On Island 78 of the Sabaody Archipelago.
Tezzolo's home was a two - story wooden cabin built beside an Adam Tree.
This house was barely spacious. The furniture in the living room was very shabby, with only the most basic necessities: a sofa, a cabinet, a table, and a few chairs. Moreover, it was in a complete mess, with empty wine bottles, old newspapers, and worn - out clothes strewn about casually.
"Ahh! So sorry! I've been swamped with work and haven't had time to clean up."
Having his beloved woman see his shabby dwelling, Tezzolo let out a wail and quickly started tidying up the house.
With Stella's help, Tezzolo finally managed to tidy up the living room after a flurry of activity. Only then did he invite Sephiroth to his study.
A moment later, Tezzolo brought a cup of coffee and placed it in front of Sephiroth, who was sitting in the office chair. He himself stood respectfully to the side.
"Boss, how should our company get off the ground in the initial stage?"
When it came to business, Tezzolo instantly got serious and professional, his eyes glinting with wisdom.
Over the past year or so, he had also been doing some small - scale business.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to save over ten million berries. That was the amount of money an ordinary person would take decades to earn by working hard.
This showed just how strong Tezzolo's ability to make money was. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become the world's richest man in the future and have influence in both the underworld and the legitimate business world.
"The company will need a large amount of capital accumulation in the initial stage, so I'm planning to work as a bounty hunter for some time.
As for the business, I'm going to leave it entirely in your hands..."
Sephiroth began to roughly outline his future plans to Tezzolo, which included venturing into heavy industry and the arms business first. As for weapon research and development, he intended to entrust it to Franky in Water 7.
That guy was always tinkering with weapons and could even build something that could blast a Sea King to pieces. And he never seemed to lose his enthusiasm.
If he extended an invitation, there was a high probability that the other party would agree.
By then, he would provide ideas for weapon development from his previous life. Franky would be in charge of gradually implementing these ideas, and Tezzolo, as a local familiar with the Sabaody Archipelago, could help them open up business routes.
In addition, since internal combustion engines had already appeared, wouldn't it be a pity not to develop cars and airplanes...?
If all else failed, Sephiroth could also act as a weapon researcher himself. During his time in the military, he had learned quite a bit about firearms and munitions.
However, all of his ideas would require a huge investment of capital in the initial stage. So, becoming a bounty hunter to quickly earn money became Sephiroth's only option.
The Sabaody Archipelago was a gathering place for pirates from the four seas. There were many with bounties of tens of millions or even over a hundred million berries.
Coincidentally, Sephiroth needed to hone his swordsmanship now, and he had also awakened Armament Haki. Improving his strength in actual combat was also a good choice.
Although the amount of his current Haki is not large, and it's even a bit of a struggle to fully wrap it around the Akiba Katana...
But for him, it's already enough!
With Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and the power of the Vampire Fruit, it should be quite easy for him to hunt down ordinary pirates with bounties in the tens of millions!
As for pirates with bounties over a hundred million...
He doesn't want to take too many chances. He'd better play it safe for now and consider it when he's strong enough.
"Boss, the profession of bounty hunter is very dangerous and can easily attract the hostility and encirclement of other pirates. I advise you to think it over carefully..." Tezzolo said hesitantly.
Sephiroth waved his hand and said casually:
"Don't worry! I'll be careful...
Besides, my current profession is a naval officer. Pirates already have a grudge against me."
"Wait! Boss, you're a naval officer?
Then why do you want to start your own company and do business..."
A look of surprise flashed across Tezzolo's eyes. He couldn't understand why the silver - haired teenager, who was clearly a naval officer, would have the idea of starting his own company.
Sephiroth then suddenly realized that he seemed to have accidentally let slip. But he thought it wasn't a big deal. Anyway, Tezzolo was his subordinate and business partner. The other party would eventually figure out his identity. It's better to just be upfront about it now.
Thinking of this, the silver - haired teenager shrugged and said casually:
"Well! I'm just a naval academy student now. I'm going to stay in the Navy for a few years to see how it goes.
If I find it difficult to succeed in the Navy, I'll leave and start my own business, build my own forces. So I'm making preparations in advance..."
Hearing this, Tezzolo waved his hands repeatedly and said excitedly:
"No no no! Boss, if you can be transferred to the naval base in the Sabaody Archipelago as a naval officer after graduation.
I think our company will definitely grow and monopolize most of the industries in the Sabaody Archipelago..."
Sephiroth raised his eyebrows slightly and said with interest:
"Oh!? Tell me more..."
That night, the two of them talked a lot about the future development of the company, and Sephiroth fully recognized how flexible Tezzolo's business mind was.
...
At three o'clock in the morning, seeing that Tezzolo couldn't hold back a yawn, Sephiroth got up and left. Incidentally, he also gave the remaining more than thirty million berries in his suitcase to Tezzolo.
He wasn't worried that Tezzolo would run away with the money...
After all, during the conversation, he could tell that Tezzolo wasn't a man content with mediocrity. The other party also had ambitions.
Tezzolo and Stella stood at the door of the house and watched as Sephiroth's figure gradually disappeared down the street.
The blonde woman gently snuggled in her lover's arms and whispered:
"Tezzolo, Mr. Sephiroth is really a good man! We must repay him well in the future."
"
"I won't comment on whether he's a good guy or not. But...
I always feel the contempt for the World Government in his words and the ambition hidden deep in his eyes. He's a man with a lot of ambition and dreams.
I'm really looking forward to seeing how far he can go in the future..."