Chapter 164: Lack of Money
Although they'd agreed to leave, Luffy and the others still spent considerable Berry at Nanohana Harbor to renovate the Going Merry at Rhodes's suggestion.
Today's Alabasta was no longer what it once was.
With the drought resolved and the seas secured, more and more merchants and skilled workers came to settle here. Professional shipyards had been established throughout the kingdom.
While they might not rival Water 7, they were more than capable of properly renovating the Going Merry.
With Rhodes's reputation, these shipwrights naturally used the finest materials and worked with utmost efficiency to restore the Merry, offering Luffy and the others an exceptionally fair price.
"Goodbye!"
On the nearly brand-new Merry, Luffy, Nami, and the others waved farewell to Rhodes and Sabo as they sailed away.
Once the Merry disappeared from sight, Sabo slowly averted his gaze, remaining silent for a moment before sighing softly.
"Tell me, should I have stopped Ace from going after Blackbeard?"
He wasn't like Luffy—he was a high-ranking Revolutionary Army officer, the future Chief of Staff. He understood the ocean's dynamics intimately. Blackbeard was undoubtedly an extremely dangerous individual.
"Could you have stopped him?"
Rhodes shook his head calmly.
Ace's will was unwavering—impossible for outsiders to influence.
"That's true."
Sabo paused, then shook his head. "Never mind. With Ace's strength, there aren't many places in this ocean that can threaten him."
Even so, Sabo felt a lingering unease.
"Let's not dwell on it. Why don't you show me around your territory?"
"Alright."
A dozen days later.
"I didn't expect your administrative abilities to be this impressive," Sabo said with genuine amazement.
They'd been touring Alabasta these past several days, and everything they witnessed spoke of prosperity—a stark contrast to the struggling desert nation they'd heard about before.
"I merely offered suggestions. It's the combined efforts of the royal family and countless citizens that truly brought this country to prominence," Rhodes said.
"The Nefertari Royal Family—one of the original Twenty Kingdoms, yet they refused to become Celestial Dragons. They're truly worthy of respect," Sabo said earnestly.
The Revolutionary Army's goal was to overthrow the World Government and the self-proclaimed gods who were the Celestial Dragons, but they weren't so extreme as to eliminate all nobility.
"Nico Robin is with you."
After chatting a while longer, Sabo suddenly spoke up.
"Yes."
Rhodes nodded slightly. He couldn't hide this from the Revolutionary Army, nor did he intend to.
"The organization originally wanted Nico Robin to come to headquarters—it's the safest place..."
Sabo smiled. "But after you defeated Don Chinjao and became globally renowned, those voices quieted down. And a few days ago, when you eliminated CP's Eight Squad Captain, no one mentioned it anymore."
Rhodes smiled as well. Truly, strength was the ultimate argument.
As they chatted, they slowly made their way to a secluded area in the capital.
"What is this?" Sabo was slightly taken aback.
"You'll see once we go inside," Rhodes said, heading forward.
What came into view was a fairly well-equipped research institute.
Originally intended to study effective utilization of Dance Powder to alleviate Alabasta's drought, it had gradually transformed into a broader research facility at Rhodes's behest.
It gathered many of Alabasta's local scientists.
The research results... hadn't materialized yet.
Robin was dressed in professional secretary attire, her long, slender legs accentuated by black stockings. Rhodes spotted her instantly.
Sensing Rhodes's gaze, Robin raised an eyebrow, excused herself, and hurried toward him.
Looking at the somewhat intimidating research director beside Rhodes, Robin assessed the situation and realized she was no match. Resisting the urge to throw her documents at Rhodes, she said expressionlessly:
"As you can see, the institute is desperately short of funding, personnel, and equipment. Currently, it's just a shell."
"I understand the lack of personnel and equipment, but why the funding shortage?"
Rhodes asked in surprise.
Backed by a kingdom as large as Alabasta, they were still short on funds?
"..."
Seeing Rhodes's matter-of-fact expression, Robin couldn't help but show the exasperation of "someone who doesn't manage the household doesn't know the price of rice." With a sigh, she explained:
"Vivi-sama is very supportive, but Alabasta is recovering from crisis and needs funding for everything. The deficit is enormous."
Rhodes couldn't help but glance at Sabo.
"Ahem."
Sabo gave a dry laugh and looked away guiltily.
While the Revolutionary Army was powerful and well-funded, its operations were vast, and its daily expenses astronomical.
"It's a shame this is the Grand Line. Otherwise, we could have asked the Kano Country for support."
Rhodes muttered softly.
Advancing technology and developing infrastructure was essential. Regardless of future benefits, improving quality of life would be worthwhile in itself.
"Short on money..."
Rhodes murmured, stroking his chin. "Should I rob Gild Tesoro?"
Speaking of money, the first person who came to mind was that incredibly wealthy man. A fraction of his fortune would probably be enough to launch all these research projects immediately.
He ran the New World's largest bank, the world's largest entertainment city, and possessed the Gold-Gold Fruit. He was definitely the ultimate rich.
"But I don't think I can beat that guy."
Rhodes scratched his head.
He could barely handle Ace, so facing the awakened Golden Emperor on his home turf was genuinely challenging.
Even though gold was an excellent conductor—theoretically suppressed by lightning—the situation remained uncertain. After all, Tesoro was a powerhouse who could call on World Government support.
Seeing Rhodes lost in thought, Sabo grew restless. He glanced into the distance and murmured: "I wonder where Luffy is now."
The speaker was casual, but the listener was attentive.
A glint flashed in Rhodes's eyes. "Maybe we should go to Skypiea!"
"Skypiea?"
Sabo was slightly taken aback. "Does that place really exist?"
"Of course it does. And there's supposedly a city of gold called Shandora. If we can find it, that would solve our funding problem."
Robin brushed hair from her forehead.
As an archaeologist from Ohara, she was well aware of Skypiea's existence.
"But boss, do you know where it is?"
Robin looked at Rhodes with questioning eyes.
"Is there something I don't know?"
Rhodes asked calmly.
Robin was momentarily speechless, unable to refute.
"I'm not going."
Sensing that Rhodes and Robin were getting into "work mode," Sabo tactfully excused himself.
"I'm heading back to headquarters."
With that, he quickly disappeared.
"So, Robin?"
Rhodes looked at her with a smile.
Robin's face remained calm, her arms folded across her chest, determination flickering in her beautiful eyes.
She'd rather die of curiosity, work endless overtime, and watch her hairline recede than go on another expedition with this unscrupulous boss.
"I heard there's a Poneglyph up there..."
Robin's expression changed immediately, and she said solemnly:
"Please take me with you."
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