The power of the Flower-Flower Fruit was only at an intermediate level.
Nair’s Phone-Phone Fruit was exceptional in many ways, yet it carried a significant limitation.
Any ability he downloaded could not be improved through training.
In other words, even if he obtained an intermediate-level Flower-Flower Fruit, it would remain at that level no matter how long he trained, unless Nico Robin herself made a breakthrough and he downloaded the ability again to overwrite the previous version.
However, this restriction did not apply to physical skills.
Techniques, combat ability, and overall fighting proficiency could still be sharpened through his own effort.
For now, Nair chose to download only History and Ancient Languages.
With his current speed, the process would take less than an hour.
Time passed quietly.
A week later, Pell arrived with troubling news.
The royal capital continued to experience rainfall, while the rest of the country remained trapped in relentless drought.
Worse still, a rebellion had erupted in the large city of Yuba within Alabasta.
The scale of the uprising was rapidly growing, fueled by the vast population of the kingdom.
Alabasta was often referred to as a great power, but that reputation rested almost entirely on its population.
In truth, its overall strength ranked among the weakest in the Grand Line.
This was still the first half of the Grand Line, where knowledge of Haki was scarce.
The strongest figures in the kingdom were merely two ordinary Zoan-type Devil Fruit users.
True powerhouses rarely lingered in such a place unless they had a specific purpose.
Nair continued focusing on producing mobile phones each day.
Through Pell, he also began negotiating with foreign distributors.
The domestic market alone was no longer enough to support his growth.
There was, however, an unexpected development.
The profits from the mobile phone business had reached an astonishing level.
Yet when multiplied by volume, the result was staggering.
With total sales reaching 300,000 units, the revenue had climbed to 1.5 billion Berries.
On top of that, there was a steady monthly income of 10 million Berries from communication fees.
At this point, Nair could easily be considered the wealthiest individual in Alabasta.
Even so, the situation remained far from ideal.
The drought had persisted for an entire year, and most regions outside the royal capital and Rainbase had barely purchased any devices.
Nair understood the situation clearly.
If he wanted to continue growing stronger, he would need to remove the obstacle known as Sir Crocodile.
At the same time, the rebel army had to be dealt with quickly.
If a full-scale war broke out and casualties mounted, the market he relied on would collapse.
Pell’s hands trembled slightly as he presented the financial report.
Even now, he could hardly believe the figures.
Alabasta’s tax revenue had always been limited.
Due to the challenges of governing such a vast desert nation, regulating merchants was nearly impossible.
The kingdom depended heavily on fixed shops and the already burdened farmers for income.
Even then, the annual tax revenue only reached around 10 billion Berries.
Maintaining an army of 600,000 soldiers alone consumed most of that sum.
After accounting for other expenses, there was almost nothing left.
At times, the royal family had to use its own reserves to support the nation.
Yet in just over a month, the prince had earned 1.5 billion Berries.
Pell swallowed hard, his shock impossible to hide.
Nair, on the other hand, remained composed.
Compared to the material abundance of a modern world, the wealth here felt limited. New chapters come out on g.com first.
Even vast sums of money did not carry the same meaning.
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
“Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence.”
Nair raised an eyebrow slightly.
Since his arrival in this world, the king had never summoned him.
They had barely exchanged words.
In fact, he had spoken more with Vivi than with his own father.
Why now?
Pell noticed his silence and spoke again, prompting him.
Nair nodded, pushing aside his thoughts.
He put on his cloak and followed Pell out.
When they entered the main hall, it was eerily quiet.
The ministers were absent, occupied with the ongoing crisis.
Even Igaram was nowhere to be seen.
The palace felt half-empty, with only the king remaining to hold everything together.
King Cobra sat upon the throne, his expression weary.
Beside him was the queen’s seat, untouched for over a decade.
His hand rested on it for a moment before he lifted his gaze toward Nair.
There was a heaviness in his eyes.
“Child,” Cobra said slowly, “if I were to entrust this country to you, can you promise that you will always treat it with care?”
The question lingered in the silent hall.
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100