Chapter 48: Edward Newgate’s Decision!

Magnus had plans for Sphinx going back over a decade. He wanted to build a black market, develop the service and entertainment sectors, and use the profits from pirates to fund real industries and eventually go legit. In a country lacking resources, with low technology and no external investment, the only choice was to rely on what they had—to live off the pirates. It wasn't a short-term strategy. So Magnus only laid out the plan, hoisted his flag, and left. But after all these years, Sphinx's progress had stalled at phase two. Why? Because pirates were just too easy to make money from. Risking their lives every day, they splurged on food, drink, women, and gambling—the perfect customers. Even though Magnus had warned repeatedly that these shady businesses couldn't last, and that Sphinx needed to grow stronger on its own— The local rulers didn't listen. They profited off Magnus's flag, and when it no longer carried weight, they had no power to protect themselves. From that moment on, Sphinx became a hollow nation in name only. This time— After defeating the alliance of the three pirate crews, Magnus had no intention of handing power back to those useless nobles. He hadn't interfered before because he didn't have time. Now he planned to use Sphinx as a foundation to build his power. He wouldn't let inept royalty get in the way. "Magnus, if you turn Sphinx into your base, the Marines won't ignore it." The goat doctor came aboard the Black Pearl again to change bandages for Rocks and the others and offered a warning. Magnus had to have the strength to hold this territory. "Haha, you think I don't know that? I won't let civilians get caught in the crossfire." He grinned. "Why do you think I chose Sphinx in the first place?" Forget the rest—just the three major pirate crews alone had over 10,000 men. Sure, most couldn't handle haki, but in war, even fodder could be useful. Not to mention the dozens of temporary pirate groups passing through. If the Marines started a fight, they'd have to account for all of them. "What if they send an admiral?" "Then I'll handle it myself." Magnus didn't hesitate. You can't build an empire without taking risks. If he wanted to use Sphinx's pirates to resist the Marines, he had to prove he could face an admiral. Otherwise, they'd all flee at the first sign of Navy ships. Unless—he showed overwhelming power. "They're just a mob of cowards anyway." So Magnus had a backup plan: run away. He was a pirate, after all. Running from the Marines wasn't anything unusual. "Ouch!" While Magnus was chatting with the goat doctor, a girl dressed as a nurse was tending to Edward Newgate and his friends. Slim figure. Stunning body. Several of the older boys couldn't help gulping and reaching out. But the moment they did—they got their hands crushed. The girl smirked coldly. "Little punks trying to grope me? Dream on!" The girl was none other than Stussy. After witnessing Magnus crush the three great pirates, her determination to cling to the White Wolf for money only grew stronger. She begged the goat doctor to bring her aboard the Black Pearl. And once she got close enough to really see Magnus— She was completely smitten. She wanted money—but she had standards! If Magnus had been some wrinkled geezer, no amount of treasure would've made her compromise. But this? This was no geezer. This was a silver fox. Especially when she saw Magnus ordering Dukeman to haul out chest after chest of gold and jewels— Her eyes turned into little Magnus. Older, handsome, rich. A man like that? Rare even by candlelight. Only problem? Every time she tried to approach Magnus, one person got in the way— Ripley! Dressed wild, cheerful personality, and according to rumors—already a member of the White Wolf Pirates. Stussy thought they were probably around the same age, so Ripley should've been close to that annoying guy Rocks. But nope. Liplie stuck to Magnus like glue, asking endless questions, giving Stussy no room. "That damn woman. Get lost already!" Stussy gnawed on her fingernail, grumbling in her head. Meanwhile, Ripley didn't know who Stussy was and assumed she was just a pretty nurse from the goat doctor's clinic. Still, maybe because of all the recent battles, her kenbunshoku haki (Observation Haki) was starting to awaken— She kept getting weird vibes from the way Stussy looked at Magnus. "Captain, I think I'm awakening kenbunshoku—I feel like I can sense people's emotions!" "Really?" Magnus raised an eyebrow. As far as he knew, emotion-sensing kenbunshoku was usually innate. "So, can you sense what I'm feeling?" "Uhh..." Ripley looked at him, then cautiously said: "You think I'm super talented? Like a genius?" "Bullshit!" Magnus kicked her. "Right now, I think you're an idiot!" "How cruel~" Ripley stuck her tongue out and scampered off. In the corner— Watching Magnus interact with Ripley, and seeing him train Rocks in haki— Edward Newgate felt a pang of envy. He was an orphan. Which is exactly why— He wanted a family more than anything. To him, Magnus and the others acted just like one. He'd heard that Magnus would be taking back control of Sphinx, rebuilding Lamb's Home, and giving all the displaced kids a home again. But what about him? He was too old for Lamb's Home. Go out and work? There weren't many jobs in Sphinx. No matter how he looked at it— There was only one path he truly wanted. Magnus noticed his gaze. He smiled. Now that he had taken back Sphinx and resolved to rebuild it, Newgate no longer had to worry about his friends. His burdens were gone. Magnus held out a hand again. "Well, Newgate—do you want to become part of my family?" This time, the boy didn't hesitate. "Yeah!" (End of Chapter) [Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome] [Thank You For Your Support!]