บท 101: Chapter 101: The Conference Starts!
Edie's opening statement was simple and direct, without the pompous speeches typical of a leader. His straightforwardness immediately drew the attention of the five underworld emperors sitting before him.
"Doctor, please continue," Lu Feld, known as the "Loan Shark," nodded, signaling his interest.
"The reason I invited you all here for this press conference is to initiate a series of cooperative ventures," Edie stated bluntly. "You will learn the specific details of these collaborations as the press conference unfolds."
As he spoke, Edie's eyes drifted to the lone woman among the five—Stussy, the Queen of the Pleasure District and a covert government agent. Her presence puzzled him. Was she here on her own accord, or under orders from the world government?
Stussy met Edie's gaze with a confident smile, her voice laced with subtle charm as she asked, "Doctor, is there no way we could get a preview of what this press conference will reveal?"
"That would spoil the surprise," Edie replied calmly.
"And regarding the collaboration, will I be of any use?" Stussy's question had an air of playful curiosity, but Edie sensed her intent.
He thought to himself, What role could she possibly play? The loan shark king provided financial backing, the shipping tycoon managed transportation, Morgans handled media outreach, and logistics were covered. But Stussy's realm of influence was pleasure and entertainment—a sector that did not align with his plans.
Edie checked his watch and addressed the others. "It's time, Morgans. Are we ready for the broadcast?"
"Leave it to me, Hive Emperor," Morgans reassured, his voice brimming with confidence. "I've prepared for this moment for a month to ensure the whole world can tune in."
True to his word, Morgans' World Economic News network reached across all seas—from the East and West Blues to Paradise and the New World.
"Thank you for your efforts, Morgans. Let's begin."
With that, powerful radio waves were emitted from the Hive Research Institute, reaching screens and broadcast points across the globe. One by one, giant screens lit up in every corner of the world, transmitting the highly anticipated event. Even local video transceivers tuned into the signal, allowing anyone with the right equipment to witness the grand broadcast.
East Blue
As the last sea area to receive radio waves, people here were also drawn to the buzz surrounding the press conference. The announcement had been hyped for a week in advance, sparking curiosity everywhere about a broadcast that would captivate the entire world.
At this time, in the Goa Kingdom's Windmill Village, the village's only tavern was alive with anticipation.
A video transponder snail received the broadcast signal, its eyes glowing as it projected the image onto a curtain hung on the wall. The tavern patrons watched as the live broadcast began.
"It's starting, boss!" Chef Lucky Roo called out, chewing a piece of bone-in meat.
Red-haired Shanks, seated at the bar, paused from sipping his drink, eyes narrowing as he took in the unfolding scene. The face that appeared on the screen triggered an instant, pained recognition.
"…"
As Edie's image filled the tavern, Shanks' mind flashed to his daughter, Uta, who had been taken from him under circumstances he still struggled to accept. Despite his worries, Uta was not mistreated. She lived a life of luxury at the Hive Research Institute, pampered by maids, leading the life of a wealthy young lady.
And thanks to Edie's odd leniency, Uta was allowed to call Shanks weekly. Every call she urged him, "Come visit, Father!" But Shanks, knowing the time was not yet right, focused on his training. To face Edie again, he needed to return as one of the Four Emperors.
Refocusing on the broadcast, Shanks watched, curiosity piqued about Edie's intentions for this worldwide announcement.
"To all viewers around the world, good morning, good noon, and good evening."
"My name is Edie, and I'm a scientist."
The gentle smile on Edie's face, along with his scholarly demeanor and calm voice, captivated the audience.
"Let's get straight to the point. The purpose of this press conference is to present to the world…"
"Two groundbreaking products developed through tireless research at the Beehive Research Institute."
"These innovations will change the world!"
Before Shanks could react, the tavern door burst open, and a young boy bounded inside.
"Luffy, here he is again," Makino, the bartender, said with mild exasperation.
"Oh, Makino, I'm here to see Shanks!" called out six-year-old Monkey D. Luffy, eyes bright with enthusiasm. Spotting the red-haired pirate, Luffy rushed over. "Shanks! Shanks! Tell me more about pirate adventures!"
Shanks chuckled but kept his gaze on the broadcast. "Not now, Luffy. Later, okay?"
Curious, Luffy glanced at the projection on the wall. The man on screen made him wrinkle his nose in confusion. "Who's this guy?"
Yasopp, another of Shanks' crew, laughed. "You don't know the Doctor? You really are just a kid, huh? Do you know what it means to be at the top of the pirate world?"
"The top?" Luffy's eyes widened. "Is it this guy?"
"No," Shanks muttered, his expression serious, "but only those who reach the top of the pirate world will ever have the chance to meet this man."
On the Seas
A group of pirates roared down the current as they broke through Reverse Mountain, entering the Grand Line for the first time. A colossal whale loomed before them, almost colliding with their ship as it rushed forward.
Narrowly avoiding disaster, they managed to navigate their ship to a nearby lighthouse. There, an old man sat reclined in a beach chair, soaking up the sun.
"Newcomers?" the man said with a raised brow, looking at the ragtag crew. "Where are you from?"
"West Blue!" the captain shouted with bravado. "Hey, old man, are you the lighthouse keeper?"
"Crocus," the man replied curtly.
"Huh?"
"My name," Crocus corrected, glaring at the pirates. "You're new to the Grand Line. Show some humility, and you might survive a few days longer."
The captain stiffened, momentarily at a loss. His crew wasn't as restrained; one of the swordsmen bristled. "Watch it, old man, or I'll—"
"Enough," the captain interrupted, eyeing the projection snail in front of Crocus. It displayed the broadcast, the same calm figure speaking to the world.
"Some of you may know me; others may not. But after today, you all will remember."
"These two products I'm about to unveil were developed over years of research at the Beehive Research Institute."
"Calling them 'miracles' would not be an exaggeration."
The pirates exchanged glances, uncertainty coloring their expressions.
"Where have I seen this guy before?" the captain wondered aloud.
Among the crew, a girl stood inconspicuously, eyes wide with recognition. Nico Robin's heart raced at the sight of Edie, already understanding the gravity of what was to come.
Grand Line, Calm Belt
A sleek, black ship sailed silently through the Calm Belt, an area notorious for its windless expanse and the presence of dangerous Sea Kings. Yet, despite the stillness, the ship's sails billowed as if filled by an unseen force. Its course was set unwaveringly for East Blue.
On Deck
The leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon, stood stoically, his gaze fixed on the live broadcast. Flanking him were two of his most trusted Commanders: the flamboyant Ivankov, known as the Shemale King, and the imposing, silent Bartholomew Kuma. Both watched the screen intently.
"This is nerve-wracking," Ivankov muttered, tapping his foot anxiously. "What are these two revolutionary products he's talking about? Could they really change the world?"
Dragon, draped in his signature green cloak, remained composed. "We'll find out soon enough."
Kuma, however, said nothing. His usually impassive face twitched ever so slightly as he stared at Edie's image on the screen. Memories of Ginny surfaced in his mind.
Then, suddenly, she appeared.
Edie paused mid-sentence, seemingly parched, and Ginny stepped into the frame with a cup of tea. Ivankov gasped, eyes wide with shock. "It's Ginny!" he exclaimed, dumbfounded as he watched her serve Edie with a calm demeanor. "What's going on? Is she... living a comfortable life in the Hive?"
The sight was jarring. The Commander of the Eastern Army, whom they had presumed dead after losing contact, was now a mere attendant. Ivankov's brow furrowed as confusion gave way to disbelief. "Why hasn't she tried to contact us? She doesn't look restrained."
Dragon's expression darkened, a bead of sweat tracing down his temple. A troubling thought crossed his mind—had Ginny defected? Was their organization compromised? The implications were chilling.
None of them noticed Kuma's subtle reaction: a fleeting glimmer of hope and an ache that pulled at the corners of his stoic expression. Ginny, you're alive. Relief washed over him, coupled with an instinctive urge to rush to her side. Yet he suppressed it, breathing deeply to regain his composure. His thoughts turned briefly to his own parents—his Buccaneer father, arrested by the World Government, and his mother, who had perished alongside him. He couldn't risk dragging Ginny into further peril.
Edie, please take care of her.
Kuma's silent plea echoed within him as he shifted his focus back to the broadcast.
Naval Headquarters, Conference Room
Meanwhile, the upper echelons of the Marine hierarchy gathered in a tense assembly, eyes locked on the broadcast. The image of Edie, sipping tea brought by Ginny, was enough to send ripples of shock through the room.
"Focus on what's behind him," Edie said smoothly. A projection descended, revealing a rice field with golden stalks bent under the weight of their bounty.
"Wait a moment!" Vice Admiral Tsuru gasped, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "Look at the scale—the size is wrong. Pay attention to the farmers harvesting it."
All eyes shifted to the small figures in the corner of the screen—elderly farmers whose loads were dwarfed by the towering stalks. The realization hit like a wave.
"It's outrageous," Tsuru murmured, rising to her feet. "Is this... the result of his research?"
Murmurs spread like wildfire through the room.
"We call it 'Honeycomb Rice,'" Edie announced. "Under ideal conditions, its yield reaches an astonishing 10,000 kilograms per acre."
The declaration sent shockwaves across the globe. Viewers everywhere stared at their screens in stunned silence, the weight of Edie's claim settling in.
Pangaea Castle, Mariejois
In the opulent halls of Mariejois, the Five Elders watched the broadcast with mixed reactions. Saint Jaygarcia Saturn sneered dismissively. "All this fuss over rice? I expected a weapon," he muttered.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the God of Farming and Martial Arts, wore a stricken expression. "Are you blind?" he snapped, his voice rising with incredulity. "A yield of 10,000 kilograms per acre? This defies reason!"
He knew better than anyone that the average yield in the world's best rice-producing regions barely exceeded 350 kilograms per acre. To achieve thirty times that was beyond belief—and beyond containment.
Saint Nusjuro, the Financial God of War, paled. "If this is true, it's catastrophic. The public will revere him as a savior. His influence could surpass even ours."
Saint Topman Warcury, the God of Legal Affairs, spoke coldly. "This is not just food. It's far more dangerous than any weapon."
The room fell silent as the implications sunk in. A plentiful food source would destabilize the world's delicate balance, threatening their power.
"We must act," Saturn finally said, breaking the silence. "Enact prohibitions, discredit this product, accuse him of using toxic methods."
The Five Elders nodded grimly. No matter the cost, the spread of Honeycomb Rice had to be halted.
Hive Research Institute
Edie smiled warmly as he introduced the final product. "To achieve this astounding yield of 10,000 kilograms per acre, there is one essential ingredient: my new fertilizer, Jinkela."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "I believe in a future where no one goes hungry, where everyone has enough to eat. I dream of a peaceful world where people can live and work in harmony."
"As a scientist, my contribution is but a small step," he added humbly. "The true credit belongs to someone else—a pirate with a dream, who has supported this institute over the years."
Edie handed the microphone to Whitebeard. The world held its breath as the infamous pirate came into view. Confusion rippled across the globe. A pirate funding a research institute? Developing high-yield crops? This was the role of the World Government, not an outlaw of the seas.
Whitebeard's deep, booming voice resonated through the broadcast. "I am Edward Newgate, but many know me as Whitebeard. I am an ordinary pirate," he began, a wry grin on his face. "When I was a child, my homeland couldn't afford the heavenly tribute, and we couldn't even afford to eat. I went to sea not just for the freedom, but out of necessity."
"But through it all, I held onto a dream," he continued, eyes fierce with conviction. "A dream of creating a world where no one suffers from hunger."
Whitebeard glanced at Edie and nodded. "Thanks to Dr. Edie's incredible work, that dream now has a solid foundation. Now, it's my turn to do my part."
He leaned closer to the camera, his voice firm and resolute. "I hereby announce that the Whitebeard Pirates will establish the Golden Grain Industry Company, committed to ensuring that people across the world have enough to eat. From this day forward, I am no longer a pirate."
The declaration sent shockwaves across the globe.
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