Chapter 98: Whitebeard starts a food company!

As Edie surveyed the fields, he noticed the hired farmers busy at work harvesting the golden rice. With a wry smile, he noted, Manual labor for a hundred acres? This could take an eternity.

"Will it be done by tomorrow noon?" he mused aloud.

"Chenlong, help speed things up," Edie instructed, watching as Chenlong moved into the fields, taking up a sickle with ease. Even Caesar seemed a bit sheepish standing idle, so he too joined the efforts, grabbing a sickle and pitching in.

An hour later, they'd harvested sections from each of the three test fields, and the numbers were beyond impressive: the ordinary field produced the expected 130 kilograms per acre, the high-yield field reached a remarkable 1,250 kilograms, but in the fertilized field, yields soared to an astounding 9,000 kilograms per acre.

Edie inspected the results with satisfaction. This success, he knew, wasn't solely due to the modified grain seeds—it was the fertilizer's secret ingredient, NHCa4, derived from Sea Kings. This mysterious compound, he surmised, held the secret to amplifying biological growth. Consisting of nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon, with "a" representing P-particles, or "ghost particles," NHCa4 was his ace.

In high spirits, Edie decided to shift his strategy. Instead of merely selling grain, he'd market the fertilizer itself. Grinning, he christened his creation "Jinkela"—a name sure to resonate as an essential additive across the Grand Line.

With his plans solidified, Edie prepared the harvested grain to be sent to the Flower Capital's Research Institute, where further studies awaited. Upon arrival, the institute appeared neglected, dust coating every surface. Edie ordered Caesar to clean the facility and set to work analyzing soil samples. His findings confirmed his suspicions: the fertilized soil's nutrient depletion was minimal, a testament to the power of NHCa4.

Pleased, Edie felt confident. By introducing Jinkela to the world, he'd soon be reaping not only extraordinary yields but also unprecedented profits.

However, Edie knew that managing fertilizer distribution would require an organized team. Business was not his forte—science was—so he needed someone to handle the logistics. Packing up his tools, he left the laboratory and walked into the living room, where Caesar and Chenlong had finished dusting the furniture and refreshing the air.

"Nice work, both of you," he acknowledged, watching Caesar's self-satisfied grin as he floated toward him.

"Anything for you, Doctor… About next year's funding," Caesar ventured, his tone slightly coy.

"Not enough to manage on ten to twenty billion?" Edie replied, his voice calm yet curious. He couldn't help but suspect Caesar might be diverting funds for his own enjoyment. Maybe a look at his lab would confirm things.

Clearing his throat, Caesar's eyes gleamed with an intense eagerness. "Actually, I have a new project in mind—a weapon of mass destruction. I'm envisioning a gas bomb capable of devastating entire nations."

Edie raised an eyebrow. "Poison gas?"

"Yes," Caesar nodded, clearly proud. "As a Logia Gas Fruit user, I could create a bomb that could unleash chaos beyond imagination, Wouldn't it be funny if we dropped a gas bomb on those Celestial dragons in Mariejois Doc?."

Edie considered it, then agreed with a warning. "Just remember, if you cause an incident in the Flower Capital, you'll be explaining it to Kaido."

Caesar chuckled nervously. "Rest assured, Doctor, I'll be careful!"

Edie knew Caesar's history—he'd blown up Punk Hazard out of spite, forcing Vegapunk to relocate his work to Egghead. Knowing Caesar's tendency for recklessness, Edie gave him a conservative allowance of an additional five hundred million, contingent on his research progress. "But remember, any slip-ups, and we're done."

"Thank you, Doctor!" Caesar looked ready to hug his benefactor's legs in gratitude.

The next morning, Edie treated the high-yield rice crops, then dispatched Chenlong to deliver samples to Whitebeard. Unlike the other emperors, Whitebeard didn't settle on a single island; instead, his flagship, the Moby Dick, roamed the seas. After contacting Whitebeard, Edie located the crew and directed Chenlong to the meeting point.

As Chenlong descended upon the ships from above, the Whitebeard Pirates looked up in awe, briefly mistaking the sight for Kaido's arrival. Whitebeard, standing on the bow, chuckled heartily. "Guararara… Edie, what have you brought us this time?"

"The results of your investment," Edie replied with a grin as Chenlong released a massive bag of grain from his claws. The bag landed heavily on the deck of the Moby Dick, causing the ship to sway under the weight.

The pirates gathered curiously around the enormous grains. Marco, recognizing the importance of this strange-looking rice, untied the bag, revealing the oversized grains within. The deck erupted with excitement.

"This… is rice?"

"But these grains are enormous!"

"Hold on, it's not just rice—it's grain!" Pirates exchanged incredulous glances, each struggling to process what they were seeing.

Marco handed some of the seeds to Whitebeard, who inspected them with an amazed expression. "Incredible…" he muttered, captivated.

"Prepare a meal with these seeds," Edie suggested, smiling. "This fourth-generation grain produces over 1,200 kilograms per acre."

Gasps rippled through the pirates at this figure. Even Whitebeard looked astonished. His laughter echoed as he clasped Edie's shoulder. "So, my investment wasn't wasted after all!" He immediately called for the ship's chef, Thatch.

"Got it!" Thatch replied enthusiastically, quickly organizing a feast to celebrate the world's highest-yielding grain. Though the seeds needed to be ground down into edible rice, the crew's excitement was undeniable as they prepared to honor the incredible breakthrough.

The kitchen bustled as the cooks worked, and soon, the aroma of freshly cooked rice filled the ships. Edie watched with satisfaction—his invention, Jinkela, was about to make waves not just in the New World, but across the Grand Line.

While the chefs prepared the banquet, Whitebeard invited Edie to join him with a hearty laugh and lifted a massive jug in a toast. "Thank you, Edie!" he boomed. "In all my years, I've never heard of rice yielding more than a thousand kilograms per acre! When I was a boy, I worked the fields too, and back then, a mere two hundred kilos was all we could hope for. You've multiplied it five times over!" He lifted his jug and added warmly, "I toast to your brilliance, my friend!"

Whitebeard's toast was accompanied by a deep gratitude that seemed to reach back to his roots. He drank generously from his massive jar, while Edie simply smiled politely and refrained. Drinking dulled the mind, and he preferred his mind sharp.

"Actually," Edie clarified with a smile, "the yield I mentioned—1,200 kilograms—is what you get with standard compost. But using a specialized chemical fertilizer I've developed? We're talking about yields of up to 9,000 kilograms."

The air seemed to still as the room fell silent in disbelief. Whitebeard stopped mid-drink, his eyes widening, while Marco's voice pierced the silence with a shocked exclamation. "Nine… nine thousand?"

The other captains gawked, struggling to digest the numbers. "Whitebeard," Edie continued smoothly, "these high-yield seeds are the fruits of your investment in the institute. They're yours to use and distribute as you wish. As for the fertilizer? Well, that part stays with me." He gave Whitebeard a knowing look, the businessman's glint evident in his eyes.

Whitebeard roared in laughter, understanding the silent message. "Guararara! No objections here, Edie!" He lifted his jar again in appreciation, already envisioning his hometown and others like it filled with the abundance of food. He imagined full barns and joyful faces, a world where no one went hungry, where even the smallest village had reason to celebrate around a fire.

"Thank you, Edie. You've brought me closer to a dream I've held for a long time," he said, voice thick with gratitude.

Edie nodded, then added with a hint of caution, "Though there are a few things you should keep in mind. The Fourth-Generation seeds thrive only in fertile land and need rotation. They're also susceptible to cold—these are suited for the climates of Wanokuni, so winter planting is out of the question."

Whitebeard stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So if I keep supporting your research, you're saying we could develop Fifth or Sixth Generations better suited to different climates?"

"Absolutely… with proper funding," Edie replied, his expression carefully neutral.

Whitebeard chuckled knowingly. "Twenty billion a year, then? Fair price?"

"Done!" Edie agreed, flashing a triumphant smile. But after a pause, he advised, "It would help to consider selling some of these rice seeds globally. The demand will be tremendous; people worldwide are waiting for this breakthrough, and you can use the profits to support your crews and hometowns."

Whitebeard, feeling the weight of his dream realized, raised his jug in a decisive toast. "From now on, I'll be not just a pirate captain but also a benefactor of the people—an ally to the hungry world!" He laughed heartily, energized by the prospect of revolutionizing food production and feeding countless families.

Edie saw his opening. "Then let's make it official. Let's call it the 'Jinkela Grain Company.' You'll become the food king of the New World!" He laughed, already scheming in his mind. If Whitebeard could distribute rice, Edie would sell his specialized fertilizer worldwide. It was a win-win. And either way, Whitebeard's earnings would cycle right back into Edie's research, funding even greater inventions.

Whitebeard, amused by Edie's scheming, waved his hand. "Sure! I'll take your advice. This goes beyond just one sea; it's a message for the world."

As the hours passed, Thatch finally emerged with a feast. The deck buzzed with excitement as the pirates gathered, sharing bowls of the fragrant rice, marveling at its size, taste, and unique texture.

Standing before his crew, Whitebeard called out, "Sons!" The pirates turned, their attention locked on their captain. "We'll be sharing this grain with the entire world! No one should go hungry, no matter where they live or who they are!" He raised his jug, his booming voice announcing the birth of a new legacy.

"We hold a Worldwide press conference on Beehive Island to tell the world and let the world celebrate the birth of the [Beehive Collection]!!" Edie Declared alongside whitebeard. 

The crew erupted in cheers, exhilarated by the vision of a new purpose. Whitebeard's words carried over the sea, a promise not just of food but of a world transformed.