Jaya
Ace practically dragged Ron into the main hall, overflowing with excitement.
To be honest, Ron wasn’t thrilled about it.
He had been enjoying a card game moments earlier.
Getting pulled away right when things were getting interesting was enough to sour anyone’s mood.
But the instant he entered the hall, his expression stiffened.
Nearly every Division Commander was already present.
Each one wore a huge grin.
Their excitement was impossible to hide.
The entire room buzzed with anticipation.
It was obvious that something significant had happened.
"What happened? Why does everyone look so excited?"
Marco simply smiled and clapped his hands together.
Immediately, the atmosphere became even more charged.
A moment later, several muscular laborers entered through the doorway.
Each man carried an enormous chest on his shoulder.
Judging by the strain on their faces, the weight was extraordinary.
Under Marco’s direction, they carefully set the chests down.
One after another.
Then another.
And another.
By the time they were finished, more than a hundred massive chests had been arranged neatly throughout the hall.
Ron stared at the scene.
A certain possibility instantly appeared in his mind.
"Marco... don’t tell me these are..."
"Hahaha! As expected of our Vice Captain Ron—you guessed it immediately!"
After the final chest had been positioned, Marco casually waved his hand.
"Open them."
The lids were lifted almost at the same time.
The next second—
A dazzling brilliance flooded the hall.
Gold.
Jewels.
Diamonds.
Jade.
Every chest was overflowing with priceless treasures.
The entire room glittered with reflected light.
Ron found himself standing motionless.
This was the first time he had ever witnessed such an enormous mountain of wealth.
Golden ornaments.
Rare weapons decorated with precious gems.
Ancient works of art.
If these treasures had existed back on Earth, their value would have been unimaginable.
"Good heavens..."
The words slipped out of Ron’s mouth unconsciously.
"All of this together has to be worth at least several tens of billions of Berries ."
Disbelief filled his voice.
Anyone would be stunned by such a sight.
For someone experiencing it firsthand for the very first time, the shock was even greater.
"Hahaha!"
Vista laughed loudly.
"Vice Captain Ron’s estimate is correct."
"The total value of these treasures is around thirty billion Berries ."
His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"With this amount, we can enchant Pops’ Devil Fruit ability for all the Division Commanders in one go!"
"For every Division Commander?"
"Exactly!"
Ron frowned slightly.
"Even if the treasure is worth thirty billion Berries ..."
"One enchanted Devil Fruit costs one billion."
"That means we can only obtain thirty fruits."
The room instantly became silent.
Everyone focused on him.
No one wanted to miss a single word.
"Taking failure rates into account..."
"And assuming it takes approximately three attempts to produce one successful enchantment..."
"At best, we can reliably expect around ten successful results."
Ron couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
Thirty billion Berries sounded like an astronomical sum.
Yet compared to the system’s absurd expenses, it suddenly seemed insignificant.
"Vice Captain, don’t think so negatively."
Vista offered an encouraging smile.
"What if fortune favors us?"
"What if twenty fruits are enough?"
Jozu immediately stepped forward.
Confidence radiated from his face.
"Pops succeeded on his very first attempt."
"I refuse to believe our luck will be that bad."
"That’s right!"
"Vice Captain, we’re counting on you!"
"Our luck can’t be that terrible!"
"Please make it happen!"
Everyone looked at Ron expectantly.
In truth, Ron didn’t mind helping.
After all...
He only needed eight more successful enchantments to complete his current mission.
Once that goal was achieved—
The system would unlock an entirely new technology.
"Fine!"
Ron looked at the crowd before him.
"Give me anywhere from two weeks to a month."
"If necessary, I’ll work overtime."
"I’ll finish the job."
The hall immediately erupted with cheers.
Just before leaving, Ron remembered one final matter.
"Oh, right."
"If there are specific abilities you want enchanted..."
"Start collecting blood samples now."
"A single drop is enough for one fruit."
Having said that, he turned around and left without hesitation.
At this moment, he was far more interested in discovering what technology the system would unlock next.
The days that followed were unusually peaceful on Jaya.
Once news spread that one of the Four Emperors had established a presence there, nobody dared approach the island.
As a result, life became surprisingly calm.
With little else demanding their attention, the Division Commanders frequently gathered together to pass the time chatting.
Many of them had already begun imagining the future.
Three Devil Fruit abilities.
Four Devil Fruit abilities.
Perhaps even five.
The mere thought of it was enough to make them excited.
Then suddenly—
A pirate burst into the hall.
His face was filled with panic.
"This is bad!"
"Admiral Aokiji has arrived!"
Marco immediately rose from his seat.
"What?"
"Aokiji?"
"How many Marines did he bring with him?"
"Not many..."
The pirate hesitated briefly.
"Only... himself."
"Huh?"
This time even Marco looked surprised.
One person?
Aokiji came alone?
"Captain."
Marco turned toward Whitebeard.
"If he came by himself, this probably isn’t an official Marine operation."
"Maybe he’s simply passing through."
Whitebeard lowered the giant sake bowl in his hand.
A cold gleam flashed across his eyes.
"What is Aokiji doing here?"
"Doesn’t he know this island belongs to the Whitebeard Pirates now?"
Ace frowned thoughtfully.
Then his eyes suddenly brightened.
"Pops."
"Aokiji showed up at exactly the right moment."
Whitebeard immediately understood what Ace meant.
"So that’s what you’re thinking."
The other commanders quickly caught on as well.
Instantly—
Their eyes lit up.
Some of them looked as though green light was practically shining from their pupils.
Ace eagerly stepped forward.
"Pops, let me handle him."
"I’ve never fought a Marine Admiral before."
"No chance!"
Jozu immediately stood up.
"I’m going too!"
Everyone understood the real reason.
If Ron wanted to enchant abilities, he needed blood from Devil Fruit users.
And Aokiji possessed one of the strongest Logia abilities in existence.
A Logia wielded by a Marine Admiral.
Who wouldn’t want such a power?
"Hahaha!"
Vista rested his hands on the hilts of his twin swords.
"My blades have been waiting for a good fight."
His gaze swept across the room.
"There’s no way I’m missing this."
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard burst into hearty laughter.
"You little brats..."
He calmly lifted his sake bowl once more.
With sons like these around, why would he need to move personally?
"Do whatever you want."
"Just don’t disturb my drinking."
The instant permission was granted—
The Division Commanders shot toward the exit.
Like cannonballs launched from a warship, they rushed outside at incredible speed.
Their destination was obvious.
Admiral Aokiji.
Watching the enthusiastic commanders disappear, Marco simply smiled and shook his head.
"Pops."
"I’ll stay here and share a drink with you."
Whitebeard glanced sideways at him.
"You’re not joining them?"
Marco shrugged casually.
"Aokiji’s ability is certainly powerful."
"But personally..."
"It’s not a power I’m interested in obtaining."