The Straw Hat Pirates' Scientist

That's right,

Just as the King of the Near Seas voluntarily pulled the ship, Ron received another system notification in his mind.

This is the third mission that Ron has triggered.

Moreover, this task is different from the previous two; it even has an additional question.

Task [The Sacrifice of Experimental Mice]: Requires a non-human creature to volunteer as a research subject.

Additional task: [A Biological Laboratory Established by a Novice Scientist]: Collect data samples from 99 different organisms.

"Non-human creatures?"

As Ron looked at the mission details, his gaze involuntarily fell on the King of the Near Sea.

"What a great mission!"

The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly.

The near-shore king, who was struggling to pull the boat ahead, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and couldn't help but shiver.

"Collecting data samples from 99 kinds of organisms is quite simple. After all, the vast ocean is full of all kinds of fish and marine mammals."

Ron immediately had a preliminary plan for both tasks.

Given Luffy's previous "friendly greetings," the Lord of the Coast was naturally willing to act as a test subject.

Moreover, with the translation konjac, communication between Ron and the Lord of the Near Seas was no problem at all.

So Ron completed the first task in just a few minutes.

"Ding~"

"Congratulations, host, you have completed the task [The Dedication of the Lab Mouse] and received the following rewards: 600 points, a Beginner-level Biological Experiment Component Set *1, and a Basic AI Intelligent Robot Mouse *1."

Soon, the mission rewards were placed into the system space amidst a series of notification sounds.

"These 600 points were so easy to earn!" Ron was overjoyed.

He was originally planning where to get 50 Berries.

After all, the blueprint for the E-grade body-strengthening supplement he was planning to acquire required 500 points, which would be equivalent to 50 Berries.

Although the amount wasn't large, Ron was confident he could get his hands on it. But since they had just set sail, they would need to find a large ship or reach a larger town to make money.

This will take some time.

Earning these 600 points now shortens the time and speeds up the process.

"They also gave me a beginner-level biology experiment kit, which looks like I can do simple biology experiments now."

Ron was really looking forward to the newbie components that the system was giving away.

Although the name includes the word "rookie," this is only in relation to the top scientists of the Multiverse Alliance.

In reality, this would definitely be considered high-end equipment.

"Huh? This basic AI robot mouse is completely open source, and it even comes with a tutorial video."

A hint of surprise flashed in Ron's eyes.

The mice looked no different from the kind of mice used in normal laboratories, and their fur was so lifelike that it was almost indistinguishable from real fur.

But if you look closely, you'll see that its eyes are a pair of lenses.

Through the narration box, Ron learned that these eyes could record and project images.

Its production process is simple and can be holographically projected through its eyes.

So as long as there are enough materials, Ron can create a second robotic mouse.

Of course, that's not the most important thing. The important thing is that this lab rat can be upgraded by replacing parts and feeding it a lot of data.

This is one of the most beloved lab assistant pets for many novice scientists in the laboratory.

"From now on, you'll be called Xiaobai!"

Ron smiled and named this rudimentary AI robot mouse "Little White".

He then beckoned, signaling Xiaobai to go into his shirt pocket.

"Squeak!"

Little White let out a squeaking sound like a mouse and happily scurried into Ron's shirt pocket.

"From now on, stop making mouse-like noises and start using a clear, childlike voice. Also, call me Doctor."

Ron immediately gave the first formal instruction to Little White.

To be honest, he didn't really like the sound of mice squeaking.

"Yes, Doctor!"

Little White popped out of the pocket of the clothes, peeking out its little head and speaking in human language, respectfully addressing us.

"Now we can buy the blueprint for the gold-quality E-grade physical enhancement supplement. Let's try to make it before we enter the Grand Line."

Ron earned 600 points for this mission, while the blueprint only required 500 points.

After purchasing the blueprints, Ron still had 100 points left, but he wasn't in a hurry to spend them.

During the initial account nurturing phase, points are used up little by little.

We must use the best steel where it's needed most and not waste it.

The vast ocean holds a depth and mystery for humankind, much like the starry sky.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the food Luffy brought was gone.

"I'm so hungry, Ron! Take out the multi-capsule capsule, open your lab, and let me in for a feast, okay?"

Luffy lay listlessly on the small boat, letting the Lord of the Coast pull it forward.

"It's not the right time yet!"

"Given your appetite, if I let you in for a meal, the two of us will probably go hungry for the rest of the time."

"If we go hungry for days on the high seas, forget about entering the Grand Line, and forget about becoming the Pirate King. We'll both become adopted pirates."

Ron immediately rejected Luffy.

He knew very well that Luffy was the type to eat whatever he could get without worrying about tomorrow, and that he might not have enough to eat after he was full.

As long as Ron takes out the capsule, he can let Luffy in to eat.

He'll definitely use up all his food reserves in one meal!

Then the two of them will really go hungry.

On this vast ocean, truly far from any village or shop, no one could say for sure how many days we might go hungry.

He still has some food reserves, enough to at least sustain the two of them's basic metabolic needs and energy supply.

But if Luffy goes in and gets a beating...

Ron was also having a headache when he thought about this, since neither of them knew anything about navigation.

On this boundless sea, surrounded by a vast expanse of blue on all sides...

Apart from the distant horizon where the sky meets the water, there was nothing else.

It couldn't even distinguish east from west, north from south, and had no sense of direction whatsoever, so it could only let the king of the near seas sail forward at will.

"I never imagined that sailing was so difficult!" Ron couldn't help but sigh.

Sailing isn't about giving you a boat and being able to easily sail the seas.

Methods used to determine direction on land are completely ineffective at sea, and it's even difficult to find a reference point.

The vast ocean is a deep blue.

After looking at it for a while, my eyes became blurry.

"As expected, a navigator is essential!" Ron thought of Nami.

"roar!!!"

Just then, the King of the Near Seas suddenly let out a terrified roar.

"What happened?"

Upon hearing the roar of the Lord of the Coast, Luffy instantly stood up from the small wooden boat.

"It's a super-large ocean current vortex!" Ron's eyes narrowed sharply as he whispered.

If nothing unexpected happens, the vortex in front of us is the same one Luffy encountered at the beginning of the original story.

"King of the Near Seas, charge forward with all your might! If you get swept in, even you won't fare well!"

"Once you get through this whirlpool, I'll let you go."

Ron immediately shouted at the Lord of the Near Sea.

This is a plot point; once you get past this whirlpool, you should be able to meet Koby and Nami.

You will also encounter the Alvida Pirates.

The enemy's pirate ship and the treasure on board were precisely Ron's objective this time.

"roar!"

Upon hearing Ron say that he would be released and regain his freedom, the Sea King's fear instantly turned into excitement.

With a roar, the King of the Near Sea dragged his small wooden boat and charged madly toward the edge of the whirlpool.

If it were to rush head-on into the center of an ocean current whirlpool, even it would be severely damaged.

However, if the king of the near seas only rushes over the edge, he will still get injured, but at least he will be able to make things much easier.

And the thought of being able to get away from this damned human soon made the King of the Near Seas' eyes turn even redder.

Ocean currents and whirlpools are among the most common maritime hazards.

The enormous ocean current whirlpool before us is enough to shatter most pirate ships.

Without the King of the Coast, Ron and his crew's small wooden boat would have perfectly illustrated what it means to fight a losing battle with an egg.

Even with the frantic towing of the near-shore king, the small wooden boat was on the verge of breaking apart and in imminent danger.

But the king of the near seas was, after all, a local overlord, and he managed to drag the small wooden boat away from the whirlpool.

Ron kept his word and let the Sea King go.

Although the other party was just a fish, Ron was a man of his word, and he always did what he said he would do.

"I'm so hungry, Ron."

Luffy lay sprawled out on the small boat, looking up at the sky, and said weakly.

It took a lot of effort to get through the whirlpool in the ocean.

This made him even hungrier than before.

"good!"

Ron glanced at the limp Luffy and nodded.

Not to mention Luffy, even he is starving right now. If he controls himself a little, eating until he is 70% full is fine.

With a thud, the domed lounge landed next to the small wooden boat.

This recreational house is made of special wood and is die-cast in one piece, so it can easily float on the sea.

"Ron, your capsules are amazing! I'm always amazed when I see them."

Luffy smiled and stuffed the sausage in his mouth, chewing as he said happily.

"Actually, this is nothing. Once you reach the Grand Line, you'll find that Devil Fruit users are as numerous as fish in a river!"

"Many Devil Fruit abilities are unbelievable, but the Capsule of Devil isn't that amazing."

Ron said dismissively.

While these all-purpose capsules are indeed very convenient to use, in terms of sheer wonder, they are far inferior to Paramecia-type Devil Fruits.

Some mythical beast species even possess abilities that are truly unbelievable.

"The Grand Line!"

Luffy's eyes immediately filled with longing as he looked at Ron and said, "Hey, Ron, when are we going to reach the Grand Line?!"

Along the way, Ron gave Luffy a simple introduction to some basic knowledge about pirates.

As for how much Luffy listened to, that's none of Ron's business.

"We need to find a good navigator first, otherwise the two of us won't be able to get across Upside Down Mountain!" Ron said, shaking his head.

He can't swim, and Luffy is completely landlubber; the two of them considered going to Upside Down...

No matter how many ships you have, it's not enough to crash into them; no matter how many lives you have, it's not enough to lose them all.

"Okay, stop eating, or we'll go hungry."

When Roon saw Luffy pretending to look at him and listen attentively while frantically stuffing food into his mouth, a black line appeared on his forehead. He grabbed Luffy's hand and dragged him out of the lounge.

If he continues eating like this, the two of them might really go hungry in the future.

"Hey, Ron, let me have another bite, I'm not full yet."

As Luffy spoke, his other hand instantly stretched out, grabbed a piece of roasted meat on the table, and yanked it into his hand.

Ron slammed the door of the lounge in anger, instantly transforming into a multi-purpose capsule and stuffing it into his pocket.

"Don't be so stingy, I'm really hungry, just let me have one more bite..."

Rumble...

Before Luffy could finish speaking, a cannonball flew over and landed on the side of their small wooden boat.