Next Stop, Fish-Man Island!

That evening, orders came down from headquarters.

As expected, Sakazuki was ordered to lead all officers and naval forces directly under the G-1 Branch, except for Vice Admiral Edwin and Vice Admiral Humphrey, to be temporarily stationed at the G-3 Branch for one year and to be under the command of Vice Admiral Garp!

At the same time, the order also required Vidal to immediately return to the Marine Base in the Sabaody Archipelago and not to remain in the New World.

The order came down just as a group of officers were having a meal together in the fortress mess hall.

Huge round tables were set up in the hall, piled high with all sorts of meats and dishes, while canteen staff moved back and forth carrying bowls and plates and replenishing food.

The messenger who came to deliver the order trembled noticeably under the watchful eyes of hundreds of officers and soldiers, and his expression was stiff. After finally completing his mission, he saluted and hurriedly left.

His performance did not draw any ridicule; on the contrary, Rear Admiral officers praised his excellent mental fortitude.

Vidal turned his gaze from the messenger's retreating figure to Vice Admiral Edwin at the same table.

"Looks like I'll have to hitch a ride on your warship to go back tomorrow."

"Welcome very much."

Lieutenant Vice Admiral Edwin swallowed the spaghetti in his mouth, nodded naturally in response, then picked up the wine glass in front of him and took a sip of the red wine.

"However, I also have a request, and I hope Rear Admiral Vidal can grant it."

"You said."

Vidal seemed uninterested in the meat in front of him, and gently put down his juice glass.

"Can we continue to use those paddle wheels and rotary turbines you installed on the warships?"

Vice Admiral Edwin couldn't forget about this thing that could increase the speed of warships several times over. Once they had it, there wouldn't be many pirate ships that could escape.

After all, one relies on mechanical force, while the other is purely natural wind power.

Moreover, the climate on the Grand Line is quite unpredictable and dangerous. With paddle wheels and turbines, warships have an additional means of dealing with the situation, at least allowing them to speed up their journey away from the area.

Vidal hadn't expected the other person to bring this up; come to think of it, he'd almost forgotten about these things he'd casually made.

"Of course, no problem. In fact, you just reminded me that I'll find some time to talk to Fleet Admiral Kong about cooperation on this device when I get back."

"Also, the paddle wheels and turbines on the warships are actually controlled by my Woods-Woods Fruit powers, so their structures still need some modifications."

When they were chasing Roger Pirates, the situation was urgent, and they didn't consider allowing others to control it, so naturally there wasn't a complete and well-structured system.

So don't be fooled by those warships moored outside, with paddle wheels on both sides of their hulls; without them, they're really just decorations.

Therefore, I definitely need to help get them down before I leave tomorrow, otherwise they'll just be a burden.

As for the specific structure of the driving paddle wheel and turbine, Vidal didn't quite understand it.

No problem, I can talk to Vegapunk about it when I get back to G-1 Branch. It feels like I'll have another source of income right away.

Early the next morning, Vidal walked out of the fortress under the warm sunlight, where the wooden cells were still standing in the square.

However, he had no interest in the pirates inside, some sitting and some lying down, their faces filled with despair and numbness. He went straight through the square to the port and automatically withered the paddle wheels and turbines on all the warships except for Vice Admiral Edwin's flagship.

Once the cooperation is finalized, the complete structure will be installed.

The initial concept is a paddlewheel and turbine device that automatically stores solar energy, converts it into power, and can be controlled by a person.

At noon, Vidal, along with Vice Admiral Edwin and Vice Admiral Humphrey, returned to the port; they were preparing to leave.

"You all better behave yourselves here, and don't disgrace our G-1 Branch!"

Lieutenant Vice Admiral Edwin gave a few words of advice to Sakazuki, who was leading a group of officers to see him off.

"Yes!"

Sakazuki looked down at the other person and nodded expressionlessly.

"After this, I feel that the next time we meet might be several years from now. Be careful," Vidal said with a light laugh.

"You're going to be my future Admiral Akainu, so don't die in the New World."

"Snort!"

Sakazuki snorted coldly and sneered, "Enough with the nonsense. You're wasting your time and life in Sabaody. Just wait until I catch up with you step by step in the New World with the blood of pirates. I won't acknowledge a Fleet Admiral weaker than me!"

This experience, where he was unable to participate in the battle against the Zangjing due to insufficient Armament Haki, and couldn't even block those black arrows, had left him seething with anger.

Although this anger was directed at his own incompetence.

"Ha ha!"

"I've suddenly realized that you, Sakazuki, are quite the smooth talker!"

Vidal was amused and punched the other man hard in the chest. He then turned around and followed Vice Admiral Edwin and Vice Admiral Humphrey onto the ship, giving Sakazuki no chance to retaliate. This made the latter's face immediately fall.

The former sighed inwardly, thinking that Sakazuki's mouth was the kind that, when it spoke, it was astonishing.

He wasn't usually very talkative, but when he did speak, he could be quite infuriating, and for a moment he couldn't help but punch the other person.

What do you mean by wasting time and life? Hey, I'm the base commander, you know!

You're just jealous, aren't you? Oh, you're definitely jealous!

No wonder Future was able to make the reborn Fire Fist Ace seek his own death with just one sentence, and incidentally also leave 'Whitebeard' behind. The taunting effect is absolutely MAX!

The New World sea area wasn't small, but it wasn't really that big either. Perhaps because the warships were accelerated, it only took them less than three hours to see the G-1 Branch's fortress and the towering, massive Red Line behind it.

"Hmm, the paddle wheel and turbine are really effective. Rear Admiral Vidal hopes you can finalize the agreement with the Fleet Admiral as soon as possible."

Vice Admiral Edwin gazed at the familiar fortress in the distance and sighed.

Vice Admiral Humphrey, standing nearby, nodded repeatedly, agreeing that it was indeed a good product that saved a significant portion of the travel time.

"Okay, but before that, I need to meet with Dr. Vegapunk; he'll be responsible for designing the specific structure."

Vidal crossed his arms, letting the sea breeze whip his long, curly black hair and the Justice Coat behind him.

Although there wasn't a full-length mirror in front of him, he could imagine that he must look quite handsome and imposing.

"By the way, you should still take the Bubble Cable Car back, right?" Vice Admiral Humphrey suddenly asked.

"Um?"

Vidal paused, then lowered his head and pondered for a few seconds before replying, "No, I want to pass by Fish-Man Island on my way back, since I've never seen that legendary place."

"But you didn't bring any warships, did you? It may sound harsh, but we can't let you take our branch's warships with you," Vice Admiral Edwin said.

"It's alright, as for warships, I'll just build one myself," Vidal laughed.

Let alone warships, he can even coat them himself, so he's never short of things to do, he can go wherever he wants!

"Build our own warships!!"

His words surprised Vice Admiral Edwin and Vice Admiral Humphrey.

Grateful

Thank you Roronoa Zoro for the 688 book coins!