Speed, defense, power—the Pluton's advantages in these areas far surpassed the era. But the most striking feature was the main turret.
If Rosen remembered correctly, rumors claimed it could destroy an island with a single shot. Of course, there was no opportunity to verify that power now.
But Enel explained it clearly: "This main turret is the most powerful part of the entire ship, and also the most frightening to me. Right now, we can't control it precisely. I don't know why. We can activate it, but it's like some function locks its maximum output. It's very strange. We built it from start to finish, yet there are factors we can't control."
"It's probably something the original designers built into the blueprints, some kind of hidden mechanism. The more powerful the force, the stronger the restraints needed. If I'm not mistaken, this might be related to lineage. It likely requires something from the Nefertari royal family to unleash its full power..." Robin speculated after some thought.
This was a very plausible guess. After all, the original ancient battleship Pluton had once lain dormant there. Robin knew this. And since that nation was chosen as the ship's resting place, it must have held significance.
As the only one of the 20 Kings not to take up residence in the Holy Land, they were probably meant to guard this power capable of destroying the world.
If so, many of the original founders of the World Government were visionary and talented kings.
"You built every component yourselves, yet you can't fully unleash its power?" Rosen was somewhat surprised. If anyone else said this, he might doubt it.
But coming from Robin, with such a speculation, Rosen believed it implicitly.
"Exactly. But its power is still terrifying. I call it the Concentrated Barrage!" Enel nodded. This ship was far more powerful than his Maxim.
Although his Maxim was also built from ancient blueprints, the difference between the two was like heaven and earth.
"Concentrated Barrage? How does it work?"
"We can't test it now; it would cause too much of a stir. But this turret can absorb various natural elements, compress and analyze them. According to the blueprints, it's a precision bombardment! Once we lock the turret onto a target, the internal mechanical and energy mechanisms can directly construct a calamity, completely erasing an island!" Enel was excited. This was a world-ending weapon; its power probably surpassed even his Raigo.
"Calamity bombardment?! You mean the attack doesn't come from the cannon's mouth, but after locking onto the target with the turret, it analyzes and reorganizes elements, then unleashes a calamity to destroy it?" Rosen understood.
"Exactly. As far as I know, this Pluton has three types of calamity bombardment. Each is controlled mechanically, highly compressed, then released. They are lightning, seawater, and light! After the attack command is given, these forces descend from the sky and directly destroy the target. This is its true form—a war machine that brings destruction. And besides needing charging time, it has almost no other consumption..."
"This?!" Everyone was stunned. No consumption meant it could fire multiple shots. Even a Marine Admiral probably couldn't withstand such terrifying, relentless bombardment. And with seawater-based attacks, it was a disaster for Devil Fruit users.
"No wonder countless people have sought this power throughout history." Rosen admired sincerely.
Remember, this speculated power wasn't even its final form. It still lacked some control techniques, or perhaps a bloodline inheritance from the Nefertari family.
In the main control room, Rosen had noticed a pillar that looked like it was used for rituals.
Yet even this version of the ancient weapon left Rosen in awe. And if time permitted, he could build more. Though costly, limiting the final quantity, even one ship's functions alone could threaten Admiral-level fighters.
Multiple ships? That would possess the power to destroy an era, no less than the ability of the Sea Kings summoning countless giant sea kings.
"Oh, and Pluton has a diving and storage function. There are spare holds that can accommodate our current ship. "Also, if we're attacked, we can extend the entire metal hull to form a complete defensive mode and even submerge underwater. I speculate it could withstand pressure at depths of ten thousand meters..."
Everyone listened with excitement. If someone else possessed such a ship, they'd be terrified. But if it was in their own hands, that was another matter.
"Captain, the Marines seem to have uncovered some clues." Xia was accompanied by Alice, who looked worried. Before coming here, she had arranged people to monitor the Marines and discovered some unfavorable developments.
As the Marines investigated deeper, some previously ousted trading associations had relinquished power. A few insignificant individuals seemed to have made contact with the Marines.
Although Rosen had tried to cover their tracks, too many eyes made it difficult to completely erase their presence. Not investigating was fine, but once they started, various guesses and suspicions would arise.
And with suspicion, followed by speculation, many things would surface.
"Hmm, this is troublesome. But it's okay. If we're exposed, so be it. Since Marine Headquarters wants to push us as an Emperor, let's do what an Emperor should do. If exposure is unavoidable, we'll publicly announce Andia Kingdom's independence. If the World Government sends troops, given Andia's military strength and defenses, the chances of them taking it are extremely low. The only problem is the Marine Admirals. If we can just occupy the Admirals, even if we become independent, what can they do to us?" Rosen said coldly.
If possible, Rosen wanted more development time. But plans often couldn't keep up with changes.
Besides, with Andia Kingdom's current military power, combined with defensive fortifications and a few masters, even an Admiral leading an assault might not be able to take it.
And if they failed to take it, fighting on foreign ground with the turbulent seas, how many troops and masters could they commit?
If taking a country were so easy, how could Dragon have easily manipulated so many nations into breaking away from the World Government's rule?
In this age of sail, the human and material resources consumed by expeditionary warfare were immense. If Rosen held his ground, even Garp might not be able to break Andia Kingdom.
They had enough strength to hold a country, even openly. But once fighting started, the Dawn Pirates would be pinned down here temporarily.
The Marines' top combatants were still troublesome.
But if Marine Headquarters really committed to a large-scale attack at all costs, Rosen would also send forces to strike Marine bases across the seas.
"Understood. I'll pass the orders to prepare for battle. By the way, I recently recruited a Protector Saint. He's very strong and agrees with many of your views. If you have time, would you like to meet him..." Xia nodded.
"Oh, a Protector Saint. Sounds like a rare talent." Rosen was somewhat surprised.
"Indeed. Today, a very strong Marine attacked Andia Kingdom. He summoned a meteor and blocked the enemy's attack." Shia rarely showed lack of humility, as she and her guards had watched from a distance.
If the Marines had forcibly landed and attacked the defensive wall, war would have broken out.
"Yeah, that blind guy is really strong. Feels like he's not weaker than that Magma Admiral," Enel chimed in.
"Blind, meteor... Could it be Issho! Fujitora the..." Rosen was startled, then frowned. Could this be an undercover agent?
Logically, Issho should become a Marine Admiral around this time, within a year or two.
How did he suddenly become Andia Kingdom's Protector Saint?
"Captain, you know him?" Xia was a bit surprised. According to Issho, he wasn't a pirate or bounty hunter, so he shouldn't have much of a reputation. Even if there were occasional rumors, ordinary people wouldn't pay much attention.
"How interesting. Tomorrow, we'll go see him."
(End of Chapter)