Sengoku's eyes widened.
This was getting a little ridiculous.
It seemed that when he told the Five Elders the Admiral-level Seraphim would take a week to complete… he had greatly overestimated the time.
Just what kind of bizarre ideas were inside Xia Yu's head?
But something still didn't add up.
Hadn't Xia Yu just said earlier that it would take two days before the Admiral-level Seraphim could be completed?
Sengoku suddenly recalled Xia Yu's previous statement.
Seeing Sengoku's doubtful expression, Xia Yu immediately guessed what he was thinking and continued explaining.
"The reason the Admiral-level Seraphim will only be ready in two days is because the lineage factors in the cultivation chamber haven't fully fused yet."
"Once this mission is finished and I come back in two days, the Seraphim and the lineage factors will have fully merged."
"I won't even need to do anything."
"The Admiral-level Seraphim will be automatically produced!"
Xia Yu explained in his childish voice.
I see…
Even the machines could manufacture things automatically.
Truly worthy of Xia Yu.
In that case, there was no need to worry about delaying the research.
Sengoku stood silently, thinking.
Seeing that there was hope, Xia Yu pressed further.
"So basically I have nothing to do these two days."
"Just let me go on the mission, Uncle Sengoku."
"And… I'm not a robot."
"Staying in a research environment all the time means my brain needs a break too."
"If I don't relax properly, I might make mistakes during research."
"And one mistake could cost 10 billion Berries in research funding."
Xia Yu's eyes sparkled mischievously as he spoke.
Ten billion?!
Sengoku swallowed hard.
Good grief.
One mistake from this kid cost more than his entire lifetime pension.
Even though the money wasn't technically his…
He still couldn't stand the thought of such waste.
Ten billion Berries could buy ten massive warships for the Navy.
After thinking for a long time—
"Alright…"
"I'll allow it."
"But I must ensure your safety."
"Besides Vice Admiral Momonga, you'll take all ten Seraphim with you."
Ten Seraphim.
Creatures capable of overwhelming even Akainu.
With them protecting Xia Yu, even if they clashed with a Yonko crew, his safety would be guaranteed.
"That many… won't it be a bit troublesome?"
Xia Yu looked surprised.
In his opinion, for the current version of Blackbeard, bringing three or four Seraphim would already be more than enough.
"Absolutely not!"
"You are extremely important to the Navy. Nothing can happen to you!"
Sengoku rejected the idea immediately.
Xia Yu represented the Navy's future.
If it weren't for fear that the Five Elders might suspect cheating, Sengoku would have sent an Admiral along to protect him.
Allowing Xia Yu to join the mission was already the greatest compromise he could make.
There was no room for negotiation.
"Alright then…"
"When do we leave?" Xia Yu narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Tomorrow morning."
"Even though you can travel through the Navy's special route to Banaro Island without coating your ship like pirates, the journey will still take at least a day."
"Understood."
"I'll take these ten Seraphim then."
"But don't worry, Uncle Sengoku."
"I'll work overtime tonight and produce ten more Seraphim."
"I'll hand them to you before we depart. You can use them however you like."
Xia Yu said confidently.
Once he completed the mission, he would obtain the Tree of the Universe.
Then he could return with the Admiral-level Seraphim and squeeze another wave of funding from the World Government.
Life was good.
Feeling extremely pleased, Xia Yu decided to let Sengoku enjoy using these Seraphim.
He had already noticed that the Navy's top officers had been itching to take the Seraphim into battle.
Since Xia Yu was taking all of them away—
If the Navy wanted more, the solution was simple.
Just make more.
As long as he worked with the World Government, funding would never be an issue.
Just as Xia Yu expected—
Sengoku's face lit up with excitement.
"Really?!"
"That would be fantastic, Xia Yu!"
"Make sure nobody disturbs Dr. Xia Yu while he's working!"
With that, Sengoku left the laboratory.
Xia Yu immediately returned to his work.
He labored through the night.
Only at dawn the next morning did Xia Yu emerge from the laboratory, dark circles under his eyes.
But his face was filled with satisfaction.
"The ten Warlord-level Seraphim are finally finished!"
Two days later.
Grand Line.
Banaro Island.
Sniper Van Augur lowered his rifle scope and smiled.
"Captain."
"The Marines have arrived as promised."
Burgess, Doc Q, Lafitte, and the others all lifted their binoculars.
Sure enough—
A massive Marine warship was sailing toward them at full speed.
"Zehahaha!"
"My plan is about to take another step forward!"
"Prepare to welcome the Marines!"
Blackbeard laughed loudly.
To this schemer, the title of Seven Warlord was merely a stepping stone.
His true ambition was far greater.
Using the Warlord title to infiltrate Impel Down, recruit powerful allies, participate in the great war, seize Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit, become a Yonko, and eventually become the Pirate King.
That was his ultimate dream.
As the warship drew closer, both sides could clearly see each other.
Momonga narrowed his eyes and immediately locked onto Blackbeard.
A thick black beard.
A bloated body.
Black chest hair exposed.
Several missing teeth.
"So that's the pirate known as Blackbeard, the one who captured Ace?"
"I have to say… he really does look rather disgusting."
Momonga sighed.
Xia Yu, as a transmigrator, was already very familiar with Blackbeard's appearance, so he showed little reaction.
But the Blackbeard Pirates were far more shocked than Momonga.
"That's Vice Admiral Momonga, right? I've heard of him."
"But… who are those eleven children standing beside him?"
Blackbeard squinted in confusion.
Even if the Marines were short-handed…
They wouldn't send a group of eight- or nine-year-old kids on a mission.
"Hmph."
"Just a Vice Admiral."
"The rest look completely useless."
"What if we just use Ace as bait and take them down?" Lafitte sneered.
"Damn Marines."
"We captured Ace for them, and they still dare treat us with such disrespect?"
Burgess shouted angrily.
"Captain."
"Since they sent children to trade with us…"
"Should we teach these arrogant Marines a small lesson?"
Van Augur asked proudly.
Blackbeard clearly looked down on the Marines as well.
And the fact that they had sent so many children only made him feel insulted.
He casually sat down on a rock.
Taking a swig of rum, he crossed his legs.
"Considering the Marines' arrogance…"
"I've decided to confiscate their warship."
"Zehahaha!"
"With the Marine Headquarters preparing for war with Whitebeard, they'll still need our strength."
"Taking one warship shouldn't bother them too much."
Blackbeard said arrogantly.
His crew burst into loud, mocking laughter.
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