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The World Government did not grandly announce the recognition of the Holy Spirit Empire. Instead, they quietly granted recognition through trade agreements with Water Seven. This was their subtle way of saving face.
Auguro merely smiled upon hearing the news, completely unbothered by their petty games.
"Since the Empire has been recognized, it's time to start diplomacy!"
Auguro had initially intended to keep a low profile, but the World Government had provided such a massive boost. He couldn't let it go to waste!
A state letter was secretly sent to Alabasta.
Cobra opened the document, his eyes instantly widening.
It was a treaty of alliance. The Holy Spirit Empire and Alabasta would become strategic allies, mutually providing technical and economic assistance. If necessary, the Holy Spirit Empire could even offer military protection. In exchange, Alabasta would send managerial talent to help Auguro govern his nation.
Cobra immediately agreed to the proposal. Alabasta had plenty of people, and since the Holy Spirit Empire's territory was currently small, sending some mid-level officials would suffice.
"Father King, the people have been selected!"
Vivi walked in, a look of excitement on her face.
Seeing his daughter's expression, Cobra teased, "What's this? Are you so eager to go to Water Seven?"
Vivi's face flushed red, and she retorted coquettishly, "Who said I was going to see Auguro!"
Cobra burst into laughter. "Hahaha! When did I say you were going to see anyone?"
Vivi realized she had just revealed herself without prompting! "You wicked Father King, I'm not speaking to you!" Vivi spun around and rushed out of the study.
Cobra was in high spirits, laughing heartily. He had initially worried that an alliance with Auguro might draw complaints from his ministers. But now, Auguro was a King who had repeatedly defeated the World Government. Was there a better marriage prospect than this?
Vivi was the best candidate to send to Water Seven this time!
Meanwhile, Auguro met the returning Franky in Water Seven. Franky still maintained his typically eccentric, laid-back manner.
"Is studying machinery and power systems in my research facility acceptable?" Auguro asked directly.
Franky, likely having been pre-briefed by Iceberg, nodded. "Of course! You give me protection, I help you research! But I must warn you in advance, the research funding cannot be skimped on!"
Before, at the Franky Family headquarters, all his research materials were scavenged junk, making his efficiency predictable. Now that he had sponsorship, he was ready to go all out!
Auguro nodded without hesitation.
"Naturally! As long as you can develop the projects I give you, the cost is irrelevant!"
Auguro handed Franky a piece of paper containing the basic theory and a simple diagram of an internal combustion engine.
Although Auguro had a science and engineering background in his past life, he only had a general understanding of the specific details of the internal combustion engine. However, with the basic theory provided, developing a working product shouldn't be too difficult.
"O-o-oh!" After a quick glance, Franky's eyes immediately lit up.
"This is truly a super-genius design!"
"Based on this design, the engine's power efficiency could stably exceed seventy percent!"
"In that case, we can build a Sea Train that runs faster and farther!"
Auguro smiled faintly.
"Not just a Sea Train. You can also build airplanes! The cost is much lower than laying tracks across the ocean!"
In the original timeline, the Thousand Sunny, which Franky built for Luffy's crew, could glide briefly using the Gaon Cannon. This suggested Franky had some research into flight, only lacking a strong, sustained power source.
"Exactly! Exactly! Ah! Lord Soul King, you are too smart! This is so important to me! Can I start researching right now?"
Franky was already itching to get to work. Auguro nodded and had Iceberg take Franky to the prepared laboratory.
After leaving the room, Franky suddenly told Iceberg, "Brother Iceberg, you were right! Lord Soul King never mentioned the Pluton blueprints once!"
"If the situation hadn't already been exposed, I'd really think he didn't know about them!"
Iceberg rolled his eyes.
"I discussed that issue with the Lord Soul King earlier. He believes that Pluton is fundamentally impractical."
"The World Government's anxiety isn't really about Pluton itself, but the ambition that comes with possessing it!"
Destroying a country with one shot sounds cool. But don't forget, the One Piece world has superhuman power!
Regardless of anything else, the moment such a massive warship appears on the sea, everyone knows about it. If any one of the Three Admirals or Four Emperors were to attack Pluton, how many hits could the ship sustain?
It might be useful for bullying small countries without powerhouses, but to truly challenge the top-tier fighters? You must be joking!
In Auguro's view, Pluton was merely a symbol of national power. The true ultimate weapon was the Uranus in the hands of the World Government.
Auguro then asked about the status of Lucci and the others.
Soi Fon reported, "They have found an independent small nation to use as a training ground and are currently training the first batch of intelligence operatives."
Auguro nodded, quite confident in Lucci's abilities. He then pulled out the Clear-Clear Fruit.
"Send this to them; give it to Kalifa!"
With this Devil Fruit, Lucci's intelligence capabilities would immediately reach a higher level.
Just as he stepped out of the room, a pink figure charged at Auguro.
"You bastard! You said you would let me see Lord Moria! Where is he?" Perona grabbed Auguro's collar and shouted angrily.
Auguro waved off Soi Fon and the others, who were preparing to intervene, and smiled.
"I just finished dealing with everything! Come on! I'll take you to see him!"
It was the perfect time for Auguro to check on the situation at the Soul Reaper Academy!
Passing through the Senkaimon (World-Gate), the group returned to Skypiea. Perona was astonished by the scale of the Seireitei (Soul King's City) and quietly followed behind Auguro.
At the Soul Reaper Academy, hundreds of reincarnated spirits were just finishing a class.
Perona immediately spotted the unusually tall figure of Moria sitting in the courtyard.
"Lord Moria!" Perona rushed forward, crying, and threw herself onto him.
Moria was startled. After staring at Perona for a long moment, he said, "Who are you?"
Perona was thunderstruck. She turned to Auguro.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Auguro said calmly, "I told you, this is reincarnation, not resurrection! He is no longer the Moria you knew; of course, he won't recognize you!"
"Greetings, Lord Soul King!"
At that moment, Moria noticed Auguro and immediately knelt down respectfully.
"How could this happen!" Perona looked lost, a deep wave of sadness overwhelming her. A distance greater than life and death was this—to be so close, yet to be strangers.
The greatest distance, even greater than life and death, is being right in front of each other yet being complete strangers!