"But Pops, our pirate crew has really grown a lot thanks to Pryce!" Marco turned and said earnestly.
"Here's the latest report I brought for you!" Vista quickly presented the prepared report to Whitebeard.
"Pops, our pirate crew was originally the poorest among the Four Emperors!" Marco stated truthfully. "Although Shanks isn't much better off than us, they have fewer people, just one pirate crew!"
Indeed, the Whitebeard Pirates had thousands combatants and a considerable amount of territory. However, Whitebeard, being a just man, never sought to exploit these territories for wealth or oppression!
Instead, he hoped that the islands under his protection could enjoy freedom, peace, and a life without war! Thus, the Whitebeard Pirates not only had high expenses but also an extremely high combat rate!
Frictions among the Four Emperors were constant, and the top-tier fighters rarely intervened. Most of the battles were fought by the frontline combatants, who, though less powerful, were numerous! As a result, there were significant casualties after every battle!
But Pryce arrival changed everything!
First, there was the invention of the Senzu Beans, which could be mass-produced, allowing almost every member of the Whitebeard Pirates to have access to them! The unique effects of the Senzu Beans greatly reduced the casualty rate! Moreover, they significantly boosted the Whitebeard Pirates' victory rate! This was the most crucial aspect!
As for finances, selling Senzu Beans on the black market brought the Whitebeard Pirates immense profits. Without this income, the Whitebeard Pirates wouldn't have been able to support Pryce in building 10 Time Chambers—they'd have had to sell everything just to afford two!
Additionally, the current Time Chambers, with their miraculous time compression and gravity field systems, were simply unbelievable! Now, the crew members' strength was rapidly increasing!
Pryce had truly contributed so much to the entire Whitebeard Pirates!
Marco, Vista, and Jozu had come this time to speak on Pryce behalf, hoping to secure a more formal title for him. After all, Pryce current status was merely that of a crew member! But the three of them believed that Pryce couldn't remain just a crew member!
In many ways, Pryce contributions had already surpassed theirs!
"I know what you brats are trying to say!" Whitebeard raised his hand, cutting off Marco and the others. "Pryce has indeed made tremendous contributions to our Whitebeard Pirates!"
"So now, I hope Pryce can become the commander of our Special Division!" Whitebeard turned to Pryce and said seriously.
"Special Division?" Pryce was momentarily stunned by the unique term. As everyone knew, the Whitebeard Pirates had sixteen divisions, and now he was being considered for a Special Division!
"Yes, the Special Division. You can recruit anyone into your team!" Whitebeard stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
"As long as their background is clean and they won't harm you or our pirate crew's interests, it's fine! I won't interfere too much!"
Pryce fell into deep thought. It seemed that Whitebeard was suggesting he could form his own division, which sounded quite enticing! If one day he could recruit some of the top experts or renowned powerhouses from the one piece world, wouldn't that be amazing?
Pryce nodded. "Then I'll thank Captain Whitebeard in advance!"
Pryce said with a smile. Marco and the other two were genuinely happy for Pryce when they heard he had become a division commander!
After all, the three of them had spent a lot of time with Pryce, and naturally, they had developed a bond.
...
Marineford, Special Laboratory.
"Doctor, please, just take a bite!" Dr. Vegapunk assistant pleaded tearfully, holding a plate of food that had been reheated seven or eight times.
"I can't eat right now. You have it," Dr. Vegapunk replied, his face covered in a thick beard as he waved his hand dismissively.
"You haven't eaten anything in two days!" The assistant urged anxiously. "If you keep this up, your body will break down!"
"I can't even crack the secrets of Pryce Senzu Beans and Teleportation Talismans. How can I bring myself to eat?" Dr. Vegapunk turned his head sharply, glaring at his assistant with bloodshot eyes and dark circles beneath them.
"Doctor, please, just take a bite and rest for a while!" The assistant continued to plead.
The next moment, Dr. Vegapunk pushed the assistant out of the laboratory.
With a troubled expression, Dr. Vegapunk sat back down in the lab, staring at the golden-purple Teleportation Talisman before him, lost in thought. Beside the golden-purple talisman were the meticulously disassembled pieces of a basic Teleportation Talisman.
Yet, even these basic talismans left Dr. Vegapunk utterly baffled. Everything was beyond his imagination!
"And here I am, hailed as being 500 years ahead of the world!" Dr. Vegapunk sighed pessimistically.
"This Pryce has already surpassed me by a thousand years!"
The next second, the tightly locked door was kicked open.
It was Fleet Admiral Sengoku, looking frantic.
"Fleet Admiral, you're here!" Dr. Vegapunk was even more disheveled than usual. His once pristine lab coat was now blackened and greasy.
His long hair was oily and tangled, covered in visible dandruff. His beard had grown unruly, and his eyes were bloodshot, clearly showing he hadn't rested properly in a long time.
"Doctor, you're the hope of the Marines! You can't keep going like this!" Sengoku quickly grabbed the doctor, who was swaying unsteadily, his mind in a daze.
"Feed the doctor immediately and make sure he gets some proper rest!" Sengoku frowned, speaking sternly to the assistant.
"I won't eat! I need to keep studying the Senzu Beans and the Teleportation Talismans!" Dr. Vegapunk pushed Sengoku aside and staggered as he spoke.
Sengoku secretly tossed the sleeping pills into Dr. Vegapunk bowl.
"Doctor, after you eat, I won't stop you!" Sengoku earnestly urged.
Seeing no other option, Dr. Vegapunk grabbed the bowl and began devouring its contents ravenously.
"Now go!" Dr. Vegapunk shook the bowl in his hand.
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