"Mr. Xidilier, in my capacity as director of the MADS research institute, I formally invite you to join us. I believe this country's environment will only limit your talent. Only by breaking free of these constraints can you better fulfill your ambitions."
Vegapunk extended the invitation with great sincerity. Though as he spoke, his tongue drooped down like a necktie. Aside from his exceptionally large head, his long tongue was another distinctive feature.
At this point, Vegapunk was still in his prime. When he was not speaking, he could still retract his tongue, but once he grew old, it would truly become an external ornament hanging like a tie.
At this time of day, there was no one on the beaches of the Kingdom of Sorbet. The locals had long since gone home to prepare for rest, and voices carried far in the quiet sea breeze. Judge and Queen, exhausted and sprawled across the sand, were no exception.
Upon hearing Vegapunk's words, Oran had yet to say anything, but the two of them leaped up first.
"Vegapunk! What the hell are you saying?! You actually invited him?"
"That robot just beat us up! Didn't you see that?!"
The resentment in their hearts seemed to have restored their strength, but Vegapunk paid no attention to it.
"Doesn't that prove that Xidilier's technology is superior to yours?"
MADS had no explicit prohibition against infighting. The only condition was that comparisons had to rely on the products of one's own technology; winning only proved that one's technology was better.
Judge and Queen had fought each other plenty of times before. This time, they had merely both been taken down by Blitz.
Vegapunk's words struck their hearts like a heavy hammer. What they could least accept was admitting that their technology was inferior to someone else's.
"If you're unconvinced, build an identical one. If you can do it, I'll give you part of my research funding. Want to try?"
D. Fild's sponsorship was substantial, but the total amount was fixed. He would not provide additional money just because more people joined. Essentially, the fewer people there were at the institute, the more funding each person could use.
Ordinary researchers did not matter; they were merely assistants and did not draw from their funding. But since Vegapunk had personally invited him, it was obvious that he valued Oran's abilities. If Oran officially joined, part of their operating funds would certainly be divided up.
That was why they opposed it in this manner, but Vegapunk's reasoning left them with nothing to say.
"Vegapunk, remember what you said. There are two of us!"
After a brief bout of dejection, Queen seemed to think of something and turned to Judge beside him.
"Judge, let's work together for now. If we join forces, we'll definitely surpass these guys. Then we'll split the funding fifty-fifty!"
"I agree. Let's cooperate for now and get started right away. If that doesn't work, we can drag Caesar into it too."
"Muhahaha! You're pretty clever at a time like this. Though that trash Caesar will take a share, as long as we defeat Vegapunk and the guy he favors, it'll all be worth it!"
Supporting each other, the two headed toward MADS's research ship, laughing loudly as they went.
On a mental level, Judge and Queen had already convinced themselves. Judging from their current behavior, they seemed as though they had already won.
"Blitz, I think we should find a chance to beat them up again. They haven't learned their lesson at all.
Those people actually think they're better than Oran."
"Blitz agrees with your opinion, but we need a reason."
Kate and Blitz, who were smoking fish not far away, had witnessed everything and were already plotting their next move. At the same time, Vegapunk's gaze remained fixed on Blitz.
This robot, whose thinking came so close to that of a human, made him increasingly curious.
"So, Mr. Xidilier Oran? I am very serious."
"Join you? What can I gain from it?"
Oran was not opposed to joining this research group. It would be of considerable help to him as well. A ready-made high-quality ship and research assistants with solid foundational knowledge—those alone would be immensely useful.
Besides, one of MADS's research subjects was one of the sea's greatest mysteries: the Lineage Factor.
Since he had already come to these seas, Oran naturally would not give up researching such things. Compared with starting from scratch, having something to draw upon was naturally better.
"Funding, materials, equipment. We can also explore new ideas together. Your robot seems to possess a very remarkable method of energy supply. What if we could scale it up?
This organization's goal is to contribute to peace. The world's conflicts originate from struggles over resources, so if there were an endless source of energy, wouldn't people be able to lay down their disputes?
Ah, I got carried away and said too much. That's my personal goal. Don't mind it."
"A fine goal, but not a realistic one. Human ambition expands without limit. Once it begins, it will never stop. Even if you created such an energy source for the world, someone would develop even greater ambitions."
"If we don't try, how will we know whether it's right or wrong?"
Neither Oran nor Vegapunk criticized the other's ideas. They merely offered suggestions from their own perspectives, because both understood that their ideals differed.
The conditions Vegapunk offered were all things Oran needed. The Kingdom of Sorbet could not provide Oran with massive funding, nor did it have connections to procure research materials. Devil Fruits might seem common, but across the entire sea, they were still quite rare.
An unidentified Devil Fruit whose exact name was unknown could sell for at least one hundred million Berries. Only major powers could possess them.
Although he intended to join, Vegapunk had taken the initiative to invite him, so Oran planned to use the opportunity to ask for a few more conditions.
"No one may interfere with my research. I need an independent laboratory and sufficient funding."
"That is only natural. The robot you created has already demonstrated your ability, though the exact amount will depend on the sponsor's circumstances."
Vegapunk did not consider such a request to be much at all. If anything, it was a perfectly reasonable demand.
"Second, I need Devil Fruits for research. The type does not matter."
The Kingdom of Sorbet had no channels, but Oran believed MADS had ways to obtain them.
"That is one of our research projects, so it isn't a problem. However, if you want exclusive use of a Fruit, we'll need to discuss the matter together. After all, such resources are limited."
Vegapunk agreed to both conditions without much thought. Or rather, in Vegapunk's view, neither counted as a difficult condition.
"One last thing. I need an operating room.
An operating room with sanitary conditions up to standard, complete equipment, and sufficient medical personnel."
(End of Chapter)
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