep it up."
"This ironclad ship is a hybrid wind-and-gas-powered vessel. From now on, it's up to you, Kuro."
Sig's expression softened slightly as he walked out of the engine room.
"Wait, does that mean I have to stay here all the time?"
Kuro was completely baffled.
Sig glanced at the operator nearby.
"Tell me, based on Kuro's current gas output efficiency, how many hours a day does he need to work?"
While on Loguetown, Sig hadn't just bought a new ship; he had also recruited corresponding operators and maintenance personnel.
Including the costs of building the gas equipment and other expenses, it had all added up to about 100 million berries.
Now, it seemed worth it.
The operator checked the instrument readings nearby, did a quick calculation, and said:
"Alright, Kuro, from now on, you'll clock in and work in the engine room every day."
After saying this, Sig walked out of the engine room without a second thought.
"Boss Sig, I'm a pirate! A pirate with a bounty of over 10 million berries!"
Kuro's expression changed, and he shouted in a somewhat uncharacteristic manner, his round glasses slipping down his nose.
He had become a pirate precisely because he didn't want to work a regular job and still wanted to be rich...
Sig paused, then turned back and spoke earnestly to Kuro:
"Kuro, this is a special training just for you."
"You've just obtained the Gas-Gas Fruit, and your development isn't mature yet. That's why I specifically bought this ironclad ship—to fully develop your abilities!"
"Think about it. Right now, your gas output efficiency requires you to work eight hours a day."
"But if your fruit ability develops further and your output efficiency doubles? Then you'll only need four hours."
"If one day, your gas output efficiency reaches 28,800 times what it is now, you'll be able to finish your work in just one second."
"By then, even the Four Emperors might not be your match!"
"So, this is a test I'm giving you!"
After delivering this speech, Sig walked away feeling much better.
"Kuro, always causing me trouble! Now you'll be working eight hours a day. Let's see if you still have the energy to come up with any more ten-thousand-word strategies..."
Sig's mood improved significantly as he left.
In the engine room, Kuro was in disarray.
This script... didn't seem to match what the bald man had predicted?
Wasn't it supposed to be that Sig, while rejecting the strategy, would still highly value Kuro, and from then on, whenever there was a similar opportunity, Sig would think of Kuro first, allowing him to rise to the top and achieve his dream of becoming the ruler of an island?
Why had he instead become an eight-hour-a-day laborer?
"Is Sig really testing me, trying to train my abilities? Or is this some other kind of obedience test?"
Kuro sighed and continued diligently outputting gas.
He could only try to see the positive side of things.
"I'm so jealous of Kuro..."
After leaving the engine room, BABY-5, who had been following Sig, suddenly whispered.
Kuro was momentarily stunned, and Sig also paused.
"Why?" Sig asked, feeling a bit weary as he looked at the girl who had been sticking close to him.
Ever since that day, BABY-5 had been glued to Sig's side, almost never leaving him.
"Because... Kuro is needed by Sig for a full eight hours every day..."
BABY-5's eyes showed a hint of envy.
Sig didn't know what to say and simply patted BABY-5's head.