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Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
Currently at Chapter 234 on Patreon. Read at one go.
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The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days. (Chapter 234-239)
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While Lie Qing was tidying up, Bai Yu had already instructed several navy soldiers to help clean up the institute.
Shortly after—
Lie Qing returned to the institute, now dressed in a fresh set of clothes.
"Major General Bai Yu, as you know, G-5's weaponry is severely outdated," she stated bluntly upon entering.
"I'm currently organizing all technical data and preparing to begin development on a new line of exclusive weapons for G-5."
"If it's not something particularly urgent, please refrain from disturbing me."
Though she had only recently transferred to the G-5 branch, Lie Qing dove headfirst into addressing its most glaring deficiency—armaments. She had already begun conducting preliminary research, all in service to the Navy and to prove her worth to her new unit.
"I came to you because of that," Bai Yu responded immediately.
His thoughts aligned perfectly with hers: if G-5's combat effectiveness was to be raised quickly, the most direct method was to modernize its arsenal.
Standard swords and rifles might be enough for small-time pirates, but against those with bounties surpassing a hundred million berries—or Devil Fruit users—they were practically useless.
That's why Marine Headquarters had long ago entrusted the Science Division with the development of Pacifistas—cyborgs capable of devastating firepower.
Of course, Bai Yu wasn't under any illusion that Lie Qing could suddenly hand him a few Pacifistas. Those machines were enormously costly and time-intensive to create. It was rumored that producing just one had cost the Marines several large warships' worth of resources.
What Bai Yu aimed for was more practical: an upgrade to the current weaponry that could still give them an edge.
Without another word, Bai Yu reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a rolled-up blueprint, handing it to Lie Qing.
"This is a cannon design I happened upon recently," he explained.
"See if you can reverse-engineer the principle behind it and adapt it for naval use."
Lie Qing accepted the blueprint, a look of mild disinterest on her face. As a former member of Marine HQ's Science Division, she had seen her fair share of cannon schematics. At first glance, this one didn't impress her much.
That is, until her eyes locked on a particular section of the drawing.
"This... this... this—!"
"Major General Bai Yu!" she suddenly exclaimed, grabbing his wrist in disbelief. "Where did you get this?!"
"Is there a more complete version of this design?!"
"This can't possibly be the whole thing!"
Seeing her wide-eyed excitement, Bai Yu allowed a subtle smile to curl his lips.
What he had given her was indeed only a portion of a greater blueprint—the cannon schematics from the legendary ancient weapon: Pluton.
Specifically, it was a fragment detailing just the side-mounted artillery systems on Pluton's hull.
He wasn't the least bit surprised by Lie Qing's reaction.
"Didn't I mention it? I picked it up off some pirates," Bai Yu said with a casual shrug.
"It was only this piece, and it was badly aged, so I had someone make a clean copy."
Of course, he had no intention of giving her the complete blueprints for Pluton.
Lie Qing wasn't yet a trusted confidante. Sharing a cannon fragment served two purposes: first, to see if such advanced technology could be reproduced in any form—and second, to test if she would report this to Marine HQ.
"I see..."
"What a shame," Lie Qing sighed, clearly wishing she had more of the original plans.
"So? Can you do anything with it?" Bai Yu pressed.
"Five days... no—three!" she replied with conviction.
"Give me three days and I'll have a preliminary answer."
"The cannon's design is quite intricate, so I can't promise anything immediately."
"But based on my first impression, this weapon uses a compressed air propulsion system. That means, in theory, it can be adapted to modern naval weaponry!"
"Perfect," Bai Yu nodded.
"The preliminary structure alone suggests this cannon will have tremendous firepower," Lie Qing continued, her scientific enthusiasm reignited.
"If possible, please gather the materials listed here. I'll write them down now."
She grabbed a pen and began scribbling rapidly on a nearby sheet of paper before handing it over.
Bai Yu scanned the list—and nearly raised his eyebrows.
The materials included high-density alloys, specialized combustion regulators... and even raw seastone.
"Seastone too?" he asked, surprised.
"Major General Bai Yu, you entrusted me with an incredibly rare design. You wouldn't expect me to build something half-baked, would you?"
"If we want to counter pirates effectively—especially Logia-type Devil Fruit users—then incorporating seastone into the structure is crucial."
"Right as you finished explaining, I had a flash of inspiration. If I can forge the cannon's barrel using seastone as a core element..."
"It could neutralize even intangible enemies!"
Her eyes gleamed like twin suns.
This blueprint had opened up possibilities even Vegapunk had likely never touched. Lie Qing could already envision a breakthrough invention—one that could put her name in the annals of scientific history.
What scientist didn't dream of being known across the world?
"No problem," Bai Yu said without hesitation.
"Leave it to me."
Despite the cost, he didn't flinch.
"Major General Bai Yu, thank you," Lie Qing said solemnly.
"I'll devote myself fully to studying this blueprint over the next few days. I'll inform you of any developments immediately."
With that, she dove straight into her research, not sparing another word.
"Let's go," Bai Yu said, signaling to Maya.
He turned away and exited the institute quietly.
After a short while—
Koby, Helmeppo, and Smoker arrived at Bai Yu's office, responding to his summons.
"Major General Bai Yu, you called for us?" Koby said, saluting sharply. The other two followed suit.
"I'm heading to the Sabaody Archipelago," Bai Yu stated. "While I'm gone, I need the three of you to maintain order at G-5."
"Sabaody?" Smoker raised an eyebrow. "Is this for a mission?"
"No," Bai Yu replied calmly. "I'm going there to procure the materials Lie Qing requested."
He then briefed them on the situation.
Most of the materials on Lie Qing's list—especially seastone—couldn't be sourced from within the G-5 branch.
But at Sabaody, the bustling heart of commerce near Mariejois, anything could be bought—for a price. Even rare materials like seastone were available there. It was, after all, a place where mermaids and even slaves were auctioned in the open.
"I understand," Koby said, nodding.
"Please leave everything here to us, sir!" Helmeppo added.
"Yeah. We'll keep things tight around G-5," Smoker concluded, his expression firm.
Satisfied, Bai Yu gave further instructions, then ordered a medium-sized warship to be prepared.
He would depart with Maya, Tashigi, and a small team of trusted marines.
Their destination: the Sabaody Archipelago—where danger and opportunity awaited.
Join my Patreon to read advanced chapters.
Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
Currently at Chapter 234 on Patreon. Read at one go.
patreon.com/FrancisMW
The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days. (Chapter 234-239)
patreon.com/FrancisMW