Chapter 399: Cooperation is Reached, Let the Five Elders Have Fun!

If that brat had been standing in front of him right now, Sengoku would've sent a shockwave his way without a second thought.

As Sengoku seethed, Luffy's voice echoed from the Den Den Mushi.

"Hey, Grandpa Sengoku, calm down! Why don't you ask about the profit margin for these machines first? It's not too late to scold me afterward."

Sengoku's face turned red, both from anger and curiosity. He didn't want to engage with the boy any longer, but the temptation was undeniable. After a few moments of silence, he caved.

"How much?" he asked impatiently.

Luffy's voice carried a sly chuckle, the kind that made Sengoku want to smash something.

"One machine costs me 100,000 Berries to produce, and I sell it for 300,000. After deducting miscellaneous expenses, the profit on each unit is at least 100,000 Berries.

Now, let's talk scale. A medium-sized warship can transport between 300 and 400 units in a single trip. That's a potential profit of 3 to 4 million Berries per shipment.

With consistent deliveries of thousands of units, the Marine wouldn't just cover its military expenses—you could make enough to fund expansions and upgrades on your own!"

The words hung in the air like a tantalizing promise. Sengoku's mind raced as he crunched the numbers. If Luffy's claims were true, transporting tens of thousands of these machines could generate profits in the hundreds of millions.

Transporting the goods wouldn't even be an issue. Marines were already traveling across the seas as part of their regular duties. Adding a few extra items to their cargo wouldn't disrupt operations.

For the first time in a long while, Sengoku allowed himself to dream. He envisioned new recruits flooding the Marines, fully equipped with state-of-the-art weapons. The Marines would dominate the seas like never before.

Unconsciously, Sengoku swallowed hard, his mouth dry as he imagined the possibilities. After a moment, he coughed to regain his composure.

"What's your production capacity? And are you sure these machines will sell?" he asked cautiously.

Luffy responded confidently. "Right now, production is stable at 500 units a day, but we're building new production lines. In the near future, daily production will exceed several thousand units.

As for demand, let me put it this way: on the black market, one computer can fetch up to 2 million Berries. Even at that price, demand far outweighs supply.

Every day, nobles are practically fighting to get their hands on these machines. If you're not royalty or aristocracy, you don't even qualify to purchase one right now."

Sengoku sucked in a sharp breath. The Marine Fleet Admiral was rarely caught off guard, but the popularity of these "computers" left him stunned.

"What kind of machine is this? And why haven't I heard of it before?" he muttered, more to himself than to Luffy.

He found himself torn between two opposing forces. On one hand, the potential profits were staggering, offering a solution to the Marine's financial struggles. On the other hand, Marines had strict rules and principles that couldn't easily be bent.

Sengoku wrestled with the dilemma in silence, while Luffy smirked on the other end of the line. He knew the Fleet Admiral was hooked. All he had to do was wait for the bait to be taken.

Sure enough, after what felt like an eternity, Sengoku let out a heavy sigh. His voice was resolute as he asked, "What do you need me to do?"

"Gotcha!" Luffy thought triumphantly, though his tone remained composed.

"It's simple, Fleet Admiral. Whenever Marine warships pass by Onigashima, have them stop and pick up a shipment of goods.

Olivia Company will provide a detailed list of destinations for their branches. When Marines are on missions, they can make a slight detour to deliver the goods.

Payment will be settled on the spot by the company representatives, so your men won't have to worry about sales. It's a win-win arrangement."

Luffy's tone became lighthearted as he added, "You know, Grandpa, the Marines shouldn't normally have to handle this sort of thing. It's only because of Olivia's relentless arguments—and my own selflessness—that we're offering this opportunity to you. Really, you should thank me."

"Bah! You devil of a child!" Sengoku cursed silently, though outwardly he praised Luffy for his "dedication" and "loyalty" to the Marines.

"You're truly the pillar of the Marines," Sengoku said through gritted teeth. "You've upheld the teachings of your grandfather Garp and the wisdom of your mentor Zephyr."

Luffy graciously accepted the praise, his voice dripping with mock humility.

The two exchanged meaningless pleasantries, both knowing it was all part of the game.

In the end, Luffy pledged to deliver the promised 500 million Berries along with at least 5,000 computers to a Vice Admiral, who would oversee the logistics.

They agreed on a timeline of one month. By then, Marine Headquarters would prepare enough ammunition to equip 10,000 soldiers and deliver it to the Sabaody Archipelago.

The Sabaody Archipelago's proximity to Marine Headquarters made it the perfect hub for the exchange. The slight detour required to deliver the goods was negligible, and the Marine would earn a substantial 50 million Berries in shipping fees.

As the call ended, Sengoku leaned back in his chair with a rare smile. For the first time in months, he felt optimistic about the Marine's financial future.

"Hahaha! No more worrying about expenses! Let those Five Elders play their political games—I've got the Marines covered!"

Sengoku's booming laughter echoed through the Fleet Admiral's office, causing the generals outside to exchange uneasy glances.

Covering their ears, they silently vowed not to overhear too much. After all, knowing too much in Marineford could be a dangerous thing.

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