Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Inside Pangaea Castle, in Saint Saturn's private office.
Admiral Sengoku, who had only recently returned from the New World, was here reporting some work to Saint Saturn.
Saint Saturn, meanwhile, was playing with a Devil Fruit in his hand.
It was the one Valthior had mentioned before—the Zoan-type Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Vampire.
"You did very well this time," Saint Saturn said, putting the Devil Fruit away with satisfaction and praising Sengoku.
Sengoku smiled. "It was thanks to the scholars locating it. Otherwise, it would have been very difficult for us to find."
"Speaking of which, how are they doing now? Is there much resistance? Are they cooperating with the Science Unit's work on Punk Hazard?" Saint Saturn nodded and asked casually.
Sengoku said with great satisfaction, "The situation is a little unexpected. We originally thought the scholars would refuse to work properly for a while. After all, our previous conflict with them was very clear. But in truth, Professor Clover has been extremely cooperative. After returning to Punk Hazard, he has already begun leading the scholars in carefully translating the ancient texts sent from Mary Geoise. Their cooperation with Dr. Vegapunk has also been very efficient."
"Is that so?" Saint Saturn said in surprise. "Those stubborn old scholars are actually being so cooperative?"
"I believe it is because Lady Olvia spent a great deal of time and effort guiding them. With Lady Olvia as the bridge, the scholars now have some sense of belonging toward our World Government," Sengoku explained.
"It seems Valthior does have good taste in women. At first, I only gave her enough status and respect for Robin and Valthior's sake. Now it seems she is quite sensible," Saint Saturn said with a smile.
Speaking of which, the proper women he had ordered Alfred to send to Frost Island should be arriving soon, right?
Who knew when that brat Valthior would expand the family line again?
This topic was clearly not something Sengoku could join in on. What right did he have to comment on a Celestial Dragon's taste in women?
Just then, the Den Den Mushi on Saint Saturn's desk rang.
Sengoku instinctively looked over, raised a brow, and said nothing.
Saint Saturn did not delay and picked up the Den Den Mushi directly.
"Valthior? Have you received the women Alfred sent over?"
Hearing this topic, Valthior, who had originally been in a good mood, suddenly looked bitter.
"Not yet. The winds and waves in the New World are probably too rough, and the journey is long. It must have delayed them a little."
"Then when they arrive, you must remember to make up for the lost time," Saint Saturn said earnestly.
"Grandfather, I am currently in a period of growing my strength. Indulging in women could very likely affect my power…" Valthior said helplessly.
"Hmph. This old man is also a Mythical Zoan. Whether that kind of problem exists, would I not know? Sengoku, you are also a Mythical Zoan. Tell him—does a Mythical Zoan fear such things?" Saint Saturn looked up at Sengoku.
Sengoku froze.
What does this have to do with me?
"Well… Saint Saturn, mine is the Buddha form. Its side effect is avoiding women…" Sengoku hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said.
Saint Saturn froze.
Valthior, on the other side of the Den Den Mushi, also went still.
Thinking back, Sengoku had indeed never married or started a family all these years.
At first, Saint Saturn had thought Sengoku had simply put all his energy into Marine work—that he was a serious and responsible Admiral with no interest in romance.
But now that Sengoku had exposed this himself, Saint Saturn immediately understood.
"Ah… I see. That must have been hard on you," Saint Saturn said, slightly embarrassed.
On the other side of the Den Den Mushi, Valthior was also filled with emotion.
No wonder. So that was what happened…
But he guessed that the "side effect" Sengoku mentioned was probably not a physical inability to approach women, but rather a mental one.
It was like that calm, saint-like state after the plane had crashed and leaked fuel.
However, most people could only maintain that state for a few minutes before anxiously refueling and taking off again. Sengoku, on the other hand, probably maintained that calm mind year after year.
Damn it.
His title as the 'Resourceful General' might have come from this.
If someone remained in such a cool, saintly state all year round, how could he not be smart?
The Buddha form was truly terrifying.
After a brief silence, Saint Saturn was too embarrassed to continue this topic. He changed the subject.
"Why are you looking for me? Does Sengoku need to step out?"
"No, no. Perfect timing, actually. I also have something to discuss with Admiral Sengoku—regarding the development of our Valthior Pirates…" Valthior said openly.
Sengoku became even more speechless when he heard this.
Damn it. I am a Marine Admiral. I already cannot finish handling Marine Headquarters' affairs, and now I have to spend time studying how to help your Valthior Pirates develop? Is that reasonable?
"Do you have anything else to handle afterward?" Saint Saturn asked Sengoku.
A bright smile appeared on Sengoku's face.
"Nothing at all. I am not busy. I can fully serve Saint Valthior."
"Then stay and listen to what he has to say. Sit," Saint Saturn said, raising a hand.
Sengoku did not stand on ceremony. He sat properly on the sofa across from Saint Saturn.
In truth, Sengoku felt somewhat emotional. Ever since he became an Admiral, his connection with Mary Geoise had grown deeper, and he had gradually maintained a close relationship with Saint Saturn.
This greatly promoted the development of Marine Headquarters.
For example, when military funding had been increased earlier—if Sengoku had gone to negotiate with Saint Nusjuro alone, it probably would have been very troublesome. But now things were different. Saint Saturn would also speak up for him, which immediately gave him much more room to maneuver.
At the same time, Sengoku could also feel that Saint Saturn had begun intentionally grooming him to become the next Fleet Admiral.
And what Sengoku needed to do was very simple—
Obey orders and follow commands.
Previously, arranging for him to destroy Ohara had actually been a political test. It was meant to see whether Sengoku was willing to shoulder such a "heavy responsibility."
At the time, Sengoku had not been very willing to carry out a massacre of scholars, but in the end, he still agreed.
Fortunately, because of Saint Valthior, no tragedy had been created afterward. This allowed Sengoku to pass the test without being stained with too much "innocent blood."
From that point of view, he could also be considered to owe Valthior a favor.
"I heard that the scientist called the man with the greatest brain, Dr. Vegapunk, was recruited by the Marines?" Valthior did not delay and directly got to the point.
Saint Saturn's expression turned serious, and he said in a low voice, "Dr. Vegapunk is extremely important to the World Government. Do not get any ideas about him!"
"No, I am not saying I want him," Valthior said. "I just want to ask whether he—or our World Government—has any technology related to artificially producing Sky Island Sea Clouds. This is very important to me. Recently, my people have been developing a technology called the Sea Train. It can…"
Valthior began explaining the Sea Train in detail.
At first, Saint Saturn did not take it too seriously.
But as he listened, his gaze gradually sharpened.
Admiral Sengoku's eyes also began shining with interest.
The Sea Train might seem unremarkable at first glance, but for a ruling class and a military force, it was absolutely a divine tool.
It had to be taken seriously.
Everyone knew that the reach of rule depended on the reach of roads. The better the road conditions between the central authority and the local regions, the stronger the central authority's control over those regions.
Because under those conditions, the delivery of materials, information, and military power would be greatly strengthened.
If I can throw the massive forces of Marine Headquarters right in your face within three days, would you still dare rebel?
If I can deliver food to you within three days when a famine breaks out, would you not be grateful?
This was ruling power.
The World Government's foundation was enormous, but it ruled over countless islands. It relied entirely on ships and local Marine bases to maintain that control and deterrence, which often left it stretched thin.
Why was the East Blue managed so well by the World Government?
One important reason was that, starting more than eight hundred years ago, the East Blue had been carrying out the bridge-building project at Tequila Wolf.
Although that project had not been fully completed even now, many bridges had indeed already been put into use. These bridges effectively connected many countries and islands in the East Blue, greatly strengthening the World Government's control there.
If a country disobeyed today, an army could arrive at its capital tomorrow and wipe it out in two hours.
Who could endure that?
The Sea Train was precisely this kind of great technology that could "shorten" the distance between islands. Saint Saturn was not senile. Naturally, he understood the value of this technology.
"Good. Very good, Valthior," Saint Saturn said in a very warm tone. "Do you intend to dedicate this technology to Mary Geoise?"
"Grandfather, you must be joking. Whenever I have something good, I think of sharing it with you first. Are you trying to take it all for yourself?" Valthior teased with a smile.
"Then what do you mean?" Saint Saturn asked.
"I want to cooperate with our World Government and establish a related transport department—or perhaps a company. The World Government provides the money, and I provide the technology. Together, we lay Sea Train lines across the seas, strengthen connections between islands and nations, promote economic prosperity, benefit everyone—and I collect a reasonable ticket fee. That is fair, right?" Valthior said with a smile.
One or two rail lines would not show much economic benefit.
But if he cooperated with the World Government and rapidly built large numbers of Sea Train lines among member nations, opening hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of routes, the ticket income alone would be enough to become a pillar of the Valthior Pirates' economy.
To be honest, if anyone else had made this request, Saint Saturn would have agreed without hesitation at first, taken the technology, then kicked them aside.
What status do you have to discuss cooperation with Mary Geoise?
I will directly nationalize this technology.
But Valthior was different.
He was a Celestial Dragon, the young master of the Jaygarcia family, and already a top-level figure in the World Government.
He provided the technology and collected ticket fees.
Who would be bored enough to make trouble for him?
"Our World Government uses this to strengthen its control, while you obtain great wealth to strengthen your forces?" Saint Saturn thought for a moment, then nodded. "Acceptable. I will discuss this matter with the other four and give you a satisfactory answer."
"Then thank you, Grandfather! Also, do not forget to help me ask about the Sea Cloud technology. If that can be solved, not only can Frost Island's problem be handled, but our World Government's influence can officially extend toward Sky Island!" Valthior reminded him.
If Sea Train technology could use Sea Clouds to connect to Sky Island, then the World Government could stretch its hands into the sky and fully bring Sky Island under its rule as well.
This would absolutely be a great achievement.
A flash of joy passed through Saint Saturn's eyes.
"I will look into it for you!"
If they took the sky as well, he could absolutely claim merit before Imu-sama.
After all, for hundreds of years, the World Government had held tremendous authority over the sea, but it had always been difficult to act against the Sky Island system. The difficulty of reaching the sky was too high, and the gains were not worth the effort.
But if the difficulty of reaching the sky could be reduced to the level of taking a Sea Train, then Sky Island would inevitably have to submit under the World Government too.
How great an achievement would that be?
It would definitely further strengthen Imu-sama's trust in Saturn!
When that time came, who would dare say Saint Saturn was not loyal!?
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