One Piece: A Guide for Ordinary Players

"I can get all the answers I want from you, so how could I not guess that Saint Satan understands science?"

“York retrieved all the research applications previously submitted by the doctor from the Punk records, including a paper on using gene editing to create a special drug. Satan Saint had given a serious response to this paper.”

"Although the conclusion was that the cost was too high, the research time was too long, and the focus was mostly on diseases that were common among ordinary people, so Satan Saint ultimately rejected it, this proves that he definitely read it carefully and understood it."

"So this God of Defense of Science certainly understands what gene editing means. I had Caesar Courland specifically call out the term just to remind him that we're going to pull something."

“Satan Saint thought I was on the first level and he was on the second level, but in reality I was in the stratosphere.”

"He personally executed the clone we had meticulously cloned. From the visceral sensation of the spider legs piercing the chest to the chemical reaction of the venom corroding the body, that clone was absolutely indistinguishable from the real one."

"And while he was doing all this, the other five elders were watching closely from the side."

Robert's tone hardened: "As bystanders, even if Saint Vauciuri and Saint Nassuro think back carefully afterward, it would be difficult for them to discover the trickery involved. The only one who might be able to discover through some details that the dead body was a dummy is Saint Satan, who personally carried out the operation."

"So I didn't wait for him to slowly reflect on his actions, I went straight to his door and killed him under the pretext of seeking revenge!"

Vegapunk, who had remained silent until now, changed his expression drastically upon hearing that Robert had killed Saint Satan: "You killed him?"

Robert pulled out a tissue and wiped his mouth: "Is there a problem? You're not going to tell me that Saint Satan is actually an undercover agent planted next to Im, and that his true identity is Joy Boy's most loyal servant, are you?"

Vegapunk was speechless at his enormous imagination and could only shake his head with a wry smile.

Robert continued, "You didn't want to come with me before because you were afraid of implicating me. Now you don't have to be afraid anymore. My feud with the World Government has reached the point of no return. Now we don't need to worry about who will implicate whom. We're evenly matched."

Vegapunk was momentarily speechless, and could only sigh and say, "When we first met, I could clearly sense the fear in your heart. Everything you did back then seemed to be in preparation for some impending danger."

"But right now, it seems like you're actively provoking the most dangerous group of people in the world."

Robert smiled and said, "Yes, my mindset has changed a lot during this period."

"Because I found that even if I don't provoke them, they will take the initiative to attack me. Rather than waiting for them to prepare everything to kill me, I might as well strike first."

Vegapunk turned to Caesar Clown and said, "Could you handle the task of rebuilding the bodies of the Punk clones first? I need to speak with Robert alone."

Caesar Courland looked displeased, feeling that the two were hiding something from him, so he turned to look at Robert.

Robert smiled and said to Caesar Courland, "I don't trust anyone else with this task; I can only entrust it to you."

"When you're in my team, you don't have to focus on efficiency when doing research. Everyone needs to have a complete life, so York and Atlas don't need to be made that big."

The same words, spoken by Robert, pleased Caesar Cullen, who puffed out his chest: "This can't be left to those clumsy guys, they know nothing!"

"Don't worry about it, boss. I'll definitely give Mrs. York a curvaceous figure!"

Ignoring Lilith and the others' tirade against Caesar Clown, Robert took the initiative to pull Vegapunk away from the laboratory.

"Is there anything you'd like to say?"

Vegapunk looked at Robert seriously: "There are some things I have to be honest with you about."

Robert was a little scared. He had been completely open and honest with Vegapunk, even letting him dismantle the golden flagship Ark Maxim, which he had just acquired and hadn't enjoyed much of. Now, Vegapunk was saying that he was hiding something from him.

"Tell me what it is, I can handle it."

The two entered a closed meeting room, and Vegapunk hesitated for a long time before saying, "Do you know why the World Government has been hindering my scientific research?"

Upon hearing that the attack wasn't directed at him, Robert immediately felt relieved: "I know a little bit about it. You're researching the Void Century, right? That touches on the very foundation of the World Government."

Vegapunk shook his head: "It has indeed touched their foundations, but the hundred-year research gap you mentioned is more about legal and rational considerations."

Robert was somewhat puzzled: "If we don't mention the rule of law, what else could the World Government be afraid of?"

"Could it be that they're afraid you'll recreate the ancient weapons and threaten their rule? That shouldn't be the case. Putting aside the fact that the ancient weapons have such serious side effects, even without those side effects, a few superweapons alone wouldn't be enough to fight against the World Government, would they?"

Vegapunk hesitated for a long time, seemingly having made up his mind, and stared intently into Robert's eyes, saying:

"Robert, can you accept losing the power of your Devil Fruit?"

Robert was slightly taken aback: "I can't quite accept it. After all, I risked my life to get my Devil Fruit ability, and I've grown attached to it after using it for so long."

Vegapunk smiled wryly and said, "If I told you that as scientific research advances and the world is gradually transformed by science, the power of Devil Fruits will become less and less, weaker and weaker, until it eventually disappears, what would you do?"

Robert felt as if a door in his mind had suddenly been pushed open. If Vegapunk had said this to other natives of this world, they would have had a hard time understanding it, but Robert understood his meaning almost instantly.

Because in the world before he transmigrated, this kind of story had been described in countless cultivation novels, and this phenomenon had even been given a name—the Age of Dharma Decline!

Correspondingly, the collapse of the technological society and the emergence of various supernatural and strange phenomena are called the spiritual revival!

The natives of the One Piece world, raised in a world of swords and magic, cannot comprehend the opposition between supernatural phenomena and science, but Robert understands it all too well.

In the world he grew up in, the more ancient the era, the more legends there were, and the stronger the extraordinary powers of gods, immortals, and demons were. As times progressed and technology advanced, it would eventually transition to a new era in which supernatural abilities disappeared and new powers represented by technology rose.

Robert swallowed hard. "So you mean that as long as we continue to research science and technology, Devil Fruits will gradually disappear because of the diminishing power of people's faith? Is that what you mean?"

Vegapunk nodded with a wry smile: "If you painstakingly built a huge country, and the foundation of that country relied on the power of Devil Fruits, would you be willing to let that power disappear?"

Robert's reaction surprised Vegapunk; he simply nodded firmly.

"Of course I can accept it! I can't stand being without a cell phone any more than losing my superpowers!"

Chapter 32 It's Good to Be Rich

Vegapunk didn't know what a cell phone was, so Robert had to patiently explain to him what the internet was, what widespread education was, and what it meant for technology to be the primary productive force.

Vegapunk listened with longing, regretting that he hadn't resolutely left with Robert the first time he met him.

If Vegapunk was a scientific madman, then he thought Robert was a fanatical believer in science.

Robert had something else he didn't tell Vegapunk: it wasn't that he could accept losing his Devil Fruit powers, but that he knew science wouldn't spread that quickly, and people's faith in nature would never disappear.

Compared to primitive animal totems or niche beliefs in some supernatural power, the purest natural phenomena will never lack followers.

Even if only a few Devil Fruit users remain in the world, Logia-type users will definitely have a place among them.

As the embodiment of lightning, a natural phenomenon that is ubiquitous throughout the world, his abilities are inherently more universal than those of fruits like volcanoes, deserts, or gas.

If the powers of all Devil Fruits in the world were to simultaneously experience a decline in faith due to science, I would not be the one most affected. Everyone would regress at the same time, but as long as I regress less than others, then I would be making progress!

Robert knew very well that even if science would eventually dethrone all supernatural powers, he should have died long ago by then. At least he could enjoy the benefits of the Devil Fruit while he was alive. As for what would happen after he died, who cared?

Vegapunk's biggest fear is that once his actions actually harm Robert's interests, this ally who is currently fully supporting him will turn into his most powerful enemy.

After a long talk with Robert, Vegapunk was completely reassured and became Robert's most loyal supporter.

With strong financial support from India, the help of Vegapunk, one of the world's top scientists, and his own strength growing to the point where he could rival the Five Elders, Robert felt for the first time that it was time to plan the final battle.

Of course, an indispensable force in this is Luffy's Nika Fruit. Robert greeted Vegapunk and Caesar Clown and then disappeared from Punk Hazard.

Robert tapped the earpiece; this communication device was much more convenient than a Den Den Mushi.

In the original pirate world, long-distance communication could only be achieved through Den Den Mushi (snail communication devices). However, when Vegapunk uploaded his brain to the moon, he also managed to use the Punk Record as a relay to spread signals around the world in real time.

Karina's voice came through the earpiece. The tapping earlier was their pre-arranged signal. Robert wouldn't contact Karina directly, but would tap a few times first, and then communicate with her when it was convenient for her.

Guess where I am?

Robert chuckled. "I won't guess. Just tell me where you are, and I'll come pick you up."

Karina smiled and asked, "Where are you taking me?"

Robert didn't have an answer for a moment, so he simply said casually, "I don't know either. You haven't had a proper rest lately. You say where you want to go, and we'll go there."

Karina said "Oh," and then added, "Is it okay if I go wherever I want? I'd like to go to Fishman Island."

Robert was momentarily speechless: "What are we going there for? That place... it's occupied by the navy now, and it'll be a while before we can take it back..."

Karina replied matter-of-factly, "I know, that's why I said I wanted to go to Fishman Island. I want to go and get it back for you!"

Robert stopped him, saying, "No need. Fishman Island's location is too sensitive. With the rise of our Thunder Department, the World Government can no longer allow us to occupy such a vital transportation route so close to Mary Geoise."

"But you can rest assured that the Ryugu Kingdom is also one of the member states of the World Government, and King Neptune is very smart. On the surface, he has never sided with the pirates, whether it was my father before or me now."

"So even if the Navy occupies Fishman Island, they will only station troops there to guard against pirates, and at most collect some tolls. They will not make things difficult for the Ryugu Kingdom."

Karina said seriously, "But I heard you say that place is very important to you."

Robert smiled and said, "Yes, I originally planned to use that place as the battlefield for the final battle with Im, but the final battle is not now, so there is no need to rush to take back Fishman Island."

Karina laughed and said, "I can't stay idle. Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless. I'll take back Fishman Island in a different way, just like Raleigh did when he returned to Dressrosa."

Robert was still somewhat hesitant. The Indians had made detailed plans for returning to Dressrosa. After more than half a year of warnings, the Riku royal family had actually realized that Robert and his group were the most righteous.

Although they are nominally pirates, they have been subsidizing Dressrosa while governing it. Even though their share of the profits is high on the surface, the money they take away quickly flows back into Dressrosa's development.

Later, after Baki and his gang came to power, King Riku tried to fight for the right to govern. At first, Baki didn't really compete with him, promising that he would only act as a military force to deter the surrounding villains, and that the country's management policies and everything else would remain the same, and that everything could be handed over to the Riku royal family for management.

However, once they actually took over the political and economic power of the entire country, they realized that while the Indians seemed to govern the country with ease, it was only because they were capable enough. When the same governing policies were handed over to the Riku royal family, they instantly turned into a quagmire.

In fact, if Dressrosa had simply resumed production slowly and rebuilt the country little by little from the ruins, the Riku royal family could have done it. It's just that Robert set the bar too high. After a series of maneuvers by the Indians, Dressrosa went directly from ruins to a moderately prosperous society.

Once people get used to a good life, it's hard for them to accept going back to a life of frugality.

These members of the Riku royal family were simply unwilling to accept their fate; they were not the greedy and ruthless members of the nobility. After realizing their own inadequacy, they were genuinely willing to relinquish power so that the entire nation could live a better life.

So when the Indian and Violet got together and he was willing to go back as a son-in-law to clean up the mess, the Riku royal family quickly accepted it.

Moreover, it's hard to say whether the growing power of Robert's group is a contributing factor. They've become one of the Four Emperors who can influence the New World, making it difficult for those in Dressrosa to act without being mindful of their wishes.

India is in no danger of regaining control of Dressrosa. Even if the Navy decides to station a naval force there, India is confident that it can easily change its identity and return without being detected by the Navy.

But Robert was really worried when Karina said she would help him get back Fishman Island, just like Ah San did.

Robert didn't want to dampen Karina's enthusiasm, so he tentatively asked, "How do you plan to take back Fishman Island?"

Karina confidently declared, "Buy it!"

Creating a new world order through currency wars

Chapter 1 The Scheme to Exterminate Children

Robert was momentarily dazed, because he seemed to have said something similar about buying a large territory with money before.

At that time, I was explaining my idea of ​​getting the Sky Island to the Indian. When the Indian asked me how to do it, I just waved my hand like a nouveau riche and told him to just throw money at it.

Karina's tone now was much more assertive than his own had been back then. She didn't sound like a nouveau riche who had suddenly become wealthy; instead, she sounded like a well-bred young lady.

Robert said somewhat uncertainly, "Well... we do have money, but Fishman Island isn't a sky island... Fishman Island is very expensive..."

"Previously, in the slave market of Sabaody Archipelago, the starting price for a fish-man was 100 million Berries, while the price of mermaids was even higher. Female mermaids could fetch over 7000 million Berries, and even older ones whose tails had split into legs could sell for 1000 million Berries."

"The population of Fishman Island exceeds 5 million. Even if 4 million of them are fishmen, half of the remaining 1 million are male, and three-fifths of the remaining half are female mermaids with split legs."