Chapter 75: It Is Power Itself!
Zoro didn't understand.
He had just gone to make a pot of tea, following the dojo's hospitality rules.
But in that short time, three people had inexplicably appeared in the room of the man named 'Inoshishi,' and there were signs of a massive explosion.
"Teacher, who are those people..."
He understood even less why his teacher could sit calmly beside him and drink tea after such an event.
"Zoro. You're planning to set sail soon, aren't you?"
Koushirou didn't answer Zoro's confusion. He took a sip of hot tea and asked softly.
"...Yeah."
Zoro didn't know why his teacher was asking, but he nodded. "Probably very soon."
"Then remember this—for the next two years, train only in the East Blue."
"Until your swordsmanship reaches a new level, or you find companions strong enough... do not go to the Grand Line."
Koushirou's voice was calm.
"Hah? Why?"
Zoro couldn't understand.
Companions? He never felt he needed such things.
He wanted to become the World's Greatest Swordsman. The swords in his hands were enough.
"What you saw today is the reason."
Koushirou looked at his disciple gently. "I know your ambition, and I know your promise to Kuina."
"But to truly face this vast sea... it is still too early for you."
Hearing this, Zoro frowned. "Is it because of that 'Inoshishi'? Teacher—do you think I can't beat him?"
He was unconvinced.
Although he had been sent flying by Inoshishi outside the village, Zoro believed it was only because he had held back.
He didn't believe his Three-Sword Style, honed through years of bitter training, would lose to some guy who popped out of nowhere.
"If I fought with my full strength, I could definitely..."
Zoro didn't finish his sentence.
Because Koushirou was looking at him with unprecedented seriousness.
But a moment later, the master sighed.
He said no more, simply standing up and leaving the room.
At the same time...
In another room, the three Revolutionary Army cadres sat opposite Inoshishi.
Their expressions were grim.
Especially Sabo, whose face was almost rigid with shock. The other two looked at him with concern.
"I was... a noble..."
Sabo clenched his fists tightly.
Just now, Inoshishi had revealed Dragon's visit to the Goa Kingdom seven years ago.
Coincidentally, Sabo had been saved by Dragon near the Goa Kingdom seven years ago, losing his memories in the process.
But from Inoshishi, he learned the truth.
"You were a noble of the Goa Kingdom, but dissatisfied with the rule of the nobles, you decided to set sail and become a pirate..."
This truth sounded like a lie at first.
The Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff was a 'noble' of a World Government member nation? And once planned to be a pirate?
Who would believe that?
But...
"It's not a lie..."
Sabo knew it in his heart.
Because as Inoshishi spoke, fragments of memories flashed through his mind.
"Sabo!"
"Sabo!"
Two young, clear voices. They felt familiar.
'Who are they?'
Sabo wondered instinctively. His intuition told him they were important.
But Inoshishi didn't answer his unspoken question.
Inoshishi knew when to stop.
Revealing some intel gave him the upper hand in negotiations. But going too far—like mentioning a certain Nika—might cross Dragon's line and backfire.
What he had revealed was enough.
And as he expected...
After a brief shock, the three revolutionaries realized a 'fact.'
If Inoshishi could recount events from seven years ago in the Goa Kingdom as if he had been there...
It meant The Zodiac's intelligence network was far more terrifying than they had imagined.
Perhaps...
The Zodiac had been watching and investigating the Revolutionary Army for a long time.
"This organization might have existed in the shadows for ages... just never known to the world."
Thinking this, Sabo's heart grew heavy.
He took a deep breath, pushing the chaotic memories aside. "Mr. Inoshishi, thank you for answering my doubts."
"We apologize for the earlier incident. Regarding the 'Pluto Alloy'... let's begin."
He got straight to the point. "Did you bring a sample?"
"Of course."
Inoshishi smiled and nodded.
He took off his top hat, reached inside, and pulled his hand out a moment later.
In his hand was a piece of black alloy.
Seeing this, the three revolutionaries frowned again.
What is this? Magic? Or an ability?
But Inoshishi didn't explain.
"Please verify it."
He placed the alloy on the table and gestured for them to proceed.
Sabo exchanged a look with Lindbergh.
'Well, Lind?'
Years of fighting together allowed them to communicate seamlessly.
'It's definitely an alloy I haven't seen... let me check.'
Lindbergh twitched his whiskers.
Sabo was the Chief of Staff, leading the negotiation. Belo Betty was the East Army Commander, providing security—her forces were waiting nearby at sea.
Lindbergh, the South Army Commander, was here for one reason.
As the scientist in charge of the Revolutionary Army's weapons manufacturing, he was here to verify the authenticity of the 'Pluto Alloy.'
'Stick to the plan.' Sabo signaled again.
'Leave it to me—even if the sky falls, I won't lose my composure!' Lindbergh nodded firmly.
He took out some professional-looking instruments from his backpack and began to examine the alloy.
Seeing this, Sabo relaxed slightly.
He intended to ask Inoshishi more questions. "Mr. Inoshishi, we..."
But he had barely opened his mouth when he heard a shrill voice behind him.
"This is... hiss... No! I can't lose my composure..."
Everyone turned to see Lindbergh biting his own cat tail hard, tears streaming from under his goggles.
But his eyes were glued to the alloy in his hand.
Sabo: "..."
He sighed. Well, there goes the plan.
A few minutes later...
"How did you do this? Who forged this alloy... No, no, no, this shouldn't be possible! The energy required to create this doesn't exist!"
"Have you tested its properties? Its ductility..."
Lindbergh was dancing around Inoshishi like a mad scientist, chattering endlessly.
"Quiet!"
Finally, Belo Betty couldn't take it anymore and bonked him on the head with her flag pole.
After silencing Lindbergh, Sabo questioned him carefully. Lindbergh gave his answer without hesitation.
"Unprecedented, Sabo... What they said is likely true. This stuff really is the alloy used to build 'Pluton'."
"I definitely can't replicate it... but I can guarantee that if this is added to weapons..."
They whispered amongst themselves for a while.
Then...
"Mr. Inoshishi."
Sabo looked at Inoshishi gravely. "We need to confirm the production volume, price, and supply method..."
"Production won't be high."
Inoshishi chuckled. "Based on the size of this sample, if you provide us with 200 sets of materials annually, we will sell you 200 units of alloy."
It couldn't be helped.
The synthesis of Pluto Alloy relied on the Munch-Munch Fruit ability, which was limited by the user's body, not a factory line.
Even Wapol in the original story couldn't mass-produce Wapol Metal, making its price astronomical.
Pluto Alloy was even harder to make. Fusing nineteen metals took almost a day, not counting the stamina drain.
So, as Inoshishi said—mass production wasn't happening anytime soon.
"As for the price—200 million Berries per unit."
"In other words, you need to pay us 40 billion Berries annually. And including this time, a deposit of 10 billion is required for each batch."
He stated his terms simply.
"40 billion!?"
Sabo shook his head. "Mr. Inoshishi, that price is simply..."
As one of the world's largest organizations, the Revolutionary Army had funds.
But as the World Government's greatest enemy, they also had endless expenses.
Hiding their tracks, arming troops, supporting local uprisings, propaganda... everything cost money!
An extra 40 billion a year was a massive burden, even for them.
But...
"Mr. Sabo, perhaps you are mistaken."
Inoshishi's voice was calm.
BANG!
He stood up and slammed his top hat onto the table. The sound was heavy, like steel hitting wood.
"It's not that we need you to buy it. It's that you need it."
He stated the fact calmly.
"Whether ruling or overthrowing rule, power is essential. Especially the latter—overthrowing the existing order is harder than maintaining it."
"What you're doing now seems to be hurting the World Government, but in reality... the war you must win hasn't even begun."
The revolutionaries fell silent.
They knew. As they led people to overthrow tyrants, the World Government's pressure on them was increasing.
Dragon hadn't told them, but they knew.
The final battle wasn't far off. Maybe seven years? Maybe ten?
"The Four Emperors, the World Government, the Marines, and you Revolutionaries... it will be a war that shatters everything in the old world."
"To win it, the power you need must be enough to contend with the entire world."
Inoshishi pointed at the alloy on the table.
"This alloy... is 'Power' itself."
The room fell silent.
The three cadres looked at the alloy, speechless.
After a moment, Sabo spoke.
"And what about you?"
The young Chief of Staff looked at Inoshishi. "In that war against the world, where will 'The Zodiac' stand?"
"Do you not need this 'Power' yourselves?"
This was the question that concerned the Revolutionary Army most.
What were The Zodiac's goals and stance? Why sell the Pluto Alloy to them?
Then, Sabo heard Inoshishi chuckle.
"The stance of The Zodiac is not for me to decide."
He said calmly. "I am merely an executive. My colleagues and I only follow the Leader's orders—selling the alloy to you is the same."
"As for power..."
He smiled and didn't finish.
But Sabo could fill in the blanks.
Yes—Pluto Alloy symbolized the 'Power' to build Pluton. Yet The Zodiac didn't seem to care about hoarding it.
The reason wasn't hard to guess.
It was one of the Revolutionary Army's theories.
Powerful intelligence, terrifyingly strong members, and the technology to forge ancient alloys...
"'Pluton' itself... might already be in the hands of The Zodiac!"
"The power of this organization... might far exceed anyone's imagination."
☆☆☆
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