Pirate: My Piltover technology is far ahead!

Chapter 69 Isn't this what your navy does?

"I have no such intention. If I did, I would have been recruited by the World Government last year along with Vegapunk. As part of the government, could you offer a better price than the World Government?"

Oran wasn't interested in being incorporated into the navy. His interest in the Shichibukai position stemmed from the fact that the Shichibukai themselves had a high degree of autonomy. The Science Unit sounded impressive, but the problem was that it was also part of the navy's combat order.

Joining means being placed under the direct jurisdiction of the Navy, which changes the nature of the operation. Orders from the scientific corps will also be military orders, and there will likely be a lot of messy issues.

Oran's plan is to take on a few orders now and then, provide paid training to the naval medics sent to learn, and also do some casual sex.

Regardless of the circumstances, the navy is currently the largest armed force on the high seas and is more trusted by most people.

"Navy style" is a ready-made slang term for gay men.

Strong individual combatants will not give up their original bodies, but such people are few and far between on the high seas. For ordinary people, a new arm can bring about a qualitative change.

Mitt is such an example; his ability to rise three ranks to become a colonel was inseparable from the help his arm provided.

Moreover, this vast sea is not lacking in wealthy people who are weak and value their lives, and these people may not be so certain.

Oran's strategy is to sell more at a lower profit margin, but that doesn't mean they can't do private customization.

The channels he's developing in the underworld are for preparing for this kind of thing. If he's really taken over now, many things will be restricted.

"While the Navy is a subordinate agency of the World Government, we are still somewhat different. We also have some understanding of Dr. Vegapunk's situation. Although the Navy's offer cannot exceed that of the World Government, we have more freedom."

"No matter how free you are, it's not as convenient as being in control of your own destiny. I'm here to do business, not to join the army. In this situation, let's communicate in a business-like manner."

"Assuming I agree to your hiring, how should the payment be settled?"

The current situation involves outsourcing, which includes both material and technical costs. After recruitment, the naval logistics can solve the material problem, but it will also approach the cost price. At that point, the business will no longer be a business.

"Dr. Siddirell, Dr. Vegapunk speaks highly of you. As a recipient of the Ibel Prize, don't you want to contribute more to the world? Your abilities can play a crucial role in the peace of the oceans."

"If that's what you're saying, it doesn't seem like a bad idea. Let me think about it. Absolute autonomy, ample funding, a dedicated laboratory no smaller than Punk Hazard, and private territory roughly the size of Alabasta."

"Wait, Doctor, are you kidding me?"

Funding and autonomy are easy to discuss; it's only natural for a science corps to receive military funding. While a dedicated laboratory is somewhat large, it's not impossible. However, starting with private territory, Oran's demands have already gone beyond the realm of exorbitant requests.

Looking at all the member states of the World Government, Alabasta ranks among the largest in terms of area. Where is the Navy going to find such a large place for him? Are they going to rob it?

These were Sengoku's innermost thoughts, which he didn't say aloud, but for some reason, he felt that Oran's eyes revealed a special meaning.

Isn't this what your navy does?

"Mr. Zhan Guo, you were the one who joked with me first. It's only natural for me to use my skills to make a better living. I can't accept such a high-sounding title as world peace."

An equal exchange is fair; let's talk about the price.

Oran's attitude had already explained everything, so Sengoku didn't say anything more. Their main goal was still cooperation, and incorporation was just a more ideal scenario. It didn't matter if it couldn't be achieved.

"Ah He, I'm leaving it to you. You're better at this kind of thing."

Sengoku didn't continue speaking, which would only make things awkward. After all, he couldn't force Oran to do anything. For a technically skilled person, such behavior would be the most foolish thing to do, especially when the other party was a neutral and friendly unit.

In the ensuing negotiations, Sengoku even suspected that Oran had a slight split personality. Sengoku didn't quite understand how someone could freely switch between speaking styles between a mercenary merchant and a professional scholar.

"Sidil. Interesting."

Meanwhile, in Mary Geoise, Satan was learning about the situation in the naval conference room via Den Den Mushi (a type of electric telephone chain).

"He's greedy, Satan."

Nassou, the bald man, reminded Satan that there were only the two of them in the room at the moment, and the other three Five Elders were doing something else.

Greed can sometimes be a good thing; those who ask for nothing are the real troublemakers.

Greed means he can be swayed, but unfortunately, his research abilities are somewhat inferior to Vegapunk's; otherwise, Sidiel's personality might be a better fit for us.

When you're out and about, you create your own persona, and that's how Oran has been shaping himself during this period.

Most people feel that Oran's abilities are more focused on medicine, and he is not as good as Vegapunk in other fields.

Only a few people, including Vegapunk, knew that Oran's abilities were in no way inferior to Vegapunk's, and were even more troublesome.

After all, Vegapunk was an idealist pacifist, and he didn't want to research weapons too much.

Oran doesn't care about that; he's more interested in having powerful weapons. Without military deterrence, the use of new inventions is often not up to the developers.

"Cybernetic modification is a good idea. Doesn't CP9 have a lot of agents who are eliminated every year? Letting those people undergo full-body modifications should allow them to play a greater role. Let's see how it goes with the Navy first."

The conversation had now moved on to the topic of cybernetic modification, but the Navy's current approach was still to restore the mobility of wounded soldiers.

But Satan, who already had some understanding of technology, had deeper ideas, such as modifying a healthy person.

CP9 doesn't have many qualified members each year. Many of the failed members are sent to other CP departments, and some even die under the intense training.

Instead of letting them waste resources, we should increase investment and let them play a greater role.

As for their personal wishes?

From the moment they joined the CP department, their personal thoughts became irrelevant; they had only two choices: obey the World Government's arrangements or be purged.

However, Satan does not intend to invest additional funds. He already regards the navy as a ready-made test subject. Only if it proves effective will Satan have further ideas.

(End of this chapter)