The fight between Whitebeard and Whitebeard Jr. didn't last long.
But Whitebeard took the opportunity to thoroughly test his "son's" potential.
Judging by the smile on Whitebeard's face by the end, he was quite satisfied with Whitebeard Jr.
After all, aside from Michael, he rarely encountered anyone who could match him in pure strength.
The only downside was that this big oaf relied purely on instinct to wield his immense power.
"Gurararara! That was exhilarating! you're truly my son!"
After Whitebeard's booming laughter subsided, Michael nodded at Marco and descended.
"So, how do you feel about his Lineage Factor?"
"Aside from being too reliant on instinct, not bad at all!" Whitebeard's evaluation of Whitebeard Jr. was high—second only to Michael, in fact.
"Michael, this time, I owe you one!"
The moment those words left his mouth, Michael and Marco's expressions instantly became polar opposites.
Marco glanced at Whitebeard, then at Michael, and could only sigh in resignation, keeping his mouth Shut.
Meanwhile, Michael grinned and said to Whitebeard, "No need to owe me anything. You can repay me right now."
"What do you mean?" Whitebeard frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.
"What kind of scheme are you plotting now?"
"Scheme? How could you think that of me?" Michael pouted. "I'm just here to guide you all toward a happier life, okay?"
"No. Whenever you smile like that, someone's bound to suffer."
"You know me too well..." Michael muttered before continuing, "But you're the one who said you owe me."
"...Can I take it back?"
"You're the world's strongest man! No take-backs!" Michael folded his arms and leaned in, whispering into Whitebeard's ear.
"Trust me, just like when we cooperated with the Marine back then, this will absolutely benefit you."
"Pops, Michael already told me earlier," Marco interjected helplessly.
"He said... he wants the Whitebeard Pirates to... establish a country."
"Establish a country?!"
Even Whitebeard was left speechless by Michael's audacious idea.
The unfamiliar term crashed into his mind, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Whitebeard establishing a country?
Although he did have numerous territories under his protection, a substantial civilian population, and forty-two affiliated pirate crews—his children who hadn't joined the Whitebeard Pirates main crew but operated independently…
It did seem like he had all the elements of a kingdom: a ruler, subjects, and an army.
And judging by the numbers and strength, only Whole Cake Island could really compare with them…
Other nations would pale in comparison.
But the only problem was…
Most of the territories under his protection were impoverished regions he had taken under his banner out of sheer goodwill.
Not only did they lack resources to contribute to national development, but he also had to divert the dividends from Fish-Man Island to provide them with food.
Honestly, establishing a country wasn't impossible…
But the prerequisite was having a stable and prosperous foundation.
Something the Whitebeard Pirates lacked.
"Michael, I understand your meaning and your intentions," Whitebeard finally shook his head and said.
"But the civilians in my territories are already poor. Even with my aid, they barely have enough to eat… Establishing a country is still a long way off."
"I'm not saying you should do it right now," Michael patted Whitebeard's arm.
"What I mean is, as long as you have the intention, I won't hesitate to offer my help… Poverty? Then I'll help them prosper."
"Can you really breathe life into barren wastelands?"
"Is… that difficult?"
"Is it that simple!?" Whitebeard chuckled bitterly.
"Even though I'm just a pirate who knows how to fight, I understand that farming is entirely at the mercy of nature!"
Michael shook his head.
Still too limited!
But it was understandable—after all, the One Piece World was a shonen manga universe, so deeper agricultural knowledge wasn't a focus.
As a transmigrator, however, Michael knew he had two people under his command who could drastically improve soil fertility!
Stella, with the Cloud-Cloud Fruit and Enel, with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
One could summon thunderstorms, and the other could strike the soil with controlled lightning.
Lightning produced nitrogen oxides, which converted into nitrogen fertilizer—plants' favorite nutrient.
The oxygen generated during the process also enhanced soil respiration and microbial activity, ultimately boosting fertility.
Anyone who transmigrated often knew this stuff!
And Michael had already tested it in the East Blue, the world's breadbasket!
Even if some physical laws differed from the real world, the basics still applied.
Beyond that, knowledge about enriching soil wasn't particularly arcane for a modern person.
And with the One Piece World's absurdly versatile flora and fauna as supplements…
So…
"If that's your concern, let me tell you—I can turn barren land into fertile plains! Under such conditions, if you were to establish a country, what pressure would you feel?"
Michael grinned as he spoke.
In the past, Whitebeard always thought that Michael's smile was the very embodiment of a demon.
But today, he truly felt another side of Michael...
He seemed... to actually be an angel?
...
The same words about founding a nation were spoken once again on Wholecake Island in Totto land.
However, unlike Whitebeard's hesitation and reservations, Charlotte Linlin agreed without hesitation.
She even stated that from the very beginning, she had intended for Totto land to develop into a complete nation.
Michael wholeheartedly agreed with this.
But what surprised him wasn't this—it was that after he cured Charlotte Linlin of her "Hunger Pang" this woman actually showed signs of reverse aging!
If this were the original timeline, she would have undoubtedly started developing into the "Big Mom" persona.
But now, this woman with the strongest body in the One Piece World showed no signs of growing uglier.
Instead, she became more radiant than ever.
Yet all this brilliance was instantly shattered when she once again invited Michael to have a child with her.
Better not mess with her!
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