Who told him to become the Pirate King!

Chapter 404 The Second [Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit]!

"Excavating ancient weapons?"

Vegapunk looked at Storm in astonishment.

"Did you find Poseidon, or did you discover the whereabouts of Pluto, the god of the underworld?"

Just as Storm was about to answer, he noticed Vegapunk's words and couldn't help but ask a question in return.

"Doctor, why didn't you mention Uranus, the Heavenly King?"

"Of course, it's because Uranus, the Heavenly King, has long been under the control of the World Government!"

Vegapunk said it in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Isn't this common sense?"

"Why is such highly classified information considered common knowledge?"

Several black lines immediately appeared on Storm's forehead.

"It's just 'common sense' to you, isn't it?"

"That's about it—."

Vegapunk waved his hand dismissively and continued the previous conversation.

So, is it Neptune or Hades?

"...It's [Pluto, the God of the Underworld]."

Storm paused for a moment, then explained.

"I went to Wano Country before, and there I heard a very ancient, powerful and special 'voice'."

"This 'voice' also confirms the intelligence information obtained earlier."

- [Pluto, the Lord of the Underworld] is currently still 'sealed' in Wano Country.

Storm's current target is, of course, [Pluto, the King of Hades].

If he were searching for Poseidon, he wouldn't need to seek Vegapunk's help at all.

Poseidon, the King of the Sea, is alive, and his "location" is very fixed.

Fishman Island, Dragon Palace Kingdom, Hard-Shelled Tower.

On the contrary, [Pluto] is a genuine "weapon", and a "super weapon" that contains the advanced technological power of an ancient and great kingdom.

Storm thought that if he were to casually rush to Wano Country without any preparation and immediately start excavating [Pluto]...

The probability of successfully excavating [Pluto, the God of the Underworld] is [missing information].

However, during the excavation process, there is a higher probability that some unknown and enormous damage will be inflicted on [Pluto]!

This is the real reason why Storm approached Vegapunk.

If Vegapunk were there, at least some unnecessary damage to Hades Pluto could be avoided.

of course.

Strom will also take Robin to Wano Country in the future.

Vegapunk is just smart—or maybe not really.

Robin is the real archaeologist!

"So it's [Pluto, the God of the Underworld] —"

Vegapunk touched the white beard on his chin and shook his head.

"Then I advise you not to waste your energy."

Storm looked puzzled. "What's wrong?"

"Actually, I'm also very curious about so-called 'ancient weapons'."

Vegapunk said with great helplessness.

"However, apart from the special case of Poseidon, both Uranus and Pluto are technological creations from eight or nine hundred years ago."

"Having been around for nearly a thousand years, putting aside other factors, the energy source of ancient weapons is definitely insufficient!"

"At least according to what I know, the World Government's Uranus is unable to be used for a long time because it lacks sufficient energy."

"Another point is that the energy required to power ancient weapons wasn't the electricity or heat we use now; it was a much more advanced form of energy..."

"So, even if you, Storm, really did dig up [Pluto] from Wano Country,

You also don't have enough energy to power it.

"And an ancient weapon without an energy source, and a ship at that—I think it's not even as good as the Golden Emperor's Grantezoro."

Grantezoro is also very large in scale.

That was a massive golden warship, comparable in size to an island!

If Pluto does not use energy, then it will naturally lose its offensive power.

In that case, [Pluto] might not actually be as useful as Grantezoro.

After hearing Vegapunk's long speech, Storm fell silent.

Vegapunk's words do make a lot of sense.

Storm wanted to dig out [Pluto] in order to increase his own combat power, which can be regarded as eliminating a potential threat in advance.

But an ancient warship without an energy source -

It's probably, it seems, maybe, it's of no use at all.

"However, Doctor, can't you create some kind of 'special energy source'?"

Storm knew that Vegapunk had created a magical energy source called the "Mother Spark" based on the information he had.

In the future, the World Government will steal a small amount of energy from the Mother Flame and forcibly activate the Ancient Weapon Uranus, which was hidden in the Paradise stage, thereby completely erasing the Kingdom of Lulusia from the sea.

Storm may not believe Vegapunk's intelligence.

However, he had complete faith in Vegapunk's technology.

"A very good question."

Vegapunk nodded first, then shook his head.

"But I really can't do it."

"To be honest, providing the world with unlimited energy has been my dream since I was a child."

"But I still don't have enough confidence in how to do it specifically."

"Perhaps—that—"

Vegapunk touched the half of the "apple" on his head.

During this time, with Trafalgar Law's help, Vegapunk has completed the "decapitation surgery." His "world's number one brain," which grows larger with the influx of knowledge, has been placed in a special incubation chamber.

Once Vegapunk's original body is rid of this "burden," the growth rate of that "world's number one mind" will definitely experience a leap forward.

In this scenario, Vegapunk might actually be able to develop the "infinite energy" he's dreamed of.

However, discussing such matters now is far too abstract and unrealistic.

Vegapunk wasn't the type to boast or talk big.

So he became a riddle teller.

Storm looked at Vegapunk, who had stopped talking halfway through his sentence, and felt utterly speechless.

"Doctor, do you know what? There are two kinds of people I hate the most in my life. The first kind is people who stop talking halfway through their sentences."

"Haha, is that so?"

Vegapunk gave two dry laughs.

"What about the second one?"

Storm didn't speak, he just looked at Vegapunk.

"Ha ha!"

Vegapunk realized what was happening and his laughter became much more genuine.

"Storm, your joke-telling skills are on par with Borsalino's!"

"Kizaru is no match for me. Forget it."

Storm shook his head, abandoning his plan to take Vegapunk to Wano Country to excavate [Pluto].

Since there is currently not enough energy available.

Therefore, Storm no longer intends to excavate the [Pluto].

Let's find a chance to go to Water 7 later and get our hands on the [Pluto Blueprints]! Then it'll be Fishman Island!

Storm silently changed his mind.

The topic of ancient weapons will now come to a temporary close.

Storm then brought up another matter.

"Doctor, what's the progress on the manufacturing of the [Artificial Blue Dragon Fruit]?"

"One has already been made," Vegapunk said. "Would you like me to go get it for you?"

Vegapunk didn't know why Storm cared so much about the [Artificial Blue Dragon Fruit].

It was clearly a failure.

Moreover, this was based on prior manufacturing experience.

This time, a new [Artificial Blue Dragon Fruit] was created using the bloodline factors of Kaido of the Beasts.

It's still a complete failure!

Vegapunk was never able to completely restore the true color of the Mythical Zoan-type Azure Dragon Fruit.

That was such a failure!

"Huh? So fast?"

Storm was startled.

"I thought it would take a while longer—"

How long has it been since Storm defeated Kaido of the Beasts?

A new [Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit] has been created.

"Actually, the time required to create the [Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit] is far less than you imagine."

Vegapunk didn't mention that he spent most of his experimental time mixing new colors for the [Artificial Blue Dragon Fruit].

"Once Kaido's bloodline factor is in place, the rest of the work is just pressing a button, it's very simple."

Upon hearing this, Storm was speechless.

It's really simple.

It's as simple as "putting an elephant in a refrigerator in just three steps".

"However, Storm, it's a little embarrassing to say, but I must remind you."

Vegapunk suddenly sighed.

"This [Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit] is still a failure."

"what?"

Storm blinked, recalling the "failure" of the previous [Red Dragon Fruit], and suspected that Vegapunk's perfectionism had flared up again.

"Could it be...the color?"

"That's right! It's color! It's color again!"

"Vegapunk said through gritted teeth."

"According to my calculations, the last artificial Azure Dragon Fruit will turn you into a pink dragon after you eat it."

"And this time, according to my calculations, it will turn into a 'purple dragon' after eating it!"

"Failure! Utter failure! A failure upon failure! I really am a useless piece of trash—."

I think you're going a bit too extreme. —·—

Storm opened his mouth, but didn't know how to comfort Vegapunk.

In fact, the color of the [Artificial Blue Dragon Fruit] has never been a problem for him.

The Grand Prize Cup can change color by making a wish.

That's how the "Red Dragon Fruit" came about.

However, the purple dragon...

That sounds good too.

Storm forcefully changed the subject.

"Um, Doctor, I've developed an ability that can help Kaido of the Beasts recover from his injuries. Why don't you take a look and see if this ability can extract more bloodline factors from Kaido?"