"I did not install an Automatic Return System." Vegapunk frowned at Dante's words, pondering for a moment. "Maybe we can try that in the next upgrade. Actually, no, what if it gets intercepted halfway?"
"How about having it fly back from high altitude, or swim back from the bottom of the sea?" Shaka offered from the side.
"From the bottom of the sea? What if a fish eats it?" Lilith cut in. "I suggest... have it self-destruct once it separates from the user by ten meters! Not only will this prevent enemies from picking it up, it might even injure them!"
"Lilith's suggestion is quite good, but wouldn't ten meters be too close? What if the blast injures the user?"
"Should we design an Automatic Signaling System? If the wearer doesn't voluntarily remove the human armor, it automatically sends a message to a preset contact! That way, even if an accident occurs, we discover it immediately!"
The satellites instantly dove into a heated discussion. In the blink of an eye, they had fully designed the East Blue Overlord Armor Version 3.0 right there on the spot.
Watching the group launch into a full-blown debate over a joke, Dante just stared. Six Vegapunks gathered together meant every moment became an academic symposium!
However.
"We are talking about Mock right now!" Dante reminded them with a helpless expression. "Can your burst of inspiration wait a bit?"
"Oh, right, I almost forgot about that." Vegapunk snapped back to reality. He typed a few more commands on the screen. "According to the data check, there is no problem with Mock. Although it looks like he sustained some injuries, he is physically very healthy with no life-threatening danger. As for the specific details, those remain unknown for now."
He frowned again. "It seems after Mock returns this time, we'll need to install an Image Transmission System on the armor. That way, we can check the surrounding situation remotely."
While Vegapunk pondered modifications for the next upgrade, Dante wasn't idle. He pulled out Mock's Vivre Card and only felt relieved after confirming there was indeed no issue.
"It looks like he really is fine."
Dante rubbed his chin, frowning in thought. "But why is he heading this way? Don't tell me that brat really sneaked back on his own?"
As soon as the words left his mouth,
*Purupuru Purupuru~*
The Den Den Mushi ringtone sounded from his coat. Dante answered directly. "Hello."
He listened to the voice on the other end, and frowned again. "A large pirate crew is approaching? Kuma says it's the Kuja Pirates? Oh, right, are they here? They are indeed Shichibukai. I invited them on the battlefield, but I didn't expect the Pirate Empress to actually come." They got here that fast?!
"Almost at the pier? Alright, handle it as you see fit. As long as they aren't causing trouble, treat them as honored guests. I'll head back as soon as I can."
*Cacha.* The Den Den Mushi clicked off.
"The Kuja Pirates? That all-female crew?"
Vegapunk asked, curiosity coloring his voice. "How did you invite them? Don't tell me you've taken a fancy to the Pirate Empress? Come to think of it, she is a female pirate, and the World's Most Beautiful Woman on the seas!"
Dante shot a displeased look at the six scientists staring at him with weird expressions. He spoke, his tone edged.
"You've been staying with me this long, and you still don't know the truth?"
When had he ever been fooling around with female pirates?
"I'm planning to expand into the Calm Belt market. There might be fewer countries there, but they exist. Since we've split from Marine HQ, we don't need to hide our little business anymore. Plus, with you guys added to the mix..."
Dante cast a sideways glance at the satellites standing before him, resignation heavy in his voice.
"If we don't find more business, I'm afraid we won't be able to sustain this! Also..." He rubbed his chin. "I'm also very interested in their Haki training method."
Zephyr had brought over Marine HQ's Haki training method, but it remained quite troublesome. Even with Vegapunk's Viagra and Aqua Ursa Pills helping with training and lowering the difficulty significantly, borrowing other people's methods might help those students. Just like Kuro's Cat Walk. If they couldn't master Shave, they could learn Cat Walk instead. As long as there were options, one would always suit them!
"We really do need to find a way to make some money."
Hearing Dante's words, Vegapunk nodded seriously. He understood the importance of money perfectly. It was precisely because there was money here that he hadn't gone back to the World Government.
"Um..."
Lilith seemed to have thought of something and raised her hand.
"Do you think... maybe the Pirate Empress brought Mock back?"
The moment the words left her mouth, everyone froze.
Then Dante's eyes narrowed.
"Now that you mention it, it actually makes sense! Only..." He looked at the screen. "How did that happen?"
--**--** At the same time, elsewhere.
Inside the prison of the Kuja Pirates exclusive ship, the Perfume Yuda, Mock stared at the dim, damp cell before him, looking both miserable and weak.
Recalling what had happened recently, he sighed in resignation, wondering if he should speak his mind.
He had clearly been about to reach the shore when some old geezer popped out of nowhere and kicked him straight into the sea. It had hurt like hell. But with the help of a healing liquids, he had quickly regained consciousness.
However...
Something that looked like an octopus suddenly charged at him, seemingly trying to grab him. Of course, the octopus didn't succeed. He instantly activated the East Blue Overlord the Submarine Mode and slipped away just as the creature lunged.
Even though he had escaped, he had swallowed a bellyful of water and passed out completely. It wasn't until they arrived at a nearby island that the armor woke him.
But the moment he opened his eyes... he saw several scantily clad women aiming bows and arrows at him.
He had been terrified. But as the East Blue Overlord, how could he panic at a time like this? So, he let out his signature laugh.
Then.
A cold, clear voice rang out. He turned his head to look... but before he could even see clearly, he lost consciousness again. Even the armor couldn't wake him.
When Mock regained consciousness, he found himself locked inside a cage. He stared sorrowfully at the iron bars before him. Had his cover been blown? Where was this place? Where were these vicious women taking him? They couldn't be planning to hand him over to Marine HQ! No! He hadn't even visited Romance Dawn recently! He still wanted another soak! The thought of ending up like Teach made his heart ache.
"Boss, I..."
"Silence."
A cold voice cut him off from the doorway. "Even though we owe Rayleigh a debt of gratitude, you had better behave. If you offend Big Sister, even Rayleigh's protection won't stop her from petrifying you without hesitation. We know you ate a Devil Fruit, so don't even think about using your abilities. That is Seastone!"
'Rayleigh? Who was that?'
Mock looked up in utter bewilderment at the hulking woman before him. She had a large head, green hair, and a tongue that flicked with the agility of a snake. Mindful of his status as the East Blue Overlord, he puffed out his chest to speak with authority,
"You're not as strong as the rumors claim, completely unbefitting that 2.5 Billion Berry bounty. You'd better behave! Perhaps for Rayleigh's sake, Big Sister will spare your life. Furthermore..." Boa Sandersonia's voice turned icy. "The waters we are heading toward now... if someone spots you there, it will be quite troublesome. Though the Kuja Pirates do not fear them, we still hope you won't bring trouble upon us!"
Troublesome waters? Mock shuddered...
his bravado deflating instantly. Could it really be... Marine HQ?
Before he could open his mouth, the burly woman spoke again. "I hear you have a grudge against the Leader of the East Blue Marines. That man is a strong fighter capable of crossing swords with Rayleigh. I have no idea how someone of your caliber managed to escape his hands and flee into the Grand Line."
"East Blue?"
"That's right. We are almost at the East Blue Marines Headquarters. No-" She paused, sensing the ship come to a halt. Her tone shifted. "It looks like we have already arrived. Although I don't know why Big Sister insisted on coming here, you had better behave. Otherwise, don't blame us if we get rough!"
Looking at the man standing there in a daze, Sandersonia assumed he was terrified. She shot him a disdainful glance. 2.5 Billion Berries... Was Marine HQ entirely blind? Indeed, information on the sea wasn't always true. She let out a dismissive scoff and turned to leave.
Suddenly, a commanding voice rang out from behind her.
===============
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