"In a world with supernatural power, when people think of strength, they immediately think of powerful individuals on the sea."
"But I already told you. The force that erased God Valley… even someone like Pirate King Roger or Rocks could only run."
Rowan's gaze sharpened.
"The person I'm talking about… you know him too. You even tried to recruit him back when it was still the Freedom Fighters."
"But clearly… he thought you were too poor."
Dragon choked.
He couldn't deny it.
Back when he first met Rowan in Loguetown, it was precisely because he was poor that the conversation even began.
But someone rejecting him for that reason…
The next moment, Dragon froze.
"Vegapunk? The key researcher from MADS?!"
Rowan nodded slightly.
"The ability of a Devil Fruit allows him to store an enormous amount of knowledge in his brain. Combined with his own talent, in my view… he's the one most capable of changing the future."
Dragon fell into silence.
To some extent, he had already valued Vegapunk highly.
But to consider him the core of changing the world…
That, he had never thought about.
"What? You don't believe it?"
Rowan smiled faintly.
In this world, the technological tree was… completely twisted.
Cola could be used as a power source.
Bubbles could lift people into the sky or carry ships ten thousand meters underwater to Fish-Man Island.
Physics and engineering here were already beyond conventional logic.
And yet, Vegapunk could take all of this…
And eventually create something close to an eternal energy source.
The Mother Flame.
When God Valley was erased, it was just an island.
But when Im used the Mother Flame to destroy Lulusia Kingdom…
It left a hole in the sea itself.
Even after months, it hadn't recovered.
That attack likely reached close to the planet's core.
"Even if an individual is extremely powerful," Rowan continued, "and even if paired with my teleportation ability, how many places can I protect in a single day?"
"Pirates plant their flags across the seas, precisely because no one can be everywhere at once."
"But technology is different."
"It can arm the oppressed masses."
"It can create barriers to block that kind of attack."
"And after victory, it can ensure people live without worrying about energy."
"These things… you, me, or any powerful individual cannot achieve."
"Only technology can change the world."
Dragon still had doubts.
But that didn't stop him from already wanting Vegapunk.
"So where is he now?"
"Near the entrance to the New World," Rowan replied. "Punk Hazard."
"If it's just you and me, we could infiltrate it quietly."
Rowan shook his head.
"No. Right now, he won't come with us."
"And even if we force him, we don't have the resources to support his research."
Dragon asked, "Will that change within a year?"
"A year?" Rowan exhaled.
"With the growth speed the Revolutionary Army needs, we'll only be poorer. There's no way we'll suddenly have the resources for that."
"And a research institute isn't just about money."
"Many things simply cannot be bought."
"That's exactly why Vegapunk chose to work for the World Government."
Dragon fell silent again.
Then Rowan continued:
"You've heard the story of the 'Great Liar' of the Grand Line, right?"
"The City of Gold… is real."
"It was carried into the sky by ocean currents and became part of Sky Island."
"Your ability is perfect for this."
"For the next ten years, the funding for the Revolutionary Army… and for scientific research… depends on you making that trip."
A city made entirely of gold?
It was real?!
Dragon's thoughts shook.
Rowan, however, had already begun assigning tasks.
After that He transported Kuma and Ginny to the West Blue transfer station.
After settling trade matters with Rem, supplies were distributed across various regions.
Kuma and Ginny then moved on to their respective Revolutionary Army units, beginning underground operations in new nations.
Only near dawn did Rowan finally return to the World Government ship.
Inside the prison space, the screams would continue for over two days.
The next Golden Treasure Chest…
Would be ready then.
"Poof."
The shadow clone dispersed into smoke.
Rowan stored away all equipment related to his identity as "Spark."
"..."
He let out a long breath and closed his eyes briefly.
It had taken him half a year to combine what he learned in his previous life with revolutionary theory.
Delivering it all in one night…
Had worked better than expected.
But Vegapunk…
Money could be solved with the City of Gold.
However, certain special materials…
Might depend on someone aboard this very ship.
Spandine.
A master of flattery.
A man driven by greed and ambition.
Rem desired strength.
Spandine desired power and wealth.
He needed money to curry favor with the Celestial Dragons.
And after using Kuzan as a scapegoat to establish initial cooperation…
Rowan could start working with him.
At present, the Revolutionary Army had not yet drawn the World Government's attention.
But the discovery of lineage factors had already made Vegapunk valuable.
So the question was how to make him "disappear" legitimately?
The Flying Thunder God from the Golden Chest was powerful.
The mental attribute cards were useful.
But the most frequently used ability lately was the Shadow Clone.
Maybe it was time to open more Bronze and Silver chests.
Abilities from other worlds could produce unexpected effects here.
The next day.
The World Government ship was heading toward Reverse Mountain.
And on the deck two people who had previously been distant…
Were now chatting pleasantly.
Spandine's laughter alone made it clear how good his mood was.
The mission to capture Roger's bloodline had failed.
But the blame had been successfully shifted onto the Marines.
The Five Elders were satisfied.
And the one who helped him do it…
Was the young man standing in front of him.
Now, that same young man was offering him money and resources.
A promising talent like this?
Of course he was pleased.
As for smuggling some materials as long as it made money the higher-ups wouldn't care.
And once he rose further in rank all of this would be trivial.
After all he knew exactly what those people liked.
Because he liked the same things.
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