Build The Strongest Family in the Prirate World

Duke's continued efforts to strengthen the **Figarland Chamber of Commerce** have led to significant expansion and increased influence throughout **West Blue**, but they've also begun to disrupt the local economy.

While Duke's initial attempts to improve infrastructure and provide utilities like water and electricity faced obstacles due to the extreme poverty of the population, his pivot to industries like **cement, fertilizers**, and the construction of factories has shown more promise.

His approach of investing in practical technology—such as efficient construction materials and agricultural products—is beginning to transform West Blue's economy.

Duke's reluctance to dive into **high-end Hextech**, like the **Hex Flying Door** technology, is understandable given the astronomical costs involved—estimated at 200 billion Berries for just a single pair.

Despite the immense potential for strategic and commercial value, Duke opts to focus on more immediate, achievable goals. The financial strain of building high-end Hextech isn't something the Figarland family can afford, especially when other investments, like the SS-level lottery, seem to offer quicker returns for Duke's wealth generation plans.

Under the leadership of **Jaygarcia Saturn**, Duke has directed efforts towards producing technologies that meet immediate needs, such as **high-efficiency cement** and **fertilizers**.

These projects are essential to his vision of improving productivity and ultimately uplifting the people of West Blue. The saying "if you want to be rich, build roads; if you want to be stable, farm" has become Duke's guiding principle.

This approach not only promises future prosperity but also aligns with his desire to improve the lives of ordinary people without compromising his ethics.

The ripple effect of Duke's investments is already visible. Factories that produce necessary goods are employing large numbers of civilians, and this surge in employment is reducing the number of people willing to risk becoming pirates.

With more stable livelihoods provided by the Figarland Chamber of Commerce, the draw of piracy is weakening in West Blue. While only a few individuals truly pursue the dream of becoming Pirate King, for most, survival and stability take precedence.

Duke's efforts have created a tangible impact by reducing the number of pirates venturing out to sea.

However, the rise of the **Figarland Chamber of Commerce** has had an adverse effect on local businesses, particularly those involved in shipping and beverages.

**Gragas's superior wine** has overtaken the local wine industry, and no one dares intercept Figarland's trade ships, further solidifying their dominance in the shipping lanes. This has left many local chamber presidents in a state of panic, as they gather in secret to discuss their dwindling fortunes.

Faced with bankruptcy, these local businessmen realize that unless they do something soon, the Figarland Chamber of Commerce will continue to outcompete them, leaving them no choice but to band together and come up with a plan to counter Duke's growing influence in West Blue.

Jim Volt's fury was palpable as he slammed his fist on the table, his voice resonating with the other chamber presidents in the dimly lit room. The Figarland Chamber of Commerce had completely upended West Blue's traditional industries, particularly the beverage sector, leaving many established merchants like himself facing extinction.

As West Blue's largest liquor merchant, Jim had seen his empire erode as the Figarland wines, brewed with superior recipes from Gragas, began to dominate the market. Even the most established brands couldn't compete with the taste and quality of the Figarland wines.

"The Figarland Chamber of Commerce must be sanctioned!" Jim's voice echoed, and others quickly agreed. The Figarland Chamber had not just disrupted the beverage industry but had outpaced the shipping and manufacturing sectors too, leaving little room for the smaller and larger businesses alike. 

However, the room grew quieter when Hina Larry, president of **Hina Freight**, spoke up. He reminded everyone that **Duke**, the Figarland family patriarch, had saved the life of **Vice Admiral Galen**, the Marine Vice Admiral and West Blue's inspector.

With such a connection, any move against the Figarland Chamber of Commerce would need to be carefully planned, as Galen's influence alone could make direct confrontation nearly impossible.

The Marine Vice Admirals are among the most powerful individuals in the world, and though West Blue was vast, Galen's presence loomed large.

Many in the room fidgeted in their seats, uneasy about the possibility of provoking a figure as formidable as Vice Admiral Galen.

After all, while Galen was known for his strict enforcement of law and order, his loyalty to Duke could complicate any plans to oppose the Figarland Chamber.

Hina Larry added, "The reduction in pirate activity due to the Figarland family and Gangplank Pirates' raids has stabilized the underground order and actually improved shipping. We've lost some routes, but the overall environment has improved, with fewer pirates disrupting our trade."

Some chamber presidents nodded, acknowledging the irony. Though the Figarland Chamber of Commerce had affected their profits, the reduced pirate threat had, in a way, made business safer. Fewer raids meant fewer losses on goods, and for some sectors, this had resulted in a more stable business environment.

Still, the underlying tension remained. **Jim Volt** and other powerful merchant figures saw the Figarland Chamber as an existential threat. Their decades, and in some cases centuries, of dominance in West Blue were at risk, and they couldn't just sit back and watch it crumble.

But with **Galen's protection** over Duke and his family, and the complexity of the underground ties the Figarland family had built, they couldn't rush into open conflict.

"We need a strategy," Jim said, finally breaking the silence. "We can't go against Galen or the Marines directly, but there must be a way to weaken the Figarland Chamber's grip without provoking open war with the Marines. Something more...subtle."

Another president, leaning forward, suggested, "We could try leveraging the nobles and kings. Many of them still have influence over regional markets, and they might not appreciate the Figarland Chamber's rapid expansion. With the right pressure, they could limit Figarland's reach."

The idea of using the political connections many of these chambers had built over the years with the nobles and kings seemed more promising. The merchants had long-standing relationships with the powerful rulers in West Blue, many of whom might see Duke's growing influence as a threat to their own authority.

Jim Volt smirked. "Now that's something we can work with. We'll lean on the nobles and put political pressure on the Figarland Chamber. If we can block their expansion into key regions, we might just be able to stop them from swallowing us whole."

Though the threat of Vice Admiral Galen remained in the back of their minds, the gathered presidents now had a potential plan to undermine the Figarland Chamber of Commerce.

It would be a game of influence and power, and West Blue's rulers would soon find themselves in the middle of a quiet, escalating conflict between the Figarland family and the region's traditional elite.

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