The Person Who Sold Their Integrity

The low price wouldn't stop Oran from making a profit; he couldn't do it all for free.

Having a conscience never stopped anyone from making money, it just meant they'd earn more if they threw it away.

As long as the plan went smoothly, Oran would gain the reputation and benefits he needed, and those who needed prosthetics would also get a new lease on life. It was a win-win.

"Prosthetics can be improved, and special custom orders are also possible, but the price will naturally go up. However, those who can afford it won't care about this small increase.

The same applies to organs, though they would need to be replaced with new parts regularly.

If there are any special requirements, I can even cultivate a specific organ based on the patient's sample."

Yes, it was only cloning organs individually, not cloning people. This was a matter of principle. In Oran's view, clones were also living beings. Once they had their own thoughts and consciousness, their physical bodies became unimportant.

Even though Blitz was Oran's creation, in Oran's eyes, Blitz was a special subordinate, not a tool to be used up. Robots that could only perform basic logical responses and rigidly follow orders were what Oran considered inanimate objects.

"No wonder you want to get rid of Piekro. There's nothing wrong with doing that. If your technology were truly widespread across the seas, Piekro's business would be cut in half at least. He'd be one of the people who'd want to kill you the most."

Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents. In the lucrative underworld, Oran's actions were akin to overturning Piekro's table.

No need to consider rejection, lower prices, and legality. With something like this existing, the organ trafficking business would naturally collapse.

Of course, this might lead to people specifically targeting those with prosthetics, but that was a concern for later.

"Excellent plan. Doubling the funds is no problem. I'll also let them know about your achievements when it comes to the award nominations. However, Dr. Siderial, what's in it for me regarding your subsequent plans?

Even if Piekro is eliminated, you seem to be the one filling that business gap. There's no benefit for me in that."

No profit, no early start. This was the nature of the underworld. Feld and Piekro's businesses had little overlap, and Piekro, due to his involvement in the assassination business, was even more powerful.

Going to war with him wouldn't bring much profit to Feld.

"It's the thing you want most: reputation. You fund MADS for fame, right? What could possibly build your reputation more than taking down a group that assassinates people and traffics organs every day?

Taking advantage of this opportunity, you could even consider further development, such as establishing a private bank recognized by the World Government. That would be far more profitable than your current ventures.

We could also have closer cooperation. For example, if some people want higher-end prosthetics but don't have the money, they could get special prosthetic loans from your bank.

There's a huge gap in this area, and now is the perfect opportunity."

The World Government's financial institutions were only established in affiliated nations. Apart from that, there were only scattered private exchange offices. In non-affiliated nations and pirate territories, there was still no stable institution.

As Oran said, if this plan could be implemented.

Feld swallowed hard. He had bought into the vision Oran painted. Being in a similar business himself, he couldn't refuse the offer. If he hadn't dared to take risks, he wouldn't be where he was today.

Feld stood up and stretched. He even offered Oran a cigar, but it was refused. Oran had a habit of not smoking or drinking.

Feld didn't mind. As long as one's status and ability were sufficient, such minor details were irrelevant.

"Very well, you've convinced me. But I must remind you of one thing: you don't understand the underworld well enough. If you proceed like this, we'll have another enemy – the organ trafficking assassination group."

"The organ trafficking assassination group?"

"You don't understand the underworld well enough. These people are at odds with Piekro. Because their businesses both involve organs, they frequently clash.

But by doing this, we might forcibly unite them. Assassinations targeting you won't be few. Do you need me to lend you some bodyguards?"

"No, I can guarantee my own safety. However, I will need to use your channels for these two items."

Oran handed Feld two pieces of paper, detailing information about two Devil Fruits.

MADS's ship had a Devil Fruit encyclopedia that recorded many Devil Fruits. Two of them were exactly what Oran wanted.

"Paramecia-type, Swallow-Swallow Fruit. Paramecia-type, Book-Book Fruit. I understand. I'll put out bounties for you on the black market. Don't worry about the money; consider it me making a friend.

If they were Logia or Mythical Zoan types, or fruits like the Op-Op Fruit that fetch exorbitant prices, Feld wouldn't have done this. But the fruits Oran wanted weren't too rare, so Feld made a generous gesture.

After all, this was still a check written on a promise. Devil Fruits specified by name weren't easy to find. Who knew where they might be hidden?

Oran and Feld thus reached some verbal agreements. Afterward, Feld didn't linger and left with his men.

He had been waiting for MADS here as it was on his way, and he had other matters to attend to. Moreover, Oran had given him new plans to consider.

"Oran, I think that fat guy is dangerous. I don't trust him. That's my intuition."

Not long after Feld left, a hidden door opened on the wall beside them. Kate emerged from it, weapon in hand. She had been nearby, ready to support Oran in other tasks.

"I know, and I don't trust him much either. This is just a temporary convergence of interests."

The idea they had today to move against Piekro could lead Feld to betray Oran if their interests diverged significantly. Similarly, Oran wouldn't hesitate to act if the opportunity arose.

This was the nature of the underworld; betrayal was commonplace.

"But Oran, is it really okay to team up with someone like that? He doesn't look like a good person."

"Kate, this is only temporary. Where I lived before, there was a lady who followed the philosophy of gray. This world is neither black nor white, but a delicate and elegant shade of gray.

The World Government has centuries of history and too many trump cards. We need to accumulate strength now and nurture new flowers in this gray ocean. When they bloom, they will naturally reveal true white."

Bang!

Before he could finish speaking, the door was suddenly pushed open. Queen shoved past Judge and Caesar, rushing in first and speaking with a hint of madness.

"Lord Oran! I apologize for any offense caused recently. Please, whatever you do, don't hold it against me!"