Hearing Robin's explanation, Luffy raised his head and let out a hearty laugh.
"Really? So you think that highly of me? I feel a little embarrassed," he said, though his grin betrayed no such feeling.
Internally, however, he couldn't help but complain: You're such a double-faced guy, old man. If you want to praise me, just say it outright! No one understands your cryptic way of speaking. Sister Robin, as always, hits the nail on the head.
Thinking of this, Luffy shot Robin a thumbs-up in appreciation, earning him an irritated glare from Dragon.
Dragon's face reddened slightly as he coughed and snorted. "Don't get too full of yourself. You're still a long way from truly changing the world," he said, his tone sharp.
"Tsk," Luffy replied, waving off the criticism. "Better than someone who only talks big and leaves the hard work to others."
Feeling victorious in the exchange, Luffy stood tall and declared, "Just wait and see. My plans are already in motion. Dr. Vegapunk is the final piece of the puzzle I've been putting together. Soon, I'll show you a different world, one where the balance of power will shift entirely. You'd better be ready, old man. Things are going to escalate faster than you expect."
Dragon's sharp gaze studied the high-spirited young man before him. While he didn't fully understand where Luffy's confidence came from, something in his words struck a chord. After a moment of silence, Dragon nodded slightly. "We'll see," he said, his voice low but resolute.
After the lively banquet came to an end, Dragon showed no intention of lingering. He merely asked Luffy for a life card, then transformed into a wisp of wind and disappeared, leaving as suddenly as he had arrived.
Meanwhile, Vegapunk couldn't sit still for long. Barely had he finished his meal when he eagerly requested to see his new laboratory. Three days without research had left him itching to create something new.
Luffy, of course, didn't refuse. He personally escorted Vegapunk to the research facility that he and the Revolutionary Army had built at great cost and effort.
As they walked, Vegapunk hesitated before asking tentatively, "Are you absolutely certain you won't force me to research weapons of war?"
Hearing the concern, Luffy stopped and turned to face the scientist directly. His expression was serious as he said, "I give you my word. You'll never be asked to create weapons under my watch. But I will ask for your help with technologies that improve people's lives."
Relieved, Vegapunk smiled warmly. "That's all I've ever wanted. It has always been my dream to create technology that benefits humanity. If you have any needs in that area, don't hesitate to call on me."
Luffy couldn't help but feel amused. While Vegapunk often spoke about serving humanity, his actions had sometimes told a different story.
This man believes in fighting violence with violence, Luffy thought, recalling the original pacifistas that Vegapunk had created using Kuma's dna. Vegapunk had sincerely believed that these humanoid weapons would act as deterrents, preventing further conflict. Yet, in the wrong hands—like those of the Five Elders—the technology had been repurposed for oppressive ends.
Still, Vegapunk seemed genuinely invested in his ideals. Luffy decided it was best to keep a close eye on him, just in case.
As they continued walking, Vegapunk glanced at Hancock, who was following behind them. Turning back to Luffy, he whispered, "By the way, regarding cloning technology..."
Luffy raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
Vegapunk hesitated, then admitted, "I have collected the dna of the current Shichibukai for research purposes. But don't worry—I've only used them for study. I haven't cloned anyone without consent."
Luffy stopped abruptly and turned to face the scientist. "Doctor," he said, his tone firm, "you'd better not take things too far. I don't want Hancock suddenly having a sister—or us having a daughter—without warning."
Vegapunk chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Understood. I'll be careful."
Eventually, they arrived at the sprawling research institute. The facility was a marvel of engineering, equipped with everything a scientist could dream of.
"Here it is," Luffy said, gesturing proudly. "This is where you'll conduct your research from now on. The island is yours to modify however you see fit. If it's too small, I can arrange for additional land. Olivia is here to assist you with anything you need, and if you ever run into trouble, contact me directly. I'll handle it."
Vegapunk's eyes lit up with excitement as he surveyed the facility. "This is perfect!" he exclaimed. "Thank you for going to such lengths. I'll make sure my work here exceeds your expectations."
As he spoke, Vegapunk pulled a small Den Den Mushi from his pocket. The snail was sleek and black, sporting sunglasses and an indifferent expression.
"This is a Den Den Mushi I recently modified," Vegapunk explained. "It's equipped with advanced encryption, making it impossible for anyone to eavesdrop on your conversations. Take this for now. I'll prioritize upgrading a batch of these for your crew to replace the standard Den Den Mushi you've been using."
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