Great Crisis

The current market favors sellers. Unless Bakin throws herself into the World Government's arms, she won't find anyone else to do this.

"You want Linlin's DNA?"

"That's right. Since you collected Whitebeard's, you should have samples from other members too. I figured with your personality, you'd have more than one backup plan."

In Oran's eyes, Bakin was essentially a treasure trove, capable of yielding many valuable items. Having sailed with Rocks, she had encountered numerous powerful individuals and thus had opportunities to acquire things others lacked.

Oran didn't know if Bakin possessed Charlotte Linlin's sample, but that didn't stop him from trying.

"You're in luck. I do have her sample here. I don't have samples from anyone else, though. But as fellow women, I've had a few opportunities to interact with Charlotte Linlin."

"So, you agree."

"Of course. My target is Newgate. If you're interested in her share, you can have it."

In Bakin's understanding, Whitebeard was the most powerful.

Oran, however, didn't see it that way. After the establishment of the Four Emperors, there were three men and one woman among the rulers of the sea.

Whitebeard, known as the world's strongest man, had adventured in the outer seas since childhood, fighting countless battles before finally making his name.

Kaido, also born in a non-affiliated nation, grew up on battlefields and matured through countless fights. After being recruited by Rocks, he even gained Charlotte Linlin's favor. With Giant race techniques and a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, Charlotte Linlin had provided Kaido with much assistance.

Shanks was Roger's apprentice and learned a great deal from him.

Their strength had traceable origins and involved significant training. Charlotte Linlin, however, was unique.

Abandoned as a child, she received no systematic training and her only hobby was eating. Yet, even as a child, she managed to go berserk and beat an old Giant hero to death.

Although that Giant was past his prime, he was still not someone an ordinary child could defeat.

Later, Streusen discovered her, and she embarked on the path of piracy.

Not long after becoming an adult, Charlotte Linlin began her life of childbirth, single-handedly raising a pirate crew.

Without any training and wasting a significant amount of time on childbirth, Charlotte Linlin's status as one of the Four Emperors was almost entirely due to her natural talent.

In terms of overall stats and potential, she was the highest.

Survival on this sea required top-tier individual combat power. For the future, Oran needed such strength. Bakin had presented him with an opportunity, and he naturally wouldn't let it slip away.

"What about Haki training methods then?"

Bakin, having survived on Rocks' ship, was hardly defenseless. Moreover, with Whitebeard as her boyfriend, Oran was certain she possessed Whitebeard's Haki insights. Given Whitebeard's personality, he wouldn't be stingy with those he considered family.

"Haki training methods aren't a problem either, but I can't guarantee how proficient you'll become."

This was the first half of the Grand Line, where Haki was not yet widely prevalent. However, as they sailed further, more people would know Haki.

Whitebeard was strong, but his Haki did not transcend the boundaries of Haki on the seas. Whitebeard's strength stemmed from him as an individual; even with his training methods, replicating another Whitebeard might not be possible. At the very least, Bakin's Haki level couldn't compare to Whitebeard's; there was a vast gulf between them.

Bakin understood what two top scientists could achieve, so with Haki being more valuable now, she didn't mind trading it for greater benefits.

"That's not something you need to worry about."

Haki wasn't an internal martial art that could lead to qi deviation. Haki cultivation was essentially about stimulating inherent potential through physical tempering. Of course, having Whitebeard's insights would significantly shorten the learning curve, especially in advancing Haki. Figuring it out alone might take years to even realize how to use advanced Haki. But with a good teacher, one might break through in days. Even with a mediocre teacher, two years of foundational training could make one much stronger.

"It seems our cooperation is settled. I'll be staying on the ship to freeload meals from now on."

Bakin needed to await the birth of her creation. She also had specific requirements, such as needing a Whitebeard she could control better – not necessarily smarter, just possessing the same potential as Whitebeard.

After the transaction was complete, MADS' ship gained a freeloader. Caesar and Queen had no objections; as long as it wasn't someone like Oran who would take a significant portion of research funding, it wouldn't affect them.

However, they were all aware that Vegapunk and Oran had initiated a project focused on cloning. Judge was quite interested in this, harboring thoughts of revitalizing the Germa Kingdom with a large army of clone soldiers.

Oran and the others' research activities continued. The experiment to filter P-particles was ongoing, and simultaneously, Oran's improvements to the Hex Core had entered the experimental phase.

One of the Hex Cores he brought back was used as Blitz's core, another was used to treat Kate's heart, and he had three remaining. Until similar substances and new synthesis methods could be found, these three were unique. However, this didn't hinder certain experiments.

Currently, all MADS members were focusing on Devil Fruit research. Vegapunk proposed the origin hypothesis, Caesar was attempting Devil Fruit replication, and Judge intended to apply Devil Fruit abilities to mass-produced clone soldiers. Queen, seemingly spurred by Kate, began human modification on himself, while Oran was trying to fuse the Hex Core with Devil Fruits, exploring a new method of energy supply.

In Oran's private laboratory, a metallic humanoid skeleton was taking shape. Beside it was a special spherical object. Just then, Vegapunk's voice echoed through the broadcast:

"Everyone, please pause your current research and come to the conference room. We've encountered a new problem."

The regular researchers remained busy. They knew Vegapunk wasn't calling them, but the core members.

"Vegapunk, what are you doing? My research is at a critical juncture, and if you hadn't interrupted me, I would have succeeded!"

Caesar grumbled as he walked in, but Vegapunk showed no emotional reaction. It was clear Caesar was just looking for more funding.

The remaining people arrived one after another. When Oran was the last to enter, Vegapunk finally nodded, his expression serious. "Everyone, we may have encountered the biggest crisis since MADS was founded. We're out of money!"

"Huh?!"