Chapter 92: Marines, Army, Air Force!
Geothermal Energy.
This is a non-polluting Clean Energy source from the Magma deep within the planet, although Im doesn't understand the specific details very well.
But he knows one thing: in his Previous Life, the Nation that gave birth to and raised him was number one in the World in terms of the scale of Geothermal Energy utilization. This is enough to show that it's reliable!
The heat Energy from Underground is converted into mechanical Energy, which is then converted into Electrical Energy. This is what's known as Geothermal Power Generation!
The key is that as long as the speed of extracting heat doesn't exceed the speed at which it replenishes itself, this thing can actually be considered renewable. Not to mention the Active Volcanoes created by the Mag-Mag Fruit's Awakening Ability, which can theoretically erupt and exist permanently. Heat Energy is essentially limitless.
"For a Civilization, Energy is the engine of its development!"
Even Im, despite his ignorance, knew this. After all, he had received a certain level of Education, and in this regard alone, he was infinitely stronger than his predecessor.
"Akainu's Magma can produce eternal Geothermal Energy, so Kizaru's Flash must be eternal Light Energy, and Dragon's Hurricane, that's Wind Energy! These are all non-polluting Clean Energy sources!"
He was a little excited. He immediately stood up and paced back and forth in the living room. He really hadn't thought about these Matters before, but now that he realized their immense Value.
"Enel's Rumble-Rumble Fruit!!"
Im stopped in his tracks and suddenly raised his head. His deep gaze seemed able to penetrate the roof and see the Sky Island above the White Sea.
"The previous ones were all converted into Electrical Energy, but the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's Awakening directly provides Electrical Energy. Wasn't the 'Dark King' powered by it back then?"
Thinking of this, the idea of going to Sky Island became even firmer in his Heart. The importance of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was enough for him to take action personally, and he could also enjoy the unique Scenery of Sky Island along the way.
After calming down, he sat back on the Sofa, poured himself a glass of Red Wine and drank it, then continued to write down his thoughts with a Pen.
That's right, he was actually going to give Vegapunk spoilers!
He also wanted to tell this black Scientist, who was said to surpass Human intelligence by five hundred years, in advance about the various Sea Scholars' speculations on the principles of Devil Fruits from his Previous Life, the general Situation regarding the Pacifista, and some Technology from his Previous Life.
"I remember the key to the Pacifista also requires the Heart provided by the Op-Op Fruit and Shape Memory Alloy Materials. For the former, he could figure it out himself and see if a normal Heart could be used. As for the latter..."
Im looked up and saw the wooden box on the cabinet. Inside was the Paramecia System Munch-Munch Fruit.
Actually, he could give him the Munch-Munch Fruit to eat, and then reveal the process of Wapol manufacturing Memory Alloy in the future. It shouldn't be difficult to replicate.
But the problem remained: there were still doubts about Vegapunk's loyalty to the World Government.
If he ate the Munch-Munch Fruit, that person would no longer be an ordinary Human, but an Ability User with supernatural Strength, which would increase the uncontrollability.
"Speaking of which, in his Previous Life, it seemed someone speculated that this Vegapunk had a connection with the Revolutionary Army. But now the Revolutionary Army has been strangled by him at the source. If he tries his best to help him restore warmth to the Future Kingdom, his loyalty should be fine..."
Im shook the Wine Glass, watching the bright red Liquid swirling inside, and fell into thought. After a moment, he made a decision.
"There's no need to rush giving him the Munch-Munch Fruit for now, but these spoiler contents can be given immediately. The World Government's Technological Power must be strengthened, as well as the Marines' Weapons equipment."
Previously, the Five Elders considered suppressing the Marines and cost issues. Even though North Blue already had mature Automatic Rifles, Submachine Guns, and Grenades, they still hadn't equipped them on a large scale.
Currently, the Marines still use Ball-Bullet Flintlocks. Although they have been modified to be Breech-loading and Rapid-fire, their Power itself hasn't significantly increased.
Although this kind of Firearms equipment is sufficient for dealing with Pirates and other Influence/Power on the Homeland. After all, when they encounter a Tough Opponent, Officers with higher Combat Power will handle it.
But if they were to go to War with Civilizations from other Worlds, this kind of Breech-loading Flintlock with Rapid-fire capability wouldn't be enough.
In Im's view, since there are better Weapons, the Army should naturally be equipped with the best. As for the cost, if they win the War, they'll earn it back. Why worry about Resources?
Losing is the big problem!
As for the issue of checking and balancing the Marines, he already had some ideas. But one point must be clear: the Marines can be checked and balanced, but not overly suppressed, otherwise the World Government will ultimately suffer.
Most importantly... Im has enough understanding of this generation of Marines high-ranking officials, so there's nothing to worry about. As for the next generation of Marines high-ranking officials, the method of checking and balancing will have already begun by then.
Currently, the situation regarding the development of Firearms in the Four Seas is mainly like this: East Blue is the slowest in development, where only single-shot Muzzle-Loading Flintlocks are mainstream, and most people haven't even seen Rapid-fire Flintlocks.
'Two years ago', Usopp, who was still in East Blue, couldn't even recognize the Six-Shot Revolver from South Blue in the hands of the bomber Mr. 5. He insisted it could only fire one shot, only to be instantly proven wrong.
From this point of view, South Blue is stronger than East Blue; at least Rapid-fire Flintlocks have become mainstream.
Next is West Blue, a Sea Area filled with Mafia, home to the 'Five Great Mafia Families', who are quite famous even in the Underworld.
The Firearms level here, judging by the future performance of the Fire Tank Pirates, has already reached the level of World War I in his Previous Life, with everyone having a Mauser Rifle and Heavy Machine Gun.
Finally, there is North Blue, which basically uses Modern Breech-Loading Cartridge Firearms, meaning it's at the level of World War II in his Previous Life. Submachine Guns, Grenades, and Light Machine Guns are all available, and they can even manufacture Gatling Guns. Doflamingo is currently selling these things.
Thus, the usefulness of this 'Flamingo' is highlighted!
"I need to make him expand the scale of the Weapon Factory in North Blue," Im muttered to himself, then downed the Red Wine in his glass.
"Wait, that's not right. Why change the equipment of the Marines?"
Placing the Wine Glass back on the table, he crossed his arms over his chest and fell into thought.
"After opening the Star Gate, there shouldn't be many other Worlds that are eighty percent sea like this one. Even if War breaks out in the future, it will likely be mainly Land Warfare, so the role of the Marines won't be as significant."
"The Army..."
Im felt that he should start paying attention to this Troops. Among the World Government's so-called Three Forces, there is no Air Force, but the Marines, Army, and Holy Land Garrison.
Of course, there will definitely need to be an Air Force in the future.
As mentioned before, this Army has been responsible for guarding the Red Line and the Bridge on the Sea for hundreds of years, so it's easy to imagine how much Combat Power is left now.
"Now we should start strengthening the Army's training and equipment, turning them into a Troops capable of fighting tough battles!"
So the question is, who will train them?
"How about transferring Zephyr over?" Im asked himself in his Heart.
But in the end, he still Shake Head. Leaving aside whether Zephyr would be willing to transfer to the Army, the Marines are also very important. After all, the Base still needs the Marines to guard it.
As mentioned before, the Marines can only be checked and balanced, not suppressed.
"So, who else is good at Army training and Combat?"
The second person Im thought of was Garp, but upon thinking of his personality, he Shake Head again. Just then, a flash of inspiration struck, and a Face wearing a black General's Military Uniform appeared in his mind.
"Douglas Bullet, wasn't he raised in War since childhood and became a General of the 'War-Torn Country' based on his Military Merit?"
"Moreover, the Combat in the 'War-Torn Country' took place entirely within the Island, pure Land Warfare. The key is that this kid's Strength is quite good, and he's currently locked up in Impel Down!"
***
(End of this chapter)