Chapter 243

"Hmm~" Luffy crossed his arms, frowned, pouted, and pondered. "So? Why do I need an exam? I'm setting sail to chase freedom and become the Pirate King!"

"I knew it, there's no way a pirate would go take a test." Helmeppo complained in exasperation. He looked closely at it again. "What are the Marines trying to do? Could there be some hidden objective?" He read through it carefully several times, but still couldn't figure out what the organization was trying to accomplish.

"Huh, there's more on the back?"

Helmeppo flipped the page, squinting his eyes. "First hundred crews to register get fifteen percent off a boat purchase. If funds fall short, loans available upon review..."

"Order now and receive a free Navigation System, independently developed by the East Blue Marines! Plus, enter our lucky draw for a brand-new Weather Warning Device to escort your perilous voyages!"

"Giant Ship Arm! Equip your vessel for superior maneuverability. Want a robot? Install a Robotic Arm!, coutesy of Franky."

"Tangerine Brew..."

"What the hell is all this?" Helmeppo stared speechlessly at the documents. "They put advertisements on official paperwork?"

His voice dropped. Sensing movement, he looked up. Luffy stretched his neck, leaning close to peer at the papers with shining eyes. Helmeppo jumped.

"Luffy, what are you doing?"

"Let's go register!"

Before Helmeppo could respond to the sudden shout, Luffy snatched the page. "There's a ship! And robots too!" He grinned at the stylish vessel. "This ship is so cool! Do we get it just for registering?"

"Who said anything about getting it free? You have to buy it! Just with a discount," Helmeppo snapped. "You can apply for a loan, though I don't know the requirements!"

"A discount?" Luffy's face went blank. Then, recalling something, he yanked off his hat, pulled out a crumpled, sweat-stained slip of paper, and held it high. "I still have this! Helmeppo, Zoro, Usopp, Foreman, let's all register and take the test together! This way, we can definitely buy our own ship!"

"If it means I become Captain, I'm in!"

"Setting sail? I heard the sea holds many strong ones. I don't mind."

"Are we really setting sail? Even if the policy changed, this only applies inside the East Blue! Wouldn't we still have to hide everywhere outside?"

While the three lost themselves in thought, a voice cut in from the side.

"Although I appreciate the invite, count me out! I have a wife and kid!" The foreman stared at Luffy in utter speechlessness, then glanced at the item the boy produced. "Isn't that the Consolation Prize from that competition? Luffy, you actually kept it?"

"Of course! I'm going to buy a pirate ship!"

"Buy a pirate ship? It's just..." The foreman hesitated. "This seems to have expired, huh?"

As the New Pirate Regulations spread, the local pirate circle began to shift.

"Kiny, have you decided?"

"Tiger, I've decided. I want to see the Grand Line! What about you, Kiri?"

"Since you two have decided, the three of us will register together! Let's see who graduates and enters the Grand Line first."

Countless pirates, much like the Straw Hat contractors and the crews of Kiri, Kiny, and Tiger, made the same choice: register, pass the exams, earn their certificates, and embark on a free adventure into the Grand Line.

On the other side, Dante, the East Blue Marines Leader who promulgated the new rules, gazed at the multiple Vegapunk's before him. An wide smile spread across his face.

A new era belonging to the East Blue Marines was coming.

"Lilith, don't be rude!"

The tall man wearing a number 01 helmet and a long hooded sweatshirt with the character for 'justice' printed on the back scolded the cute, short-haired, big-eyed beauty beside him. She wore a single-ear headset and a skin-tight jumpsuit. He looked serious, then bowed to Dante.

"Hello, Boss. I am Vegapunk Satellite 01. You can also call me Shaka!"

"I am Vegapunk Satellite 03. I am Edison."

"I, I am 05. Atlas."

"04, Pythagoras, Boss."

"Hahaha, I'm 02, Lilith!"

"Hello everyone!"

Dante smiled at the five creations of Vegapunk, each possessing a completely different personality, and returned their greetings. He asked curiously, "Where is Vegapunk?"

"We are all Vegapunk, Boss."

Shaka, who represented justice, offered a gentle correction. "Of course, I assume you are looking for Stella. Stella is in the back, organizing new equipment right now. You can head in to see him." He extended an inviting hand, ushering Dante inside.

Dante skipped further chat with the five satellites and walked straight in.

As he walked down the path, Dante frowned at the twisting, winding Underground Laboratory. Had this place grown again while he was away?

"Stella and we expanded the Underground Laboratory a bit over the past few days. The bottom level is larger, too. After all, with more people, the original lab was too small for so many Vegapunks!" Shaka seemed to read Dante's confusion and stated directly, "The bottom is now connected to the sea. Please rest assured, through our modifications, seawater will not flood in. Furthermore, that area specifically uses the New High-Pressure Resistant Diamond Glass researched jointly by us and Wapol, allowing us to observe the sea directly. Boss, would you like to take a look?"

"That's right, Boss, it's really beautiful down there," the flighty Lilith added with a grin. "If you increase our funding a bit, I can personally show you around!"

"Lilith, don't use that to pressure the Boss." The righteous Shaka scolded her helplessly. "Otherwise, I will report this to Stella. Don't blame Stella for docking your pay again."

"That's right, Lilith, you have to respect the Boss! Stella said a generous boss like this is really hard to find!"

"Fine!" Hearing even Atlas say that, Lilith caved before Dante could speak. She looked helpless. "I just wanted a little more funding. I was planning to catch a few Sea Kings to study!"

"Please don't blame Lilith." Shaka turned back to Dante. "After all, with more Vegapunks, funding is genuinely a bit tight. But Boss, don't worry about us, we can manage if we tighten our belts a little."

The five faces looked at him in unison.

Facing the group, Dante panicked inwardly. Shaka was scolding Lilith, but... he got the feeling these five were deliberately bringing up the topic to make him increase their funding. Like a well scripted play.

Were they serious?

Dante fake-coughed twice, looked at the satellites in front of him, and said, "Increasing the funding..."

He dragged out the tail end of his sentence, meeting five faces staring at him with expectant expressions. Then his tone shifted, stern. "We'll talk about it later. Let me see if you've been working hard first!"

The words barely left his lips before disappointment washed over the five Vegapunks. Even Pythagoras, Unit 04, displayed evident dismay on his mechanical face.

Though disheartened by the funding failure, Shaka recovered quickly. He continued leading Dante deeper inside, taking a deliberate detour underground.

Five Vegapunks working together were truly extraordinary. They hadn't merely expanded beneath the island, they had excavated a passage straight to the seafloor, constructing an underwater room directly within the ocean. True to Lilith's word, the surroundings consisted entirely of transparent New High-Pressure Resistant Diamond Glass. Through the crystal-clear walls, the view outside remained completely unobstructed, fish swimming by appeared in sharp detail.

It was an underwater laboratory rivaling the island's main facility. The prison wing sat here as well, utilizing seawater to directly restrict Devil Fruit users. This heightened security while cutting costs.

Guided by Shaka, Dante stood astounded once again by this familiar Laboratory Island. No wonder they lacked funding! The six Vegapunks had executed a massive undertaking here. Cutting-edge technology filled every corner. According to Lilith, it was futuristic. Shaka rebutted this, stating their research indicated even more advanced technology existed in the distant past. They were merely restoring ancient tech step by step.

After a brief tour accompanied by the five satellites, Dante entered the laboratory where Vegapunk Stella resided.

The moment he stepped inside, Vegapunk rushed over, excited. "You're here! How is the laboratory we specially modified? Surprised? There are plenty of incredible inventions inside!"

"I am surprised, but," Dante nodded, his expression serious. "How much do those inventions cost to produce? What's the output? Can they be mass-produced? And how much profit can they bring us?"

Instantly, Vegapunk's proud face crumpled.

Lilith blurted out, "Boss, you're such a killjoy!"

"Can't help it. I have to fund your research." Dante spread his hands, helpless. "Do you ever look at how much money you burn through every year?"

He never forced Vegapunk too hard regarding research, only occasionally setting a few mandatory invention requirements. Consequently, the man sometimes lost all restraint. The moment a spark of inspiration hit his brain, he'd build it regardless of usefulness or cost. Not that they were entirely useless. Useless now might prove useful later, right? So, they became technology reserves, stored away to be taken out when needed in the future.

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