One Piece: I Am the Revolutionary Army

[“How does it taste?”

[Outside the research base of the Technology Research and Development Island-, Norton and Eric each hold a bottle of soda in their hands.]

[“The taste is quite unique.” Norton’s expression looked quite strange.]

[“Is this the energy you mentioned just now?” Norton pointed at the soda in his hand and asked Eric.]

[He knew that one of Eric's key research projects was the exploration of energy.]

[In this world, energy is still extremely scarce. The reason why the coal mines in the Eureka Kingdom are so valuable is that they are a rare and efficient energy source in the world today.]

[What Eric hopes to establish is a clean energy source that is powerful, easy to store, and infinitely renewable, which is undoubtedly a difficult task.]

[However, what Norton did not expect was that Eric would eventually use soda as a breakthrough.]

[It can be used as a drink and as energy, which is the ultimate application of black technology.]

[“Yes, that’s it.” Eric is obviously very proud of the soda he developed.]

[He leads Norton deeper into the laboratory.]

[A sci-fi device suddenly appeared in front of Norton, and Eric poured a whole bucket of soda into the device.]

[What shocked Norton was that as the soda gradually decreased, the large equipment in front of him actually started to operate.]

[This level of energy output is enough to drive ordinary ships and vehicles.]

[“How is it?” Eric asked with a smile: “According to my calculations, if it is a medium-sized ship, without wind assistance, driven by the turbine alone, a barrel of soda can travel about 50 to 60 nautical miles.”]

[“What’s the cost? Where does the raw material come from?” Norton was surprised and questioned the feasibility of soda as an energy source.]

[“It only requires syrup, spices, and some carbonated water. The manufacturing process is not complicated, the raw materials are in sufficient supply, and it tastes good. It can also be used as a drink.” Eric took a sip of soda and explained.]

[“In fact, the key is not the soda itself, but this device. Any liquid put into it can be converted into energy. However, after my experimental comparison, the effect of soda is particularly outstanding.”]

[Norton could only exclaim: "It's amazing."]

[Eric is definitely a top scientist, he can invent such a device that converts all liquids into energy.]

[The device also has a considerable energy density, is relatively cheap to manufacture, and is simple and easy to operate.]

[Everyone in the conference room was shocked and impressed by Eric's ability to innovate technology.]

[Who would have thought that Eric could transform a daily drink like soda into energy? To be more precise, it was his magical device that could transform all fluids into energy.]

[On the Clearly, the Straw Hat Pirates all looked at Fred, especially at his unique abdominal structure.]

[Uso asked with concern: "That device is indeed very interesting."

Joz thought back to his time on Judicial Island.

Fred shook his head and said admiringly: "Although I am a semi-transformed person with both biological tissues and mechanical systems in my body, my power chamber can only provide partial energy conversion.

[“But Eric completely relies on machinery to achieve this process, and from the perspective of energy efficiency, it is beyond imagination. Fred admires Master Thompson the most, and the scientist he admires the most is undoubtedly Eric. He has studied the blueprints that Eric left in Balkimore in depth, and each of them contains black technology elements that are beyond the forefront of the times.]

[Eric now works for the Freedom Army, and it has been nearly twenty years since he left. His scientific research level has already reached a higher level.]

[If this energy can be mass-produced, it will undoubtedly have a disruptive impact on the market.]

[Two months ago, they had made a major breakthrough in their research on ships crossing the doldrums, and the sound wave frequency that can effectively dispel the attacks of sea kings has been verified.]

[Next, Master Thompson only needs to design a ship based on this power equipment for actual navigation verification.]

[Instantly, Master Thompson, full of energy, rushed into the laboratory and asked excitedly, "Is the engine ready?"]

[Thompson couldn't help but feel excited about the possibility of helping ships cross the doldrums, as it meant the development of the sea train could also move forward.]

[“Yes.” Norton smiled and replied to Thompson: “Master Thompson, I hope you can design a ship equipped with this engine as soon as possible.”]

[“Ten days, I will definitely be able to complete the design within ten days!” Thompson looked at the sci-fi style engine in front of him with confidence, his heart filled with passion for innovation.]

[Ten days later, at the dock of Research Base No. 1, a sailboat equipped with a steam engine and double-sided paddle wheels was docked steadily at the port.]

[When sailing in ordinary seas, the paddle wheels on both sides of the hull can be retracted; when sailing in the doldrums, the soda engine can drive the mechanical paddle wheels through the soda energy, allowing the ship to move forward steadily in the doldrums.]

[“This experiment is left to you.” Standing at the island port, Norton said as he looked at the experimental team members who were about to set sail.]

[Fujitora is an indispensable member of this experimental team. Even if they are attacked by sea kings, his powerful strength can ensure an instant evacuation.]

[Also included Master Thompson, a scientist who records data, and a mechanical engineer who is always on call.]

[Their route plan is to go from Research Base No. 1 through the Calm Belt to the New World, and then return from the New World.]

[“It must succeed.” Norton’s eyes flickered with anticipation.]

[This technology is the important foundation for the rapid development of the Free Army. With this technology, the Free Army no longer has to distinguish between the Four Seas and the front and back half of the Grand Route.]

[Many of MADS and Balkimore's top scientists also understood the significance of this technology and came to the port to witness this moment.]

[According to their estimates, the chances of success for the voyage are extremely high.]

[The technology to disperse the sea kings has reached maturity. The energy provided by the soda engine is enough to support the ship's voyage in the doldrums. What remains is to install it on the ship for the final stage of field testing.]

[“If this technology succeeds, the development of my kingdom will be greatly accelerated.” Galileo watched the ship set sail with deep eyes.]

[His lifelong goal is to revive the Galileo Kingdom. Now, if he can master the technology to cross the Calm Belt, the Galileo Kingdom's sphere of influence may even be expanded to the New World and the West Sea.]

[“It’s almost there, it’s almost there. In just a few years, my cloning technology will surely make a breakthrough.” Galileo silently calculated in his mind.]

[In the next few days, while Norton was waiting for Fujitora and the others to return, he received an urgent call from the Coal and Iron City.]

[“Sir Norton, someone of unknown identity has sneaked into our place.” Crow’s words made Norton look stern.]

[After some conversation, Norton learned that someone had recently sneaked into the Coal and Iron City to gather intelligence. Fortunately, the union has established a strict organizational system during this period, and each team has detailed level information, which is no longer the loose state of the past.]

[No matter how many outsiders there are, they can often be discovered on the same day.]

[“Well done.” Norton praised: “It will take me some time to prepare. Once I am ready, I will immediately notify you to prepare for the emergency.”]

[The development of Research Base No. 1 has gone through half a year. During this period, not only simple artillery was built, but also firearms that were improved by Eric and have better performance than the standard navy weapons.]

[Based on the current weapons production capacity of the base, Norton will be able to use the weapons here to basically arm all the union workers in the Coal and Iron City in two months at most.]

[“I’m afraid it’s the World Government. They finally noticed it.”