Retes pondered for a long while, but his head was still spinning. He simply couldn't fathom how Sean had pulled it off.
It was just a completely sealed space with a few weapons pre-set on the walls. Well, and that apple he had just placed inside. How could that possibly cause a Devil Fruit to automatically migrate into the apple after a capability user died?
"Actually, it started as a re hypothesis. I wasn't entirely sure," Sean explained. "First, Seastone has a powerful suppressive effect on Devil Fruits, correct?"
Retes and Lucci both nodded. This was common knowledge.
"Now, here is the key point," Sean continued. "I'm no scientist. I don't know if the essence of a Devil Fruit is a specific type of energy or the 'devils' people talk about. Regardless, when a host dies, the power leaves the body to find a temporary vessel for habitation. As far as we know, that vessel is always a fruit."
"Normally, it might migrate to a fruit a few ters away, or perhaps hundreds or thousands of kiloters away. There doesn't seem to be a pattern—or perhaps there is one we simply haven't discovered yet."
"But that doesn't matter. What matters is: if we create a cage that prevents the fruit from leaving after it exits the host, and the only thing inside that cage is an apple... what happens then?"
Retes's eyes widened instantly.
A cage?
A room constructed entirely of Seastone!
To a Devil Fruit, wasn't that exactly what a cage was? And since the only thing inside was the apple Sean had placed there, where else could the power possibly go?
As Sean had admitted, he didn't understand science and hadn't studied lineage factors. This thod didn't require science; it only required logic and a bold idea.
Sean had succeeded. The world's first successful experint in extracting a Devil Fruit and designating its target vessel had been achieved by a man who knew nothing of science.
"Lucci, do you know what to do the next ti we encounter pirates with Devil Fruit powers?"
"Understood. Capture them all alive—or at least leave them with a sliver of breath!"
"Exactly!" Sean nodded with satisfaction. "That's the spirit."
"Alright, it's ti for our 'God' to have a turn. Lucci, escort him in."
"Yes, Rear Admiral!"
Two minutes later, Crocodile's corpse was carried out.
Enel was brought in, bound to the central pillar with Seastone shackles and chains. Despite the situation, the man didn't seem panicked. He had watched Crocodile enter alive and leave dead, but he viewed Crocodile as a re mortal. Did he really think that killing a mortal ant he could kill a god?
Of course, Enel didn't know that Crocodile, like himself, was a Logia user. If he had, he wouldn't be so arrogant. Sean, for his part, had no intention of explaining anything to him.
He shut the door.
After the sa familiar procedure and a few minutes of waiting, the door opened again.
Logia—Rumble-Rumble Fruit, acquired!
'''
One hour later, in the Branch Chief's office.
Sean looked at the two Devil Fruits on his desk, contemplating who should use them.
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit was definitely for himself. Based on how his system worked, consuming it would likely significantly enhance his Zanpakutō, Hekireki.
But the Suna Suna no Mi... Sean had absolutely no interest in it. So, who should get it?
Desert... right, Vivi!
Who could be more suited than her? Born in Alabasta, no one in the entire branch understood sand better than she did. In terms of an intuitive understanding of sand, even Crocodile couldn't compete with Vivi. This would be crucial for developing the powers of the Suna Suna no Mi.
Besides, she was currently his only disciple. As her master, it was only right that he looked after her.
The decision was made. He would take the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, and Vivi would take the Suna Suna no Mi.
With the decision finalized, Sean stopped hesitating. He picked up the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and took a large bite.
'Ugh...'
It tasted exactly as he expected. If this weren't a Devil Fruit, Sean felt it could be listed as one of the top ten tortures of the 16th Branch. The taste was simply atrocious.
[Ding! Unknown energy intrusion detected. Beginning conversion...]
[Ding! Conversion complete. The host's Zanpakutō, Hekireki, has been significantly enhanced. Bankai progress has increased to 68%.]
'Open status panel!'
[Ding! Status panel expanded.]
[Sean Campbell]
[Zanjutsu: Lv.7 (5835/30000)]
[Hakuda: Lv.6 (0/10000)]
[Hohō: Lv.6 (0/10000)]
[Kidō: Lv.6 (116/10000)]
[Spirit Power: 27550]
[Physique: 4955]
[Zanpakutō: Hekireki (Shikai), Bankai Progress (68%)]
[Special Ability: High-Speed Regeneration Lv.3 (300/1000)]
'Just as I thought...'
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit had been converted and absorbed into his Zanpakutō. Moreover, it had progressed his Bankai.
But what about the remaining 32%? Did he need to find another lightning-attribute Devil Fruit?
'Let think... which other fruits are lightning-based?'
In the original story, most only had indirect lightning capabilities—like Big Mom, Kaido, Dragon, or Trafalgar Law. They weren't pure lightning types; they simply developed their fruits to manipulate lightning indirectly.
Was the Rumble-Rumble Fruit the only pure lightning-type? Or were there others that hadn't appeared in the original plot?
'Wait! The Devil Fruit Encyclopedia!'
How had he forgotten about that? He could just have Lucci bring it to him. That was far more efficient than wasting brain cells trying to recall the original plot.
'Buru-Buru-Buru...'
Just then, Sean's Den Den Mushi rang.
"This is Sean."
"Rear Admiral Sean, this is Barry from the Galley-La Company."
"Hmm? Is the new warship already..."
"Yes, the first one will be launched tomorrow."
"Good. I'll co in person tomorrow to attend the launching ceremony."
"Understood, sir!"
Actually, Barry hadn't intended to invite Sean to the ceremony, knowing he had only just returned from the Grand Line today. The call was ant to be a simple progress report.
However, after hanging up, Barry was left with a row of question marks over his head.
'He's coming tomorrow?'
It would take several days to sail from the 16th Branch to his current location; how was Sean planning to get here?
anwhile, Sean was in a fantastic mood.
After all this ti, the new-model warship was finally ready to be launched.
New hull structure, new propulsion, and a brand-new weapons system. The appearance of this new warship was bound to cause a massive sensation in this world.
However... there was a problem.
This thing was impossible to keep secret!
After all, a warship is built to be used. What was the point of building it if he just hid it away? But once it was deployed, the whole world would know about it in no ti.
The Marines might be easy enough to deal with, but would the World Governnt allow him to possess a powerful fleet capable of crushing any other force?
Almost certainly not.
So, how should he handle this?
Wait...
I've got it!
A sudden realization struck him. Sean picked up the Den Den Mushi once more and dialed.
"This is Retes."
"Retes, it's , Sean!"
"Rear Admiral, is sothing the matter?"
"It's like this: the shipyard notified that the new warship is ready for launch. What weapons are you planning to install on it?"
"Rear Admiral, I discussed this with Foreman Barry previously. We finalized three triple 280mm main gun turrets and sixteen 130mm secondary guns. Additionally, we'll install twelve dual-purpose autocannons—capable of both surface and anti-air fire—across the ship. The armories have already finished production; they're just waiting for the ship to pass its sea trials before installation."
"I see... Let's modify the plan. Cancel all the autocannons. Replace the three main turrets with the 130mm ones from before, and reduce the secondary guns as well. Hmm, eight should be enough. As for the caliber... I think 80mm will do just fine."
Retes was completely stunned.
What on earth?
With these changes, wouldn't the combat effectiveness of this new warship plumt to rock bottom?
"Rear Admiral, this..."
"I know what you're going to say, but I need to create a diversion first. Also, find a way to limit the range of the main guns. Just make them about 30% better than the ones on the Marine's standard large warships. Any problem with that?"
"There's no problem with the technical side, but producing these guns might require us to readjust the production lines."
"Don't readjust them. Just set up entirely new production lines. How long will that take?"
"In that case, it might take about ten days. Including production, it should take about half a month."
"Fine. The original configuration we discussed will now be designated as the 'Export Model,' used specifically to serve as a cover for our own warships. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Rear Admiral!"
Retes began to grasp Sean's intentions.
If he couldn't hide it, he would simply do it in broad daylight! By releasing a low-spec export version that looked identical to the real thing, he could maximize the chances of keeping his true secrets safe.
After ironing out a few more details, Sean placed another call, this ti to Franky, asking if it was possible to limit the power output of the Cola engines.
Franky gave a definitive yes, explaining that it was quite simple. Even the engine already installed on the first ship could be modified in just a few hours.
Sean imdiately ordered him to get to work and reduce the power output by at least thirty percent.
With everything settled...
"Soone co in!"
"Rear Admiral!"
At the shout, an orderly imdiately pushed open the door and entered.
"Go and get Aivilo!"
"Uh... Rear Admiral, who is Aivilo?"
Sean slapped his forehead and gave a wry smile.
Right, he had just returned and hadn't yet announced the appointnt of Robin replacing Lucci as his adjutant. Naturally, the Marines under him had no idea.
"She is my newly appointed adjutant; she wears a mask. Just go ask Lucci and you'll find her."
"Yes, Rear Admiral!"
The orderly nodded and retreated.
'''
Ten minutes later, a masked woman entered Sean's office. It was Robin, currently using the alias Aivilo.
"Robin, you've co at the right ti. There's a drink in this world called Cola; you know about it, right?"
"I've had it once. The taste is quite good, but its sales are diocre."
"Oh? If it tastes good, why isn't it selling?"
Sean was stunned. Cola had poor sales in the world of pirates? This was the first he'd heard of it. Logically... that shouldn't be possible, right?
"Because everyone drinks alcohol!"
Robin provided the reason simply.
Good grief...
Sean suddenly rembered that this was a world where people drank alcohol like water. Naturally, not many people were interested in Cola.
"Alright, I get it. How many companies in this world produce Cola?"
"Just one. The headquarters is in Water 7, but they have sales points on many islands across the Grand Line."
"Just one, huh... How much would it cost to acquire it?"
"You want to buy the company?"
Beneath her mask, Robin's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Sean.
He was a Rear Admiral—no, he'd soon be a Vice Admiral, just waiting for the official appointnt. And he wanted to go out and buy a company that made Cola?
What was he playing at?
"Correct. How much?"
"Very well. For that company, I believe if you're willing to offer 5 billion Belly, they would be more than happy to sell it to you, including the entire distribution network."
"Fine. I'll leave this task to you. Belly is not an issue; even if the price is inflated to 10 billion, I don't care. I want speed!"
Robin nodded, once again witnessing Sean's unabashed extravagance.
"Additionally, once the acquisition is complete, all external sales networks are to be shut down. From now on, Cola will only be supplied to my 16th Branch. It will no longer be sold to the public."
"Alright, I understand."
Robin nodded helplessly. She had no idea what Sean was planning, but the man was rich, wasn't he? He had enough Belly to buy half the world... 10 billion was nothing, even if Sean was just burning it for fun.
A day later, the acquisition negotiations went smoothly.
Robin spent a total of 5.5 billion Belly.
5 billion was the acquisition price, and the other 500 million covered the transportation of production lines, employee relocation, and other logistical costs.
Indeed, Robin hadn't just bought the company; she had packaged all the workers into the deal. After all, once the production lines were moved, they would need skilled workers to run them.
As for whether those workers were willing to move their families to the East Blue?
That wasn't a question at all.
Because... Robin offered far too much!
With a relocation fee of 5 million Belly per person, only a fool would refuse! Besides, compared to the Grand Line, the East Blue—where pirates had nearly been wiped out—was practically a paradise.
Sean didn't ask Robin to keep these actions a secret. Consequently, the news of him spending 5 billion to buy a Cola company imdiately hit the front page of Morgans' World Economic Journal.
However, when people saw Sean's na, they didn't think much of it.
Maybe he just really liked Cola, so he bought the whole company and moved it to the East Blue to produce it exclusively for himself?
Who could bla him? Sean was... just too rich.
But at this mont, no one knew that before long, the value of Cola would increase manifold.
And Sean was the man who had completely monopolized the entire industry! (T/N: He is the sole owner of 'Oil' in the world now!)
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