Guy had the world's biggest brain, after all. Not just for science and tech—he could read people and power plays like an open book.
Even so, he had to admit money's pull was damn near impossible to resist. Especially when it came from someone who could snap you like a twig.
Hell, wasn't Vegapunk himself controlled by the World Government using the exact same method?
Course, Vegapunk's suspicions weren't wrong either.
If the Revolutionary Army—hell, any future version of it—had their entire budget controlled by Aus, the underground king, and they couldn't even scratch him in a fight...
That got real interesting real fast.
Whose Revolutionary Army would it be? Dragon's or Aus's?
Here's the kicker—Aus was still buddy-buddy with the World Government. Dude was literally heir to a member nation's throne.
A puppet master with zero interest in world domination, betting on both horses. Would the old guard World Government crush the upstart, or would fresh blood topple the rotten system?
Impossible to call.
But either way, he probably couldn't lose.
With Dragon sorted, Aus turned to Vegapunk.
"So... Doc, need some funding?"
"Well..."
Vegapunk hesitated. Aus's smile looked friendly enough, but something about it screamed danger. Like making a deal with the devil.
Actually worse than those World Government bastards.
"Think it over carefully. Unlimited funding—just let me borrow some research results. Don't worry, the World Government will never know~"
Aus's voice was pure temptation. He knew exactly what unlimited funding meant to a scientist.
Picture this: throwing a thirty-year virgin into a free-for-all brothel.
Once they got a taste, they wouldn't stop until they collapsed from exhaustion.
Sure enough, after a brief internal struggle, Vegapunk caved.
"It smells so good."
For a split second, he even considered backstabbing the World Government and jumping ship to Aus.
Made sense—the World Government's Heavenly Tribute mostly went to Celestial Dragon expenses and Marine costs. Research funding was decent but had limits.
Aus was different. Guy threw money around like confetti, and his money-making operation put the World Government to shame.
Every scientist's dream sugar daddy.
Aus's first assignment: modify his black gun.
"Don't bother with laser weapons. Just make it comfortable to use and extend the range. And don't worry about recoil."
No joke—there probably wasn't a gun Aus couldn't handle anymore. If it wouldn't hurt his image, he could shoulder a ship cannon and fire it one-handed.
Future funding would come through irregular deliveries.
With that kind of financial backing, Vegapunk promised Aus would get first dibs on any cool tech, same as the World Government.
Speaking of which...
"Mr. Aus, there's a research project you might find interesting."
"Yeah?" Aus watched Vegapunk pocket his gun, curiosity piqued.
"Just a preliminary concept—a breakthrough in cloning technology..."
Ever since creating Stussy, Vegapunk had been chasing perfect clones. Inheriting the original's power, adding special racial traits, plus his early Devil Fruit research...
"If you're willing, a clone grown from your blood could be the pinnacle of this technology!"
Aus instantly got it. His expression went weird.
Seraphim "Aus"?
His current abilities and talents, plus Lunarian racial advantages?
With Aus's gifts combined with Lunarian recovery and defense, there'd be zero weaknesses left. A ten-year-old body matching Admiral strength?
Thing might end up scarier than him.
Nah. He didn't want some clone running around with his face, showing off on the seas.
Too fucking weird.
"Let's table that. Show me successful results first."
Aus deflected for now.
Vegapunk understood—not trusting unproven research was human nature.
Everything went smoother than expected. Maybe he'd thrown too much money around, or the power gap was just too massive.
Everything looked peaceful.
While Dragon and Vegapunk counted their new fortune, Mihawk—who couldn't care less about money—asked:
"So... where to next?"
"Next..."
Aus pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed.
"Depends if Morgans has disappointed his new boss."
Click.
"How'd that assignment go, Morgans?"
"Lord Aus! You mean those other underground guys, or..."
"Both."
"Right... several underground bosses agreed to submit—Umit and others. But some refused. Said Aus is nothing! There are bigger fish with stakes in this, and they won't cross those people."
"Oh?" Aus looked intrigued. "Bigger fish? Like who?"
Seeing Aus ask, Morgans perked up, his bird face splitting into an evil grin.
Finally!
Hahaha!
Remembering how those assholes had called him Aus's lapdog when he'd contacted them, saying he was getting pathetic with age—he'd been furious.
But however pissed he'd been then, that's how satisfied he felt now.
Those country bumpkins couldn't compare to someone in the intelligence game. They had no clue how terrifying Aus really was—just rats hiding in their holes!
Sure, Morgans could handle some small fry himself, but there were plenty he couldn't touch:
"Lots of them, Lord Aus... But the name that came up most was someone with a growing claim to New World hegemony...
Former Rocks Pirates captain—
Charlotte Linlin!!!"
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