Pirate: My Piltover technology is far ahead!

Chapter 34 The Man Who Sold His Integrity

The low price will not affect Oran's profits; he can't be expected to work for nothing.

Having a conscience never affects making money; it just means you can make even more money if you abandon your conscience.

If the plan goes smoothly, Oran will gain the fame and fortune he needs, and those who need prosthetics will be able to start a new life – it's a win-win situation.

"Prosthetics can be improved, and custom-made ones are also possible, but that would naturally increase the price. However, people who can afford that price wouldn't care about it."

The same principle applies to organs, except that new parts need to be replaced regularly.

If there are any special needs, I can also grow an organ specifically based on the patient's sample.

Yes, it's about cloning individual organs, not creating clones of humans. This is a matter of concept. In Oran's view, clones are also independent life forms. Once they have their own thoughts and consciousness, the physical body is no longer important.

Even though Blitz was Oran's creation, in Oran's mind he was a special subordinate, not a tool to be used as a expendable resource. Robots that could only perform the most basic logical responses and rigidly execute orders were the inanimate objects in Oran's eyes.

"No wonder you want to get rid of Piekro. There's nothing wrong with doing so. If your technology really spreads to the sea, at least half of Piekro's business will be ruined. He'll be one of the people who most want to get rid of you."

Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents. In the profit-driven world of the underworld, Oran's actions are tantamount to tearing down Piecrow's table.

There's no need to consider rejection, the price is lower, and it's legal. With such a thing existing, the organ trafficking business naturally can't continue.

Of course, this might give rise to some people who specialize in stealing prosthetic bodies, but that's a matter for later.

"Good plan, doubling the funds is no problem, and I will let them know about your achievements in the awards selection. But Dr. Siddi Lil, what benefit will your later plans bring me?"

Even if we take down Piecero, it seems you'll be filling that gap in the business, which doesn't benefit me much.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. This is the essence of the underworld. Feld and Piecrow's businesses have little overlap, and because Piecrow runs a hitman business, he is even more skilled in combat.

A merger with him would not be in Feld's best interest.

"It's what you want most: fame. You sponsor MADS for fame. What could be more prestigious than taking down a group that assassinates people and sells organs every day?"

This opportunity could even allow you to consider further developments, such as establishing a private bank recognized by the world government, which would be far more profitable than what you had originally created.

We can also have closer cooperation. For example, if someone wants a more advanced prosthetic body but doesn't have the money, they can apply for a special prosthetic body loan from your bank.

There's a huge gap in this area, and now is the perfect opportunity.

The World Government's financial institutions are only deployed in member states. Apart from that, there are only scattered private gold exchange offices. There is still no stable institution in non-member states and pirate territories.

As Oran said, if we can get this plan sorted out...

Feld swallowed hard. He had accepted Oran's offer. Having been in a similar business before, he couldn't refuse the proposal. If he hadn't dared to take the risk, he wouldn't be where he is today.

Feld stood up and stretched, even offering Oran a cigar, but Oran refused, as he neither smoked nor drank much—these were Oran's ingrained habits.

Feld didn't care; as long as one's status and ability are sufficient, such minor details are completely irrelevant.

"Very well, you've convinced me, but I must remind you of one thing: you don't know enough about the underworld. If you do, our enemy has another one—an organ trafficking assassination group."

"An organ trafficking assassination ring?"

"You don't understand the underworld. This group doesn't get along with Piekro because their businesses involve organs, so conflicts often break out."

But if we do this, we might forcibly unite them, and there will be no shortage of assassinations targeting you. Do you need me to lend you a few bodyguards?

"No, I can guarantee the safety of myself, but I need to use your connections for these two things."

Oran handed Feld two slips of paper containing information about two Devil Fruits.

There's a Devil Fruit encyclopedia on MADS' ship, which lists many Devil Fruits, including two that Oran happens to want.

"I understand the Paramecia-type Gluttony Fruit and the Paramecia-type Book-Book Fruit. I will post a bounty on the black market for you. Don't worry about the money; consider it a gesture of friendship."

If it were a Logia or Zoan-type Mythical Zoan, or a Devil Fruit like the Op-Op Fruit whose price skyrockets, Feld would never have done this. But since the Devil Oran wanted wasn't too rare, Feld was generous this time.

After all, this is essentially an empty promise. Devil Fruits with names listed in detail are not easy to find; who knows where they might be?

Oran and Feld reached some verbal agreements, and after that, Feld did not stay any longer, but left with his men.

He was just passing by when he was waiting for MADS, and he had other things to do, not to mention that Oran had given him a new plan.

"Oran, Meow thinks that fat guy is dangerous and untrustworthy. It's Meow's gut feeling."

Not long after Feld left, a hidden door opened in the wall, and Kate came out with a weapon in her hand. She had been in the vicinity preparing to support Oran in doing other things.

"I know, that's why I don't really trust him. It's just a temporary convergence of interests."

Just as they are now considering taking action against Piekro, Feld might do the same to Oran when the stakes are high enough. And correspondingly, Oran will not hesitate to strike when the opportunity arises.

This is the nature of the underworld; betrayal is commonplace here.

"But Oran, is it really a good idea to team up with someone like that? He doesn't seem like a good person."

"Kate, this is only temporary. Where I used to live, there was a lady who believed in the philosophy of gray, that the world is neither black nor white, but a refined and elegant gray."

The World Government has centuries of history and countless trump cards. We need to gather our strength now and nurture new flowers in this gray ocean. When they bloom, true white will naturally emerge.

Bang!

Before he could finish speaking, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Quinn squeezed past Judge and Caesar, rushing over first and uttering some slightly insane words.

"Uncle Oran! I offended you a lot recently, please don't take it to heart!"

(End of this chapter)