The MADS research ship was a paddle steamer. It had abandoned sails and was a relatively rare steam-powered vessel in this era.
There were paddle wheels on both sides of the ship. Steam drove them to turn, and the blades splashed through the water, propelling the vessel forward.
Dimon was not surprised to see a steamship in the pirate world.
There were not only steamships, but also icebreakers and submarines.
Watching the warship vanish completely beyond the horizon, Vegapunk and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Only then did he have the chance to thank Dimon.
"Hello, I'm Vegapunk. I often heard Stussy mention you. Thank you very much for helping us this time."
"I'm Dimon. No need to be so polite, Dr. Vegapunk."
Dimon smiled slightly as he looked Vegapunk over.
This scientist, said to be "five hundred years ahead of the world," was a Brain-Brain Fruit user.
As the name implied, he had an enormous brain. The portion of his body above his head was far taller than the portion below it.
That was because his brain could store unlimited information. The more information it stored, the larger his brain became.
Dimon could not help worrying that his brain might explode someday.
"Dimon, let me introduce everyone."
Stussy held Dimon's arm and enthusiastically began introducing the members of the MADS Organization.
The director was Vegapunk. Besides him, there were three principal members.
Caesar Clown, a Logia-type Gas-Gas Fruit user.
Vinsmoke Judge, the father of Sanji, the future cook of the Straw Hat Pirates. Of course, Sanji had not been born yet.
And Queen, one of the future Beasts Pirates' Three Calamities and a Zoan-type Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Type, Brachiosaurus Form user.
After the introductions, both sides exchanged greetings.
The three of them were extremely curious about Dimon, and their conversation went quite smoothly.
Vegapunk smiled.
"This isn't a place to talk. Lord Dimon, come with me. I'll show you around the ship."
Dimon immediately followed Vegapunk into the cabin and toured the various laboratories.
Everywhere they went, Stussy eagerly explained the place to him.
There were many research projects underway here, until they entered a cloning laboratory.
Inside the laboratory, with its pure white walls, stood rows of clone cultivation chambers. Clones were being grown inside them.
Clones had already been successfully created this early?
Dimon was quite surprised. He remembered that Stussy had a clone who later became a CP0 agent, also named Stussy.
However, he did not see Stussy's clone in the chambers. The ones here were all male.
"These are all clones of a deceased scientist. I wanted to see whether I could 'revive' an old companion, but their memories are missing. I still haven't found a way to extract and preserve memories."
Vegapunk calmly said something astonishing.
Then he changed the subject and stared intently at Dimon.
"After Stussy joined us, I also tried cloning her, but it failed. Immortal Cells seem impossible to clone! This is truly fascinating!"
"Immortal Cells?"
"That is what I named them. The cells of people like you, who neither age nor die, are extremely unusual!" Vegapunk said with an awestruck expression.
Stussy covered her mouth and chuckled. "After I joined this place, my research project became an in-depth study of Immortal Cells."
"Have there been any results?" Dimon asked curiously.
Stussy shook her head.
The fact that immortals could not be cloned surprised Dimon somewhat, though it was not entirely unexpected.
After touring the laboratories, Dimon came to the lounge. Once seated, he explained why he had come.
"Actually, I came this time because there is something I would like to ask of you, Dr. Vegapunk."
"Lord Dimon, you helped us drive away the Marines this time. In return, I will help you as well."
Vegapunk nodded, poured himself a cup of coffee, and dropped a great many sugar cubes into it.
Stussy poured Dimon a glass of wine and sat beside him.
"Vegapunk discovered the Lineage Factor. The World Government learned of it, and then we became targets."
"Sengoku has been chasing us for quite a while these past few days... We were lucky to have you, or we would all have been captured."
"Oh, right. The Lineage Factor is also called the 'Life Blueprint'..."
She began earnestly explaining the subject. After not seeing him for so long, she seemed to have endless things to say.
Dimon took small sips of wine as he listened to her explanation.
There was a certain beauty in knowledge flowing through his mind without leaving the slightest trace behind.
"Are you even listening?" Stussy puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.
"I don't understand..."
Dimon rolled his eyes at her, then said to Vegapunk, "Doctor, I found the Ancient Weapon Pluton in Wano Country. It currently..."
"An Ancient Weapon!?"
Caesar and Queen cried out in unison, their curiosity instantly flaring.
Vegapunk was stunned as well.
"I've heard of them—the three Ancient Weapons capable of destroying the world. Of them, Pluton is rumored to be a super battleship."
"I've already found that ship." Dimon nodded. "But to activate it, it needs some kind of energy source. I hope you can help me solve that problem."
At those words, Dr. Vegapunk looked conflicted.
"What are your conditions?" Dimon asked.
Vegapunk fell silent. He was devoted to research for peace, and the appearance of an Ancient Weapon would bring war to the world.
But at the same time, as a scientist, he was deeply curious about the Ancient Weapon itself.
It was the pinnacle of ancient technology!
"Shurorororo... Mr. Dimon, if Vegapunk won't help you, I will!" Caesar grinned. "I'm not inferior to Vegapunk at all!"
Queen nodded repeatedly. "I'll help too! Please let me see your battleship!"
Judge stood up even more excitedly. "Please, let me join you, Mr. Dimon!!"
Seeing that all three had been tempted by the Ancient Weapon, Vegapunk could only agree helplessly.
"I accept your request. I will find a way to solve the energy problem, but I cannot guarantee success. Also, I will need a great deal of research funding..."
Dimon said with a smile, "Please rest assured, Dr. Vegapunk. I am now the shogun of Wano Country. An entire country's treasury will support your research!"
Money was not a problem.
Wano Country's laborers just had to suffer a little!
Hearing that, everyone was somewhat dumbfounded.
Stussy blinked. "No wonder there has been no news of you all these years. Wano Country? I heard it is a mysterious land of samurai and the source of Seastone. Let's go already, I want to see it too~"
Dimon had set out from Wano Country and found the MADS research ship in only a few hours.
But the return journey took a full half month.
MADS's research ship temporarily docked at the port, while Dimon brought everyone back to the Flower Capital.
General's Mansion.
After receiving the news, Kaido came to greet them. Then he saw Stussy and could not help freezing for a moment.
"Long time no see, Kaido."
"Stussy..."
Kaido turned a puzzled gaze toward Dimon, his eyes seeming to ask, She's the scientist?
She seems completely unreliable!
Dimon introduced everyone.
"Prepare a banquet, Kaido. These are the guests. Stussy just came along for the ride."
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