Three hours later.
Coaster Palace.
Joffrey, who was discussing with the ministers how to build a Caterpie textile factory, was suddenly stunned. He quickly took out the vibrating Rotom and examined it carefully.
When he saw the Caterpie textile factory production line pushed on the homepage of the mall, he immediately became entangled.
"How about... exchanging for another 2 billion points?"
However...
Joffrey only dared to entertain such an idea.
The national treasury now holds only 2 billion beli, and there's a need to construct a Pokémon factory and prepare for this year's Heavenly Gold.
Coming up with an additional 8 billion beli in less than half a year is an extremely challenging task.
But...
It's not entirely hopeless!
Joffrey delved into various information within the mall.
As there are only two consumers at present, Leo has developed a dedicated push function for them.
For instance, Joffrey's mall homepage showcases various staple foods and snacks related to Caterpies, guidelines and construction drawings for Caterpie factories, methods for building Butterfree Wetland Park based on Butterfrees, and even postpartum care for Caterpies.
Moreover, Joffrey stumbled upon various clothing design drawings in the mall.
This is precisely what they need!
Looking at the ministers engrossed in discussions, he suddenly felt that their prolonged deliberations might as well be spent on browsing the shopping mall props!
Realizing this, he couldn't help but glance at the little Caterpie in front of him.
The Caterpie, munching on mulberry leaves, seemed to sense it and raised its head to stare at Joffrey with confusion.
"pie? (What are you looking at! You've never seen a handsome guy eating!?)"
"Ah~ I have such a girly heart..."
Joffrey, unable to establish telepathy, believed that the Caterpie was coquettishly showing off, providing instant healing.
He smiled, stroked the Caterpie, and slowly stood up, maintaining his regal demeanour, he look down at the assembly and coughed twice:
"Ahem!"
Instantly, the entire place fell silent, and the powerful ministers directed their attention to Joffrey, anticipating the king's decree.
The primary point of contention in today's meeting was whether the Caterpie should be utilised for production or warfare.
Even if Leo didn't anticipate...
He grossly underestimated the Caterpie's combat prowess in the pirate world!
In Leo's perception, miscellaneous soldiers in the pirate world were akin to common naval soldiers.
Yet, unbeknownst to him, even reaching the level of a naval soldier in the real sea was considered outstanding.
In the Kingdom of Coast, ordinary naval soldiers could easily overpower their centurions!
So, even the Caterpie, the lowest level in the Pokémon world, surpassed most soldiers in the pirate world.
Joffrey discovered this when he witnessed a Caterpie effortlessly entangling a soldier attempting to pick it up.
The soldier was helpless throughout the struggle.
This revelation reshaped his understanding of the Caterpie's combat abilities.
In subsequent trials, Joffrey astonishingly found that the Caterpie's combat capabilities far exceeded their expectations.
Ordinary centurions couldn't break free from the Caterpie's silk thread.
More frighteningly, the Caterpie could rapidly grow in battle—strengthening its strength, speed, and silk-spinning intensity with each encounter.
Suddenly, a multitude of military commanders and ministers grew uneasy!
They all urged him, the King to deploy these Caterpies in military operations.
Just because there are fewer pirates doesn't mean there are none.
With this batch of Caterpies, the defense strength of the Coast Kingdom has increased by at least threefold!
However, another group of civil servants expressed discontent.
The high-quality silk thread produced by the Caterpie could be used for making clothing, or special rope props, fetching a lucrative price.
Given the plethora of tourists in Coaster spending money, they couldn't miss such a golden opportunity.
So Civil and military officials found themselves embroiled in a furious debate!
As Joffrey was about to speak, the quarreling factions ceased and looked at him expectantly.
Joffrey smiled and calmly said:
"I understand everyone's point of view."
"Indeed, magical creatures like Caterpies have immeasurable influence both in the military and in production with its potential."
"So I decided..."
The ministers perked up their ears, listening intently to Joffrey's decision.
"Let all soldiers recognized by the Caterpie enter the factory and cultivate a tacit understanding of combat while achieving production!"
"Military production must be grasped with both hands, and both hands must be strong!"
"This..."
The civil and military officials blinked.
Although this approach has pros and cons, judging from the current situation, this is indeed the best solution.
...
...
Soon after, the Kingdom of Coast quickly became lively.
A large number of soldiers returned to the royal capital from the border in batches. As long as they gained the approval of a Caterpie, they would be secretly sent to the newly built textile factory.
Although there were no convenient props in the points exchange mall, the Coaster Kingdom still built the entire production framework according to the traditional method.
If advanced equipment became available in the future, it could be replaced at any time.
Therefore, on the streets of the Coaster Kingdom, such a scene appeared...
Workers dressed in rustic clothes often formed neat square formations, sang songs, and went home to rest.
For a time, such a catchy and popular song circulated among the people of Coaster:
"We workers have the power..."
...
At the same time.
Near the entrance of the Grand Line, in the LogueTown.
On the street, Ace and Deus, their faces wrapped tightly, curiously looked around and hurried on their way.
In this "town of the beginning and the end," the Pirate King Gol D. Roger started here, died here, and started a new era from here.
However, Ace had no intention of staying in such a city of great epochal significance.
He harbors a secret he has never mentioned to anyone...
In fact, he is the son of the Pirate King Roger, the existence that people hate as the "Son of Sin."
Until now, Ace doesn't know how to face that irresponsible father.
The best solution is to leave here as soon as possible.
"Bear with me a little longer, Charizard."
Ace comforted the Pokeball swinging around his waist.
"When we finish getting supplies, you can return to the ship and continue training!"
Since being evaluated by Rotom as having poor physical fitness, Charizard's self-esteem has been severely hit.
Especially without using skills, after being knocked down by Ace, it became even more withdrawn.
In order to revive the glory of the Charizard family, physical training has now become everything in its life.
If he doesn't exercise for a minute, he will feel uncomfortable all over!
After calming down the restless Charizard, Ace turned to Deus behind him and said,
"Deus, I'll leave the purchasing to you. Come back quickly; Skull is still waiting for us on the boat."
"I..."
Ace's tone suddenly became silent.
"I'm going to a place to see."
"Leave it to me, Captain."
Deus nodded.
The two quickly separated.
Stepping on the marble-paved road, Ace walked forward indifferently and soon arrived at his destination.
A must-see attraction in this town, Roger's Execution Platform.
"Did that guy die here?"
Looking at his biological father's execution platform, for some reason, Ace didn't feel a trace of sadness.
Instead, while standing on the execution platform, he felt a strange aura, as if it was pushing him to step into the sea as quickly as possible.
"Is this what you want to do with your life?"
Ace raised his arms high, holding the sun with his open fingers, tightly grasping the blazing sunlight in the middle of his palm.
A bright smile suddenly appeared on his face.
"Pirate King..."
"I'll take it!"
Break!
A man with white hair and three cigars in his mouth looked at Ace fiercely:
"Boy, what kind of king do you think you want to be!?"