Flower Capital, Southern Outskirts.
"Heavenly Abode" Hot Spring SPA Resort.
Thanks to Gangyou Master's efforts and Kyoshiro Boss's financial backing, the main structure of the resort was fully completed in just over half a month, with interior decoration nearly finished as well.
Gurd wasn't surprised in the slightest.
With enough money, these skilled master carpenters could even rebuild Oden Castle in a month.
Compared to that, a hot spring resort was just a small project.
Reception Hall.
Green Worm, White Dog, Red Sparrow, Tea Rat.
The four members of Ulti's fan club stood tall and proud, like soldiers awaiting inspection.
Loyalty!
"Big Brother Gurd!"
"Mhm."
Gurd nodded with a smile.
He couldn't handle everything alone, but fortunately, he had his own crew of followers. Most of the invitations had been delivered by these four, along with other miscellaneous tasks.
"Did you bring the masters?"
"We did! They're all in the next room!"
The four grinned savagely, making it clear their methods of persuasion hadn't been entirely proper.
Gurd didn't care.
If there was an easier way, why not use it?
As pirates, they shouldn't forget their roots.
"Take them to the banquet hall!"
"Yes, sir!"
Gurd turned and left, heading to the banquet hall.
The moment he pushed open the door, the scent of perfume overwhelmed him, and in the next instant, he was surrounded by a flock of giggling prostitutes.
"Wow, such solid muscles!"
The women's eyes sparkled with hearts at the sight of Gurd's imposing, muscular physique. Some of the bolder ones pressed close, their hands wandering freely.
"Stop! Don't touch my chest!"
"Not my legs either!"
"Who's undoing my belt?!"
"This is a legitimate establishment! All of you, behave!"
Sweating profusely, Gurd pushed the women away.
These ladies were too much.
But then again, they were professionals.
Though reluctant, the prostitutes finally settled down.
"Are you our new boss?"
"That's right."
Gurd kept a stern face.
"Who's your representative?"
"This humble one is Ayachou."
A curvaceous woman stepped forward, subtly adjusting her kimono to reveal a deep cleavage and a butterfly tattoo.
Her eyes were seductive, her voice dripping with sweetness as she cooed, "Boss, when do we start taking customers?"
"This isn't the Pleasure Quarter!"
Gurd's face darkened as he emphasized again.
With a whole street of larger, cheaper brothels nearby, what man would come here just for prostitutes?
To make money, they needed something unique.
"Listen, I don't care what you do in private, but while you're in this establishment, you will follow the rules. This is a legitimate business. Legitimate!"
"..."
For a moment, the prostitutes were stunned.
No customers?
Ayachou lit her pipe, her mocking gaze sharp as a gangster's.
"Boss, all we know is how to please men in bed. If you won't let us do that, how are we supposed to make a living?"
"Don't worry."
Gurd gestured behind him.
A group of bruised and battered masters shuffled nervously into the banquet hall—each one a renowned masseur or doctor from Flower Capital.
When they saw the room full of prostitutes, their jaws dropped.
"Is this heaven?"
Damn pirates, why didn't they say so earlier?!
If they'd known, they would've worked for free!
Ugh, and they got beaten up for nothing!
Facing the women, Gurd spoke firmly.
"Starting today, you'll be learning professional skills from these masters. Understood?"
"Understood."
The prostitutes' response was half-hearted at best.
Gurd's expression darkened further.
Fine, you asked for this!
Gurd took a deep breath and declared fiercely, "I'll hold an exam before the opening! Those who pass will be rewarded with 10 gold coins, and the top thirty performers will each get 100 gold coins!"
"100 gold coins!"
The prostitutes gasped in shock.
100 gold coins was enough to build a large house!
Unless they were the top earners in the establishment, ordinary prostitutes could hardly save up 100 gold coins in a year after covering daily expenses.
And with thirty spots available, it meant a third of the sisters could secure this fortune. Even if they fell behind, there was still the 10-gold reward.
"Boss, we'll definitely pass the test!"
"Don't worry, boss!"
"That 100 gold is mine!"
The mood instantly soared.
Gurd gave a slight nod.
Money could make a chicken change careers—the power of cash truly was supreme.
"Running a business is so exhausting. Being a landlord is much better."
Gurd sighed as he walked away.
If it weren't for the need to raise a large startup fund, he wouldn't have to go through all this trouble. Collecting rent was far simpler and didn't require much brainpower.
"Time for a bath."
Gurd headed to the men's hot spring area, stripped naked, and plunged in.
Bliss!
Since the place wasn't open yet, the hot spring was empty except for him. He could even swim freely without anyone stopping him.
However, trouble arrived fashionably late.
"Gurd, here I come!"
A completely naked girl came crashing down from above like a boulder, landing right in front of Gurd and sending waves of water splashing everywhere.
Immediately, the girl emerged from the water, stretching her arms toward the sky, allowing the magnificent view of her upper body to be fully exposed to Gurd.
"Wahahaha, I've been wanting to take a bath for so long!"
"..."
Gurd wiped the water off his face and sighed in exasperation.
"Yamato, this is the men's bath, you know!"
"Yep!"
The girl showed no awareness whatsoever.
Gurd was speechless.
What do you mean, "yep"?!
Whatever, it wasn't like he was at a disadvantage here.
"Damn, those are huge."
Gurd stroked his chin, shamelessly admiring the girl's figure.
No harm in looking.
He was no saint anyway.
Come to think of it, Yamato was about twenty centimeters shorter than him, making her proportions just right for his size. Someone like Ulti would've been way too petite for his tastes.
One minute passed... then three...
"Stop looking at me like that—it's creepy."
Yamato fidgeted uncomfortably, grabbing a towel to cover her chest.
But it only hid half.
Somehow, that made it even more enticing.
"Is this girl actually shy?"
Gurd chuckled at the sight of Yamato's flushed cheeks.
No matter how much she insisted on being a man, her feminine instincts wouldn't disappear. Besides, Yamato wasn't truly gender-dysphoric—she was just imitating her idol.
At its core, it was no different from playing house.
Seeing Gurd laugh at her, Yamato turned even redder.
Damn it!
Annoyed, the girl planted her hands on her hips.
The towel slipped off.
She hastily picked it up, then glared at Gurd with one hand still on her waist. "Gurd, why did you make me the boss of this place anyway?!"
"To make money, of course."
Gurd grinned slyly.
He might as well rent the place to Yamato.
If Kaido's daughter opened a business, wouldn't the wealthy elites come rushing to throw money at her?
Those "gifts" would be a fortune!
With that startup capital, he could move on to bigger investments. Buying properties one by one was too slow—he needed bulk acquisitions!
That's right—real estate was the way to go!
After all, the scale of his property holdings directly affected the strength of his Conqueror Haki!
The most crucial point here was the young girl before him. Without her powerful background as a deterrent, he alone couldn't navigate the real estate game, nor did he have sufficient financial resources or connections.
Gurd narrowed his eyes.
"Yamato, do you want to save this country?"
"Yes!"
Yamato nodded vigorously.
Gurd's grin stretched from ear to ear.
"Good, I'll help you!"
Let the young lady witness how property speculation could revitalize a nation!
(End of chapter)