On the deck, hearing Michion’s response and seeing his serious expression, Yujimura knew exactly what Michion was thinking.
He probably felt he was a genius, yet he just encountered a random enemy on par with him, making him feel weak.
But how old are you? And how old is he? Yet, you still need more.
Thinking this, Yujimura “took advantage of his position” and slapped Michion, causing him to stagger.
“What was that for?” Michion quickly regained his balance.
“Stop overthinking. That guy specialized in his beast form, of course, his strength is overwhelming. And remember, how old is he compared to you? You were only slightly weaker in strength, and he has a bounty of 60 million Berries,” Yujimura explained, looking at Michion with mild irritation.
“Him?” Michion asked, surprised to hear the bounty was that high.
“Bounties don’t always reflect pure strength. That guy, known as the ‘Mad Dog,’ has committed countless crimes. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know him. But his strength in the first half of the Grand Line is considered average,” Yujimura elaborated.
Seeing Michion’s sceptical look, Yujimura rolled his eyes and continued, “Don’t forget, you also have Observation Haki. Any pirate who doesn’t have Haki and fights you is just unlucky, especially Zoan types who can’t suppress you completely. They’ll get countered hard.”
“Well, that’s true,” Michion admitted, realising the advantage his Haki gave him. While he hadn’t mastered Armament Haki, his Observation Haki had improved significantly over the past two years.
Observation Haki made fighting those without it as easy as fighting children. Michion recalled how Luffy and his crew were tormented by the priests on Skypiea due to their Haki.
Taking down a notorious criminal like Rad with a bounty of 60 million Berries wasn’t that big of a deal.
Considering Luffy’s real achievements, Michion figured Rad’s bounty probably included the dangerous crimes he committed.
Taking down that “Mad Dog,” the journey continued without significant threats.
Though pirates on the Grand Line were generally stronger, elite foes like Rad weren’t common, and the small fry didn’t require Michion’s intervention.
“Wonder how Hawkins and the others are doing. And how am I going to recruit the Golden Emperor after Skypiea?” Michion mused.
Yes, Michion’s first plan was to use his knowledge of this world to recruit powerful figures before they fully developed, forming his crew.
There were things he couldn’t do himself, so he’d have his crew handle them.
As for why he wouldn’t just use the Navy’s vast resources, the Navy needed to be bigger and more intricate. No matter how renowned you were, you’d only rally a few people.
Figures like Sengoku, Garp, and the future Admirals and Vice Admirals maintained control over their subordinates, a level of influence Michion couldn’t reach.
And with the World Government above them, trying to pull the Navy away from their grasp would get you branded a traitor.
Take Zephyr, for example. Despite his rank and influence, he couldn’t stop Edward Weevil from becoming a Warlord. When he left the Navy, only a few followed, and Kizaru eventually killed him.
So, Michion could only use the Navy’s resources. Full control was impossible; he’d have to serve as their tool against pirates.
If his goals conflicted with the Navy’s, he’d be labelled a traitor and eliminated.
Thus, using the Navy to train and gather like-minded allies was enough.
Once his allies grew strong, they could form a faction within the Navy and the extent of his influence there.
He’d need to recruit and train his own crew to rise higher.
Michion’s first target was Elro.
He felt confident in recruiting Elro, believing they were of similar age. Elro, lacking wings on Skypiea, was bullied until he gained the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, which led to his arrogance.
Michion sincerely planned to invite Elro to join him. Even if Elro were naturally arrogant, he wouldn’t betray someone he genuinely followed.
However, Michion was concerned about his second target, Gild Tesoro.
Facing the future Golden Emperor, Michion’s age was a disadvantage.
Tesoro was likely older, and Michion only knew a little beyond the basics from the movie.
But he knew Tesoro’s past involved a woman named Stella, who catalysed his transformation into the Golden Emperor.
Michion only knew Stella was in the Sabaody Archipelago, but little else. He couldn’t just wait around slave shops hoping to find her.
That would be a waste of time, but it would be better-spent training.
“Maybe I can help him when he escapes and recruit him using his hatred for the Celestial Dragons. If not… I’ll take the Golden Fruit. The same goes for the Rumble-Rumble Fruit,” Michion thought, eyes flashing coldly.
He wanted to give up on Tesoro and Elro only if necessary.
Becoming the ruler of the world’s largest entertainment city, Tesoro managed countless industries, mingled with both sides of the law, and manipulated the Celestial Dragons with his wealth.
His skill set was rare, and replacing him might achieve different results with the Golden Fruit.
Similarly, Elio’s Rumble-Rumble Fruit enhanced Observation Haki, but with talent, one could awaken Haki.
Instead of searching for unknown candidates, recruiting these two was more practical.
An unknown might betray you upon gaining power from these fruits.
In contrast, Michion knew Tesoro and Elro’s backgrounds, making them reliable choices.
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