Wood's Bounty Soars Once More

"Well, I know full well that science and technology are the primary productive forces."

At Wood's casual remark, Vegapunk's eyes lit up again.

He quickly asked, "Science and technology are the primary productive forces? That's a very apt way to put it. Is that also something passed down from the Ancient Kingdom?"

Saturn, one of the Five Elders, had said before that Wood might be a survivor of the Ancient Kingdom, perhaps even a descendant of Joy Boy.

Vegapunk had been skeptical of that claim, but now it seemed more credible than ever.

Compared with most people in this world, Wood's ideas were remarkably "ahead of their time," and his words had a way of making people see things in a new light.

The nation that had vanished 800 years ago possessed highly advanced civilization and technology. If Wood was a survivor or heir of the Ancient Kingdom, then it wasn't so strange that he would say the things he had.

"Mr. Wood, you risked so much to come to Egghead and rescue me. I assume you didn't do it just for Kuma, right?

"Your goal was me, too, wasn't it? Did you save me so I'd owe you a favor, then work for you—or give my life for you?"

Finding Wood more interesting than he'd expected, Vegapunk chose not to beat around the bush. He asked outright.

"I won't deny that was my main goal, but saying I want you to give your life for me is going too far.

"I do want you to work for me, and in return I'll pay you accordingly.

"Dark Island will provide funding and all the resources you need for your research. And while I call it work, you can think of it as a partnership.

"If there's a project you don't