Although he already believed Vic's words because he knew Vic's character, Vegapunk still wanted to see for himself. What Vic said was too incredible; it was completely beyond human capabilities!
Then he saw the spotless research institute. It used to be full of all sorts of equipment, but now it was a huge open space, big enough to host a football match, with even stands ready!
Seeing this scene, even a genius scientist like Vegapunk, who often created miracles, was stunned. He had only one thought in his mind: Vic must have borrowed the power of some kind of Devil Fruit. However, he didn't want to delve into it; that was someone else's secret!
I'll take you somewhere!
Vegapunk didn't say anything more, left a sentence, and turned to leave. Vic didn't ask any more questions and followed him.
Egghead is quite large. Besides the research institute, there are other areas. Vegapunk took Vic to what was considered an abandoned area, which contained things that Vegapunk had invented in his spare time over the years.
Because many of the inventions had flaws, Vegapunk, a perfectionist, naturally couldn't use them or give them away, so he threw them all into this area!
Over the years, the number of discarded inventions here has piled up like mountains, which shows how fast Vegapunk's mind works. On average, a new invention is created every one or two days. And this is only the discarded ones. If you include the ones that are not discarded, who knows how many there are!
"Hey! Is that a lightsaber? It looks really powerful. How did it end up here?"
Vic casually picked up a flashlight-shaped device that was nearby, pressed the switch, and a beam of light about a meter long shot out from the device, almost hitting him in the face. Luckily, his Observation Haki alerted him, but it still cut off a piece of his collar!
Vic then realized that the device in his hand was actually a lightsaber used by Jedi Knight in Star Wars, but it seemed to be working perfectly. How did it end up here?
You'll find out soon enough!
Vegapunk was also helpless. His inspiration and ideas were endless, but his inventions always had one flaw or another, resulting in a large pile of abandoned inventions.
These inventions were actually all usable and quite functional, but Vegapunk was a perfectionist, so in the end, they all ended up here.
"Oh! I see. Then why did you bring me here?"
Watching the swarm of tiny insects swirling around the lightsaber, Vic finally understood the lightsaber's flaw: it attracted flying insects. Light attracting insects—it was indeed very reasonable and scientific!
Imagine you're fighting someone with a lightsaber, and a swarm of insects are flying around it. Wouldn't that completely ruin the image of a powerful fighter? Vic now understands why this lightsaber was here!
However, after pressing the switch, Vic secretly put the lightsaber away. This was a man's romance! He could use it with Conqueror's Haki later, and no flying insect would dare to approach. A strong man's dignity would never be lost!
"See that ancient robot? I want you to send it away too!"
Vegapunk pointed to a steel giant that was mostly buried in a discarded invention and said that he had been studying this giant robot for years and had gained a lot of inspiration and technology from it!
Even now, he still hasn't fully understood this ancient robot. So, after learning that Vic possessed such abilities, he wanted to take the ancient robot away to continue his research. He had a gut feeling that this robot was extremely important and had a strong connection to the Void Century!
"Hey! Why do you have these kinds of robots here too?"
Vic didn't notice the giant robot at first because it was covered in moss and mixed in color with the abandoned inventions around it. His attention was also focused on his lightsaber, so he didn't see the giant robot further away!
Now, with Vegapunk's guidance, he discovered that he had seen this giant robot before, and it was even better preserved than the one here. That giant robot was guarding a Poneglyph!
"What do you mean I have one here too...? Have you seen this kind of ancient robot anywhere else?"
Vegapunk jumped up and grabbed Vic by the collar, his expression a mixture of excitement and ferocity. Then, realizing he had lost his temper, he quickly let go of Vic!
This ancient robot was too important. He obtained a small amount of the Mother Flame from the ancient robot, and then analyzed and synthesized some. However, the Mother Flame he synthesized destroyed the Lulusia Kingdom!
Vegapunk felt guilty about this, fearing that the technology might be leaked and used by malicious people, so his reaction to Vic's words was somewhat excessive!
If there are still such ancient robots in the outside world, has the technology within them been obtained by someone else? The moment Vegapunk heard Vic confirm the news, a crazy possessiveness and destructive urge rose within him!
"Do you know why I'm so agitated? The Lulusia Kingdom was destroyed recently, and the Five Elders used the Mother Flame, the driving energy source, from this ancient robot. If similar robots still exist outside, I fear they might be used by bad people!"
Vegapunk is now like someone who's been bitten by a snake once and is now afraid of ropes for ten years. Many high-tech inventions he made have benefited mankind, but some people are using his inventions to destroy them!
Foreign ships were originally intended to facilitate passage through the Calm Belt, but the World Government used them to attack countries within the Calm Belt!
Seraphim were originally meant to maintain peace, but the World Government has used them as weapons of war!
The Mother Flame was originally a very durable and clean energy source, which could have benefited many people if it had been widely adopted. However, the Five Elders used the Mother Flame to destroy an island and all the people on it!
So sometimes, Vegapunk hates himself for not being able to control his mind and hands. Many times, he means well but ends up doing bad things!
"I see! But don't worry, the ancient robot I saw was very well hidden; it was guarding a piece of Poneglyph, which is very difficult for ordinary people to find!"
Vic understood Vegapunk's feelings. "I didn't kill Bo Ren, but Bo Ren died because of me. The demise of Lulusia had a huge impact on Vegapunk. That was the life of a nation, and many Revolutionary Army sent to liberate the country were gone! Vanished into thin air!"
"That's good! This ancient robot still has great research value. We can't leave it to the World Government, otherwise, it won't just be the Lulusia Kingdom that disappears!"
Vegapunk wanted to conduct the research himself, but his primary concern was not leaving it to the World Government. After all, he wasn't the only scientist in the world!
There are quite a few scientists on the World Government's side, and even Saturn is no simple character. With York, this traitor, around, he is really worried!
"Don't worry, since it's so important, we can't leave it to the World Government. You go and deal with your big head; I'll take care of this."
Unbeknownst to Vic, in the original timeline, this ancient robot played a crucial role in the Straw Hat Pirates ' escape!
Even if he finds out, it doesn't matter. It's just super-strong Conqueror's Haki stored up by Joy Boy eight hundred years ago. With him here now, isn't he more useful than a robot plus a stored Conqueror's Haki?
Vic assured Luffy and Vegapunk that they could leave unscathed, unlike in the original story!