From Pirate to Revolutionary Mentor

Chapter 73 The Disagreement with Dragon

West Sea, Ohara.

Ohara, already destroyed by the Buster Call, is now a scene of utter ruins. Even the Tree of Knowledge at the center of the island has been partially destroyed.

At this time, Dorag, wearing a cloak, had been waiting here for several days.

The reason was that Kevin needed him to wait here for Vegapunk's arrival.

"Will they really come?"

Dragon's gaze remained fixed on the horizon; he still remembered his first meeting with Kevin in Loguetown.

Is the future stance he spoke of back then the same ability he had today to predict Vegapunk's arrival?

But isn't this a bit too much of a capability?

"Um?"

Dorrag looked up; a warship was approaching on the horizon.

No, it's not a warship.

It's Punk Hazard's ship; Vegapunk has really arrived.

……

Two hours later, in front of the Tree of Omniscience, Vegapunk, with a giant head on his head, slumped to the ground.

Because his most important goal for this trip, the knowledge of Ohara, had been completely burned to ashes, and the remains lay before him.

A gentle breeze swept by, raising clouds of black dust.

"This...this is all invaluable knowledge!"

Vegapunk reached out his hand, but the dust that fell only left stains.

The Tree of Omniscience in Ohara, West Sea, contains most of the world's documents and books, a treasure left by history for future generations.

But now... none of it remains.

"Dr. Vegapunk, can we leave now? There's nothing left here."

The World Government personnel behind him frowned and waved their hands, trying to sweep away the dust they had stirred up.

Vegapunk, who had his back to him, slowly stood up: "Do you know? Compared to gold or jewels, knowledge is the greatest wealth of mankind, but few people in this world understand this."

"The strength of an individual is ultimately limited; the strength of the entire world civilization is the true solution to conflicts and wars."

At that moment, a figure appeared behind the World Government agent.

"puff."

Blood spurted from his neck. The agent, who had just been complaining about the place, now clutched his neck and slumped down, pointing at the person who had attacked him and trying to speak, but could only make gurgling sounds.

Kevin, wearing a white mask, didn't even glance at him, but instead spoke directly to Vegapunk: "Do you want to create an inexhaustible energy source to resolve conflicts and wars?"

Vegapunk turned around: "As long as there is enough energy, everyone in this world can survive."

Kevin: "How can we survive? As slaves of the Celestial Dragons, living a lowly, reptilian existence?"

Behind him, more than thirty agents in black suits fell to the ground, dead.

But Vegapunk didn't panic. He simply lowered his head and replied, "Anyway, being alive is much better than being like this."

"Long time no see, Vegapunk."

Dragon came out and greeted them, saying, "Just surviving isn't enough. This world has been oppressed long enough. I invited you before, but you didn't accept."

It was only after seeing Dragon that Vegapunk confirmed Kevin's identity.

"At that time, your Self-Defense Army was so poor that they could barely afford to eat. What use would I be if I went? You couldn't offer me any help."

This made Dorrag somewhat embarrassed.

It seems everyone knows how poor the military was during the early days of the military. When Kevin first met in Loguetown, he was also teased about it.

But now...

Having acquired the gold of the Golden City, the revolutionary army had never fought such a wealthy battle. With more money in hand, they naturally felt more confident.

"The Revolutionary Army and the Self-Defense Forces are no longer the same. How about you come and help us, Vegapunk?"

Despite his enormous head that seemed to pierce the sky, Vegapunk still refused: "Scientific research isn't just about money; many resources are controlled by those people, and my research needs their resources."

At this moment, Kevin, who had been waiting, replied, "There are people of our own in the World Government too. Those people on Mary Geoise don't care about these things; they think too highly of themselves."

"Besides money, I also have the records of Ohara. There are many, many translations of that great kingdom from eight hundred years ago."

A great kingdom from eight hundred years ago?

What about Ohara?

Vegapunk stood there, stunned.

Kevin continued, "You guessed right. Before the Buster Call and the World Government's investigation began, I moved the books and some of the scholars from Ohara."

"They also rescued two civilian refugee boats along the way; the news should have spread to the Navy by now."

A refugee ship?

The fact that it was specifically pointed out made Vegapunk frown, but he was already familiar with the World Government's style.

Shaking his head slightly, Vegapunk replied, "A large portion of the Navy is righteous, I think..."

Before he could finish speaking, Kevin appeared directly in front of him, and their eyes met.

"What do you want to do? Persuade them to stand up against Mary Geoise? Do you think that's possible?"

Kevin continued, "You want the knowledge of Ohara, to bring the technology of the ancient kingdom from eight hundred years ago back to life, but you should know very well where your research will ultimately be used."

"You might be the only one on this ocean who has eaten the Brain-Brain Fruit, but it doesn't take a very smart brain just to guard against your betrayal."

After he finished speaking, the three people in the ruins fell silent for a moment.

Kevin and Dragon were both waiting for Vegapunk's reply, while Vegapunk was also considering Kevin's words.

Funding and a certain foundation are essential, but the revolutionary army lacks such a foundation, and the resources needed for further research may not be sufficient to sustain it.

"I want to gain knowledge of Ohara, but I still need to remain with the World Government."

"hehe."

Kevin sneered at this answer: "It's impossible. Your very existence is the biggest variable in the future. Anyone else could choose to become an enemy and then eliminate you. But you... if this is your final answer, then I can only choose the action I believe is right."

Dorag, standing to the side, narrowed his eyes slightly.

Vegapunk wiped the cold sweat from his massive head: "What operation?"

Kevin's voice gradually turned cold: "The Brain-Brain Fruit's power may have reached its peak because of you, but if such a peak becomes an asset to the enemy, then forcibly taking you away here is the best option."

"MADS has more than just you as a scientist. You may be the smartest and most aligned with our position. But if there's no other way, extracting the Brain-Brain Fruit's power and choosing someone we can control is the optimal solution for us."

Extract?

"You've mastered the technique of extracting Devil Fruit abilities?! How is that possible?"

Vegapunk, whose brain circuits have shifted, has moved his focus from his own life and death to his research.

Kevin didn't answer his question, but sighed and said, "It seems you've made up your mind."

Just as they were about to take him away, Dragon, who had been frowning, hurriedly spoke up.

"...Mr. Fireseed!"

"Um?"

Dragon looked at Vegapunk: "I won't allow you to do that."

Kevin asked in a deep voice, "What reason? You should know very well that even as the leader, if more than half of the votes oppose it at the expanded meeting, you still need to abide by the established rules."

Dragon nodded to indicate that he understood: "I just wanted to make it clear that Vegapunk is not our enemy."

Not an enemy?

Kevin would not agree with that.

In the future they envisioned, Vegapunk's stance might indeed align with theirs, but his research findings posed one of the greatest threats.

The "weapon" in Im's hands on Mary Geoise wiped the Kingdom of Lulusia from the sea with a single strike, and even caused earthquakes and tsunamis all over the world, raising sea levels...

It was thanks to the Mother Spark developed by Vegapunk that it was able to sustain its flight.

Yes, the Mother Spark was originally conceived by Vegapunk as a research project to provide the world with unlimited energy.

But if this thing falls into Im's hands, it will only become a force to maintain the Celestial Dragons' continued rule over the world.

In this world with supernatural powers, bottom-up change is incredibly difficult, and much of it even relies on domineering settings.

But even Roger's domineering aura is nothing compared to that.

Kaido, who will be known as the strongest creature on land in the future, and the Barrier-Barrier Fruit ability that even Oden's sword could not cut through, could they withstand the blow that destroyed the Kingdom of Lulusia?

How is that possible?!

Kevin couldn't do what a leader who guides change would do: entrust the lives of countless colleagues behind him to a future coincidence, or perhaps the carelessness of his opponents, because of his inner goodness.

"Drag..."

Beneath Kevin's mask, his gaze remained equally resolute: "What is your idea of ​​revolution? Is it that everyone holding hands and singing songs will make those people in Mary Geoise surrender? Or do you believe that your peace of mind is worth the lives sacrificed for it in the future?"

For the first time, the two disagreed.

For the first time, Kevin's voice carried a hint of sarcasm.

"I told you a long time ago that bottom-up change is difficult and bloody. He's no freak; with his Brain-Brain Fruit combined with his talent, one Vegapunk is worth the entire Navy, you know?"

The entire navy?

Dorag, who was about to step forward, stopped in his tracks, his words causing him to feel somewhat surprised and uncertain.

He knew Vegapunk was important, but to be worth the entire Navy...

To understand the navy's top combat strength, including the Fleet Admiral, the old man, and the three admirals who will be promoted later, that makes five. There are also many other candidates for admiral and vice admiral.

is it possible?

But this is the future Kevin spoke of, and also a warning to Dragon in his capacity as the Spark.

Scenes from Loguetown flashed through my mind again, as did Vegapunk's ships arriving in Ohara today.

Calculation? Or did you see the future?

……

At this moment, Kevin's hand was already on Vegapunk's shoulder.

The black spatial coordinates flashed by.

Originally, the coordinates should have been placed on his head, but considering that this guy later split his big head apart, the coordinates might have shifted, so Kevin didn't issue a warning.

"Um...we can actually talk."

Kevin shook his head slightly: "There's no room for negotiation. In fact, even if I let you join the Navy, I'm confident I can get you out of there as quickly as possible if you want to leave."

"Even so, I can't guarantee that you won't bring them technological power. And that would mean you'd be out of my sight, and when you leave would be entirely up to you. In that case, you could make any decision you want."

Vegapunk sighed: "In that case, what's the difference between you and them?"

When their eyes met, Kevin did not flinch.

"The difference is that in the Revolutionary Army you can research technologies that are actually used for energy, and you can design defensive weapons... such as energy shields that can cover islands to protect them from sudden attacks from the sky."

Kevin thought back to Im's attack: "In fact, what I can see is that the energy you researched was used in a weapon that destroyed an island. It was also because of your research that their weapon was able to overcome the limitations of insufficient energy."

Vegapunk was stunned.

See?

Special abilities?

After a long pause, he sighed, looked at Kevin, and then at Dragon.

"If the research equipment and funding do not satisfy me, I will eventually leave the Revolutionary Army."

Vegapunk and Kevin looked at each other: "I've seen too much suffering, and I've seen the inner transformation of a person after they've reached a high position. I'm just a scientist; I can study technology, but I can't study the human heart."

"They are the dragons of this world, but once they reach a high position, their perspective naturally changes. Endless energy will be used by the rulers to govern, and at the same time, resources will also be endless, while those at the bottom... will ultimately also be endless."

Dorrag, who was standing nearby, denied his statement.

"Endless energy... but those who build pleasure on suffering never consider themselves human. Your thinking is wrong."

Is it wrong?

Vegapunk, who was somewhat forced into this situation, didn't think too deeply and turned to look at the Tree of Omniscience: "That old guy chose to stay, didn't he? Compared to him, I'm far inferior."

Kevin placed one hand on the mask, removed it slightly, and then bowed.

"Not only Dr. Clover, but all the scholars who chose to stay knew what they would face. But their research has been discovered by the World Government, and there can't be only one or two scholars in Ohara."

"In order to preserve the spark for a future, they made their own choice: to die, to hide the remaining scholars, and that precious knowledge."

After a moment of remembrance, Dragon and Vegapunk were led away by Kevin.

Ohara fell silent once more amidst the ruins, with only a pile of corpses belonging to World Government agents, ignored by all.

"Bulubulu...Bulubulu..."

The Den Den Mushi rang, but no one answered.

-

[Note: Saldin and other giants did not appear this time because Olvia was not arrested and therefore not rescued by Saul. They only fired cannons under the Buster Call, so there was no scene of retrieving the book.]

(End of this chapter)