Chapter 273: Everything Can Be Solved With Archaeology, Professional Outsourcing
It wasn't just the lives of one or two people, nor ten or a hundred—it was the lives of everyone.
The most terrifying aspect of Amber Lead lay precisely in its infinitesimally low toxicity. This microscopic dosage didn't immediately poison those who came into contact with it. There was no vomiting, fainting, or any glaring symptoms. It didn't even cause the slightest discomfort.
The first generation of miners still lived to be seventy or eighty, no different from anyone who had never touched Amber Lead.
But the toxin didn't disappear.
In minuscule amounts, it quietly accumulated within their bodies, passing through their bloodlines to the next generation, and the next.
Every generation bore a toxin load continuously compounding upon the foundation left by their predecessors. Like an invisible hourglass, it slowly and irreversibly counted down to the end of their lives.
As the excavation of Amber Lead continued for nearly a century, this accumulation finally reached its critical threshold. The moment of the outbreak descended without a sound.
Initially, only a few individuals began displaying inexplicable symptoms. Their bodies withered far earlier than their parents', and their lifespans were significantly shorter than their grandparents'.
Later, an increasing number of children couldn't even survive to adulthood. Their long road of life was forced to a brutal end before it could even truly begin.
This particular patient, because of their frequent and intimate contact with Amber Lead, accumulated the toxin at a vastly accelerated rate. Consequently, their symptoms manifested earlier and much more severely than others.
He was among the first to fall. And behind him, countless more were having their lives devoured bit by bit by that cursed land.
Now, the surrounding nations were sealing off Flevance, proving that Amber Lead Syndrome had erupted on a massive scale. Conventional medical treatments were completely powerless against it.
"Can it not be cured?" Amphelite asked, reading the grim report.
"Your Devil Fruit can't," Nereus replied. "The Op-Op Fruit could solve the problem by meticulously extracting the accumulated toxins from the patient's body. However, a doctor's stamina is limited. Even if they worked themselves to death, they couldn't save that many people.
"Bartholomew Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit might be able to repel the substance, since this isn't a viral disease but rather toxic residual matter, but whether it could actually pull it off is uncertain.
"However, I made some preparations for this. Wobbegong, come see me."
Nereus picked up a Den Den Mushi and contacted Wobbegong, who was currently buried in his laboratory.
Ever since glancing at the North Blue map and noticing Flevance's proximity to the Doyle Kingdom, Nereus had been considering how to resolve the Amber Lead crisis.
Compared to the sheer deterrence of absolute martial might or the number of pirates eradicated, executing a massive humanitarian medical relief operation was incredibly effective for elevating a nation's global prestige.
As for why he didn't warn Flevance in advance...
Flevance had grown astronomically wealthy entirely because of Amber Lead. The industry was the lifeblood of the nation. If someone walked into Flevance before the outbreak and claimed Amber Lead was lethal, the Royal Family or the World Government wouldn't even need to silence them. The citizens themselves, blinded by unimaginable wealth, would be the first to violently reject the notion.
In their eyes, Amber Lead was the root of their happiness, not a deadly toxin.
Only when faced with a bloody, undeniable reality would people finally accept the truth.
A short while later, Wobbegong arrived at the Ryugu Palace.
"Your Majesty."
"No outsiders here, just call me Big Boss," Nereus said, handing the intelligence file to Wobbegong. "How is the research I assigned you going?"
"Ah, that! Big Boss, it's already solved!" Wobbegong grinned broadly. "Originally, I had no leads whatsoever. But those ancient texts you brought back from Ohara played a massive role!
"I discovered that centuries ago—long before this World Government even existed, back when the world was a single, unified landmass—a highly similar crisis occurred in the North Blue. Drawing upon the empirical data and chemical formulas recorded from that era, the problem has been completely resolved."
As everyone knows, archaeology is a perfectly valid method for achieving technological breakthroughs.
Whether it was STC modules left over from a Golden Age, mighty golden armadas, Ancient Weapons, or ultra-ancient civilizations... digging deep enough into the earth in different worlds often yielded miraculous discoveries. This sea was no exception.
Although the texts didn't record everything in excruciating detail, the mere existence of the Ancient Weapon Pluton was proof enough of the staggering technological heights of the past.
The artifacts brought back from Ohara were serving their purpose flawlessly. Not only did they fuel Wobbegong's personal research, but they were also the perfect bait to con some of the world's top scientists into working for Fish-Man Island.
For example, Vegapunk. Handing over a few highly specific, classified data fragments was more than enough to buy a significant chunk of his time to develop technologies Fish-Man Island needed.
"By the way, Big Boss," Wobbegong added, "Rather than manufacturing the cure here, I have a better suggestion."
"Let's hear it."
"Outsource it. Vinsmoke Judge is currently operating in the North Blue. Given his intellect and Germa 66's current manufacturing infrastructure, mass-producing this serum will be child's play for him. Logistically, transportation will be much faster too."
"Let's do that," Nereus nodded. "Notify Otohime to coordinate with them. Then contact Morgans and have him prep the propaganda machine. This will be our perfect springboard onto the global stage. Compared to pure violence, projecting a positive humanitarian image carries immense political weight."
After Fisher Tiger was reassigned to the Grand Line as the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, the administrative head of the North Blue was rotated. This year, the position was handed to Otohime.
Below Nereus, trying to pinpoint the most radical, violent warmonger on Fish-Man Island was difficult—there were simply too many candidates.
But identifying the most devout pacifist was easy: it was unequivocally Otohime. With the Doyle Kingdom's situation stabilized, it was only natural to appoint a diplomat with a much gentler touch.
This was also Otohime's personal wish. She didn't want to be confined to Fish-Man Island forever. She wanted to venture beyond the deep sea, interact with the surface world, and accelerate the integration of Fish-Man Island with humanity.
Thus, in her first year after turning thirty—finally gaining the ability to split her tail into legs—she officially requested an external deployment.
[Amber Lead Syndrome is NOT an infectious disease... It is a terminal condition caused by the accumulation of Amber Lead ore toxicity...]
[Specialized medication has been synthesized and will be delivered shortly. You are authorized to execute humanitarian aid, prioritizing your own personnel's safety...]
[Exercise your own judgment on the ground. No need to report every minor detail...]
The Ryugu Kingdom's orders were swiftly transmitted to Otohime via a long-range Den Den Mushi. Reading the message, Otohime let out a massive sigh of relief.
She had been terrified of what to do if it truly was a highly contagious plague. Since it wasn't, the situation was manageable.
"Quickly! Broadcast this information to the surrounding nations! We must prevent unnecessary bloodshed!"
Earlier intelligence reported that the armies of the neighboring kingdoms had completely encircled Flevance, creating an ironclad blockade.
While Amber Lead Syndrome wasn't contagious, it inflicted agonizing, very real pain upon its victims. Trapped in a high-pressure environment, surrounded by hostile armies with their guns pointed inward... it would only take the slightest spark to ignite a catastrophic massacre.
The broadcast quickly echoed throughout the Doyle Kingdom, allowing the terrified citizens to breathe easy. Separated by a strait, they weren't quite as panicked as Flevance's immediate neighbors. Furthermore, years of tangible, life-saving support from Fish-Man Island had earned the Ryugu Kingdom their absolute trust. They firmly believed the broadcast.
The Neptune Army stationed nearby quickly assembled, preparing to cross the strait and deliver humanitarian aid.
Simultaneously, in the waters of the North Blue, countless colossal snails were converging toward a central point.
This wasn't a mass animal migration; it was a bona fide, recognized kingdom—Germa.
Germa was an incredibly unique nation, currently the only country in the world without a fixed landmass. Usually scattered like modular puzzle pieces carried on the backs of giant snails, they would "dock" together when necessary, reforming the complete territory of the Germa Kingdom.
On the armored deck of a massive snail, Vinsmoke Judge was currently overseeing the brutal training of his children. Though they were mere kids, they were all "Modified Humans."
Before they were even born, Judge had utilized his advanced technology to aggressively alter their Lineage Factors in the womb.
The eldest, Reiju—whom Judge viewed as Unit Zero—was currently eight years old. His four sons—Ichiji, Niji, Sanji, and Yonji—were five.
They were currently undergoing a training regimen designed around what Judge considered the most scientifically optimal procedures. However, the results...
"Reporting to the Supreme Commander! Princes Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji have all completed the training course well within the time limit. Their physical metrics have already surpassed adult soldiers. Princess Reiju has also flawlessly completed her advanced curriculum.
"However... Prince Sanji is currently drowning. No matter how we analyze it... Prince Sanji appears to be nothing more than an ordinary human."
Forcing a five-year-old child to swim across a turbulent stretch of the ocean was literally child's play for a Fish-Man or Merman. But for an ordinary human child, it was premeditated murder.
Judge's other children had successfully assimilated their genetic modifications. From the moment they were born, they were superhumans capable of effortlessly enduring this hellish intensity.
As Judge's face darkened with rage over Sanji's failure, an assistant rushed over with a Den Den Mushi.
"Reporting to the Supreme Commander! An individual named Wobbegong is requesting a secure channel. Shall I accept the call?"
"Wobbegong..." Judge muttered, the familiar name cutting through his anger. "Bring it here."
Judge's time in MADS wasn't particularly complicated. His sole objective was to surpass Vegapunk. In his eyes, Queen and Caesar Clown were inherently inferior and completely unworthy of comparison. Buckingham Stussy was entirely dismissed as a useless freeloader.
But Wobbegong—the primary financial backer and patron of MADS back in the day—was someone Judge maintained a rather amicable relationship with.
"A serum to cure Amber Lead Syndrome? Deliver it to the Doyle Kingdom?" Judge frowned. "Wobbegong, Germa 66 is an elite syndicate of assassins, not a charitable medical NGO. However... since it's you asking, I'll make an exception."
Judge accepted the commission without hesitation. With Germa's massive laboratory infrastructure and a completed formula provided by Wobbegong, mass-producing the serum was a trivial matter.
Although he phrased it as doing a favor for an old acquaintance, Judge actually had absolutely no intention of refusing.
The Germa Kingdom wasn't just geographically unique; its political nature was equally precarious. They were a notorious, highly active mercenary assassin syndicate in the Underworld, even serving as the recurring villains in the Marines' serialized comic strips.
And the Underworld was currently dominated by two absolute, insurmountable mountains: Nereus and Charlotte Linlin.
Offending Big Mom was bad, but you could still survive if you hid well enough in the New World, especially if you maneuvered carefully within Whitebeard or Kaido's territories.
But offending Nereus? His reach was absolute. There was nowhere on the ocean you could hide.
Judge was desperate to forge connections with true apex powerhouses; he wasn't about to reject an olive branch like this.
Declaring an end to the day's training, Judge immediately headed to the lab to personally oversee the serum's synthesis.
For the other children, an early end to training meant nothing. But for five-year-old Sanji, it was practically a life-saving grace.
Whether it was stamina drills or hand-to-hand combat, Sanji was consistently beaten half to death, living a life arguably more miserable than Yamato's early years. At least Yamato possessed a monstrous innate constitution and recovered quickly.
As a Prince of Germa, even though Judge despised his weakness and was on the verge of entirely abandoning him, Sanji still had access to certain royal luxuries—such as an extensive library of rare books.
Driven by a budding curiosity about Fish-Man Island, Sanji had recently started reading geographical magazines, slowly developing a profound, starry-eyed yearning to one day see a real-life mermaid.
While Germa was actively manufacturing the outsourced cure, Otohime had already arrived at the front lines.
The waters surrounding Flevance were dotted with quarantine patrol ships. The soldiers aboard were clad in thick, heavy hazmat suits and gas masks, looking like biological warfare units terrified of catching the plague.
Flevance's former glory had completely evaporated. In its place was a grim blockade of razor wire, trenches, and armed checkpoints.
Because Flevance had funneled its entire economy into the Amber Lead industry and possessed minimal arable land, it relied entirely on imports for food and fresh water. Under the total blockade, essential supplies were rapidly running out.
At the borders, desperate, starving citizens of Flevance were violently clashing with the blockade lines. A massacre could erupt at any second. Into this powder keg, the sudden arrival of ships flying the Ryugu Kingdom's flag was highly conspicuous.
"Everyone! Please, stay calm!" Otohime's voice boomed through the ship's massive loudspeakers. "Amber Lead Syndrome is NOT contagious! This is all a tragic misunderstanding! We have already secured a specialized cure, and it will be delivered here momentarily!
"I beg both sides to endure just a little longer! There is absolutely no need to throw away your precious lives here today!"
Normally, mere words were useless to quell a starving, panicked mob. However, Otohime's voice seemed to carry an invisible, soothing magic that actually forced the chaotic crowds to pause and listen.
This was Otohime's unique power: an incredibly rare manifestation of Observation Haki.
Compared to the overt, destructive might of Conqueror's or Armament Haki, Observation Haki often seemed less impactful, but it possessed uniquely terrifying applications. Those born with inherently awakened Observation Haki often possessed rare traits, such as mind-reading.
Otohime's ability allowed her to profoundly influence the emotions and wills of others. In tense, ambiguous situations, her words carried a supernatural weight of conviction, capable of cleansing the darkness in people's hearts and accelerating their shift toward empathy.
However, Otohime's power was a subtle, emotional influence, not absolute mind control. While a large portion of the crowd calmed down, spurred on by the frantic instigation of a few agitators, the situation threatened to rapidly spiral back into chaos.
"Princess Otohime," a Fish-Man commander sighed, stepping forward. "If you ask me, His Majesty Nereus is absolutely right. You can only force people to sit down and listen to you talk about peace after you've beaten both sides into submission."
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