...Alright, alright, alright. You guys weren't like this back then, talking about needing a few technical personnel for support.
Later, the Minister of Science was busy, so we had to trouble the World Government's scientific staff.
And now? It's all our problem, and we even have to pay for the research ourselves. Do you even understand how much money energy research burns through?
No matter how rich the World Government is, it can't withstand your extortion like this!
Of course, Satan Saint only dared to grumble these words in his heart. He wouldn't dare say them to Nero's face, after all, Nero wasn't a reasonable person.
"One month, that's the final deadline I'm giving you. My birthday is in a month, and I plan to celebrate in Sky City for a month. If you can't do it, you'll be carrying Sky City yourself."
Nero's eyes narrowed slightly, as if she saw through the resentment in Satan Saint's heart.
Satan Saint's face darkened as he reluctantly agreed. Nero had said her piece, leaving him no room to refuse.
Besides, he had only just managed to get on good terms with Nero. Did they understand the value of an 80% discount on the Nicuss entry fee?
It was unique in the New World, no one else had such treatment.
As for Nero's request, there was nothing he could do but put more pressure on Vegapunk when he got back.
Problems always need to be solved, don't they? Even if they couldn't research exactly what Nero wanted, they could at least research a device that would make it easier for him to carry Sky City, right?
After exchanging greetings with Nero and Holio, Satan Saint left in a hurry.
Only then did Nero call out to the corner of the garden: "Come out, why are you all here today?"
Ace was pushed out first, with the others following behind him, looking as if they were using Ace as a shield.
"Yo, yo! Nero, long time no see!" Ace could only brace himself and greet her.
Their behavior made Nero laugh wryly: "Don't worry, I'm not angry. It was just a normal conversation with the Gorosei. Why did you all come over?"
"We happened to run into Ace and the two Highnesses on the way, so we came over to say hello to Master together," Kuina said, embarrassed, stepping forward. It was a bit immoral to drag someone else into it just because Nero was in a bad mood.
"I haven't seen Father for a long time, and Momo and I just took this opportunity to come and pay our respects to Father," Artoria also stood out with a blush, reflexively following the formation.
"Hmm, since you've said your hellos, hurry back," Nero nodded, waving her hand dismissively.
Artoria's expression stiffened. She didn't say anything and silently retreated, but her face visibly paled a lot.
Mordred, standing nearby, clenched her fists and suddenly took a step forward: "Father!"
"Hmm?" Nero's nasal sound deepened as she looked at Mordred.
"It's just... that... Lia has missed you for a long time... please make some time..." Her voice grew softer and softer towards the end, almost inaudible.
Artoria stared blankly at Mordred, not expecting her to stand up and speak for her.
"Me too, Master... you've been so hard on Lia and Momo..." Kuina couldn't help but step forward to plead.
Holio, on the other hand, stood by silently. Such a family matter had to be handled according to how His Majesty decided.
"Didn't I say to go back quickly after saying hello?" Nero frowned and crossed her legs.
"That's too much, Master! Lia and Momo miss you very much too..." Kuina argued vehemently. She had helped take care of the two little Highnesses quite a bit when they were young, so even for her Master, she wasn't going to back down on this.
"Hmm, are you misunderstanding something?" Nero tilted her head: "When I said to retreat, I only meant you."
"Eh?" Kuina was stunned, but Mordred and Artoria's eyes lit up.
"I was planning to go find them two today anyway. Them coming themselves saved me a lot of trouble." Nero tapped her fingers lightly on the table: "As for you, how much money do you think you owe me?"
"The famous sword Issho in your hand has overdrawn twenty years of your life. Are you slacking off and loafing around here instead of working hard?"
"Ah, no..."
"No what? Is this month's allowance still enough? Don't forget that Hathaway arranged your position as the Dragon Shadow Guard Captain for you. If your allowance doesn't meet the standard for one month, I'll make you start over as an unofficial member!"
"I, I, I'll go to work right now!" Kuina, completely defenseless, hurriedly retreated.
"As for you, Ace, Newgate contacted me in advance. What you want is useless to him, so just consider this a trip."
After Kuina ran off, Nero looked at Ace again: "Pure gold can delay death and aging, but it can only maintain the status quo. Newgate's condition isn't suitable... Tsk, never mind, take it."
Nero threw a thumb-sized piece of pure gold to Ace. She had specifically gone to some trouble to bring back a lot of this after that.
It was just a pity that no one in Nicuss was willing to use it, all saying that they had reached retirement age and wanted to leave the opportunity to the younger generation.
Nero was also very helpless. The pure gold was piled up in the treasury, and she herself had no use for it anymore. Life for her was just a string of numbers.
To bestow it upon others, this gift was too precious; it was almost gathering dust in the corner.
Ace bent his knees and knelt on the ground: "Arigato, Nero! The Whitebeard Pirates will never forget your kindness for a lifetime."
He had come to Nero this time because of Whitebeard. His body was beyond even Marco's help. If there was still a way in the world to save his old man, it could only be the Nicuss Empire.
"It doesn't matter, but pure gold almost makes one's body stagnant. Besides me, not even Hathaway and Stella escaped it."
Nero shrugged: "I can't imagine Newgate using that thing."
"Even so, pure gold is the only hope." Even with Nero saying this, Ace had no intention of giving up.
He had just recognized his adoptive father, and this was a time of deep father-son affection. Seeing Whitebeard like this, he was willing to try anything.
"But Roger is truly annoying enough, even his own bloodline has recognized his old rival as an adoptive father."
Nero closed her eyes and sneered: "You brat are also quite heartless."
Ace's fate was reflected in her crimson eyes, destiny revealing an inevitable end: "You are also an important seasoning for the future. My friendship with Roger is cleared just like that."
"No need..."
"My relationship with Newgate isn't good enough to warrant gifting pure gold. Whether you acknowledge Roger or not, his bloodline always flows in you."
"Only a few people in this world are qualified to ask me for favors. Young man, accept it with gratitude."
Ace was speechless, his head bowed, lost in thought.
But Nero wasn't interested in knowing. She nodded towards Holio: "Holio, see our guests out. It's family time now."
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