Ohara's Past (Part 2)

Several hours after Saul's ship vanished beyond the horizon, another figure quietly appeared on the desolate shore.

Dragon walked alone, his heavy footsteps crossing the scorched earth as he headed toward the enormous remains of the tree roots at the island's center.

This time, Adams did not show himself. He merely watched quietly from the floating island high above.

Those who walked different paths could not work together. He could not stand Dragon's childish revolution, one with no follow-up support, no ideals, and no ideological guidance.

Not long after Dragon disappeared, Dr. Clover's old friend—the one he had been waiting for—finally arrived.

A sailing ship flying a cross-star flag docked on the opposite shore, far from where Saul had landed.

Vegapunk, with his enormous head, came ashore. Adams descended like a ghost at once and brought him up to the floating island.

Their reunion was not as emotional as expected.

Dr. Clover merely gave Vegapunk's shoulder a heavy pat, his voice hoarse. "You came."

Vegapunk's enormous head nodded. His gaze swept across this tiny sanctuary floating in the sky and the scholars who had survived the disaster before finally settling on Clover.

"Yeah. Thankfully... you're still here."

A thousand words were contained within those few.

During their exchange, Clover formally introduced Adams to Vegapunk, especially emphasizing his extraordinarily special constitution.

Vegapunk abruptly turned toward the silver-haired boy, his eyes blazing with fervor.

"Kid, truly... thank you so much. Otherwise, I would have lost an old friend forever." His tone was sincere, but then overwhelming curiosity swallowed him whole. "But... I never imagined this legendary constitution actually existed. It's simply unbelievable! It completely overturns common sense!"

"Saving Dr. Clover was something I should have done."

Adams's voice was calm and forceful. He remained composed beneath that burning gaze of scientific inquiry.

"As for my constitution, my ancestor left behind a saying: 'Everything humanity can imagine is a reality that may come to pass.' It describes my situation quite well."

Vegapunk cried out in shock. His enormous head snapped back, and his eyes widened into circles.

"So you're... Dr. Ganon's descendant. What a surprise. I agree with that saying as well."

His speech suddenly accelerated, like floodgates had been opened. Spittle flew as he fell into a state of self-forgetting excitement, both hands wildly sketching complex theoretical models in the air. Obscure technical terms and formulas poured out like a barrage.

Seeing this science maniac about to become completely immersed in his boundless universe of knowledge, Adams had no choice but to raise his voice and interrupt him.

"Dr. Vegapunk, I want to discuss something more important with you!"

Vegapunk's voice cut off abruptly, as if someone had seized him by the throat. He blinked blankly.

"Something more important? What is it?"

Adams drew a deep breath, filling his lungs with the thin air of the high sky. He looked Vegapunk directly in the eye and spoke each word with absolute clarity.

"I want to ask for your help. Restore the science and technology of the Ancient Kingdom from eight hundred years ago, and bring that lost nation back into the world!"

Before his words had even faded, Dr. Clover shuddered and cried out.

"Little Adams! You..."

The old man's eyes were filled with shock and an indescribable excitement.

Adams turned toward him, his gaze gentle yet resolute.

"You are one of the few family members I have left. Finding a way to help you fulfill your lifelong wish is something I should do."

"You... you've truly grown up..."

Dr. Clover's voice choked, and cloudy tears finally rolled down his face.

Vegapunk, meanwhile, was completely stunned. His face was filled with pure confusion. "Restore it? The ancients... had technology more advanced than ours?"

At this point, he had not yet begun researching ancient texts and knew nothing of ancient technology.

After composing himself, Dr. Clover began using the simplest descriptions possible to reveal to Vegapunk a mere glimpse of the technological miracles of the Ancient Kingdom.

The more Vegapunk heard, the wider his eyes became behind his glasses. Even his breathing grew rapid. It was the pure excitement and fervor of a scientist facing the ultimate mystery.

"This! Why didn't you tell me sooner?! If you'd told me earlier, I would have agreed long ago!"

Vegapunk abruptly grabbed Clover's arm, his voice trembling with excitement.

He did not care in the slightest about the historical truth the World Government had labeled taboo. All he cared about was the lost ancient technology.

Clover gave a helpless, bitter smile. "You refused so decisively back then. How was I supposed to tell you?"

"Enough nonsense! Hurry! Let me see those ancient texts! Right now! Immediately! I can't wait any longer!"

Vegapunk impatiently interrupted him, like a child demanding candy.

"So, you agree?" Adams spoke at the right moment, his voice steady.

"Of course! Although the government defines researching that period of history as a crime, science is innocent."

Vegapunk did not hesitate. His enormous head nodded firmly, his lenses reflecting the icy light of the high sky.

"Then come with us and leave now."

Adams extended his hand. He was simply giving it a try; whether it worked out or not was fine.

The fervor in Vegapunk's eyes cooled slightly. His massive eggshell-like head slowly shook, carrying the weight of reality.

"No. I can't leave yet. The World Government invests astronomical sums in me every year. Those resources cannot be provided anywhere else. Scientific research... cannot be separated from the practical foundation of money."

He paused, and his voice lowered.

"Besides... my companion is still in Cipher Pol."

Adams fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Then if I accumulate enough funds in the future and invite you again, would you still refuse? As for your companion... I think you should have her leave Cipher Pol as soon as possible. That place is absolutely no good for anyone."

Dr. Clover immediately nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with deep distrust toward Cipher Pol.

"That's right. The longer one stays in a place like Cipher Pol, the deeper they sink! It's no good place."

Vegapunk's gaze shifted back and forth between the serious expression on his old friend's face and Adams's calm, confident eyes.

His enormous head lowered slightly as he fell into thought. Given the abilities and potential Adams had displayed, obtaining a large amount of money in the future truly would not be a problem.

Besides, with that special constitution, Adams was certain to reach the pinnacle of the seas. Rescuing him through strength in the future would not be an issue either.

In that case...

He suddenly raised his head, a trace of resolve flashing in his eyes. He took an oddly shaped Den Den Mushi from his lab coat, its shell gleaming with cold metallic light, and quickly dialed.

Purururururu.

The Den Den Mushi was quickly answered. Its eyes lit up with a soft blue glow, and a clear beam of light projected from the top of its head. The beam condensed in midair, forming a lifelike image—a blonde girl's face.

Her face was full of surprise.

"Doctor? You're contacting me out of nowhere? Is there an urgent mission?"

Vegapunk's voice was unusually serious.

"Stussy, listen carefully. Find an opportunity and leave Cipher Pol."

Stussy in the projection was visibly stunned. Her red lips parted slightly, as though she had never expected such an order.

Leave? The training camp courses had not even ended yet. This turn was far too sudden.

Just then, Adams's tall figure leaned forward slightly, entering the range of the communication projection.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Stussy. My name is Adams. You needn't worry about Dr. Vegapunk's safety. When the time is right, I will help him completely break free."

Stussy's beautiful eyes instantly narrowed in the projection, like those of a wary feline. She swiftly and sharply assessed the unfamiliar boy who had suddenly appeared.

A few seconds later, that slightly frivolous, teasing smile returned to her exquisite face. Her red lips parted.

"Oh? What an... absurdly confident little boy. But big sister isn't such an easy girl to fool, you know."

A vein instantly bulged on Adams's forehead. Speechless, he turned toward Vegapunk, who was frowning at the Den Den Mushi projection beside him, his voice filled with undisguised helplessness.

"Doctor... is your companion's emotional life... perhaps a little... too abundant?"

What he actually wanted to say was that Stussy teasing someone she had just met made her seem somewhat socially terrifying, but he chose a different phrasing out of consideration for cultural differences.

A trace of embarrassment also crossed Vegapunk's face. He hurriedly explained to the Den Den Mushi projection.

"Ahem! Well... that's all the messy nonsense the Cipher Pol training camp drilled into her!"

There was a hint of annoyance in his voice. He turned toward the projection, and his tone abruptly became sterner.

"Stussy! Listen, forget all that boring course material about 'how to use a woman's advantages to achieve one's goals' immediately. You don't need any of that now!"

He sounded like a strict parent scolding a child who had gone astray.

Stussy's expression in the projection instantly stiffened, and that deliberate charm and provocation receded like the tide.

She instinctively shrank her neck, like a little girl caught red-handed. A flicker of panic and grievance crossed her eyes, and her voice lowered into timid obedience.

"Yes... I understand, Doctor."

Only then did Vegapunk's expression ease somewhat.

"Good. Do as I said and find a suitable chance to leave. As for the road afterward..."

He paused, his enormous head dipping slightly.

"Take good care of yourself."

As the tide of memory receded, only the sound of running water and Stussy's suppressed sobs remained in the bathroom.

Other than the process of asking Vegapunk to make that special wristwatch, Adams told her everything.

Stussy curled up in the murky bathwater, her long golden hair soaked and clinging to her pale cheeks.

Tears poured forth, mingling with the droplets on her face and falling onto the water's surface, sending out small ripples.

She bit her lower lip hard, her shoulders trembling beyond her control.

For so long, the sharp confusion and pain that had torn at her between her identities as a human and a clone were now being washed over by an even more violent torrent.

Watching her cry like a helpless child, Adams walked to the bathtub and looked down at her.

"Without a doubt, in Dr. Vegapunk's eyes, you were never some 'work' or 'creation.' You are Stussy. A living person with your own thoughts and choices."

I paused, stressing my words.

"And I think so too."

Her sobs gradually softened. Stussy raised her wet face, her eyes red-rimmed. She looked at the silver-haired boy. Tears still silently slipped down her cheeks, but something churned violently within those beautiful blue eyes.

After a long while, she fiercely wiped her face with the back of her hand. Her voice was thick with tears, yet exceptionally clear.

"I'll do everything I can... to help you. That way... the Doctor can leave the World Government sooner."

Adams nodded, crisp and decisive, without any hesitation.

"All right. I've told you everything you needed to know. It's time for me to go."

He did not linger. Turning around, he pushed open the door and left.

The bathroom door gently closed.

Stussy stood alone amid the billowing white steam. Yet the corners of her lips gradually curved upward, finally blooming into a radiant smile filled with a brand-new sense of anticipation.

TO BE CONTINUED