The pirate world is a vast world, with over 70% of its territory covered by ocean.
However, there is still a place with a significant amount of land, and that is the Red Line, which divides the world.
Taking land on the Red Line is virtually impossible for an ordinary person unless it is the World Government, which has its capital on the Red Line itself. Although for Alabasta, this isn't difficult either…
Fujitora-san, you need to organize a journey, - Ezekiel assigned this task to Fujitora.
After all, the abilities of the Gravity Fruit are possessed only by Ezekiel and Fujitora, and it's actually hard to find another suitable user with potential equivalent to 100 GB.
Although Fujitora didn't want to leave Ezekiel to avoid any threat to the King, he couldn't refuse the King's order.
Thinking about it, Fujitora said:
Then, while the old man is away, please allow my good friend to fulfill my obligations in my stead.
Hm? - Ezekiel looked at him suspiciously, surprised that Fujitora actually had friends.
Only a day later, Fujitora appeared before him with a rotund and towering figure, and Ezekiel smiled.
Blue skin, a massive body, sharp teeth, an attentive gaze, and a sun-shaped tattoo…
Shichibukai Jinbei!
It's no wonder Fujitora can trust him. If it's Jinbei, everything will be fine.
Allow me to introduce, Jinbei-kun! - Fujitora bowed low.
Jinbei solemnly said:
His Majesty Ezekiel is a man whom I respect. If anyone intends to harm him - it will be over my dead body!
In reality, this was slightly exaggerated. Fujitora knew that Ezekiel's strength was immense, especially after continuous training over the past two years. He had reached a very high level. If someone wanted to kill him, it would not be on the level of the Four Emperors.
But as the Royal Guard, Fujitora had many duties related to protection. Primarily, this was to deal with those fools who showed disrespect to the King. Therefore, he asked Jinbei to come, not to protect Ezekiel's life.
Ezekiel smiled; he too wanted to recruit Jinbei. He believed they shared similar beliefs. And Jinbei had long wanted to come to Alabasta. Based on many considerations, this decision was finally made.
Thank you, - was all Fujitora could say. After that, he left Alabasta and went to the Red Line to find the most suitable place for excavation. Completing the whole process of extraction and transportation would take at least a few months.
In Alabasta, snow in winter is impossible, and its residents have never seen snow. The climate remains largely the same throughout the year.
Ezekiel led Jinbei to a hall next to the Alubarna palace.
Jinbei followed the King, keeping an eye out for any potential dangers around them. It was clear that he was not doing this type of work for the first time. At least in this, he is more professional than Fujitora-san, who only knows how to sleep.
That's because in the past he was a guard in the Ryugu Kingdom.
Jinbei-san, don't be so nervous, - said Ezekiel with a smile.
It's my responsibility.
Jinbei opened the door and saw countless researchers in black uniforms busily moving around. When they saw Ezekiel, they saluted him, greeted him, and then focused even more intently on their work.
This is the Royal Academy of Alabasta, one of the most important places in Alabasta.
In this world, there is no leader, including the Five Elders, who properly values scientists, not even Vegapunk. But someone from the 21st century understands how powerful technology can be.
The powers of devil fruits are amazing, but they cannot replace industry. Devil fruits are destined to become a powerful tool to aid development, not the main path to progress.
But in this world, except for the World Government, various countries pay extremely little attention to science.
The Royal Academy provides scientists, who have achieved good results, many opportunities...
Some scientists really have the opportunity to join the research institutes of the World Government, but due to distance, they cannot easily reach where the World Government is located. Therefore, they choose the Royal Academy of Alabasta, which has a shuttle station.
In fact, their potential is far beyond people's imagination. It can be said that all products that Earth produced over two industrial ages can essentially be realized... For example, the production of various electrical appliances was considered in the plan for Alabasta's Sky Island.
Jinbei's heart was filled with curiosity about this legendary King. Some people said he was a god, some said he was a saint, and others said he was crazy, but everyone knows that he truly changed Alabasta.
A certain scientist hurried over to Ezekiel to report on their work:
Your Majesty, based on what you explained, a number of household appliances that require only electricity have been put into production: electric lamps, food storage chambers, air conditioners that can blow cold and hot air, as well as microwave ovens and electric stoves.
Some of these items were familiar to Jinbei. What truly amazed him was that these things were actually powered by electricity. The electricity simply ran through copper wires.
Additionally, the Academy of Sciences has also been researching items such as gas, oil, induction stoves, electric blankets, and electric heaters, but in Jinbei's eyes, these things seemed pointless.
He really couldn't understand why King Ezekiel spent so much money to replace fire with electricity when there was no shortage of firewood. Why? Were they tired of carrying firewood?
Your Majesty, what is all this for? - Jinbei was puzzled.
Ezekiel smiled, amused by the question. Do people need a reason to strive for progress?
This is the future, Jinbei.
Only after some time, when Jinbei enjoyed the convenience brought by electrical appliances and the world fully entered the age of electricity, did he understand the significance of Ezekiel's words.
When these seemingly unrelated and useless things came to life, a new era dawned - the era of the electrical engineering industry.