While things seemed calm on Hachinosu, undercurrents were swirling within the World Government's sphere of influence.
Deep beneath Mary Geoise, in a highly classified laboratory, the lights were stark white, and the instruments hummed.
Researchers in white lab coats came and went, each with a serious expression and a brisk pace.
This is one of the World Government's core research facilities, led by Dr. Vegapunk.
At this moment, three CP0 agents are standing in the center of the laboratory, with a metal box in front of them.
" Dr. Vegapunk, this is an order from the Five Elders."
The lead agent opened the box, revealing three gleaming golden fragments inside.
"We must develop a method to Imitation Pure Gold as soon as possible."
Vegapunk, wearing a white lab coat and goggles, was fiddling with a piece of equipment.
He didn't even look up when he heard this.
"Just put it there."
The CP0 agent frowned and his tone turned cold:
" Vegapunk, the Five Elders take this matter very seriously—"
"I said put it there."
Vegapunk looked up and glanced at him.
His gaze was calm, but the CP0 agent felt a chill run down his spine for no apparent reason.
"Yes."
The three put down the box and turned to leave.
The laboratory door closed.
Vegapunk put down the instrument he was holding, walked to the table, and picked up a piece of Pure Gold.
He examined it for a moment, then tossed the fragment back into the box, rubbing his fingers dismissively.
Vegapunk smirked.
"Inferior alloy, with an added luminescent coating..."
"Is this something I should waste my time on?"
He turned back to his workbench and continued his work.
The screen displayed densely packed data and formulas; it was a research project far exceeding the level of contemporary technology.
Vegapunk's fingers flew across the keyboard as he muttered to himself.
"That Dragon guy, he insisted I cooperate with the World Government in putting on a show..."
"This kind of trash is obviously fake."
He shook his head, his face full of disdain.
"Pure Gold and immortality are all just scams."
They simply can't understand truly good things.
His gaze fell on the complex formulas on the screen, a glint of fervor flashing in his eyes.
This is what he's truly interested in.
Hachinosu, on the other side.
In a quiet courtyard, Nicole Olvia sat at a table, flipping through a thick manuscript.
These manuscripts were brought back by Roy from the Sky Island; they include rubbings of the Poneglyph.
There are ancient books from the Skypieans, as well as some ancient scripts carved on the stone walls.
Olvia was originally helping her daughter Robin decipher the Poneglyph, but as she flipped through them, she noticed something amiss.
The ancient books of the Skypieans record some very strange things--
"We come from heaven."
"The moon is our homeland."
"Our ancestors descended from the stars and found a new home on this vast blue sea."
At first, Olvia thought it was just a myth, but the more she looked, the more suspicious it seemed.
Those ancient texts describe in detail the origins of the Skypieans —they are not from this world, but rather migrated from the moon.
Moreover, ancient books also record many technologies that far surpass those of the present day.
There are ships that can fly in the sky, devices that can control the weather, and technology that allows people to walk in the air...
These things are completely different from the rudimentary technology currently used on the Sky Island.
But Olvia felt that these accounts were likely true.
She put down the manuscript, rubbed her temples, took a deep breath, and then hurriedly left with the documents in her arms.
Roy was working on documents in his office when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Olvia pushed open the door and entered, her face beaming with barely concealed excitement.
" Captain Roy! I've made a major discovery!"
Roy looked up at her. "What did you find?"
Olvia spread the documents on the table and pointed to a translated passage.
" The Skypieans aren't from this world! They came from the moon!"
Roy raised an eyebrow.
Look here--
Olvia pointed to the records in the ancient book,
They say their ancestors came from the moon and descended to the blue sea in an 'ark'.
And here, they described many technologies far beyond our own time—airships, weather control devices, energy shields...
"None of the Skypieans have these things now."
But I think these records are very likely true.
She looked up at Roy, her eyes sparkling.
" Captain Roy, if these records are true, then there's a high possibility that remnants of their technology still remain on the moon!"
"If we can find those ruins and decipher those technologies..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.
Roy leaned back in his chair, looking at her without saying a word.
Olvia, thinking he didn't believe her, grew anxious. "Captain, I'm telling the truth! Look at these—"
"I know."
Roy interrupted her.
Olvia was taken aback. "Huh?"
"I already knew all that you're saying."
Olvia was completely stunned.
Roy stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the distant sea.
"When I went to Sky Island to find the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, I discovered those ruins."
The carvings on the stone walls, the ancient writing, and the massive wreckage of that spaceship...
He turned around and looked at Olvia.
"I've known for a long time that the Skypieans come from the moon."
Olvia opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
"I also considered exploring the moon back then."
Roy said,
"But at that time, we didn't have enough strength or influence, so we had to put the matter aside for the time being."
He walked back to the table and flipped through the documents.
"You've done a good job organizing this. Store these documents away for now."
Olvia panicked: "But—"
"Don't rush," Roy waved his hand. "Exploring the moon is inevitable, but not now."
He pointed to the soldiers training outside the window.
" The Hachinosu has just finished its expansion, and the newly acquired kingdoms are not yet fully stable."
Bullet and his men are still acquiring territory and haven't returned yet.
We'll discuss this further once they return.
Although Olvia was unwilling, she knew that Roy was right.
"Well... okay then. I'll organize the data first."
Roy nodded. "Thank you for your hard work. Let me know if you make any new discoveries."
Olvia left with the documents, but turned back at the door, saying, " Captain Roy, the technology on the moon is truly amazing."
Roy smiled. "I know. Don't worry, I won't let you work for nothing."
Olvia then left, satisfied.
The door closed, Roy sat back down in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.
Lunar technology...
Of course he wanted it.
If we could really get our hands on those things, Hachinosu's strength would increase several times over.
However, Olvia is right, now is not the time.
We'll make plans after Bullet and his team return and once the new territory is completely stable.
He picked up the Den Den Mushi from the table and dialed Crocodile's number.
" Crocodile, help me investigate someone."
"Who?"
"A Devil Fruit User."
Van Augur encountered him when he was a bounty hunter in the West Blue. Check where that guy is now.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. "Okay. I'll let you know if there's any news."
Thanks.