Said Well, But I Refuse!

As the World's Number One genius.

Vegapunk mastered the "Wind Knot Technique" of the small Sky Island of Visalia.

This is perfectly normal.

Although Storm felt that Berlusconi exuded an undeniable air of arrogance when he said those words.

However, under the strong attraction of "Cutting-edge Technology," Storm honestly revealed his true feelings.

"Doctor, I want to study this!"

If Visalia's "Wind Knot Technique" is indeed linked to the "Haki Seal Technique" that Storm previously envisioned.

Therefore, once Storm learns the "Wind Knot Technique," he should be able to quickly master the "Haki Seal Technique."

In that case, his "Clay Homies" will also receive a major power boost in the next version.

That is, "Haki Enhancement!"

Vegapunk readily agreed to a teaching agreement with Storm.

He found his interactions with this "Great Pirate" extremely pleasant.

These days, it's rare to find Great Pirate values technology and possesses a spirit of learning and research.

On the contrary, there are more examples of top scientists "falling on hard times" and becoming pirates.

For example, Queen.

Just as Storm was asking Vegapunk about the "Wind Knot Technique".

On the other side, Rhein, along with Sentomaru, brought all the other researchers from Punk Hazard Island, except for Vegapunk.

Storm paused the conversation, glanced at the large group of people Rhein had brought, and then looked at Vegapunk.

"Doctor, are you sure you want to let all of them go? Don't you need to leave a few research assistants behind?"

Even in the Germa Kingdom.

Besides Vinsmoke Gage, the Germa Kingdom also employs several other scientists and researchers whose main job is to assist Gage and reduce Gage research burden.

In Storm's view, Vegapunk might also need a similar "helper".

But he ultimately underestimated this "first scientist of the ocean".

"Absolutely not. They can't keep up with my research pace at all."

Vegapunk shook his head, his gaze sweeping over Caesar Clown, who was still unconscious in the crowd.

Of all the scientists on Punk Hazard Island, perhaps only Caesar could barely keep up with his research level.

But it was only a barely acceptable compromise.

After all, Caesar was an expert in manufacturing lethal weapons.

Vegapunk is an expert... it seems like there's nothing he can't do.

If it's research in "weapon manufacturing," Caesar can indeed barely keep up with Vegapunk's pace.

However, if Vegapunk wanted to research other things, Caesar simply couldn't keep up...

To put it bluntly...

The World's Number One genius is a genius of a generation, an archaeologist of a generation.

Vegapunk had little interest in researching weapons, so he didn't want to keep Caesar around.

Not to mention.

Decades ago, when the MADS organization still existed, Vegapunk and Caesar already had ideological conflicts.

Do you want Caesar to be Vegapunk's henchman?

Don't even think about it!

Vegapunk looked away and continued.

"Vongola, your suggestion was very useful. I just need to create a few clones to help me complete my research tasks."

Vegapunk's clones...

Several strange, grotesque figures flashed through Storm's mind.

For example, there's a genius but wicked young female scientist who goes by the name "Lilith."

If it weren't for intelligence disclosure.

Who would believe that beneath the beautiful exterior of a wicked young girl lies the soul of a middle-aged man in his fifties or sixties?

However, creating a robot clone with an independent personality is not a foolproof idea...

Storm banished his distracting thoughts and waved to Rhein.

Golden Lion II immediately led the group of researchers to a naval warship high in the sky, stuffing them, along with the navy personnel responsible for guarding Punk Hazard Island, onto a single ship.

Meanwhile, Sentomaru, who remained where he was, reported to Vegapunk.

"Uncle Punk, there are still many pirates being held in Research Labs Two and Three, as well as some other... things. I don't have access to those cells."

"Those pirates..."

Vegapunk paused for a moment, then sighed.

"It's probably because the World Government is still thinking about using 'experimental subjects' for their 'human gigantification experiments'..."

Vegapunk had the idea of helping the researchers.

However, he had no intention of rescuing these pirates sent by the World Government.

However, out of politeness, Vegapunk still looked at Storm.

"Vongola, should I go and move those prisoners out as well?"

"... Release them all!"

Storm thought for a moment and then answered directly.

"Punk Hazard is your private research institute, Doctor. It's best not to imprison any random people there."

"I will simply 'clean up' the pirates still on the island."

Storm snapped his fingers, and a large, jet-black dog leaped down from the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

It was Ichi.

"Doctor, this is 'Ichi.' Why don't you work with it to clear away all the unnecessary things on the island?"

"Ichi?"

Vegapunk was just about to get up from his clay sofa.

But suddenly the clay sofa rippled, and four legs sprouted from its base, transforming it from a sofa into a special clay vehicle.

"Dr. Vegapunk"

Ichi grinned, revealing his human mouth.

"Let's go."

Vegapunk looked at the big black dog with great surprise.

With his keen eyesight, he couldn't immediately discern the true nature of this talking black dog.

It doesn't look like a normal living being.

It's more like a creation of some kind of Devil Fruit power...

Vegapunk recalled what Storm had said earlier, that the opponent had defeated Big Mom...

'This dog... it looks a bit like Homies created by Big Mom... but how could that be?'

The White Dragon is the same as the Red Dragon Emperor.

The Vongola possess the powers of both the Clay Fruit and the Pink Dragon Fruit.

This has already broken the ironclad law of the sea!

How could he possibly eat a third Devil Fruit?

With a slight sense of confusion, Vegapunk left with Sentomaru and Ichi, riding on the "mobile sofa" to patrol Punk Hazard Island, constantly cleaning up the trash.

Under Rhein's control, Punk Hazard Island floated up to an altitude of 10,000 meters before drifting deeper into the New World.

Storm admired the pure white sea of clouds ten thousand meters above the ground and took out his personal Den Den Mushi.

He was about to dial the number when the Den Den Mushi shook its head.

"I almost forgot, I cut off the signal beforehand..."

Storm immediately realized what was happening.

As soon as he landed on Punk Hazard Island, he had Teach use the power of Teach Rumble-Rumble Fruit to create an invisible electromagnetic barrier over the entire island.

The purpose of this barrier is to block Punk Hazard from communicating with the outside world.

Similar abilities exist on the high seas, such as Doflamingo's "Birdcage".

Storm had Teach remove the signal jamming and then dialed a number directly.

After a series of rapid Den Den Mushi rings.

An aged voice came from Storm's private Den Den Mushi.

"White Dragon..."

The Gorosei, Saint Nusjuro, seemed to have been prepared and spoke calmly.

"You should have received the government's 'gift' by now, right?"

"Of course, I've received the five Devil Fruit CP0 agents delivered to Dressrosa."

Storm replied calmly with a smile on his lips.

"I'm very curious, why would your World Government do this?"

In Storm's view, he had completely broken ties with the World Government.

If the other side were to offer Devil Fruit now, it wouldn't be a case of throwing good money after bad.

Cough cough!

Isn't that Chun Chun delivering it?

However, the five Devil Fruits that the World Government provided this time were indeed of pretty good quality.

It's much better than the previous two times.

"The government has its own considerations."

Saint Nusjuro didn't directly say that this was an "apology" for the previous Buster Call; he gave a vague answer to the question and then changed the subject, making a new request.

"Now that you've accepted the government's 'gift,' the government also has something for you to do."

Really!

There's no such thing as a free lunch!

However, they had already accepted the five Devil Fruits that the other party had given them for free.

With the intention of killing time, Storm asked directly.

What do you want to do?

"The government's requirements are very simple."

Saint Nusjuro made no additional requests, but simply stated the strategy he had previously discussed with the other Gorosei.

"You just need to continue to maintain your status as Shichibukai!"

Maintaining his status Shichibukai?

Storm narrowed his eyes, then Satori.

He wondered why the World Government would give away gifts for nothing...

So that's the reason!

The Seven Warlords of the Sea system established by the World Government has faced unprecedented challenges this year.

Sand Crocodile, King of Lizards, Magic Duck, Snake Princess, Sea Knight, Heavenly Yaksha...

Aside from Hawk Eyes, who is unknown to the outside world.

The other six Shichibukai all suffered extremely heavy defeats this year, either dying or being injured.

The organization's prestige has been severely damaged.

Currently, there are two vacant positions among the Shichibukai.

If Storm withdraws from the Shichibukai...

That would mean the organization would be missing three members, which is almost half of its members!

What kind of "three major powers of the Grand Line" are these?

'So the Gorosei' apology was simply an attempt to maintain the Seven Warlords of the Sea system?'

A sarcastic smile curled at the corners of Storm's lips.

'But I don't care about my status as one of the Shichibukai anymore!'

"The Gorosei."

Storm's smile grew increasingly mocking and sarcastic.

"That's indeed a very simple request..."

Nasujiro immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"So..."

"But I refuse!"

"... What?"

"One of my favorite things to do, Vongola Storm, is to say 'no' to self-important guys!"

Happy National Day to everyone!

First update.

It's so late...

But there are still more.