One Piece: Immortal, I maxed out Conqueror's Haki first

It was all specialized academic terminology. He understood every individual word, yet strung together, they made no sense to him.

"Leave the specialized work to the specialists."

That was all Xia Le could tell himself for comfort.

He had gone to great lengths to save Ohara's scholars and recruit Vegapunk precisely so they could put their talents to use.

In this world, advanced science and technology were a form of combat power, too.

Vegapunk's research into the lineage factor, in particular, would shine brilliantly in the future.

Time passed, and peace settled over the base.

Crocodile and Bullet continued leading the soldiers through their daily training.

Xia Le quietly observed them, taking a rough inventory of the forces currently at his disposal.

"Top-tier fighters: Crocodile and Bullet."

"Mid-tier fighters: Saron, T Bone, Evens, and the others."

"Then there's the nine-man squad with a watered-down version of the Six Powers."

"Next, thirteen thousand rank-and-file Marines who could be called the strongest in the West Blue."

"Specialists include Ohara's scholars and the great scientist Vegapunk."

After that rough tally, Xia Le frowned.

"Still too weak!"

"I need to recruit stronger top-tier fighters."

"And I need to get the scholars' new home and Vegapunk's new laboratory sorted out as soon as possible."

He still had plenty to do, but fortunately, he had enough time.

For now, what needed his closest attention was news from Marine Headquarters and the World Government.

In the blink of an eye, another ten days passed.

That day, a warship slowly approached the entrance to the G-18 fortress base.

At its bow, a burly man wearing a dog-head hat was snoring. He had actually fallen asleep standing up.

When the soldiers guarding the entrance saw the warship and the figure at its bow, shock filled their eyes.

**"Vice Admiral