Herman's Revenge, conference room.
"Nice to meet you for the first time, Doctor."
Dawn sat down across from Vegapunk, a gentle smile on his face.
"I don't think I need to introduce myself. You should know who I am."
Vegapunk nodded, his enormous head swaying slightly from the excessive motion.
"Indeed. As long as someone isn't cut off from the outside world, they would almost certainly know you. I never expected Stussy's backer to be you."
A great weight in his heart finally lifted. If it was the man before him, then he truly had the qualifications to provide him with an excellent research environment.
The underground world possessed no less funding than the World Government. He had already experienced that in his youth—many of his early inventions had only come into being with the support of the loan shark king, Du Feld.
"The World Government places too many restrictions on you. Those fools turn a blind eye to the research of yours that could truly change the world, but I won't. With me, you can freely conduct any research you want, and I will provide every resource you need."
Seeing that Vegapunk was tempted, Dawn got straight to the point and laid out the terms he could offer.
Without any restrictions, Vegapunk would naturally prioritize fulfilling his own dream of creating endless energy—and endless energy was precisely what Dawn needed as well.
"Very favorable terms. I accept."
Faced with a patron who imposed virtually no conditions, Vegapunk had no reason to refuse.
Dawn rose to his feet.
"Then, happy cooperation. I'll go arrange some other matters first, and afterward I'll come back to discuss the details with you."
"Please, go ahead."
The door closed behind Dawn. Vegapunk leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath.
After