Chapter 570: Archdruid Binz
Weiwei's speech was a great success. At least for a child under ten years old, she was quite good.
Cobra, who was always ready to help out, only said a few polite words and a few closing remarks before adjourning the meeting.
After the speech, Weiwei received unanimous praise from everyone and also received admiring looks from the younger sisters.
Binz, who serves as the navy's 'goodwill ambassador', said: "Congratulations, Your Majesty. It seems she will be a very remarkable princess."
"I hope so. We also have to thank the Navy for taking care of Vivi during that time." Cobra said, "By the way, are we going to inspect those test forests today?"
Binz nodded and said, "Yes, I'm ready. Do you want to come with me?"
"Of course, this is a very important matter." Cobra attaches great importance to the survival of plants that Binz has stimulated with his ability, as this is related to a series of subsequent construction plans.
If successful, Alabasta's development progress could be accelerated by many years.
Binz may not know the significance of this matter yet, but if it is really done, Cobra is willing to build a statue for him in the Royal Square, and is even willing to wait for Binz to die and move his ashes to the funeral hall for the royal family to worship for generations.
After a little preparation, everyone set off for the experimental forest north of the royal capital.
In addition to Cobra, there were Zhang Daye, Tom and Altria, as well as a team of guards led by Gaka.
Ikalem will stay in the palace to handle affairs, and Bell will go to patrol various ports.
Everyone else also had things they wanted to do, especially Vivi, who ran away with her friends right after her speech without even having time to change out of her dress.
Judging from their expressions, those beautiful dresses will be unsightly when they come back.
…
The experimental forest is not far from the capital, and the journey doesn’t take too long, so we just travel by camel.
As the camel caravan stopped, Zhang Da looked around and said, "This place looks familiar."
Tom spread his hands and said, "Isn't it the same everywhere in the desert?"
Artoria said, "This is where we fought Crocodile before."
"Yes, it's here." Cobra confirmed, "I was kidnapped by Crocodile at that time. Thanks to you for rescuing me. Mr. Ye Yan is really resourceful."
"Thank you for your compliment." Zhang Da also complained in his heart, you left the battlefield too early and didn't see how embarrassed he looked hiding under the Chaos Beast.
However, Zhang Da also discovered that Cobra might be a bit vindictive. Although this was not the place where Crocodile died, it was also the place where he suffered a great loss.
Building an experimental forest here... wouldn't that be like asking Binz to dance on Crocodile's grave?
Not to mention, the way Binz activates his ability is really like dancing!
What a ruthless person! I can’t compare to him.
Cobra noticed the change in Zhang Daye's eyes and felt a little puzzled.
At this time, Binz pointed to the several green areas ahead and said, "That's it in front. According to the original plan, the first area will be entirely vines and grasslands grown from grass seeds. The second area will be flowers, vines, and shrubs. The third area will also have trees..."
"Taking into account the special environment of the desert, I specially strengthened the roots of each plant so that they can take root deeper and more firmly."
Since Binz accepted the task, he naturally did his homework instead of relying solely on his ability. Every piece of woodland here was planned according to the plan he had discussed with the botanists in Alabasta.
In order to do his job well, Binz also specially studied the characteristics of various plants such as cactus, red willow, and poplar. Although this was not what he wanted to do at the beginning, his attitude was definitely conscientious.
As they approached the woods to check it out, Zhang Da discovered that many of the plants here looked familiar, yet they were somewhat different. Some even had the characteristics of several plants at the same time, as if they were grafted.
In response to his question, Binz explained, "Because everything has been specially adjusted. Botanists say that having more plant species would be beneficial, but not every species is suitable for growing here, so I have made adjustments based on their suggestions."
Wow, he's a real druid. Zhang Da also asked, "If the plants you've adjusted produce seeds, will they still retain these traits?"
Binz glanced at him in surprise. "Mr. Tatsuya, you seem to be using some very technical terms, and the question you're asking is similar to the ones botanists are concerned . Are you also well-versed in plants?"
"...You said the word 'trait'?" Zhang Da was also stunned. This was basic high school biology knowledge, Mendel's pea experiment...
But he could only explain it by saying, "I happened to read in a book that some plant traits are hereditary, but some are not."
Binz nodded. "Unfortunately, none of the traits that appear after being adjusted by my ability can be inherited. For example, the seeds of that sturdy vine will still grow into ordinary grass."
Jaka interjected, "In that case, apart from the long-lived trees, all other plants will have to be sown annually by you?"
"Of course not. As long as you can successfully create a forest and keep it alive for a few years, it will naturally become a place suitable for other plants to grow," Binz said. "Don't underestimate the power of nature."
Zhang Da did not express his opinion either, as he did not quite understand the power of nature in this world.
Logically speaking, the oasis should be eroded by the desert, right?
But since Binz said so, he must have done some research.
Walking through the woods, Cobra placed his hand on the trunk of a tree over five meters tall: "What an incredible ability."
Normally, a tree this tall and thick would take several years or even more than ten years to grow, but in Binz, it only takes the time to dance.
Binz poured cold water on the situation. "Actually, I can't produce too many trees of this size every day. If it were a small shrub, it would be better."
Cobra was not disappointed at all: "This is already amazing. Planting trees in the desert has never been an easy task."
Zhang Da also thought about it and decided to give the young man a bowl of chicken soup: "Binzi, don't forget Mr. Zefa's teachings. You think you can't give birth too much now, it must be because you haven't practiced enough. Think about it carefully, those three generals of our department can change the landscape in an instant."
"How can I compare with the general..."
"Why not? There's no such thing as strong or weak abilities. It's always the user who limits their ability." Zhang Da, speaking without hesitation, questioned, "Tell me the truth, after graduating from the boot camp, did you think you could handle things on your own, and so you slacked off?"
"I..." Binz felt a little ashamed . He was indeed not as hardworking as before after graduation.
This is understandable. On the one hand, without Zefa's supervision, and on the other hand, without those classmates who worked hard together, it is normal for them to slack off.
Smoker is the best example. If he had not been beaten by Zhang Daye during his internship, headbutted by Vergo after graduation, and then beaten by Zhang Daye again, he would definitely not be as hardworking as he is now.
Zhang Da also said earnestly, "Don't let Mr. Zefa down. From today on, continue to work hard to improve your physical fitness and abilities. I'll set a small goal for you: double the number of plants you can control within two months."
"Good!" Binz, who had just graduated and still had some fighting spirit, was encouraged by Zhang Da.
Now it was Cobra's turn to feel a little guilty.
How about another salary increase?
