One Piece: Scientist Simulator

"The above is how to start Pluton..."

The ancient text on the stone slab was sparse, containing fewer than a hundred characters. Robin quickly finished reading it, her gaze shifting toward Edie. The question in her eyes was unmistakable: Do you want me to say it here?

"Go ahead; there's nothing to worry about," Edie affirmed with a nod.

Kaido, visibly displeased, growled, "You think I'd use this weapon against Edie? Woman, I don't need your mistrust."

Robin merely smiled, offering no defense. While she trusted Edie, her confidence in Kaido was nonexistent. He might be Yamato's father, but he was a pirate through and through—a world full of betrayal, as she had learned during her years on the run.

Seeing no alternative, Robin translated the stone slab's content. "The method to activate Pluton is straightforward and comprehensive," she began, her tone measured. "The key lies in the energy source... something called Coke."

"What? Coke?" Kaido froze, his expression twisting into disbelief. "Nico Robin, Edie's my friend, practically a brother. Even if you don't trust me, don't insult me with such ridiculous lies!"

Robin sighed, her patience thinning. "That's exactly what it says. Mr. Edie, I'm telling the truth."

"I believe you," Edie said, smirking. "Kaido, you're no energy expert, so let me explain."

Kaido, momentarily stunned, couldn't decide whether to feel insulted or enlightened. Could Coke—of all things—really be an energy source?

Edie chuckled, savoring Kaido's reaction. "This ship was built by the legendary shipwrights of Water 7. To prevent misuse, the craftsmen preserved the design drawings, passing them down through generations. Currently, they're safeguarded by a Fishman named Tom."

Kaido listened, his earlier disbelief slowly morphing into curiosity.

Why does Franky use Coke as energy?

Before Tom died, he handed the design drawings to another disciple, Iceburg. 

Iceburg realized that he was being targeted by the World Government, so he handed the design to the "resurrected" Katty Flam and asked him to change his name. 

Franky has seen Pluton's design drawings.

He may have tried to build Pluton to take revenge on Master Tom.

But it is clear that building a new Pluton requires huge resources.

Franky doesn't have this resource, but there is a part about fuel on the blueprint - that is, cola.

Franky mastered the ancient technology of how to use cola as energy!

When you think about it, it all seems very reasonable.

The Straw Hats' Thousand Sunny was designed and built by Franky. 

This ship can fire a super-large compressed air cannon called the "Coup De Burst" and achieve a jump flight of up to one kilometer. 

One shot consumes 3 barrels of Coke!

Edie elaborated further, weaving the story together seamlessly. "Franky, Tom's disciple, uses Coke as an energy source for his creations. The technology for Pluton likely inspired his work. He has built a ship called the thousand Sunny, Its weapons and propulsion systems are Coke-powered."

He leaned closer to Kaido, grinning. "So, little guy, does it still sound so unbelievable?"

Kaido grunted, his skepticism finally cracking. "Alright, so we need Coke. How much?"

"As much as you can get—bring it all," Edie replied.

Kaido sprang into action, ordering King to procure the necessary fuel.

As Kaido departed, Robin chuckled softly. "He's certainly eager."

"Of course," Edie replied, watching the door Kaido had stormed through. "With the Five Elders' national treasure looming over his head, he's desperate for an equalizer to protect his territory."

Robin hesitated, then spoke with a playful glint in her eyes. "By the way, I left out something important."

Edie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What did you omit?"

"The ship includes a captain-certification mechanism," she explained. "Once the captain is registered, no one can operate the ship without their approval. If you claim it first, Mr. Edie, the ship will be yours."

Edie grinned. He had little interest in keeping Pluton as a weapon; his primary goal was to dismantle and study its ancient technology. Still, Robin's thoughtfulness warmed his heart.

Kaido returned to the Flower Capital, his steps purposeful as he immediately summoned King. Without wasting a moment, he issued an unorthodox command:

"Take the ship and go buy Coca-Cola."

King, ever loyal but visibly perplexed, tilted his head slightly. Coke? Of all things? His mind raced with questions. Was it for Edie? Surely not for Kaido-sama—Kaido only drank sake! Yet, as always, King kept his thoughts to himself, nodding respectfully.

"Kaido-sama, how much should I buy?"

"Everything!" Kaido roared with conviction. "Buy every barrel of Coke you can find! This is the energy source for the Pluton battleship!"

King's stoic demeanor cracked momentarily, his expression freezing. Coke? Pluton? Energy? The words swirled in his head, refusing to connect. Yet, orders were orders.

"Understood," King replied, suppressing his confusion as he sprang into action.

He quickly assembled a crew and prepared the Beast Pirates' ships. To ensure the mission's success, King enlisted Jack the Drought as additional security. If the Marines sent an Admiral to intercept them, King was prepared to hold them off alone while Jack ensured the safe return of the cargo.

The Beast Pirates' flagship cut through the open sea, its massive sails billowing in the wind. King stood at the helm, his imposing figure cloaked in his black feathered attire, his mask reflecting the sunlight. Behind him, dozens of Beast Pirates bustled about the deck, their usual chaotic energy now tinged with curiosity and confusion.

"Oi, King," Jack grumbled as he lumbered over, his towering frame casting a long shadow. "Are you really telling me we're sailing to Water 7… to buy Coke? What kind of mission is this?"

King didn't even glance back, his hands steady on the wheel. "It's not your place to question Kaido-sama's orders."

Jack scratched his head, his frustration evident. "I'm not questioning his orders, but this is just—strange! We're pirates. We raid, plunder, and conquer. And now, we're going grocery shopping?"

Nearby, one of the pirates couldn't hold back a snicker. "Imagine the headlines: 'Fearsome Beast Pirates terrorize Water 7's vending machines!'"

The entire deck erupted into laughter.

King, unamused, turned his head slightly. "Laugh all you want, but if Kaido-sama learns we failed because you lot couldn't take this seriously, I'll let him deal with you personally."

The laughter died instantly, replaced by uneasy murmurs.

As the ship approached Water 7, the towering Aqua Laguna gates loomed in the distance, the city's waterways glistening under the midday sun. The bustling docks were alive with activity, shipwrights shouting orders, merchants haggling, and tourists marveling at the city's marvels. The arrival of the Beast Pirates' flag, however, cast a sudden pall over the lively atmosphere.

"Beast Pirates!" someone screamed, and the dockworkers scattered like ants.

King disembarked first, his wings spreading slightly as he surveyed the panicked onlookers. Behind him, Jack stomped down the gangplank, followed by a motley crew of pirates carrying empty barrels.

"We're here to buy Coke," King announced flatly, his deep voice carrying over the commotion.

The dockworkers, who had been expecting a raid, froze in confusion.

"Did he say… Coke?" one whispered.

"They're here for soda?"

A merchant, sensing an opportunity, nervously approached. "Uh, s-sir, I can sell you as much Coke as you need!"

"How much do you have?" King asked, his tone all business.

"Er… maybe twenty barrels?"

Jack snorted. "Twenty? That's nothing! We need thousands!"

The merchant blinked. "Thousands?!"

The scene that unfolded was almost comedic. Pirates stormed into shops and taverns, not to loot, but to buy every last bottle of Coke. Shopkeepers, initially terrified, quickly realized they were about to make a fortune.

In one tavern, a pirate slammed down a bag of gold. "Your entire stock of Coke—load it up now!"

The bartender, still trembling, nodded vigorously. "Y-yes, sir! Right away!"

At the docks, King supervised the loading of barrels onto the ships. Jack leaned against a stack of barrels, watching as pirates carried crates filled with Coke.

"This has to be the strangest raid we've ever done," Jack muttered.

"It's not a raid," King corrected. "It's procurement."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Fancy word for 'pirates buying soda.'"

King sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Just focus on the mission. Kaido-sama wants results."

As the ships finally set sail, their holds filled to the brim with barrels of Coke, the people of Water 7 gathered on the docks, staring in stunned silence.

"Did… did the Beast Pirates just pay for everything?"

"Maybe they're turning over a new leaf?"

"Or maybe they're planning something even more insane…"

Onboard, the crew couldn't shake the absurdity of it all. Pirates known for their brutality now carrying thousands of barrels of soda back to Wanokuni? It was a scene none of them would soon forget.

In just over a week, King returned triumphantly with two pirate ships laden with barrels of Coke. Kaido wasted no time, summoning his flame clouds to lift the massive stockpile and transport it directly to the Pluton battleship.

"Five thousand barrels, Edie. Is it enough?" Kaido asked, striding toward Edie, who was immersed in research amid a pile of dismantled parts.

Edie straightened, a wistful look on his face as he surveyed the ancient technology. "It's truly remarkable. The complexity of this ship surpasses anything I've seen. It's more than just a weapon—it's a masterpiece of engineering."

Kaido grunted, uninterested in the ship's technological marvels. "I don't care about that. Can we fire it?"

Edie sighed, shaking his head. "Not quite. After studying the power room, I estimate that full energy capacity requires at least 20,000 barrels. And even then, a single shot from the main cannon consumes 3,000 barrels."

Kaido's eyes widened in disbelief. "Three thousand barrels for one shot?!"

Edie nodded, smiling faintly. "The Thousand Sunny's Coup de Burst needs three barrels per shot, and Pluton's main cannon is at least a thousand times more powerful. These numbers are conservative estimates."

Kaido scratched his head, processing the sheer scale of what Edie had said. "So, we only have enough for one shot?"

"Exactly," Edie replied, turning toward the battleship's core. "But one shot will be enough for a demonstration. Let's start it up and find somewhere to test it!"

Kaido's grin spread wide as he followed Edie to the power room, eager to witness the destructive might of Pluton firsthand.