Chapter 339: Chapter 340: You Must Take It Seriously, Seriously!
Half a day later, in the logistics office.
"He’s a vegetable!"
Aeridar’s eyes widened as he stared at Otto.
"That’s what Dr. Dalt and the base doctors said. The only difference from a vegetative state is that he doesn’t have to lie in bed," Otto said with a fawning smile.
Sriya, standing nearby, remained expressionless.
"You idiot, why did you have to hit his head? His chest would’ve been fine!" Aeridar massaged his forehead, a helpless look on his face. He asked, "Did we get any information at all?"
Otto offered a string of sheepish laughs, not daring to speak.
"Never mind, never mind," Aeridar waved his hand.
"Captain, we did find some design schematics for biological weapons on them," Sriya suddenly interjected.
"Biological weapon schematics... Hmph, their ambition isn’t small." Aeridar’s brow furrowed as he spoke coldly. "Chances are, they couldn’t find the SS Potion blueprints, and when they were discovered, they just grabbed the biological weapon schematics scattered around Zone 3 on their way out."
At this moment, Aeridar recalled the World Government’s Pacifistas. He suspected the Marines and World Government were likely already conducting related research.
It was important to remember that next year, Ace would be setting sail.
In the original storyline, the World Government had tried to recruit Ace as a Warlord. However, at that time, the Warlords were clearly at full capacity. This situation implies that one of the Warlords was preparing to step down. The most likely candidate was Bartholomew Kuma.
It’s probable that the World Government was preparing to modify Kuma based on his blueprint and further research the Pacifistas. Thus, they would simply give Garp a favor by having Kuma withdraw from the Seven Warlords of the Sea, allowing Ace, a Logia-type Mera Mera no Mi user, to take his place.
However, Ace refused and instead joined the Whitebeard Pirates after challenging Whitebeard.
"That’s what we guessed too," Otto quickly added.
"That guy can just be used as an experiment then!"
After a pause, Aeridar’s gaze sharpened as he stared at Otto, saying coldly, "I’ll be leaving tomorrow, but after I’m gone, conduct a thorough inspection of all personnel in the base. I don’t want this kind of incident happening again."
Otto felt a chill run down his spine at Aeridar’s meaningful gaze. He quickly nodded, assuring him, "Yes, Captain! This was our mistake, and it will absolutely not happen again!" He was extremely wary of his boss and didn’t want to provoke him.
"Good. Have Vade-san’s laboratory and living quarters been arranged?" Aeridar casually nodded and then asked.
"They’ve been arranged. The best laboratory, and we have all the instruments Dr. Vade needs. The living quarters are also the best available," Otto replied.
"That’s good!"
This time, Aeridar nodded with satisfaction. However, his eyes narrowed as he eerily added, "Remember, keep a close eye on him, but don’t let him realize he’s being monitored."
"Understood," Otto nodded knowingly, understanding Aeridar’s intent.
Then, Aeridar looked at Sriya’s metallic prosthetic right leg and said, "Those guys made your metallic prosthesis constantly malfunction. Now that Vade is here, it should be perfectly resolved."
Sriya was one of the people Aeridar saved after completely annihilating the ’Crimson Man-Eating Flower’ pirates, including the First Division Deputy Commander Mosa and Edmond from earlier.
When Sriya was rescued, his right lower leg was already gone. However, Aeridar considered his past as a Marine Captain and didn’t disdain him. Instead, he treated him well, planning to recruit him as an instructor to help train new recruits.
He then presented a treasure map, containing the loot left by the eradicated Guri Pirates after they plundered the Yala Kingdom. It held not only valuable gold, silver, and jewels but also a Devil Fruit.
Recognizing his meritorious offering, Aeridar recruited several scientists to create a metallic prosthesis for him, helping him regain his combat capability. However, the metallic prosthesis wasn’t exclusively made for Sriya.
The struggles on the Grand Line were incredibly brutal, often leading to loss of life. There were many cases of lost limbs, even the former Marine Admiral Zephyr had his arm severed by pirates, let alone others.
Therefore, to prepare for similar situations among his executives, Aeridar initiated the metallic prosthesis project.
Sriya was merely an early test subject. Although the metallic prosthesis was created, it wasn’t perfect and frequently malfunctioned. This is where the importance of a world-class scientist like Vade became apparent.
"Thank you, Captain. I’ve also heard of Dr. Vade’s reputation, a renowned great scientist in mechanics and physics. I believe with him, the metallic prosthesis will become perfect," Sriya forced a smile. He knew he was a test subject, but he was incredibly grateful to Aeridar. Without Aeridar’s care, he would have spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair or on crutches, completely cut off from the exhilarating, passionate battles he craved.
...
The next day, at Alvis Island port.
After resting on the island for a day, Aeridar and Oliver’s group were preparing to set sail again.
"I’ll be back next time," Aeridar said, standing at the bow of the ship and waving to those below.
"Captain, have a safe journey," Otto and Galan waved back.
"Next time too," Oliver said lazily from the bow.
"Of course, we’ll spar again next time," Enrod said with a smile, gripping the long blade at his waist.
"Hurry up, hurry up! If you don’t find the thing, don’t come back!" Dalt grumbled, his face full of reluctance.
In fact, last night, Aeridar told Dalt that the people searching in the Calm Belt might have found the mysterious large island he mistakenly entered years ago, and even suspected they found the terrifying beast he described.
At the time, Dalt was so excited he wanted to set sail for the Calm Belt that very night, but Aeridar held him back. There was no way Aeridar would let his chief scientist go to such a dangerous place.
Finally, after much persuasion, Aeridar barely managed to dissuade Dalt, but Dalt still hadn’t slept a wink all night out of excitement, leading to him constantly rushing Aeridar.
"You’re so annoying! I get it!" Aeridar said with a look of disdain, waving his hand.
"Don’t act so indifferent! You must take it seriously, seriously!" Dalt shouted furiously, seeing Aeridar’s perfunctory expression. He was already preparing to climb aboard the Chris vessel.
"Doctor, calm down, calm down..." Otto quickly grabbed Dalt’s arm, restraining him.
"Let go of me! I’m going too! Let go!" Dalt’s face was flushed, and he struggled wildly, his usual calm demeanor replaced by fanaticism in the face of scientific truth.
Soon, amidst cheers, shouts, and farewells, the Chris set sail, heading back out to sea.
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