The World Government didn't publicly announce its recognition of the Holy Spirit Empire.
Instead, they quietly acknowledged it through their trade with Water 7.
A small bit of face-saving theatrics from the World Government.
When Oguro heard the news, he simply laughed. He didn't care about that kind of trick at all.
"Since the Empire has been recognized, then let's begin diplomacy."
Oguro had originally planned to keep a low profile, but he hadn't expected the World Government to hand him such a perfect assist.
He definitely couldn't waste it.
A national letter was secretly delivered to Alabasta.
When Cobra opened the letter, his eyes immediately widened.
It was an alliance treaty.
The Holy Spirit Empire and Alabasta would become strategic allies, offering each other technological and economic support.
If necessary, the Holy Spirit Empire would even provide military protection.
In return, Alabasta needed to send some administrative personnel to help Oguro manage his nation.
Cobra skimmed it and agreed on the spot.
Alabasta had plenty of people. That was never an issue.
And the Holy Spirit Empire wasn't big yet… sending a group of mid-level officials would be more than enough.
"Father, the people have already been selected!"
Vivi walked in from outside, her face full of excitement.
Seeing his daughter like this, Cobra teased her, "What? Are you that eager to go to Water 7?"
Vivi's face flushed as she snapped, "Who said I'm going to see Oguro!"
Cobra burst into laughter. "Hahaha! When did I ever say who you were going to see?"
Only then did Vivi realize she had exposed herself for no reason.
"You awful father, I'm ignoring you!" Vivi spun around and ran out of the study.
Cobra was in an excellent mood, laughing heartily.
He had originally worried that making a marriage alliance with Oguro might stir up dissatisfaction among the nobles.
But now… Oguro was a king, and he'd embarrassed the World Government several times over.
Was there a better political match than this?
And with people being sent to Water 7… Vivi was the best candidate.
At the same time, in Water 7, Oguro met the returning Franky.
Still the same carefree, reckless attitude.
"Working on mechanics and power systems in my research institute… no problem, right?" Oguro asked directly.
Franky, clearly briefed beforehand by Iceburg, nodded. "Of course. You give me protection, I help you research. But let me say this first, research funding can't be lacking!"
Back in the Franky House, all his materials came from dismantled scrap. His efficiency was terrible, and he knew it.
Now that someone was backing him… how could he not go all out?
Oguro nodded without hesitation. "Of course. As long as you can develop the projects I give you, money doesn't matter."
Oguro handed Franky a sheet of paper. On it were basic internal combustion engine principles and a simple diagram.
Even though Oguro had studied engineering in his previous life, he didn't know the finer details. He only had a general understanding.
But with the core theory laid out, creating a working prototype shouldn't be too difficult.
"Ohhhh?" Franky scanned it, and his eyes immediately lit up. "This is… this is super… genius level design!"
"If it's built like this, the engine's power efficiency will stay above seventy percent!"
"With that, we could build a Sea Train that runs even faster and further!"
Hearing that, Oguro smiled. "Not just a Sea Train. You can build planes. And the cost is way lower than laying tracks across the ocean."
In the original timeline, the Thousand Sunny could glide briefly using the Coup de Burst.
That meant Franky already understood the basics of flight. He just lacked a powerful, sustained energy source.
"Right right right! Ah! Your Majesty, you're too smart. This is huge for me! Can I start researching right now?"
Franky could barely contain his excitement.
Oguro nodded, and Iceburg led Franky to the prepared laboratory.
After stepping outside, Franky suddenly said to Iceburg, "Iceburg bro, you were right. His Majesty really never mentioned the Pluton blueprints at all."
"If the issue hadn't already blown up, I'd have thought he didn't know about them."
Iceburg rolled his eyes. "I already discussed this with His Majesty. He believes Pluton is nothing but an overhyped decoration."
"What the World Government fears is not Pluton itself, but the ambition of whoever wields it."
One shot to destroy a nation.
It sounded impressive.
But people always forgot… the world of One Piece had superhuman powers everywhere.
Your giant warship appears on the ocean, and everyone will know instantly.
Then any of the Three Admirals or any of the Four Emperors shows up… how many hits can your so-called weapon withstand?
You could bully small countries without strong fighters.
But if you wanted to fight top-tier powerhouses…
You were dreaming.
To Oguro, Pluton was just a symbol of national might.
The true ultimate weapon was the World Government's Uranus.
Oguro then asked about Lucci and the others.
Soifon replied, "They've found a small independent country to use as a training ground. They're cultivating the first batch of intelligence personnel."
Oguro nodded, fully confident in Lucci's abilities.
He took out the Clear-Clear Fruit. "Send this to them. Give it to Kalifa."
With this Devil Fruit, their intelligence operations would leap to a new level overnight.
Just as Oguro stepped out of the room, a pink blur flew at him.
"You bastard! Didn't you say you'd let me see Lord Moria? Where is he?!" Perona grabbed Oguro by the collar and yelled.
Oguro waved his hand, stopping Soifon and the others from acting. He smiled. "I just finished dealing with everything. Come on, I'll take you to him."
It was perfect timing. Oguro wanted to check the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy anyway.
Through the dimensional gate, the group returned to Sky Island.
Perona was stunned silent by the size of the Seireitei, obediently following behind Oguro.
Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy.
Hundreds of reincarnated spirits had just finished class.
Perona immediately spotted a massive figure sitting in the courtyard.
Moria. Taller and bulkier than before.
"Lord Moria!" Tears burst from Perona's eyes as she rushed forward.
Moria jolted in surprise. He stared at her for a long moment before asking, "Who are you?"
Perona froze, as if struck by lightning. She turned to Oguro. "What… what's going on?"
Oguro spoke calmly. "I already told you. This isn't resurrection. This is reincarnation. He's no longer the Moria from before. Of course he won't remember you."
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
The moment Moria noticed Oguro, he dropped to his knees with full respect.
Perona's expression went blank as a wave of overwhelming sorrow washed over her.
There was a distance even greater than life and death…
Being so close, yet strangers forever.
***
Read 20 Chapters early on P-atreon.com/Redestro666