Pirate: It’s not a phantom beast, it’s a phantom god!

Chapter 282 The Determination to Choose

"Science Corps?"

Upon hearing the name "Sengoku" suddenly mentioned, Kong raised an eyebrow.

In fact, world governments invest a considerable amount in scientific research, and at one particular period, their spending was almost equal to that of their navies.

These government-managed research bases are located almost all over the world, from the heart of the New World to the most remote corners of the globe, where countless unknown research projects are secretly carried out every moment.

However, since their security forces mostly rely on the navy, Sengoku and Sora also had a general idea of ​​the number and location of these research bases.

However, despite knowing this, the World Government had no intention of having the Navy intervene in these research institutes.

Even though some research bases have produced weapons that are quite powerful and can even turn the tide of battle in low-intensity warfare, the navy is still equipped with old flintlock muskets and cold weapons.

Thinking it over, Kong sighed.

"I've had this idea before, but the Five Elders' attitude toward it is quite ambiguous, and they always brush it off with all sorts of excuses."

"I suspect the higher-ups are probably not keen on letting us get involved in matters outside of military affairs..."

To be honest, sometimes I really feel that those guys above are even more wary of the Navy than the pirates.

If the entire government were willing to fully support the navy, Kong was confident that he could wipe out all the pirates on the entire sea in just a few years, giving everyone a peaceful world.

After receiving this answer, Sengoku thought about it for a while and then changed his approach.

"Marshal, since the World Government is unwilling to let us get involved in the specific research, how about we try another approach?"

"Another way?"

"Ah."

Warring States nodded, and then explained:
"We still request to allocate some personnel to form a 'science unit,' but not for weapons development teams, but as a testing team."

"test?"

"Ah."

"We don't directly contact those researchers. Instead, we submit our specific needs to higher authorities in the name of the Navy, and then those higher authorities arrange for research institutions to develop the corresponding weapons."

This is actually similar to the current Western arms sales model, where the military places orders with private companies, which then produce the goods and deliver them to the military.

By separating people and weapons into two separate lines, the military cannot function as a complete entity for an extended period of time without the government.

"This special 'scientific unit' is responsible for testing the received weapons, and those that meet the requirements are given priority for deployment."

This was the most compromise solution that the Warring States period could think of.

They couldn't just stand by and watch the pirates' weaponry continue to outclass the navy, causing even greater casualties in future battles; yet they also had to consider the concerns of those above them and try to minimize the World Government's suspicions about the navy.

"If the higher-ups still disagree, then we should also separate our existing arsenals from the Navy and make them independent institutions, so that the Navy can become an armed force completely controlled by the World Government, as they wish."

Sengoku had figured it out: the navy was an agency under the World Government, and its military expenses almost entirely depended on government funding.

Instead of constantly distrusting and hindering each other, resulting in pointless internal friction, it would be better to proactively hand over the hilt to the other party, thus allowing them to fully unleash their power.

After all, the Navy's main purpose is to eliminate pirates, not to fight against the World Government.

"..."

"Ah~"

"In this way, the navy will almost completely lose its independence... and will no longer be able to circumvent orders from above."

Kong reminded him.

"I know, but there's nothing we can do about it."

"Now that the navy is weak, if we continue to stagnate and do nothing, we are disregarding the lives of the soldiers who joined us with their passion."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Sora opened a drawer, took out two cigars, lit one and put it in his mouth before handing the other to Sengoku. "Would you like to try one?"

"..."

"No, I can't smoke."

The Warring States period refused.

His good and traditional upbringing made him one of the few people in the Navy who neither smoked nor drank alcohol.

"Well, never mind then, it's better not to smoke."

He put the expensive cigars from the Western Sea Tobacco King back into the drawer, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and seemed to be pondering the suggestion that Zhan Guo had just made.

"Inhale~ Exhale~~~"

"..."

"Um……"

Da da da……

With a light tap of his fingers on the table, Kong, who was usually decisive, showed an unusually indecisive side this time.

This is, after all, a major decision concerning the future of the Navy, and as the Admiral of the Navy, he has the responsibility and obligation to be accountable for the decision he is about to make.

"..."

"Whoo~"

When there was still a third of the cigar left in his mouth, Sora finally made a decision.

"Well... after all, this position will be yours sooner or later. Since you've made up your mind, Sengoku, I'll go see the Five Elders again."

After making the decision, Sora did not delay. He first informed the Five Elders by phone that he wanted to meet them, and then immediately set off for Mary Geoise.

"correct."

As he brushed past Sengoku, Sora seemed to remember something and suddenly paused.

"And one more thing."

"what?"

"Remember to tell them to remove the Beasts' logo the next time they buy weapons from them."

"……Um."

"I see."

Watching the other person's departing figure, Sengoku nodded, while the name lingered in his mind once more.

[A hundred beasts...]
Memories from several months ago resurfaced, and as the direct trigger for his radical decision, Sengoku remained extremely wary of this rapidly rising pirate crew.

He always felt that the other party was weaving a huge web of conspiracy to engulf everyone on this sea.

[Beasts Heavy Industries, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Lunaia Clan, Kaido, the Dark Princess and the War Princess, and... the Golden Monster.]
[Whatever you want to do, I will stop you... Justice will ultimately reign over this sea.]
With his justice coat billowing behind him, Sengoku, now fully recovered, strode out of the marshal's office.

……

As Sengoku had predicted, after Sora indicated that he would hand over the Navy's weapons supply entirely to the World Government, the Five Elders readily agreed to his suggestion to form a "science unit" and also stated that they would arrange dedicated research laboratories to develop weapons for the Navy based on its operational requirements.

To be honest, Kong had never seen these five old men so easy to talk to.

After declining the invitation to stay for a banquet, he excused himself and left quickly, as he disliked this place, which was called a 'holy land', from the bottom of his heart.

Not only is it lifeless, but you're also likely to encounter those disgusting Celestial Dragons.

Upon returning to Marineford, Kong immediately summoned all the high-ranking officers of the Navy Headquarters to announce the matter, and then joined them in the establishment of this "Naval Science Unit".

(End of this chapter)