After finishing his sentence, Kizaru walked ahead and led the way, completely ignoring Vic's burning gaze. Vic knew his plans had failed; Kizaru didn't want to fight, and forcing a battle wouldn't work.
So Vic could only follow him to meet the Vegapunk, while Rebecca and the Kizaru before the Colonel took them to their lodgings.
Vic found the layout of the research institute very familiar; it hadn't changed much since Caesar's time. The equipment inside was already quite complete, and there was no time to move it during the gas leak, so it naturally ended up in Caesar. Therefore, it's normal that there haven't been any changes.
Vic followed Kizaru into a high-tech room in the center of the research institute, but Vic had a question when he got to the door: why was this automatic door so tall?
Could Vegapunk be a miniature giant? Is the door too small for him to fit through? Vegapunk hadn't shown himself when Vic traveled through time, so he'd always been very curious about Vegapunk.
Upon entering the room, the first thing that caught his eye was a huge, hairy radish that was practically touching the ceiling, and it was even wobbling.
Hearing someone come in, the giant radish turned around, and Vic realized that this hairy radish was actually a human head. It looked so strange!
Looking around, there was no one else besides some equipment and pipes. Vic then realized that the big head was probably Vegapunk. Indeed, extraordinary people have extraordinary appearances.
Vic's gaze moved downwards, finally landing on the face that resembled Einstein's. But the tongue was sticking out way too long! A big head with a long tongue—wouldn't that scare a child?
"Doctor! You must have received the notification. I'm leaving. From now on, Lieutenant Vic Vice Admiral continue to protect your safety. He's also a powerful Logia user; you should be very interested in him!"
Kizaru explained to Vegapunk, who was looking over, that he and Vegapunk worked together very well, and he basically didn't need to lift a finger. There were very few pirates who could get to this place, and even fewer who were strong.
So he spent most of his time drinking tea, clipping his nails, and slacking off. Life couldn't be more pleasant, so he was a little reluctant to leave this place.
" Dark Dragon Orens Vic! I've been seeing news about you in the newspapers. You're Devil Fruit User the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, an ability that hasn't been seen on the seas for centuries. Your strength is undeniable; using your talents to protect an old man like me is a waste."
However, there must be a reason why you've been assigned here. I doubt you young people would want to hear too much. Just don't disturb my research. As for your safety outside, I'll leave that to you."
Vegapunk has been designing weapons and has also considered combining the power of Devil Fruit with the power of technology, so he has researched many Devil Fruit abilities.
Kizaru's Glint-Glint Fruit and Vic's Rumble-Rumble Fruit are naturally among them. He already has the prototype of Pacifista in his mind, but his Devil Fruit technology is not yet mature.
He is currently researching how to replicate Devil Fruit, which is why Caesar later learned some scraps of Artificial Devil Fruit technology.
" Dr. Vegapunk! I've long admired you and have always wanted to meet you to ask you some questions, but I've never had the chance."
I only recently learned that you're doing research here. From now on, your safety is my responsibility. I will absolutely not let a single hair on your head be harmed!
Vic's words were sincere and mostly true, but at the end he couldn't help but glance at Vegapunk's large head. Vegapunk's large head had very little hair in the front, resembling the bald head of a highly intelligent person.
It's just that the Vegapunk Sea is rather large and long. Vic really didn't mean to offend anyone; he genuinely needs Vegapunk's technology to solve his training problems.
Even if Vegapunk doesn't have that technology now, his massive brain capacity and his mind, which is 500 years ahead of the world, should be able to achieve the technology of gravity manipulation. Therefore, Vic needs to cultivate a good relationship with Vegapunk.
"I know you're curious about my big head. Everyone's curious when they see it for the first time. I wasn't like this before either. After I ate the Brain-Brain Fruit, my head has been getting bigger and bigger."
However, after eating that Devil Fruit, my inspiration, calculation, and thinking abilities were greatly enhanced, which greatly helped my scientific research. Sometimes I wonder if there's a way to turn my big head back; it's really heavy and inconvenient!
Vegapunk noticed Vic's gaze, but he wasn't angry. He simply explained that people often react this way when they first meet, and he was used to it.
Vic only just realized that Vegapunk was also a Devil Fruit user, and that his ability was so perfectly suited to him. He was already incredibly intelligent, and with that added advantage, it's no wonder people say he was 500 years ahead of humanity; he certainly deserves that title.
"I see. I didn't know the Doctor was also an esper. I'll come back to ask him for guidance when he's less busy!"
Vic glanced at the monitor in front of Vegapunk and said that Vegapunk had been recording something, but was interrupted by his and Kizaru's arrival, so he thought he would leave first and come back to discuss it with Vegapunk another time.
"Okay! Borsalino! You show Vic around, let him get acquainted with the people and the environment, and explain the situation to him."
Vegapunk was indeed very busy. All sorts of ideas would pop into his head every moment. If he didn't write them down, he didn't know when he would remember them. Knowing that Vic didn't want to bother him, he stopped insisting.
"Okay, Doctor! I won't come back to say goodbye after that. I'll leave the island immediately after handing things over with Vic!"
Kizaru knew Vegapunk's temperament; his attention was mainly focused on research, he didn't care much about interpersonal relationships, and he didn't like superficial things. So he said he wouldn't bother him anymore.
"Alright! Borsalino! Thank you for protecting me during this time. Without you here, I wouldn't be able to conduct my research so peacefully. I might need your abilities again later, and I hope you can cooperate then!"
Vegapunk had already set his sights on Kizaru's laser beam, laying the groundwork for his later research. Although the Pacifista was only in its infancy in his mind, his big brain worked quickly, and he had already thought ahead.
"Okay, Doctor! I'll take Vic out now."
Kizaru didn't refute it. Neither of them could make these decisions. If his assistance in the research was truly needed, Vegapunk would still need to submit an application, and the World Government and Marine Headquarters would have to agree. But that didn't stop him from agreeing now. This was a tactful way of handling things.
After Kizaru finished speaking, he led Vic out of the research lab. Of course, Vic said goodbye to Vegapunk before leaving. Afterwards Kizaru took Vic to see Caesar.
Caesar also has his own separate research lab, but what he's researching is hard to say, given that he's destined to be an evil scientist.
Later, Vic met Sentomaru again. At this time, Sentomaru was about the same age as Vic, but he was already a big guy with pretty good strength, a talented player.