After his time on Xishazhi Island, Sig, now known as "Seven, the wandering meteorologist," arrived in Visalia and began his studies there.
Visalia, known as a weather island, has a very relaxed academic atmosphere...
Although the scholars who are in charge on the island are all old guys and sometimes seem a bit stubborn, it is more like a university... a laboratory than a country or a city.
There was no clear concept of a ruler. Everyone did their own research. The only thing that could be called "public affairs" was earning research funding. Usually, seven of the most respected scholars would take turns leading other scholars to conduct research.
The task of controlling the "navigation" of Visalia Island is also done in shifts...
After learning it, Seven often took the initiative to read books while controlling Visalia —after all, it was wind-powered, which would help him play the role of Wind-blessed!
The only issue on the island where "majority rule" is required is the disagreement over the next steps in "business."
While most of the time, Visalia will only charge a small amount of money, or even help passing islands with abnormal weather, almost for free, a normal appointment with Visalia's services is quite expensive, as research funding comes from this.
Only a few islands, or rather countries, can afford Visalia's services, but the world is too big and Visalia too few, so there are often multiple bookings at the same time. Visalia never promises whether it will respond to a booking, and theoretically there is no such thing as a "booking," only a bounty.
Whether they place a reward in the newspaper or send someone to ask for help, it's uncertain whether they'll get a response.
In the blink of an eye, Sig has been in Visalia for a month...
Aside from his daily practice time, he has been immersed in the ocean of meteorological knowledge.
To keep their identities secret, they always cultivate in secret from others.
In three months, Sig had gone through all the books in the library, including some very obscure books, or even books that were not very useful.
What followed was even more important for Sig...
Research data from seven renowned scholars!
Sig did not intend to use theft or hypnosis; as long as one offered to become an assistant with a learning attitude, none of the seven scholars would refuse.
Although, apart from two of them, the other five were not particularly fond of teaching others, they were not opposed to their assistants learning something while helping out.
Of course, becoming their assistant isn't easy; most people won't welcome someone who just causes trouble!
Sig's first target was Ge'andi, whom he knew before and who had brought him up, but he couldn't find him in the lab immediately.
"You're looking for Professor Ge'andi? He should be with the scholars at Hareda University. Several of them are there... It seems they have a disagreement about where to go next," one of Ge'andi's students said to the newly arrived scholar, Sai Wen.
"I see... Thank you, may the Goddess of Knowledge be with you." Sig finished speaking politely, maintaining his persona, and then took two steps back before turning and leaving.
The reason for using a false identity was not because I was worried about being recognized by the people of Visalia, but because I didn't want the World Government to know that I had used Visalia's knowledge!
After all, those people are utterly ruthless; if they could destroy Ohara, who helped Roger, they wouldn't care about destroying Visalia, who helped Sig.
Even if Visalia is in the sky, there will always be a day when it needs to be sent down for supplies.
Sig arrived outside Hareda's research room—normally, when great scholars had something to discuss, they would come directly to Hareda's research room; there were no wasteful buildings like conference rooms.
Hareda, nearing ninety, is the most learned meteorologist in Visalia...
Sig, who was outside, overheard their conversation.
The scholars disagreed on where to go next. Two countries sought help from Visalia: the Taki Kingdom in the South China Sea, and... the Kingdom of Amazon Lily in the Calm Belt!
Amazon Lily Kingdom, also known as the "Daughter Country," is located on Amazon Daughter Island in the Calm Belt between the Grand Line and the South China Sea... also called "Nine Snake Island."
As for the Taki Kingdom, it is considered a relatively powerful country in the South Sea, famous for its wine production, and currently ruled by a queen— Monrore.
It's quite perplexing that two kingdoms are simultaneously seeking help...
"Queen Monrore contacted us before, and the cooperation was very pleasant; she was also very polite..."
"But... Hancock is beautiful!"
"Isn't Queen Monrore beautiful?"
"They're not on the same level. Didn't you see the previous bounty posters...?"
"The Taki Kingdom are very kind and hospitable; I remember they were all very welcoming."
"Daughter Island is full of young and energetic female Warrior!"
"However, given Amazon Lily's rules, they'll probably set up a quarantine zone around the island, and they won't let anyone in..."
Sig:...
What exactly are these repressed old perverts struggling with?
Are there no other comparable factors?
Finally, Hareda made the final decision. With the score at three to three, Hareda proposed to go to the Daughter Country.
It wasn't for any other reason...
"The unusual heatwave in the Daughter Country is even more severe this time. Although the Amazon Warrior are in better physical condition, if it continues for too long, it may cause a plague... Besides, if we go to the Daughter Country first, we might still have time to continue to the South China Sea on the way." Hareda made his decision.
The other six Old Man were quite embarrassed after hearing this—no wonder he's Hareda, his awareness is much higher than ours!
However, at that moment, Ge'andi noticed a corner of something sticking out of the drawer next to him.
"Huh? Isn't this Empress Hancock's bounty poster? And it's a rare, out-of-print bounty poster from the time the three sisters lived alone!"
"Ah! There's this issue of the newspaper... Isn't it the one with the world's most beautiful woman? Hmm? Where's the page with Hancock?"
"Hareda..."
"Ahem, what are you doing? I'm just being fair... Hey! Put down that rare bounty poster!"
This decision suited Sig's Token of Appreciation.
Although the Taki Kingdom is considered a powerful nation in the South China Sea, its combat strength is no match for Amazon Lily, and there is no reason for it to join the alliance.
In contrast, Sig also wanted to see his old friend whom he had only met once before, and to bring Amazon Lily into the league as well.
Although Hancock is now Shichibukai, Sig deeply understands that there is no option for "reconciliation" between her and the World Government.
He became one of the Shichibukai only as a temporary measure to protect Amazon Lily.
Thinking of the girl with a big forehead who couldn't fight at all, Sieg's eyes showed emotion. It was not that she missed the beautiful skin, but that she remembered too much...