"U-um, next I'll explain the armor and the mantle... s-sir.
First, the Armor. Since we prioritized absolute sturdiness, it doesn't have many flashy gimmicks. We did install hidden Gatling guns in both flanks and the shoulders, but please consider those strictly for suppression or distraction, okay?"
"I understand. So, by keeping the internal mechanisms simple, you've maximized the structural integrity of the plating?"
"Y-yes! We compiled data from all the previous prototypes to create a multi-layered composite. In terms of pure hardness, ordinary attacks won't even leave a scratch."
"Good. And the mantle?"
"Right! It's actually more of a Tactical Coat than a simple mantle. We were very selective with the fabrics. It's blade-proof and bullet-proof, of course, but we also made it resistant to fire, water, and electricity—and it's treated to repel impact and dirt."
"Impressive. Any hidden features in the cloth?"
"Eeeek! Don't look at me like that! It's nothing too crazy... just some wires in the hem for shape-shifting, hidden knives in the sleeves, and a bunch of concealed pockets inside the lining..."
"That's more than enough. You've done well." Krieg offered a reassuring nod to the timid researcher, who looked like she might vibrate out of her skin.
"Then it's my turn for this one, Boss! The Seven Star Sword you brought back. We've given it a total overhaul!"
"Wait, that was supposed to be kept in safe custody..."
"It's fine! I made sure we can revert it to its original state if necessary! Probably!"
"...Proceed."
"Right! But first, can you put your Hakubi-kon staff on this pedestal?"
Krieg complied. The rowdy researcher tinkered with the staff for a moment, detaching a component before moving to the newly modified sword.
"Are you modifying the staff too?"
"Yeah! I'm calling this the Shin-Seiseiken (New Star Sword). Check this out: the pommel cover of the sword unscrews.
And the new staff? I kept the Seastone and the hidden needle on one end, but I added a seam in the middle. If you unscrew the other half..." He pointed to the shortened staff. "It has a matching screw hole!"
"I see. A modular design. They combine into a polearm."
"Exactly! I figured you'd prefer the reach of a long-range weapon. Though, I gotta admit, when you put them together, the thing is massive."
Indeed, the Hakubi-kon was already built for Krieg's towering height. With the Star Sword attached, it was too long for a traditional sword and too bladed for a simple spear—somewhere in the realm of a Nagamaki or a Great-Blade Spear.
It looked like a nightmare to master, but the destructive potential was undeniable.
"The extra reach will be a huge advantage," Krieg noted.
"Right! And you don't have to combine them; they work perfectly as a separate staff and sword. Oh, but don't touch the blade with your bare hands, okay? Technically, the 'curse' is still active."
"...Still there, is it?"
"Yeah. I wanted to cleanse it, but I was afraid that messing with the supernatural energy might break the 'Indestructible' property of the blade. Better a cursed sword that never breaks than a clean one that snaps, right?"
"Fair point. You did well to handle such a dangerous relic." Krieg praised the eccentric researcher.
"Lastly, the secondary armaments. I shall take over from here," the final, most polite member of the squad stepped forward.
"First, the Small Explosive Slugs. The power is identical to the previous model, but we've shrunk the size by one-third. Next, your large-caliber handgun, the 'Bear Kong'.
Maintenance is complete, and I've modified the internal magazine—it now holds six rounds. However, since it requires pre-loading, once you're out, you're out."
"Six rounds? That's a significant upgrade for a hand-cannon of that size."
"We've also prepared a full list of gear that can be concealed within your new coat. Please review this."
Krieg took the list. It started with Weighted Chains and ended with something called a 'Hammer-Action Explosive Pile-Bunker.' The names alone were enough to make a lesser man break into a cold sweat.
"As for your usual prototype swords, since you have the Star Sword now, I've put them on the reserve list. Just call us when you need a fresh batch."
"All of you... thank you. You've outdone yourselves for my sake. Here, take this. Go out and get yourselves a world-class meal on me."
Krieg handed ten thousand Berry to the squad leader, already planning to add a generous bonus to their official pay later.
"Thank you, Rear Admiral! Oh, by the way... have you heard the rumors from the Science Division? They say they're working on 'Cyborgs'—merging human bodies with high-end machinery..."
Cyborgs? Krieg thought. Is that the start of the Pacifista project, or something else?
"I'm actually headed to see Fleet Admiral Sengoku now. I'll see what I can find out. It might be something we can use."
With his new armor clanking softly and the Shin-Seiseiken secured at his side, Krieg left his workshop behind and made his way toward the heart of Marine Headquarters.
Pacifism: Rear Admiral Krieg
"Huh? A request for cooperation from the Science Division...?"
"That's right," Fleet Admiral Sengoku replied, his expression unreadable behind his seagull-topped cap. "They've proposed a project for the cybernetic enhancement of human bodies, and they've explicitly requested your participation."
Wait. Cybernetic project? In the Marines, that usually means the Pacifista program.
"Um, sir, why me?"
In the original timeline, Bartholomew Kuma—the "Tyrant"—accepted the experiments and eventually became a human weapon. But I'm just a high-ranking officer with a penchant for heavy armor.
"The Medical Division has been submitting intriguing data on your physiology for some time. The Science Division caught wind of it and expressed a strong desire to have you as a test subject. They said it's ultimately up to the individual's will, though. What do you say?"
Hmm, what should I do?
Cybernetic enhancement definitely makes you stronger, but I thought back to the Pacifista I knew from the series.
Durability: A body so tough that ordinary blades and bullets are useless.
My Status: I can already achieve this with my Shin Tekkai Kenpo.
Offense: High-heat lasers fired from the palms and mouth, capable of melting steel.
My Status: I definitely want that, but wasn't that technology perfected much later by Vegapunk studying Kizaru?
Utility: Eyes functioning as monitors to identify bounties and names instantly.
My Status: Honestly, I can just memorize the posters. Not worth cutting my head open for.
"With all due respect, sir... I'd like to decline."
Even if the Pacifista were dominant against the Straw Hats or Whitebeard's subordinates, the loss of tactical flexibility is a deal-breaker.
There's a limit to how much you can upgrade hardware once it's bolted to your skeleton. I've focused on training my body so I can adapt to any gear.
The Pacifista are strong enough to defeat "most" enemies. But "most" isn't enough to face the real monsters of the New World. I'm better off staying human.
"I see," Sengoku nodded. "I'll relay your refusal to the Science Division. Now, since you've declined that, let's move to the next item. Regarding the personal Ordnance Squad under your command..."
"Is... is there a problem with them, sir?"
"Do you remember that you need authorization to deploy the 'Prototype Armament Series'?"
"Vaguely... though I haven't used them much lately..."
Crap. I've been letting them crank out gear ten times more powerful than the official prototypes. Better keep my mouth shut about the New Star Sword.
"Accessing that gear supposedly requires Admiral-level clearance, but since we haven't received a single request from you in months, I got curious.
I had a small investigation launched. Imagine my surprise when we found... well, a mountain of equipment that puts the 'Prototypes' to shame!"
"Sir! My sincerest apologies!"
I broke into a cold sweat and bowed my head immediately. Busted.
"...I'm not here to reprimand you. Improving Marine technology is hardly a crime. However, while it's not a formal rule yet, we are making it one: your personal Ordnance Squad must now provide regular feedback to the Science and Technology Divisions.
In exchange, your squad will be designated as the core members of the 'Militarista Project'."
A word I didn't recognize. Was that in the original lore?
"Fleet Admiral, what exactly is the 'Militarista Project'? I've never heard of it."
"That's because I just named it. Simply put, the Science Division has the 'Pacifista Project'—the cyborg plan you just rejected. But that requires heavy physical alteration. The Militarista Project is the 'insurance' policy: the development of high-output weaponry and armor that doesn't rely on innate physical ability or Devil Fruits."
So... basically Power Suits? I kept the thought to myself, not wanting to stir the pot any further.
"You'll accept this, I trust? It's not much different from what you're doing now. Just... a bit more paperwork."
Sengoku gave me a look that said, 'You already turned down the first request, you don't get to say no twice.'
"Understood, sir. I'll cooperate."
I walked out of the office with a heavy sigh. More paperwork... the one enemy no amount of armor can protect me from.
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