One Piece: A Guide for Ordinary Players

But he was enjoying it, because when he only had Observation Haki as his sensory channel, his previously stagnant Haki development suddenly showed signs of loosening.

Even though killing so many pirate grunts on Beehive Island didn't increase my experience points much, they increased visibly after joining the recruit camp.

This also confirms Robert's conjecture about experience: the acquisition of experience is more about self-improvement than simply how many enemies are defeated.

Just as Robert was engrossed in developing the Overlord, a technologically advanced medium-sized warship pulled up beside the recruit training ship.

Having met Robert once before in the Sabaody Archipelago, Sentomaru first visited Zephyr and Sengoku. Then, led by the two old men, he met Robert, who was skillfully cooking while blindfolded.

"Is the genius report-giving guy the uncle was talking about really this deaf and blind cook?"

Zhan Guo chuckled: "Don't talk bad about him behind his back. That bastard can read lips now, he knows what you're saying to him."

Sentomaru, a master of both-handed Haki, took a few steps forward, skeptical, to test Robert. Suddenly, he stepped on a potato, and his massive body involuntarily fell backward.

Fortunately, he was agile and used his lower body strength to tighten his core, which prevented him from falling to the ground in a sorry state.

Sentomaru stared intently at the potato on the ground, surprised that he hadn't noticed such an obvious object.

Although Sengoku constantly disliked Kizaru, he harbored no ill will towards the child he had taken in and adopted.

"You feel like you shouldn't have made such a silly mistake, right? This potato wasn't always there; it was kicked to your feet when you walked over."

Sentomaru's eyes widened: "Then that's even more impossible. I was watching him, and I didn't see him make any move at all. In fact, this is practically an attack on me, but my Observation Haki didn't give me any warning!"

Sengoku stroked his beard: "Just because you didn't notice doesn't mean he didn't do it. It only means that your Observation Haki was deceived by his Observation Haki. If someone focuses on developing Observation Haki to detect the enemy, then someone else must be developing it to obscure the enemy's senses."

Sentomaru put aside his disdain for Robert and waited until he finished cooking and had eaten with everyone in the cafeteria before formally meeting Robert in Zephyr's office.

Robert is now quite comfortable in the recruit camp, and the two old men, Zephyr and Sengoku, are quite indulgent towards him, because apart from his background not being as clean and transparent as other naval personnel, Robert is truly outstanding in every way.

Especially when the global conscription plan was fully implemented, even Robert's background problem was no longer the most prominent issue. There were many villains with more serious problems but great strength who joined the Navy.

Seeing Sentomaru hesitate, Robert spoke directly:

"Just say what you want to say. Although I can't hear you because I'm wearing headphones, I've recently learned lip reading. As long as your accent isn't too strong or your speech isn't too fast, I can understand you."

Sentomaru opened his mouth but no sound came out. Robert nodded seriously.

"If you can really communicate, then you can speak with confidence."

Zhan Guo rolled his eyes and said, "You'd better speak out. I don't understand any lip reading."

Sentomaru said with a serious expression: "According to General Borsalino's instructions, you are to summarize the work of the Science Unit throughout the year and submit an annual report."

Robert nodded. This task had been arranged before he came to the recruit camp, and it was related to whether he could really impress Kizaru and infiltrate his ranks, so he took it very seriously.

"Then please tell me in detail what our scientific unit has done this year, and I will compile it into a written report."

Sentomaru frowned: "Most of this is classified information and I can't tell you."

Robert was completely baffled: "Then what the hell am I supposed to summarize? Isn't there anything that's not so confidential?"

Sentomaru thought for a moment and said, "I am the most discreet man in the world. Most of the research projects of the Science Unit in the past year are related to endless energy. This is the project that the God of Science Defense is most concerned about, so I definitely can't tell you."

Robert couldn't help but tilt his head and ask Sengoku, "You'd rather let this gossip know the secrets than tell me anything? I think I'm safer than him."

Sengoku was already scratching his head: "Sentomaru, either say something you can, or don't say a word. None of the three people sitting here have permission to know the core research secrets of the Science Unit..."

Sentomaru showed no remorse whatsoever: "Can I say that? We saved some energy costs this year, mainly by ensuring lights were turned off when leaving a room and that doors and windows were closed..."

Robert patiently listened to Sentomaru's words, which were all utter nonsense.

Even if one is very good at making things up, one must at least rely on some actual work done by the scientific troops; it is absolutely impossible to fabricate a year-end summary out of thin air.

“Go back and tell Kizaru that I can’t do this job. You guys haven’t even found wives yet and you expect me to deliver babies. Where am I supposed to find a solution for you?”

Sentomaru scratched his head: "Actually, I only know so much. I'm not in charge of the research. The research content and progress are all in Uncle Punk's head."

Robert nodded in agreement: "I can tell. If you knew any other secrets, you would spill them all."

Sentomaru knew that asking Robert to write a summary in this situation was putting him in a difficult position, so he slammed his fist into his palm and said:

"Get ready, I'll take you to see Uncle Punk!"

Chapter 7: It's not that I want to mess with you, Doflamingo; it's that Lieutenant General Tsuru can't get over you.

The first to object was Robert: "I'm not going. I haven't taken a vacation for a month, and I was hoping to save up for three months' worth at once. I have a reason to take leave next month, so what would it mean if I left with you now?"

Sengoku and Zephyr exchanged a subtle glance. They had worked with Lieutenant General Tsuru for many years, and before Robert even arrived at the recruit camp, Lieutenant General Tsuru had already sent all of his investigations and speculations about him to his two old friends.

The three men's deductions were very consistent: Robert seemed to be a spy planted in the Navy by the CP organization. His background file looked very complete but actually couldn't stand up to scrutiny, which was very much in line with the style of the CP organization.

So while the old guys all wanted to force Robert to reveal his true colors, they never worried about his safety. After all, if you really think about it, the credibility of the CP organization within the World Government was even higher than that of the Navy.

For example, in this global conscription, the navy can relax the requirements for the background of recruits in order to replenish its combat power and maintain its strong dominance at sea. Even some criminals can be recruited as long as they are strong enough.

Take, for example, the future Admiral Green Bull. He was a prisoner who was imprisoned in jail, but because of his great strength, he was directly appointed as an admiral during the global military recruitment period.

However, members of the CP organization can only be orphans or children of old members, or have ten generations of impeccable revolutionary credentials, or have no ancestors at all.

Peggapunk's science unit is indeed a top secret within the Navy, but for the CP organization, basically every official member has to memorize Peggapunk's information as if it were a test.

But Robert had no idea that these old men and women had imagined so much. His ultimate goal in joining the Navy was to hook up with Peggamp, and Kizaru was just a stepping stone to meet him.

Robert had only just joined the Navy, so it was unusual for him to even know about Peggamp, let alone show any interest. That's why he kept a low profile.

Sentomaru looked very troubled: "This is all the message I can give you. You refuse to come back with me yourself, so what am I supposed to do?"

Robert curled his lip and said to Sengoku, "What's the point of the Navy's year-end summary? If it's just a formality, then I can just write whatever I want."

Sengoku's curiosity was piqued: "You have no idea what Kizaru has done this year, yet you can still fabricate a report?"

Robert frowned: "If you really wanted something substantial, then not only would I not be able to make it up, but you wouldn't have let me write it either. The fact that this matter was handed over to me means that you didn't take it seriously either."

Sengoku looked furious: "Stop with the 'you all' stuff all the time, you're a member of the Navy now too!"

But the next second, he burst out laughing: "You're not going anywhere, just keep writing. I want to see what kind of nonsense you can come up with!"

Zefa tapped the table: "Isn't this ridiculous? Writing something without knowing anything, what's the point of this kind of year-end summary?"

Sengoku, looking like he was enjoying the drama, said, "For so many years, I've been putting up with that bastard Borsalino's lax behavior. Now that I'm no longer the Fleet Admiral, it's Kuzan's turn to have a headache!"

Having received approval from the former marshal of the Warring States period, Robert didn't stand on ceremony and started padding his word count while lying on the table.

Sengoku and Zephyr calmly drank their tea, while only Sentomaru stood curiously behind Robert, watching him type.

At first, Sentomaru's brows were furrowed, but later his facial expressions became more and more interesting.

Zephyr was also curious, but he was too embarrassed to go up and look at it with Sentomaru. He could only wait until Robert finished writing and handed the manuscript to Sentomaru.

"That's fine. If you have any real data, fill it in. If not, just submit it directly. I still have training tasks to complete, so I'll be going now."

As soon as Robert stepped out of the cabin, Zephyr snatched the report from him.

"What does it mean to establish an efficient communication mechanism and ensure stable information flow?"

"What does it mean to actively conduct post-mortem reviews and provide key data support?"

"Overcoming obstacles to multi-departmental collaboration, clearing bottlenecks in the workflow, and ensuring smooth operation of joint missions? What does all this mean?"

"There's also the need to establish data archiving rules, create reminder lists, update collaboration ledgers, form operational standards, promote the long-term stability of the safety experiment mechanism, and summarize and standardize experimental benchmark models. Zhan Taowan, when did you tell him that you've done these things?"

Sengoku originally wanted to maintain the image of the old marshal, but after hearing Zefa read out his words, he almost couldn't help but spit out his tea.

"This is just a summary that's forced together because it has no substance. What efficient communication and information flow? Isn't that just what we normally do when we release information to various units?"

"And then there's the summary and review, the data support, and the table he makes it sound like he's made a huge contribution?"

"Overcoming collaboration barriers and clearing bottlenecks in the workflow? You don't mean running around between departments getting signatures and stamps, do you?"

Sengoku grew increasingly pleased: "Why did this kid wait until I retired to join the navy? If he had joined a few years earlier, I wouldn't have had to go through so much trouble every time I gave a report to those old fogies in the World Government!"

Zephyr's expression was strange: "So you mean this report is actually quite well-written?"

Sengoku slammed the report shut: "Not bad my foot! It's all nonsense, not a single useful word. But I suspect... Kuzan just became marshal, he might not understand the intricacies of this!"

Robert had no idea how Sengoku was plotting against him behind his back. He believed that his response this time was very appropriate. He not only acted convincingly about not knowing Peggamp's identity, but also helped Kizaru solve the problem of his year-end summary.

I believe that it won't be long before I can become Kizaru's confidant and openly make contact with Pekka Punk!

Rob continued his training with a satisfied smile, feeling that everything was going well. Whether it was promotion or skill enhancement, he was on a smooth road ahead.

Another warship docked next to the recruit training ship. Peacock leaped onto the deck and quickly spotted Robert, whose appearance had changed drastically.

However, Peacock knew the rules of the recruit camp, and although she was surprised by Robert's change, she still followed the procedure and went to pay her respects to Zephyr first.

Soon, Robert, who had just left, was called back to the office.

"Corporal Robert, didn't you want to take leave next month?"

Robert's Devil Fruit abilities were restricted, and his sensory range and accuracy were drastically reduced. He didn't realize that Peacock had arrived until he was called into the cabin.

"Uh, yes, I didn't take my vacation last month. I wanted to save it up and go to Dressrosa to see my girlfriend next month."

Zefa's tone was formal: "A three-month vacation is only six days, which may not even be enough for a round trip, but now there is just the right opportunity."

"I can arrange a field mission for you in Dressrosa next month!"

Chapter 8 Infernal Affairs

We'll go to Dressrosa sooner or later, but in Robert's plans, it's a bit too early to go now.

Doflamingo's business is undergoing a transformation. Before, he did anything as long as it made money, including human trafficking, assassination, and drug dealing.

However, Doflamingo was involved in too many different ventures during that period. In reality, none of them formed a long-term, stable chain. If it weren't for the Devil Fruit business keeping him afloat, his underground kingdom's financial chain would probably have collapsed.

Until recently, Doflamingo completely divested his most profitable slave trade, leading many to believe he had gone mad.

But Robert, who knew the plot, was well aware that this was after Caesar had returned to the Punk Assad underground research facility for more than a year and made some progress in the research of artificial Devil Fruits and poison gas weapons. Doflamingo was finally about to start separating the bad assets and leading the Donquixote Family to transform into a military-industrial complex.

Many people say that Doflamingo's trembling with fear when he mentions Kaido is beneath him, since even the weakest Shichibukai, Gecko Moria, dared to confront Kaido head-on when he was young.

This idea is somewhat one-sided. The story begins to fully introduce Doflamingo two years later. By then, he has already completed his transformation and started supplying Kaido's Beasts Pirates with Kaiser's research on artificial Zoan-type Devil Fruits. In return, he trades weapons from Wano Country, a major weapons manufacturing plant controlled by Kaido, for which he then dumps them all over the world.

In other words, Doflamingo's most important business partner is Kaido. Without Kaido, he would not have the production capacity to supply weapons for the world's wars, and the entire business loop would not be able to stand.

Therefore, what Doflamingo fears is not Kaido, but the collapse of his own business empire. It is rigid and one-sided to view a billionaire entrepreneur from the perspective of an individual.

If Robert were to go all out and fight Doflamingo now, he believed he would have a high probability of winning. If he also included his master Redfield, even ten members of the Don Quixote Family wouldn't be a match for him.

But Robert's crew is not Luffy's. Those people are liberators, with no other purpose than to defeat powerful enemies, liberate the people, and then continue their adventures to the next place.

What Robert wanted was Doflamingo's vast distribution network. Even if he didn't deal in arms, he could make a fortune by leveraging the resources Doflamingo left behind.