Ever since the last choice mission, some events have been advanced...
Kenji frowned, carefully recalling some recent occurrences.
For example, the Whitebeard Pirates arriving at Wano Country more than a year early.
This might trigger a butterfly effect, causing Oden to also set sail more than a year early.
As for what further impacts it would cause? Kenji found it difficult to predict at the moment.
After all, the future he knew had, to some extent, been altered.
If Oden's early departure could be considered "not a big impact," then Toki's "incorrect" time travel point was a more serious change.
Toki herself was one thing, but the Time-Time Fruit ability she possessed was a power that could truly have a significant impact on the future.
And her early time travel meant that the timing of subsequent events was also very likely to be advanced.
A butterfly flapping its wings thirty years ago, who knows how many hurricanes it would cause thirty years later?
Last time, when the system issued a choice mission, it specifically noted that Kenji's choice might affect the fate of the world.
Kenji originally didn't care much, not fully believing the system's prompt. He believed in 'My fate is up to me, not heaven'.
If he didn't push the tower, then ultimately the entire world would have to wait decades until the destined Nika appeared.
Could such a fate, or rather, history, be changed by a casual choice of his?
From the subsequent series of situations, it seemed the system wasn't joking this time?!
'If this choice affects the world's fate again… will the future really be changed?'
'Hmm, no…'
Kenji suddenly became startled, thinking of something he had overlooked.
For him, the future and history had changed to some extent, because he was a transmigrator who knew the past and future.
However, for the people of this world, the future being changed? The future hadn't arrived yet, so how could it be said to be changed?
'Only I know about the future…'
Realizing this, Kenji looked horrified.
'Other people in this world don't know what will happen in the future, the future is completely unknown to them, so naturally, there's no talk of their future fate being changed…'
'Does that mean only my future is changed?'
Kenji frowned slightly, vaguely feeling something was off, but couldn't pinpoint it immediately.
'Forget it, going around in circles, don't get myself tangled up too…'
'Even if the future changes… it's not without a countermeasure.'
In fact, when he discovered the Whitebeard Pirates arriving at Wano Country early, Kenji had already been alerted. As events unfolded, he considered it further and prepared several strategic plans.
Finding the Time-Time Fruit user was one of those strategies. It was just that because he encountered Toki, Kenji simply went down this path first, to see how it would turn out.
And during this period, Kenji continuously adjusted his plan according to the changing circumstances.
For example, after his Super Comprehension ability allowed him to comprehend Devil Fruit abilities, he no longer focused his plan entirely on Toki, the Time-Time Fruit user.
After all, the other party was a living person, and it was very difficult to make her act according to a plan, and prone to unforeseen changes and errors.
'The Time-Time Fruit ability is the foundation of the plan, it must be successfully comprehended.'
Kenji, deep in thought, unconsciously turned his head to look at a certain spot.
That was the thick wall of the research institute, and if one were to penetrate through the wall, they would eventually see a curvaceous figure, which was Toki.
When they had previously landed on Egghead Island, Toki had also followed along, and even entered the research institute.
However, she didn't enter the central area of the research institute with Kenji, only staying and sightseeing in the outer buildings.
For her, entering the research institute was like entering a museum, everything was unfamiliar.
'The Time-Time Fruit… should possess the power of Future Vision.'
Kenji recalled, remembering that in the original history, Toki had made a prophecy about the future before her death.
Moreover, the reason Toki traveled through time was to go to Wano Country eight hundred years later, and then achieve some purpose.
If she couldn't foresee the future, why would she specifically set the goal of going to Wano Country eight hundred years later?
'If the Time-Time Fruit ability can truly foresee the future… then the future it foresees should be the future after being affected and changed.'
'Hmm, how does it feel like this foresight ability is even more reliable than knowing the plot in advance?'
The more Kenji thought about it, the more his heart burned, wanting to quickly comprehend the power of the Time-Time Fruit.
Even if his guess was wrong or the Future Vision ability was discounted, its most basic time-traveling ability would not be discounted.
For Kenji, this was a guaranteed minimum, anything else was pure profit.
At this moment, Toki was wandering around the outer area of the research institute, looking around curiously at the technological objects before her.
Eight hundred years ago, such technological products probably didn't exist, or if they did, Toki likely wouldn't have been able to see them firsthand.
She was currently enjoying looking around, feeling quite enlightened.
Beside Toki, there were also several scientists in white coats. These people were outside the core MADS team. They were currently explaining the functions of various technological products to Toki.
Toki naturally received such treatment because of Kenji.
In fact, given the power Kenji displayed after entering the research institute, receiving VIP treatment could only be considered the most basic courtesy.
Having money but no strength just makes you a financial backer. For example, Lu Feld, the 'loan shark kid' who initially funded the MADS team.
Only when both wealth and strength are present can one truly become the team boss, the 'daddy' of the financial backers.
If Kenji successfully takes over the MADS team, he will naturally become the 'daddy'.
Of course, he doesn't have to provide research funds or anything, he'll definitely apply to the World Government and Marine. Additionally, he would sell a portion of the research results.
As for the core members of the MADS team, after experiencing the Conqueror's Haki suppression and personally witnessing Kenji use Conqueror's Haki from a distance, their inner shock was immediately evident, and some of their thoughts gradually began to change.
"Hey, hey! Are you sure there's no mistake? That strong person outside the island… should be a Five Elders, right?"
Stussy held a black Den Den Mushi in her tender white palm, seemingly having intercepted some intelligence.
At this moment, she appeared the most shocked, her large eyes even dared not look at Kenji beside her, staring straight ahead.
Not far away, Vegapunk also learned who was on the warships that subsequently arrived at the island through certain technological means.
However, at this moment, a hint of struggle appeared on his face.
'Hmm, the World Government should provide enough funding, right?'
'But, the World Government will definitely manage it very strictly, and might even restrict personal freedom…'
Vegapunk was very conflicted, unsure whether to choose the Marine or the World Government.
In his view, the difference between these two major forces lay in abundant funding versus personal freedom.
Choosing the side with more funding would likely lead to restrictions on personal freedom. And choosing the side with more freedom would likely result in significantly less research funding.
"What a difficult choice!"