"Haah . . . Finally!!!"
Shuunya finished his day's work. He rushed it as soon as possible, since he needed to visit a very important facility of his, one that he is spending most of the income on, a Laboratory. Shuunya is very clear about himself. He is strong in general, very strong. But he is nowhere near even close to those who are considered Strong in the New World.
And even if he grows strong, so what? Him being strong won't make people less hungry. Personal power provides strong deterrence to those targeting, but it also makes people calculate him. The less people know, the better.
He hasn't forgotten what his goals are. He wants to live better. He wants to make everyone else live better. It is an impossible Idea in practice. People get greedy, People get jealous. He is sure that someone will be dissatisfied about what others achieved. If he gives what they want just because of equality, no one would want to work hard.
So he always considers what things he has to make everyone have. First is drinking water, available at their homes, along with running undrinkable water. This itself will take a lot of effort. It would require thousands of people working on it for decades, and the financing for it is simply immeasurable. But he wants to go further than this.
He wants people to have basic food, shelter and most importantly education. He even started the construction of free schools for common people, but it was always delayed. But he is sure he can have it finished in Dressrosa. The ruler himself would want it for his people.
However, for corrupt nations, it would simply be a dream to accomplish this.They wouldn't want people to learn, because educated people would find their flaws. They would do their best to stop the schools from running.
But that is a problem for later times. He wants to focus on the matters at hand for now. As he walks towards the laboratory, he recalls what is currently being researched. He enters the lab to find an old man, 60 years, wearing a white lab coat waiting for him.
"Dr. Baum, you don't need to delay your research just to welcome me."
"I simply want to welcome you, Boss. You gave me this opportunity to save thousands of lives, I am truly grateful for that"
Dr. Baum is a researcher on plant and animal bodies. He was suffering from a severe fever which couldn't be cured even by the best of doctors he knows. A passing by scientist helped him by researching his disease and Dr. Baum was mesmerized by all the process before deciding to become a researcher himself.
He was found by Lu Feld after he had heard about his expertise. Unfortunately, Dr. Baum couldn't accomplish what he was tasked for, and was cheated by Lu Feld to pay a lot of compensation. He was on the run for years before Shuunya found out about him, and recruited him.
"I came today just to check on the progress of the fertilizers I asked you about."
"Well, the idea is novel. But farmers already use natural fertilizers to grow crops. Why do we need to think about making a new one?"
"To be precise, I need fertilizers to give crops higher yield than current ones. I think I already told you that."
"Yes, but with what we currently have at our disposal, we can't increase it much more than 8%. That is the best result we had in over a year."
Aah, I want to smuggle the technology from Baltimore so badly right now.
"Well, keep up the good work. I am sure there will be a breakthrough sooner or later. I came here today to find you about something though."
Shuunya describes to the doctor what he had seen. Al has stored the information in detail. It won't be a problem for him to answer almost all questions about the condition.
"It is simply incurable"
". . . I know that. I just want to ask you if it is possible to delay it?"
". . . Maybe? I can't figure it out. This is well beyond my expertise."
"I see. Please continue your work. I'll see myself out."
Shuunya went out of the lab, looked at the sky and sighed. He then walked towards his office while contemplating his next course of action. He wants to do things in an order, but new additions and new meetings always change his plans.
He called out to his subordinates, "Dondora, what is the status of Gilld. When can I expect him to arrive at Dressrosa?"
"Boss, they have already departed from Sabaody archipelago days ago. If there is no problem, they should arrive in another 5 days."
5 days, huh? Not too fast, not too slow. They should arrive after my meeting with Chinjao. Hmm. . ; Al, how is the progress on the disease? You should have some leads researching it for days right?
"Yes. All possible outcomes of the curing procedure have been calculated. However, the cure itself cannot be completed without research and experimentation."
I see
Shuunya stopped, looked at Dondora and said, "Send someone to the lighthouse at the beginning of the Grand Line. Tell him that I want to hire him in exchange for information about the current location of Rumbar pirates. Also tell him that not all of them have left the Grand Line."
"Yes"
After Dondora left, Shuunya continued walking towards his Office.
It wouldn't be a problem to Convince Crocus. I just don't know how much I have to persuade him to accept the job. Crocus is my first bet if I want to cure rogers disease. But I don't think I can cure him so soon, even at all. The disease is called incurable by the best doctors for a reason.
However I want to delay it as much as possible. This began as just a random possibility but, if I can delay Roger's death, I can also delay the Great Age of Pirates. It would give me enough time to get every plan to work well without rushing it.
But if Crocus still decides to decline it though, I also have a backup plan. Law's father. If I show him enough of my capabilities, he could work with me to delay Roger's disease, on condition that I help him in curing Amber Lead Syndrome which I'll gladly do so.
Hmm . . . Maybe I could just bring them both here? Doesn't hurt to do it. . . . Alright, Let's bring them both then. I'll inform Dondora about it after he comes back.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Days Later
Shuunya is standing outside the Main Office followed by a few of his employees. They are currently waiting for Chinjao to arrive. Although he is a pirate, he is also the connection between him and Kano Country. Most Importantly, if this works out well enough, He is also their sponser.
Chinjao arrived soon after, followed by his men. He doesn't look as old as he remembers, but that was 30 years later so it works out.
". . . I didn't think I would need to ask a weak merchant to fix my head. If I find out that you have lied to me, I will personally massacre all the people inside your Office."
"I'm sure you would. It is a sin to lie to a great pirate such as yourself. Why don't we head inside? We can discuss this over some tea."
"Are you making fun of me?! Tea?! Go get me some Booze!!"
Man, this is why I hate dealing with pirates. Even if you haven't met him, there is no courtesy. Edward seems to have a different standard, probably because I am his friend.
"Why don't we go Inside first? Anyway, this is a 3 party discussion. Although I would love to make sure you are satisfied, I don't know if the other party would like it."
"Hah! Why wouldn't he like it?! If I said so, then he will like it!!"
"Well let's go inside first. We can talk about the rest later."
Shuunya took Chinjao and his mates inside the building. He then asked if he would like his mates to stay in the bar close by while he discussed himself. Upon arrangements, he took Chinjao to the meeting Room on the 11th floor.
"G-Garp?! GARP!!!"
"Would you like some booze?"
"Ah . . . No!"
"Bwahaha. You look like a fool with that head."
"Shut it, you bastard!! Who do you think is the reason behind it?!"
"Bwahaha"
"Damn, you-!!!"
"Why don't we discuss the issue first hand? You can show your affection later on"
"Puff-"
"Puff-"
All three of them sat down to discuss about their terms of agreement
"So, Why was I called here? Tell me how you plan to fix my head."
"Well, the plan is for later. I just want to get associated with you, or rather the country behind you. Garp is just here for my safety"
Chinjao's pirate group is called Happo 'Navy' for a reason. They are paid a ransom by the country to protect its shores.
"If you want to contact the King of Kano, you don't need to call me here!! Don't waste my time!!!"
"Alright! Keep it down. The only reason I didn't arrest you is because he requested it."
". . . Continue"
"As you said, I didn't need to call you here to contact the King, but I want to make a deal with you. I have heard about your treasure-"
"You've laid eyes on my TREASURE?!!"
Crack-
Chinjao released his Conqueror's Haki in full force to intimidate Shuunya. The Haki seeped through the walls and spread around the building, knocking out the guild employees and people outside the building and around it. But Chinjao wasn't proud of his feat.
Not only him, Garp also was amazed.None of the guards were knocked out. None of them. Many were kneeling, and few were even standing upright, now walking towards the meeting room. Both of them can roughly feel the strength of the people around them. They knew that the guards were considerably strong, but this exceeded their expectations.
However, an even more bizarre thing happened. The guards suddenly stopped walking towards the room, and started to look around confused. A few seconds later, they stopped looking around and looked each other in the eyes. Then they went around quelling the disturbance.
The only change Garp noticed was that Shuunya was slightly panting. Is that his devil fruit power? Does he have devil Fruit powers? So it's to send your thoughts, huh?
Shuunya felt Garp's gaze and smirked inside. Success!.
Chinjao slowly sat down and looked deeply at Shuunya. Shuunya could tell that Chinjao has re-evaluated his opinion of him. This was no longer a deal between a weak merchant and a pirate, but between a strong leader and a pirate.
"Tell me, why do you speak of my treasure?"
"Well, I am personally short on funds right now. I want to borrow some of your treasures"
"And why do you think I'll lend them to you?"
"Well, Chinjao, Do you want to become richer? Richer without piracy? Richer without any work? Richer even by just lying down?"
". . . I'm listening"
". . ."
". . ."
"So these papers-"
"Shares"
"Whatever, It means I own a part of your company? And as your company gets richer, I get richer? And I don't even need to do anything except giving you money?"
"Yes, making money is left to the company. You can even ask employees to work for you, as long as they don't get involved in or assist illegal activities."
". . . Even your guards outside?"
"Yes, even them."
"Hmm, but what's the catch?"
"Well, the Shares are valuable. If you don't have those papers, If I don't want to, I won't give money to you. Moreover, If the company goes into losses, You will lose money. However, you don't need to worry about that. I am quite capable of making money. Proven by the fact that I became the richest of Dressrosa in just over a year"
". . . And?"
"Well, that's it."
". . . That's it ?!"
"Yeah"
"Your words are convincing, but I do not trust you."
Well, its hard to influence someone who awakened Conqueror's Haki it seems.
"There is no Hurry. You can think of it later. Moreover I also wish to talk to your King."
"I will inform him of your words."
"However, all of this depends on fixing your head."
"Yes! Yes!! Tell me about how you can fix my head first!!"
"Of Course, I have the perfect solution for this. Garp also volunteered to help you when he heard about it."
"Ah? I don't see you as someone so helpful"
"Of course, Garp isn't called the Marine Hero for no reason. Moreover, helping you is heavily based on Garp's Help. Only his fists are strong enough"
". . . I don't like where this is going"
"You just have to stay still. Garp will hit your head at the right angle to force it to come out."
"Bwahahaha, Don't worry, I will make it less painful"
"DAMN YOU, BASTARDSs~!!!"
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmm. . . Convincing the King of Kano wouldn't be a problem. If it all works as it's supposed to, not only will I have someone strong enough to compete with Garp as my backing, I can also have him solve some troubles as the Conglomorate's troubles. He wouldn't want to lose money either.
"The individuals notified earlier by the host are detected."
Hmm, Who came now? Let me see. . . OhH, it's Gild. And the girl next to him must be Stella. They are a bit earlier than expected, but that is better. I can start training him sooner. The Elimination rounds will start in 3 days. He could be my star of the show, if he is trained well.
"Beatrice, bring the two guests in."
". . ."
"Beatrice?"
Ah, She went to meet that guy, Umit. Hopefully, she will be able to take care of it.
Knock~Knock~
"Come in!"
The door to the office opened to reveal two people. A younger male, and an older Female. Both of them looked Unkempt, and scrawny.
". ;. . Who are you guys?"
"Ah, we have been asked by Garp-san to call you. He said he wants to talk with you."
Undercover Agents, huh. "Fine, I'll meet with him."
The two who came in left, and after a few minutes, the door was knocked again
"Come in!"
The door opened, and two people walked in. They came close to the Desk and stared nervously at Shuunya.
"We finally meet, Gild Tezzelo. And you must be Stella"
"U-Uhm, I look forward to working under you boss!!"
"Hmm"
"Stella isn't technically hired by me, so you are free to choose what to do. Tezzelo on the other hand, you will be sent to the newly opened school. After you get the basic schooling for 3 years and 2 years of work experience under me, I'll decide what to do about you based on your performance"
"Ok, boss"
"I wish to work under you, Mr. Shuunya"
"Well, I don't think you need schooling, so you can start working soon"
"I want to stay together with Tezzelo"
". . . You are quite brave, aren't you? Even though technically you are still a slave, not only did you not accept my kindness to give you work even though I don't know you personally, but you even want to make demands?"
". . . Please, I beg of you"
". . . Boss, you see . . "
"Shush!!"
She's quivering. Slavery hit her quite hard, huh? It might take some time for her to recover
"You need to be punished for talking back to me! You will serve as a moral teacher in the school without any salary for 3 years. Now Scram!"
"Yes boss!"
"Yes boss!"
Slam
Shuunya is left alone again.
But romance, huh. Even a 12 year old has a girlfriend, and here I am. Well, I can think of this later. Crocus shouldn't be arriving in a few months, tournament is on track, school has started, and I have a free squad to send too. Hmm, Maybe I can send them to Birka, there won't be any major events in the coming months. Kaido's visit to Wano, Olivia's and Heracles's Departure will happen next year.
Well, I better see Garp first.
Shuunya walked out of his Office, and headed outside. He wants to see what Garp was so serious about, to reveal two Undercover officers to him.
"Hey, Garp. What is it that you want to talk about?"
". . . Hey Shuunya Kid, Can I ask you for a favor?"
". . . No free crackers"
"Not that"
". . . If you broke something, fix it on your own"
"Not that!"
". . . Did you let some pirate escape from you because you were sleeping?"
". . . I want you teach Dragon"
Monkey D. Dragon? He should be about 4 years younger than me
"It's not that I don't want to help you. But in case you forgot about it, I am not a caretaker."
"Kaido is heading towards Wano. He'll reach there in 2-3 months. I'll stop him once"
". . . Ok, Deal"