Chapter 163: Vegapunk, Handover Harvest
New World. Punk Hazard.
Currently, this island, not yet having experienced the Punk Hazard Battle between Sakazuki and Kuzan, still maintained a vibrant appearance. Lush vegetation covered the earth.
Within the island's core region stood a militarily stringent fortress brimming with futuristic design—a Navy scientific research stronghold.
Deep within the fortress, inside a top-tier laboratory illuminated brilliantly with countless precision instruments and flickering screens, a man with peculiar physiology stood completely focused before a complex machine.
His height exceeded fifteen meters, but most striking was his gigantic head. Its size almost comprised the absolute majority of his height. Like a massive lightbulb placed upon a scrawny body, it appeared extraordinarily ill-proportioned.
This was none other than the genius scientist lauded as possessing "the world's greatest brain." Doctor Vegapunk.
Currently, his aged fingers danced across the keyboard at dazzlingly fast speeds, striking out a continuous sequence of complex instruction codes.
Opposite the machine, six silver metal spheres are densely connected by data lines arranged neatly. As Vegapunk input commands, indicator lights on the spheres' surfaces, as if possessing life, "breathed" according to specific frequencies, brightening and dimming.
"Mm. Progress is good."
Vegapunk temporarily stopped, raised his hand, wiping his smooth forehead with his sleeve, and self-assessing. "Barring unexpected interference, the core program should completely finish in roughly three months."
As he wiped the sweat from his excessively heavy head, it inadvertently pulled his delicate neck and entire body, tilting to one side and instantly losing his balance.
"Oh no. Doctor."
Research assistants closely monitoring nearby exclaimed in alarm, quick-eyed and quick-handed, rushing forward. Only through the combined effort of several people could they barely support his massively oversized head.
"Phew. Thank you, truly a big help."
Supported and stabilized, Vegapunk exhaled deeply, lingering fear evident. His body falling wouldn't matter. The crucial thing was protecting his brain.
Vegapunk pondered momentarily, murmuring thoughtfully. "The balance problems grow increasingly troublesome. Indeed, I must quickly research and find a reliable method to separate and independently install the head."
These shocking, jaw-dropping words, which sounded like jokes, sparked no laughter or doubt from the surrounding research personnel. Were it anyone else, they might have reacted in the same way.
But this was Vegapunk. The man whose technology led the world by five hundred years.
There was nothing he couldn't do. Only things he didn't want to do.
Just then, a CP agent in a white suit, with a cold-tempered demeanor, hurried into the laboratory, breaking the serious atmosphere.
Approaching Vegapunk, he respectfully presented an encrypted Den Den Mushi with both hands. "Doctor, Saturn-sama has urgent communication requiring direct conversation with you."
Vegapunk accepted the Den Den Mushi.
"Understood. I'll prioritize resource allocation to the 'Pacifista' and 'Seraphim' projects."
Moments later, he disconnected, his face showing little expression. He simply returned the Den Den Mushi to the waiting CP agent.
Returning the Den Den Mushi simultaneously, Vegapunk seemed to casually ask, tone carrying the curiosity about world events common to researchers. "The government's side encountered some new 'big trouble'? Suddenly so hurried?"
The CP agent didn't overthink. After all, Vegapunk's clearance was extremely high. Such intelligence wasn't secret to him, so he simply answered. "Yes, Doctor. It's the Beast Pirates' Natural Disaster Kai. He defeated and captured Admiral Sakazuki and Admiral Kuzan. The government needs stronger deterrent forces."
"I see."
Vegapunk nonchalantly nodded, turning to attend to his own affairs.
However, the instant his back turned, a gleam of light—extremely subtle, nearly imperceptible—flashed through his eyes.
The young man Stussy mentioned, who was worthy of attention, had grown to this extent already?
Wano Country
After days of uninterrupted flight, traversing boundless cloud seas, finally, the surrounded-by-waterfall Wano Country stood resolutely at the end of Kai's vision.
Onigashima, main tower.
Companions who'd received advance notice already waited here. Time to hand over the spoils.
Without excessive pleasantries, Kai directly transferred the artificial Devil Fruit data and Seastone embedding technology to Germa and Queen, respectively to take away.
That wasn't all.
Under everyone's observation, Kai additionally produced two ancient-atmosphere design blueprints, handing them to the two men.
Germa and Quinn were shocked speechless by these two blueprints.
"Ships can be designed this way?"
"Where did you get these blueprints?"
Though the two blueprints' emphasis differed—one focused on long-distance voyaging, the other on firepower—their technology levels were too high to fully comprehend. Yet from their appearance, they seemed quite ancient.
Was archaeological-style scientific research becoming popular now?
"These are the Ark Maxim blueprints transmitted from Sky Island. Legend says it can travel through space."
Kai pointed at the Ark Maxim blueprints but kept the Pluton design blueprints classified. Ancient weapons were too sensitive an area for the World Government. The fewer people who know, the better.
"How confident are you in replicating them?" Kai posed the most critical question.
Germa and Quinn exchanged glances, both seeing identical gravity and defeat in the other's eyes. Though reluctant to lose face before an "old friend," they still shook their heads.
As they say, those who understand you best are often your enemies. Their mutual understanding might even surpass their own self-understanding.
Before technical barriers of this caliber, false bravado held no meaning.
"Very difficult, or rather nearly impossible to accomplish short-term."
Germa took a deep breath, breaking the silence first. He pointed at densely written annotations across the blueprints. "Many technical terms, material names used here, and the technical principles behind them, I've never encountered."
"To replicate, we must begin from scratch, thoroughly digest every design aspect, and understand its core logic. That's barely better than starting from zero."
Kai's brows furrowed. "So these two blueprints are useless?"
This differed from his expectations. The severity of the technology gap exceeded his estimates.
Indeed, researching ancient technology still required the services of Vegapunk. He'd immersed himself in this field nearly half his life. The starting difficulty should be lower than Germa and Quinn's.
"Not necessarily."
Germa shook his head, shifting tone, scientific explorer's fire reigniting in his eyes. "Complete replication's impossible, but the value of reference and learning is immeasurable."
"We can extract inspiration, understand partial design philosophy. For instance, energy conduction methods, structural strength design." "Even absorbing a portion would suffice for the Beast Pirates' overall shipbuilding technology to achieve a qualitative breakthrough."
Quinn immediately added competitively. "That's right. These weapons on the blueprint, I can completely reference them, upgrading all our warship firepower systems. Power absolutely escalates multiple levels."
Kai nodded understandingly. This worked too. Consider it as accumulating experience for future Pluton use.
Subsequently, he recommended Wapol, a natural genius in material science.
When this former Drum Kingdom king, amid everyone's curious observation, tossed metal chunks into his mouth, chewed extensively, then directly spat out a brand-new alloy—
Both scientists grew green with envy.
"Such miraculous ability exists in this world."
Why was material science called a career sinkhole? One important reason was the terrible nature of the investment-return ratio. The development of a new material can span over ten years, from the laboratory to mass production.
Yet Wapol could drastically shorten this timeframe. He only needed to "eat" and "spit," completing the alloying process.
"I'm taking this person." Germa practically bellowed, stepping forward to grab.
"No way, he's mine." Queen's enormous frame immediately blocked like a wall, saliva nearly hitting Germa's face.
The two quarreled thus, arguing, then shoving, the scene spiraling out of control.
While the dispute's center—Wapol—trembled cowering in a corner, helpless as a courtesan watching clients argue.
"Enough."
Kai extended his hand, grabbing one each like separating two fighting cats, easily lifting Germa and Queen apart.
"Take turns. One person per day, fair and reasonable. Nobody loses out."
He made the final judgment.
"Hmph." X2
Both glared at each other simultaneously, turning their heads, emitting cold snorts from their noses, reluctantly accepting this "sharing" arrangement.
Huh? You two don't need to ask my opinion?
Wapol stared wide-eyed, silently screaming internally.
His protest was destined for nobody's ears.
Germa and Queen had already "bracketed" him from either side, eagerly dragging him toward the laboratory direction. They couldn't wait to thoroughly "play with" Wapol's body. No, his abilities.
After the miscellaneous attendants departed, only Kaido, Kai, and King remained in the chamber.
Kaido sat in the main seat, his massive frame tilted slightly forward. The shadow cast by his enormous body seemed to devour the space around him. When he finally spoke, his voice resonated like thunder.
"Boy, now it's time to fulfill our agreement, isn't it?"
"A battle for control of the Beast Pirates."
King's eyes sharpened instantly. Beneath his mask, his gaze locked onto Kai with absolute intensity. This day had finally arrived. His entire body tensed—muscles coiling like a blade about to be drawn.
Unexpectedly, Kai slowly shook his head.
"Kaido-san, please wait a bit longer. Taking over the Beast Pirates from your hands right now would stretch the World Government's already-fragile nerves to their breaking point."
"Unununun."
Kaido froze, then burst into deafening, unrestrained laughter. The massive soundwaves shook dust from the rafters above.
"You brat! You actually dare say this. Treating an old man's pirate crew like it's already plated and ready for consumption?"
He didn't rage at Kai's nearly treacherous words. Instead, appreciation flashed through his eyes.
"Naturally."
Kai met his gaze, his face radiating unmasked confidence. "Without the power to defeat the world's strongest living creature, how could I claim that supreme throne and rule over all?"
Rule over all.
These four words struck like a stone cast into still water—ripples of shock spreading through King's mind.
He stared at Kai's young, spirited face, momentarily lost in thought. The student who once required his guidance in Haki training had become someone worthy of respect.
Yet regardless.
King's gaze hardened, becoming resolute and icy. To challenge Kaido-san meant crossing him first.
"Rule over all, unununun."
Kaido found it genuinely amusing. He grabbed the sake gourd beside him, tilted his head back, and gulped down several mouthfuls. His laughter erupted—so intense that tears streamed from his eyes.
Once, another man had spoken those same words.
Kai continued. "Before I possess the absolute power needed to realize my dreams and withstand all retaliation, I must remain hidden and gather strength. I won't repeat God Valley's tragedy with Wano Country."
Though he wasn't of the D clan and likely wouldn't draw Imu's personal attention, what if he did? Better to be cautious than careless.
Before accumulating sufficient confidence, caution was never wasted.
As if triggered by a keyword, Kaido's laughter ceased entirely. All drunkenness and wildness vanished from his expression in an instant.
"Hmph. Young people these days—is there actually someone who remembers God Valley?"
"I know some of it."
Kai shrugged. "I was hoping to ask you, Kaido-san. What exactly transpired at God Valley back then?"
His transmigration had occurred before the God Valley arc concluded. With the man directly involved standing before him, he naturally seized the opportunity to ask.
Kaido didn't answer immediately. His gaze swept over Kai with cold assessment before he countered with his own question. "What do you know?"
Kai spread his hands, his expression carefully neutral. "The Navy's official account: Garp single-handedly defeated the invading Rocks Pirates at God Valley, saving countless innocents. They called him a hero for it."
He paused deliberately.
"But according to what I've learned, the truth is quite different."
"The ones invading God Valley weren't the Rocks Pirates—they were the Celestial Dragons themselves. It's their hunting ground during their tri-annual 'study tours.' Rocks went there to rescue them, of course. His subordinate pirates were primarily after Celestial Dragon treasures."
"However, that's not the real issue."
Kai's eyes burned with intensity as he stared at Kaido. "What I need to understand is what actually happened when six of you—Rocks, Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, yourself, plus Garp and Roger—fought together against the shadow-possessed Saturn."
"What?"
King's pupils dilated with shock.
He knew who Saturn was, naturally. But requiring six of the world's most powerful individuals to fight him together? Those were nearly six people standing at the absolute pinnacle of strength.
Kaido's gaze deepened as he studied Kai. "You've excavated even such secrets? No wonder you're so wary of the World Government."
His massive body reclined slightly, his gaze distant—as if piercing through time itself, returning to that distant battlefield. "I still don't know what that creature was, but it was absolutely the World Government's most carefully guarded secret."
"Its physical form wasn't particularly resilient. We six destroyed its body on our first strike. But..."
He paused meaningfully.
"It was meaningless. It possessed true immortality."