Who told him to become the Pirate King!

Chapter 309: Take the island and its inhabitants away! (Two chapters, 7k words each, please vote!)

Any scientific research requires a significant investment of human, material, and financial resources.

Not to mention Vegapunk, the world's greatest scientist whose "science and technology are 500 years ahead of their time and 800 years behind!"

Storm had previously considered recruiting Vegapunk, but he had not yet taken any action.

The most crucial reason lies in—

Storm does not have enough resources to support Vegapunk's research!

Without resources, how can we support Vegapunk? Does he have to build a nuclear reactor by hand?

If Storm remembers correctly, more than a decade ago, someone also tried to recruit Vegapunk.

—Not Lou Field, the king of loan sharks.

The MADS organization, founded with funding from loan shark king Lou Field, is a story from much earlier times...

More than a decade ago—to be precise, in the year Ohara was ordered to be destroyed by the World Government.

Vegapunk travels to Ohara to pay respects to Dr. Clover, and then encounters Monkey D. Dragon on Ohara Island, before the Revolutionary Army was formed.

The current revolutionary army was not established back then; there was only the "Self-Reliant Army".

Monkey D. Dragon was the captain of the Self-Defense Force at the time.

Dragon also once tried to recruit Vegapunk, extending an olive branch to this world's number one genius, hoping to change the world with the help of this genius's mind and technology.

However, Vegapunk rejected Dragon without hesitation at the time.

The root cause is also this—

Even with Vegapunk's knowledge and technology, an impoverished army like the Self-Defense Forces couldn't produce anything of any use!

But things are different now.

Storm defeated Charlotte Linlin, nearly destroyed the entire Big Mom Pirates, occupied Whole Cake Island, and seized the wealth of this pirate kingdom for himself.

In addition, the two remaining kings of the underworld, the Queen of Pleasure Street and the Big News Bird, who were defeated by him one after another, became his subordinates.

And then there's the Golden Emperor, who's poised to become the new king of the dark world...

Storm's current power is roughly equivalent to the original Big Mom Pirates plus the entire underworld!

This doesn't even include the golden wealth of Shandora, the golden city on Sky Jaya Island, above Paradise in the first half of the Grand Line!

With Storm's current power and territory, supporting Vegapunk is more than enough!

Upon hearing Storm's words, Vegapunk appeared utterly shocked.

He was a scientist who was oblivious to everything else and focused solely on his research.

Even scientists like this know what the Big Mom Pirates represent!

"you……"

Vegapunk couldn't help but ask.

"You defeated Big Mom?"

"It's not 'defeat,' it's 'kill.'"

Storm smiled and corrected him.

"Charlotte Linlin is dead. If you want to see evidence..."

Storm casually pulled to the side, and a spatial portal opened. He reached inside and pulled out the Emperor's Sword - Broken Blade - Napoleon.

The instant he saw the broken sword, Vegapunk immediately realized—

Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors of the New World, has indeed been defeated!

A unique weapon is of great significance to a pirate.

Just imagine.

If someone suddenly came to the Navy with weapons like Ace, Murakumogiri, or the Eight Precepts, and even damaged ones at that, claiming they had defeated Roger, Whitebeard, and the Beasts...

Even if "the person is nowhere to be found, neither alive nor dead," this claim is still highly credible!

"If what Haku said is true..."

"The power and wealth of the Big Mom Pirates, and the wealth of the Golden Emperor!"

"So, should I heed Haku's advice, leave the World Government's ranks, and join this pirate's side...?"

Vegapunk was caught in a deep dilemma.

To be honest, he was dissatisfied with many of the actions of the world government.

It's like Vegapunk was clearly a peace-loving scientist.

However, the World Government always wanted him to research weapons of mass destruction.

Vegapunk's dream was to solve the energy problem of the entire ocean.

But in Punk Hazard, he didn't even dare to think about how to achieve this dream...

If you were under the command of pirates...

It should become a bit more "free"?

However, Vegapunk and White Dragon were not familiar with each other.

Today was only the second time the two sides had met.

Vegapunk was worried that he had just escaped one danger only to fall into another.

"if……"

Vegapunk remained silent for a long time, seemingly wanting to say something but ultimately did not express his opinion directly. Instead, he used a different approach.

What is your view of the 'world'?

"world?"

Storm raised an eyebrow.

"Division, poverty, backwardness, ignorance, chaos. That's about it."

The Red Line and the Grand Line completely divided the world into several pieces.

The islands have vastly different levels of development, and poverty permeates the lives of the vast majority of ordinary people.

Some islands are at a level of development that is completely primitive, and cannot be called "developed" at all.

Needless to say, ignorance and chaos also abound.

In the Great Pirate Era, thousands of sails competed, and hundreds of boats raced against each other.

Countless people dream of becoming the Pirate King.

But the one destined to become the Pirate King is a god destined to be.

It is truly tragic to have a world that only waits for a savior, and even more so for a divine savior, to solve all its problems.

especially……

Can that divine savior really save the world?

Vegapunk hadn't expected that Haku's understanding of the ocean would be so "unique," and he gave him a deep look.

"So, your dream is to change the world?"

"No, my childhood dream was to be a king, the kind of dragon king who keeps a large number of dragons."

Storm shook his head and answered very seriously.

"As for changing the world? I don't have such grand dreams."

"If I could, I would just want to change my living environment."

I have always believed that science and technology are the primary productive forces.

At this point, Storm briefly described the world he had lived in.

People live and work in peace and contentment, science and technology are booming, and everyone can enjoy the fun that technology brings.

In short, it is—

Modern society.

As Storm got into the conversation, he also used his Clay-Clay Fruit ability to create clay models.

From small items like refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, and telephones...

From cars, ships, airplanes, rockets...

Since a substitute for "train" already exists on the sea—the sea train.

Therefore, Storm didn't cite the example of a train; he simply used the Clay-Clay Fruit to create a square cell phone.

"If possible, I hope Dr. Vegapunk can help create one of these things—I call it a 'smartphone'."

God knows how long it took Storm to overcome his "cell phone addiction" when he first arrived at the sea.

Vegapunk reached out and took the white cube from Storm, examining it closely but unable to discern anything special about it...

I think I understand what you mean.

Vegapunk put away the clay blocks and looked intently at Storm.

"Would you use technology in warfare?"

A technological war?

Storm gave Vegapunk a strange look, then looked up at the sky.

"Dr. Vegapunk, everyone says your knowledge and technology surpass the ocean by five hundred years. My question is... can your technology lag behind the ocean by eight hundred years?"

Eight hundred years ago, a vast kingdom stood proudly on the sea.

Many of Vegapunk's technologies, while called "inventions," are actually "archaeological discoveries."

Moreover, many of his technologies were not as advanced as those of the ancients...

The score is played on the plain.

Normally, Vegapunk's intelligence is still intact.

He clearly understood what Storm meant by "eight hundred years".

Science and technology from 800 years ago!

Vegapunk shook his head.

"Probably not..."

Storm glanced at this "world's best mind" and continued to ask.

"So, can your technology, or rather, your most advanced technology, compare to that of Uranus, Hades, or Poseidon?"

The three ancient weapons.

Both Uranus and Hades are beings capable of destroying an entire island with a single strike.

It's not about destroying the island's surface.

Instead, it completely destroys the island!

As for [Aquaman]

The ability to summon all sea kings in the entire ocean is also a strategic weapon on this planet where the ocean holds absolute dominance.

Vegapunk's lips twitched, and he said helplessly.

"no."

He still hasn't figured out ancient technology!

The three ancient weapons represent the pinnacle of ancient technology!

How can Vegapunk's current level of technology compare to that of the ancient kingdoms?

Storm's last words were delivered.

"Then are you worried about your technology being used in war?"

How so?

Storm felt that the so-called "war" at sea was actually quite childish.

of course.

Small-scale wars between islands or countries do not count.

Storm simply thought the so-called "war" between the real top powers was rather childish.

For example, when the Straw Hat crew arrived at Fishman Island.

Straw Hat Luffy used Conqueror's Haki to knock out 50,000 soldiers from Fishman Island.

What level of Conqueror's Haki did Luffy possess at that time in the New World?

At most, he's only on par with Doflamingo, right?

A powerful individual who has mastered Conqueror's Haki can completely keep war away from ordinary people.

Top-tier Conqueror's Haki can even directly stun powerful individuals like Marine Vice Admirals and Shichibukai.

How can we fight a war with this kind of situation?

Ultimately...

On this vast sea.

The power of an individual transcends that of technology.

Unless Vegapunk's technological productivity develops to the point where he can easily manufacture the three ancient weapons.

Otherwise.

Technology had far too little influence in the so-called "pirate war".

Vegapunk fell silent for a moment.

"So, you won't be using your technological capabilities in war?"

"Of course not!"

Storm shook his head and said directly.

"If it's just normal equipment upgrades, like replacing cold weapons with firearms... I certainly won't stop it."

"But I won't specifically ask you to produce any weapons of mass destruction."

"Of course, if Dr. Vegapunk ever tells me that you can create Uranus, or that you can create a spaceship, please don't hesitate."

"Spaceship?"

Vegapunk even started to stutter a little.

He still hasn't figured out what Storm meant by "airplane".

How come we've jumped straight to the "spaceship" era?

"Let's talk about that later..."

Vegapunk touched the back of his neck and quickly made a decision.

"Actually, I don't have much affection for the World Government either... Let's leave Punk Hazard together now!"

What Storm just said.

Vegapunk was most concerned with the vision of "modern society" mentioned by the other party.

The scene was so realistic that it was as if Haku had actually lived in modern society...

As a scientist dedicated to peace, Vegapunk was very concerned about a society where everyone could enjoy the pleasures of science and technology.

But putting aside these "dreams".

What touched Vegapunk the most was... that he actually had no other choice.

It is known that the White Dragon defeated Big Mom.

On Punk Hazard, who can withstand Big Mom?

The answer is zero.

Vegapunk was unwilling to let Punk Hazard Island suffer meaningless destruction.

Therefore, choosing to "surrender" now is undoubtedly the best solution.

Anyway, even if the world government investigates later.

Vegapunk wasn't worried either.

Scientists who make a living through knowledge and technology are like this.

Moreover, Vegapunk's technological productivity is still the highest in the ocean!

"Then welcome Dr. Vegapunk to the team!"

Storm smiled and extended his right hand to shake hands with Vegapunk, then asked a question.

"Doctor, there shouldn't be any special research secrets hidden beneath Punk Hazard Island, right?"

"Below?"

Vegapunk was slightly taken aback, looking at Storm with confusion.

"I don't quite understand what you mean."

Storm raised his right hand and waved it, and a blond figure slowly floated down from the blue-eyed white dragon.

"What I mean is, if there are any secret laboratories or other technological products built beneath Punk Hazard Island, it would be best to tell me in advance."

"Because I'm going to take this island with me!"

If Storm only manages to abduct one Vegapunk.

So when he returns to Totto Land, he will need to spend a lot of time and energy helping Vegapunk rebuild a new research island.

That's such a waste!

It was from the very moment the decision was made to kidnap Vegapunk.

Storm had already made up his mind.

He's going to take Vegapunk and Punk Hazard, along with the island, with him!

This is Storm's real revenge plan!

Vegapunk instinctively looked at the newly appeared blond figure.

King Lion II, Ryan.

A contemporary user of the [Float-Float Fruit]!

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(End of this chapter)