Art Is Also a Strategic-Level Resource

"Metal... It has the strongest shaping potential, stable properties, and sufficient durability. The metals with the highest output..."

"...No. These metals are reasonably compatible with offensive and defensive Holy Light Power, but completely unsuitable for purely healing-oriented power."

"What about wood? If it's an issue of material affinity, wood should be closer to the concept of healing, right?"

"No... Holy Light Power isn't natural power. Its compatibility with all kinds of wood is rather poor..."

"Leather... no good either. It only reacts to defensive Holy Light Power, and it isn't universally applicable."

"Bone... no. Even if it worked, I wouldn't use it... It's not Shadow Power!"

"What about minerals? Excluding metal ores, that leaves various gemstones... No, gemstone output is too low and their prices are too high. They aren't universally applicable, though their compatibility with Healing Power is unexpectedly good."

"Let's try something else..."

For over a month, aside from his uninterrupted daily basic training, Wright spent most of his time in the laboratory Garp had specially arranged for him, testing all kinds of collected materials.

The results were not very encouraging. Materials produced in large quantities did not necessarily have suitable properties; those with suitable properties were not necessarily compatible with healing-type Holy Light Power; and gemstones, which had the best compatibility, were rare and expensive.

"Glass... This stuff has properties similar to gemstones. Let's test it..."

"It's compatible, but glass is too fragile, and Lightforging efficiency is too low—what I need is a denser material capable of holding more Holy Light."

"What about synthetic gemstones?"

Wright thought of synthetic diamonds, artificial crystals, synthetic agates, and the like from his previous life, then asked Garp about synthetic gemstones.

"Wright, boy." Garp soon came looking for Wright with a list in hand—this already counted as a major military secret, so Garp had personally looked into it. "White Crystal has the highest output among synthetic gemstones—this is a sample."

"White Crystal is produced in enormous quantities and is extremely cheap. At first, it was used to make counterfeit jewelry—quite a few jewelers making fakes were arrested because of it." Garp rolled his eyes. "Now it's more often used for glasses and special glass. It's hard and highly transparent; the windows in the G3 Branch fortress are made from this stuff."

"It meets the requirements almost perfectly..." Wright accepted the White Crystal sample. It was a box of diamond-shaped crystals roughly the size of a thumb, highly transparent and very uniform. Each piece was a standard unit of White Crystal, about twice as heavy as an equal volume of glass, and cost only a few dozen Beli.

"Lightforge—Heal Mortal Wounds!"

Holding a White Crystal in his hand, Wright infused it with healing Holy Light Power, along with the intent of Heal Mortal Wounds.

Soon, after infusing roughly one-fifth of the Holy Light Power used in a Holy Light Spell, Wright felt that the White Crystal had reached saturation. When he opened his hand, the originally colorless, transparent crystal had changed completely.

The entire White Crystal had turned a faint gold, with a golden glow slowly flowing within it—more intoxicating than even the finest amber.

"It worked?" Garp looked at the exquisite crystal. Even with his composure, he could not help but grow excited—he understood very well what this would mean.

"The compatibility is excellent, equivalent to roughly one-fifth of a Holy Light Spell... That should be more than enough to keep someone with a mortal wound alive." Wright said joyfully, "Now for the final step. We need to find someone... No, any living creature will do, and test it!"

"Mm, I'm good at that. Make a few more, and I'll go find some living creatures." Garp turned to leave excitedly. "We'll test them at the training ground later. I'll order the place sealed off; there isn't enough room here!"

"Hey, don't rush! Let me study it a little more. We'll test it first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Fine. I'll make sure to prepare thoroughly, and I'll send you more White Crystal later!"

Garp hurried off, while Wright began researching how to improve Lightforging efficiency—infusing them one by one was far too time-consuming.

Early the next morning, Garp impatiently came running over and pounded on Wright's door. "Wright, boy, get up! Everything's ready. Hurry up and test it so we can get the results! I've been waiting all night, I can't wait any longer!"

"...That old bastard really doesn't know how to care for researchers. I'm a precious treasure now, you know!*

After getting himself ready, Wright followed the impatient Garp to the sealed-off training ground, where he could faintly hear all manner of strange cries coming from within.

"...Old Man Garp, how many living creatures did you prepare?"

"Not many, just a few dozen—none of them are injured yet. We'll beat them up as needed during the tests! If they die... Well, dead or alive, they'll all be sent to the cafeteria for an extra meal!"

"..."

To keep my adorable subordinates from suffering, I can only sacrifice you adorable little things!

There were rabbits, cats, and dogs; wolves, bears, and even elephants... Who knew how Garp had gotten so many "adorable little things" in a single day!

Still, this ensured the accuracy of the tests.

After a morning of testing, with Garp personally handling the work, they tested the crystals' healing effects on animals with light injuries, severe injuries, near-fatal wounds, severed limbs, blood loss, unconsciousness, and various other conditions. The results were extremely gratifying. After several minor adjustments, Wright finally determined the crystals' final form and activation method.

So now, Garp was hiding in his office, calling Sengoku on a Den Den Mushi to show off. "Hahahahaha, Sengoku! You have no idea what kind of feat Wright, boy, has accomplished this time!"

Blah blah blah... Who would have thought Old Man Garp was such a good speaker? He clearly described the entire process behind the birth of the healing crystal Wright had officially named the Lightforged Crystal, as well as its effects—though it was interspersed with rather grating remarks like, "Guess what...," "Hahaha, idiot Sengoku...," and "Of course, I personally..."

"..."

After Admiral Sengoku heard Garp describe the effects of the Lightforged Crystal, his expression became incomparably solemn, his eyes gleaming. "Classify this matter as top secret. Bring Wright back to headquarters and report to me directly. Immediately. At once!"

This was a strategic-level resource capable of reversing the Marines' increasingly unfavorable situation against the pirates!

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

After reporting to Sengoku, Garp immediately brought Wright and samples of the Lightforged Crystal to Marine Headquarters to report directly to him.

In fact, by the time Garp and Wright arrived at headquarters, Sengoku was already waiting for them personally at the harbor. "There's no time to waste. Come with me to see Brother Kong. Tsuru is there too!"

The group hurried to the Fleet Admiral Office, where Fleet Admiral Kong and Great Staff Officer Tsuru were already waiting, their eyes burning as they watched Wright enter alongside Sengoku and Garp.

Once everyone was seated, Wright did not waste time. "Reporting to Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru. I have brought the item. Please take a look."

Wright placed a golden Lightforged Crystal on the conference table. Its exquisite radiance made it look more like a work of art.

"Vice Admiral Garp has assisted me in testing the effects of the Lightforged Crystal on different animals. Since my ability has the same effect on animals as it does on humans, although no human trials have been conducted yet, I have reason to believe that the Lightforged Crystal will be equally effective on humans."

Wright spoke confidently before the four high-ranking officers. Aside from Garp, the other three gradually lit up with interest.

Fourth update this Friday. Thanks for the fan donations, thank you!