Even Vegapunk felt a bit tense when facing the infamous Hell Pirates. Although his Devil Fruit granted him incredible intellect, it did nothing to boost his combat power.
Maybe one day he could invent a combat suit to strengthen himself. As for transforming his body, it was too risky—his frail frame couldn't recover like a Zoan-type user. He might not survive such modifications.
"Welcome! This is our Hell Pirates' chief scientist—Vegapunk," Brook introduced with a smile. "If you've got any questions, feel free to discuss them with him. He's the future number one scientist in the world. His intelligence might be five hundred years ahead of our time!"
Hearing Brook's high praise, not only were the crew surprised, but even Vegapunk was stunned. Am I really that incredible? Will I become that powerful one day?
"Welcome, welcome, little genius Vegapunk. We'll talk more later," said Fishman Tom, the first to shake his hand. Anyone Captain Brook valued this much couldn't be ordinary. Plus, his sea train still had some unresolved issues—perfect reason to chat with the genius.
Sniper Hiruba was also pumped. He needed help building a larger, more powerful sniper rifle—ideally one with multiple attributes and elemental functions.
The ship's doctor, Crocus, had long outgrown the current medical tech on the market. He hoped Vegapunk could assist in developing next-gen medical devices.
Rather than feeling burdened, Vegapunk lit up with excitement. These were talented people in their fields, and he loved solving problems and creating new things.
After everyone introduced themselves, Vegapunk immediately got involved with the crew's research. Meanwhile, Brook sent Stussy to comfort Vegapunk's parents. As a former agent with the Siren Fruit ability, she was perfect for helping them settle into Golden Island life.
To keep them from being idle, Brook had them work as assistants and cleaners in the lab—close to Vegapunk. They'd get used to the place first, and further arrangements would come later.
"Vegapunk, you're lucky," said Tom. "After this trip, Captain Brook's heading to O'Hara, the Island of Scholars in the West Blue. It's a book lover's paradise. You'll love it!"
Vegapunk's eyes sparkled. "That's amazing! I always dreamed of visiting the Island of Scholars when I grew up!"
Lately, his thirst for knowledge had become insatiable. His brain felt like it had no limits—he never even felt tired.
Sniper Hiruba also invited Vegapunk to help upgrade Golden Island's firepower. The imitation Pluto cannons they had were already stronger than average artillery, but with Vegapunk's help, their destructive power could skyrocket. He'd even become obsessed with the blueprints.
"Where are the original designs?" he kept asking.
Hiruba had no choice but to bring him to Brook.
"Yohoho! Tom, Hiruba, Vegapunk—do you know the name of the ancient text you've been poring over?" Brook asked with a grin.
They blinked in confusion. None of them could read ancient text, and Brook had taken the cover page, so they had no idea.
Brook hesitated. Vegapunk is still young... If he gets exposed to the ancient weapon Pluto too early, what if he loses focus? What about artificial Devil Fruits, cyborgs, combat suits... all those other crucial projects?
The three stared at him, visibly impatient.
"Alright… but don't tell anyone else!" Brook finally relented. "What you've been studying… is the original blueprint of the ancient weapon—Pluton!"
Tom and Hiruba were shell-shocked. That ancient scroll… it was Pluton all along?! We had a legendary treasure in our hands and didn't even know it!
Vegapunk's eyes widened, filled with awe and obsession. There was only one thought in his mind now—learn the ancient language, study Pluton, and explore the pinnacle of lost human technology.
Even though Brook had taken back the original scroll, the versions held by Tom and Hiruba still gave Vegapunk enough to study.
"Captain Brook, please, let me look at it again!" Hiruba and Tom pleaded, eyes locked on the scroll in Brook's hand.
"Yohoho! Only after one of you learns how to read the ancient language will you see it again!"
Brook had no plans of returning the scroll. With Vegapunk now aboard, he didn't want the crew focusing too much on something they couldn't even read yet.
"Vegapunk, this is your future project. Start learning now, and once we get to O'Hara, you'll have access to everything you need. If you're missing something, we'll help you get it!"
Brook handed over a long research list he'd prepared:
Artificial Devil Fruits
Devil Fruit reincarnation cycle
Cyborg soldiers
Pacifist war machines
Life blueprint technology
Bloodline factor research
Seastone weapon development...
Vegapunk's jaw dropped. When he learned about the experiment involving the recovery of Devil Fruits in a Seastone-sealed chamber, it flipped his entire worldview.
With all these fruits to study… I'll never run out of material. Pluto and Devil Fruits are equally fascinating now!
Brook's plan was simple—send young Vegapunk to O'Hara for advanced studies. As genius as he was, even he couldn't become a god overnight.
Meanwhile, the Navy had caught wind of activity on Karakuri Island. By tracking down the residents, they confirmed the presence of the Hell Pirates and quickly began drawing up a new plan to deal with this dangerous crew.
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In the Grand Line, within the Kingdom of Valoran, at the residence of Count Ironshield...
Inside a massive glass tank, a young mermaid trembled in fear, curled in the corner, watching the monstrous humans outside with terror in her eyes.
"Haha! Viscount Nass, that trip to the Sabaody Archipelago really paid off. We actually managed to buy a mermaid at the human auction! Totally worth it!"
"Yeah! And we gotta thank the New World Overlord, Brook. If he hadn't killed that Celestial Dragon and scared off the others from other Land, Viscount Nass wouldn't have gotten his hands on a mermaid so easily!"
The two fat nobles were practically slobbering as they praised the pale, thin Viscount.
"Hahaha. Sure, I'm glad I managed to grab a mermaid. But this one's too small. Not quite what I wanted... I was looking for one with legs."
Viscount Nass frowned slightly, staring at the tiny mermaid with bored eyes. According to legend, mermaids gain the ability to grow legs at the age of 30—but this one was far too young.
"Don't worry, Lord Nass. I've already made contact with the auction house. As soon as they get another one that fits your 'taste,' they'll call us through Den Den Mushi. Next time, we'll snag a better one!"
The pudgy noble patted his chest with confidence, clearly trying to please the Viscount—who nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. You two are smart. Now, with the war raging between Valoran and the Vodka Kingdom, you'll be our designated suppliers for Count Ironshield's army—uniforms, food, and weapons. You'll be in charge of procurement."
Those words made the two fat men laugh so hard their bellies shook. This was exactly what they'd been aiming for—military contracts during wartime were the easiest way to get filthy rich. Supply chains, corrupt dealings, and wartime loopholes? It was a goldmine.
Count Ironshield wasn't just the top noble in Valoran—he was also the kingdom's military general. Even the king treated him with both respect and caution.
"Thank you, Lord Nass, for your trust! We will serve the Kingdom of Valoran with all we have!"
Grinning ear to ear, the merchants took the official documents and contracts stamped by Count Ironshield's seal and left to begin preparing supplies.
Armed with those papers, they started strong-arming their competition—forcing fellow merchants to sell goods at dirt-cheap prices. After all, they had military clearance now. With that kind of backing, who dared oppose them?
Their goal? Make bank off the war.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the conflict—the Vodka Kingdom was in a dire situation.
To meet their Celestial Tribute—also known as the Heavenly Tribute—they launched constant wars, targeting weaker nations to loot and plunder. But after years of battle, they'd already fought most of their neighbors.
Now their opponent was the Kingdom of Valoran—an evenly matched rival. The outcome was anyone's guess.
Among the ranks of the Vodka Kingdom's youth army, a young soldier stood out. A cold-eyed boy with two horns sprouting from his head, a battered face, and a heavy mace strapped to his back. He had just returned from a suicidal charge—and survived.
He was Kaido. A child from a rare demon race. His parents had migrated to Vodka when he was young, but due to Kaido's monstrous size and appetite, they were forced to enlist just to keep the family fed.
But last year, both his parents died in a brutal battle—and the pitiful pension they left behind didn't even last a year.
So now, at just eight years old, Kaido had joined the youth army. He had already fought in several wars—and survived.
Kaido spat out blood and phlegm. Of the ten youths who fought beside him, six were dead, two seriously injured, one with a mangled leg. Only Kaido came out with minor wounds.
Why was this country always at war? Why couldn't they just develop themselves? After years of violence, life only got worse. More orphans, more starving kids like him. The only way to survive was to fight.
These "young soldiers" were hailed as "heroes" if they lived through battle. The survivors got food, praise, and money—until the next war.
And then they died too.
Kaido returned to the barracks and devoured his meal. The others were already gone. Soon, a new batch of child soldiers would replace them, waiting to charge in and die.
He didn't know what the point of all this was. All he knew was to fight, kill, survive—and eat.
From the whispers of other soldiers, Kaido learned that the king kept waging war to pay off the tribute to the Celestial Dragons. These damn "Heavenly Tribute" taxes.
That was the first time Kaido truly hated the Celestial Dragons.
Why did the king have to obey them and drag the entire country into hell?
But orders were orders. Soldiers followed. If they didn't, they starved.
Kaido began to enjoy the fighting. Not out of bloodlust, but because it made him stronger. He didn't fear death—he craved the rush of clashing with powerful enemies.
Meanwhile, on Iron Shield Island, the Vodka army had managed to land and start a land war with the Valoran Kingdom. But Count Ironshield wasn't just some paper noble—he was a monster in battle.
He held the island like an iron turtle. Despite multiple attacks, he repelled the Vodka army again and again, inflicting massive casualties.
Even if Vodka took a small coastal area, the fortress, stocked with firepower and supplies, crushed their morale.
At the same time, two more armies from Vodka were attacking Valoran's other main islands. If even one of them could break through and seize treasure, it would be enough to pay this year's tribute.
But here's the crazy part—war reporters were out there too.
Decked out in flashy gear, these daredevil journalists roamed the battlefield, snapping pictures and writing reports. Neither side touched them—too much global attention.
One reporter, wearing the Seagull News Agency uniform, even bribed a Vodka general for access to their ranks.
Once he spotted Kaido during a mission, he recorded every detail—location, behavior, survival status. He even tried to get closer for an interview.
But one cold glare from Kaido sent the guy running.
The reporter gave up and sent everything to Moore Thomas of the World Economic News Agency—earning himself a tidy bonus as a battlefield informant.
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I didn't realize the Discord Link I shared had an expiration date, so I've updated it. Here's the new link
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Check my Pâtreon for (40) advanced chapters
Pâtreon .com/Fanficlord03
Change (â) to (a)
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Discord Link Here:
https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9