Chapter 42 Sakura Flower
[Future Island · Vegapunk Experiment Tower · 14th Floor]
Wind surged high in the sky, thunderclouds and low pressure surrounded the core area of Future Island, and the metal floating bridge on the outer layer of the experimental tower hummed like a flute under the intersection of wind and electrical energy.
The entire Future Island looks like a steel temple that is awakening.
[drop--]
Inside the experimental core, Rogge put away the Den Den Mushi and stood in front of the suspended holographic window. His cloak was blown lightly by the cold wind, and his figure was pulled into several projections by the dense light screen.
Amid the interweaving of light and shadow, his face was as cold as an absolute assertion.
Behind him, the automatic hatch slid open, and Vegapunk stepped in, stopped, and his eyes fell on the back looking into the distance.
"...the phone call you just made,"
He spoke, his tone rational yet tinged with shock, "Just like that—deciding the life and death of the king of a member state of the World Government?"
Rogge didn't turn around, his voice as steady as ever: "Attacked headquarters ships, blocked medical support, and attempted to detain healing abilities and justice soldiers."
"He no longer deserves to live in a world that will soon be covered by justice."
Vegapunk stared at his back, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly said:
"Are you really going to say this to the Celestial Dragons in the future?"
"If they are 'unworthy' either."
Rogge turned slowly, his eyes as clear as a cold star breaking through the sky.
"If they cross the line, I'll be the first to act."
Vegapunk's expression trembled slightly.
The next moment, Rogge took out the Den Den Mushi again and dialed the hidden channel.
[Crackle, crackle—]
A CP0 agent wearing a white bird-beak mask appeared on the projected communication, his tone as cold and standard as ever.
"CP0, District 7 Intelligence Unit, please give instructions."
Rogge said simply, "I need you to help me find something."
"——'Munch-Munch Fruit'."
The other end was obviously stunned.
"Munch-Munch Fruit? You mean... the ability of King Wapol of Drum Island?"
"Sir, he is the monarch of a member state officially recognized by the World Government. Such a person—"
Rogge didn't wait for him to finish, his tone was as cold as a knife:
"He is dead."
"How he died, you CP0 can make it up yourselves."
"After you find the fruit, send it to Future Island—and give it to Vegapunk."
Before he finished speaking——
[beep--]
The Den Den Mushi was hung up, and the CP0 projection slowly went out, leaving the agents in silence in front of the intercom.
"...Didn't the Five Elders tell him to use CP0 at will?"
"…But this is a bit too casual."
No one dared to say anything more, and in the end they could only lower their heads to take notes and prepare to act according to orders.
[Future Island · Experimental Core · D-level Inner Circle]
Vegapunk listened to the entire process quietly, his fingers slowly sliding across the console, and "Devil Fruit Sample Archive" appeared on the projection.
He glanced at Rogge sideways: "Munch-Munch Fruit?"
"What on earth do you want to do with it?"
Rogge stared at the wall of light and replied calmly, "I don't need it for combat."
"I need its 'devouring' mechanism to work with your mind."
He paused, "It is used to eliminate certain 'forces that should no longer exist'."
Vegapunk was startled, a gleam in his eyes.
Vegapunk's lips twitched slightly, and he finally nodded: "...Then I need a higher level of research rights."
Rogge turned, his cape billowing. "I'll open the access channel for you when we get back to G-5."
"But remember, don't give these technologies to Celestial Dragons."
Vegapunk: "...Don't worry, I hate them even more than you do."
The lights dimmed, the hatch opened automatically with a click, and the metal floating bridge extended to the vertical airflow channel outside the tower.
Rogge stepped out calmly, with a wall of light made of storm and electrical energy behind him.
"I should get back to G-5."
"It's time to turn over the muddy waters of New World."
Vegapunk looked at his back as he gradually rose into the air and whispered to himself:
"How far do you want to go?"
——No one answered, only the thunder of Future Island roared, indicating that a complete technological awakening was approaching reality.
[Drum Island, Snowfield Old Barracks, Dungeon Level]
The wall was covered with frost, and the cold air condensed into ice cones on the wall. The heavy iron door opened with a "boom" under Binz's palm.
Coldness and darkness hit me in the face. At the end of the corridor, a weak but still upright figure sat behind the iron railings.
That was [Former Defense Captain Dalton], with thin cheeks and stubble. His old military uniform was tattered, but his figure still maintained the dignity of a soldier.
"...Who are you?" He raised his head with difficulty, his voice hoarse, but there was still alertness in his eyes.
Enel walked in front, lightning entwined between his fingers, and glanced at him indifferently:
"I came to your country to collect the corpses."
Dalton's expression froze, but before he could say anything, Ian beside him had already drawn his sword and cut the chain. With a "clang", the iron chain broke.
"Captain Dalton, your people... have no one to rely on."
Ain's tone was low, but every word was piercing. "You could have stood up, but you didn't."
Dalton lowered his head, his eyes dimming. "I tried... but I couldn't defeat Wapol... and I couldn't protect anyone."
Ian retorted coldly, "Wapol is dead."
Dalton looked up suddenly, with shock mixed with disbelief.
Enel leaned against the wall, his expression calm. "The regime designated by Rogge Vice Admiral as 'a corrupt regime that should be eliminated' has been dealt with by us personally."
"Now, you are the only person left in this country who can be called a 'soldier'."
"The question is, how long are you going to run away?"
Ian slowly drew his sword and pointed it at the ground:
"A country that lacks the courage to stand up and cut off evil will only wait for charity and mercy from others in ruins has no right to exist at all."
"Your so-called kindness will only breed the next Wapol."
Ai En walked forward and looked at his hard expression: "This month, I have traveled to the snowy mountains, villages, and the ruins of the ward... Everyone is waiting for you."
"Not because you surrender weakly."
"It's because of your courage and integrity in the past."
Silence lasted for a while.
Dalton slowly stood up, the shackles dropped to the ground, and he whispered in a deep voice: "...I've been waiting for a reason."
He looked out the window and the snow was still falling.
"Now I have it."
"I once thought that kindness was the end of justice, but now I understand - kindness without the protection of power is just cowardice."
He stood up straight, his tattered uniform still crisp as armor:
"From now on, I will reorganize the Snow Mountain Front and restore medical order."
"This land will no longer be called the Drum Kingdom."
"It will be renamed—"
"Sakura Flower Kingdom."
Outside, the morning light filtered through the cracked window, a ray of light falling on the snow marks on the iron handcuffs, reflecting a pattern that looked like a blooming sakura flower.
The Tontata people looked towards the end of the snow, and Leo raised his fist and shouted:
"Sakura flowers!"
All the Dontatas responded in unison: "Sakura Flower!!"
Enel looked up at the dilapidated old palace faintly visible in the falling snow, his eyes darkening slightly:
"Sakura flower... such a naive and somewhat silly name."
As everyone was assembling to board the ship for the return voyage, a Sakura flower-shaped ice sculpture, carved by the villagers and the Tontata tribe, stood tall in the snowy wind and snow, symbolizing the new hope for the kingdom's rebirth.