Chapter 244

"Never mind, let’s not talk about this." Looking at the five disappointed satellites and the crestfallen Stella, Dante’s curiosity shifted. "Why did you specifically call me over this time? If there’s a new invention, just show it! Maybe, " his tone shifted, "the funding will increase?"

The eyes of all six Vegapunks lit up. They spoke in unison. "Yes!"

"Don’t think I’ve just been isolating myself for intense research this whole time." Vegapunk wore an expression that screamed ’leave it to me,’ sticking out his long tongue as he spoke cheerfully. "But whenever I had free time, I still did a little research on the inventions you mentioned!"

With that, he whipped out a pistol-like object from his side.

"Bubble Gun. It fires bubbles made from the sea’s energy. Devil Fruit users who touch the bubbles or get trapped in the Bubble Shield lose their strength. I believe this will be incredibly helpful for capturing ability users, and it perfectly meets your requirements. The manufacturing cost is a bit high, but not prohibitive. Since the energy is extracted directly from the sea, mass production might drive the cost down further."

"And the Bubble Shield, a resin bubble capable of blocking and reflecting attacks. It’s slightly more troublesome to use than the Bubble Gun. However, both can be modified into Bubble Cannons, allowing installation on warships later."

"Vacuum Rocket: a capsule-type sealed transport cabin that travels at high speeds inside specially made Vacuum Tubes."

"Vega-Tank 08: a spherical vehicle composed of Island Cloud tires and a resin bubble cockpit. It traverses Island Clouds and Sea Clouds at extreme speeds."

"The manufacturing costs for both are quite high, especially the Vacuum Rocket. The Vacuum Tube alone is estimated to cost One Million Berries per meter."

"Island-wide Biological Power Grid. This was researched based on Enel’s abilities. It can cover an entire island. If an unregistered creature sets foot on the island, it sounds an alarm and locks onto the person’s location directly through this screen. It might interfere with current signal towers, but I’ve already looked into it. A simple modification will do, the problem isn’t big."

"And Sea King Cyborg Technology..."

The Vegapunks pulled out all sorts of things, making Dante’s eyes blur. Of course. Some items were useful, while others had no apparent use at the moment. It looked like Vegapunk hadn’t just been working on his clones during this time! He had actually come up with so many inventions.

"Oh, right, that network you mentioned..." Vegapunk took a Den Den Mushi wearing metal armor from Atlas. Pointing at it, he said, "Just press this, and a projection will appear. Although you won’t feel anything when touching it, tapping the screen changes the display accordingly. We also made a simple Communication Network according to your requirements. For example..."

He tapped the screen. Instantly, a familiar little loli avatar popped up, Vegapunk Satellite 05 [Violence] Atlas.

Dante turned his head. Sure enough, he saw Atlas pull out an armored Den Den Mushi as well. The two tapped on the projection, and then, through the display, they saw an old man’s avatar appear.

Old Man Vegapunk: Hello, I am Vegapunk! Little child: Hello, I am Vegapunk Atlas!

Dante’s eyes narrowed immediately.

"That’s how it is." Vegapunk put away the Den Den Mushi. "Of course, I don’t know if this meets your requirements. What do you think?"

As the words fell, Dante didn’t answer directly. He rubbed his chin, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Other than you guys, can anyone else modify the content on it? For example, filling in other uses, functions, pictures, and stuff like that?"

"Yes! That’s not troublesome, I can lift the restrictions here." Vegapunk nodded after a moment’s thought. "And if you have my specially made tools, it would be even easier."

"Can the armor appearance of this Den Den Mushi be changed?"

"It can, but this appearance is already the most suitable one after our research. It greatly enhances the functions!" "If we modify it, will the impact be huge? Like, rendering it completely unusable?"

"That won’t happen. As long as the core components remain unchanged, there won’t be any major issues. It’s just... the signal might weaken over long distances."

"And the fees and control I mentioned..."

"Sorted."

Vegapunk pointed wordlessly at a massive machine with a huge screen beside him. "Through this, you can do whatever you want!"

"I see... though a few minor issues remain." Dante nodded, smiling. "But this is more than enough!"

"Then what about the funding, "

At Dante’s words, Lilith’s eyes lit up. "Boss, can we get a raise? Our funding has been tight lately!"

The other Vegapunks instantly fixed their gazes on Dante.

"I’ll have Robin come over to discuss it with you later. We’ll decide the amount and the method then." Dante cut straight to the point, then glanced around curiously. "By the way, where’s Greed? The one in charge of eating, drinking, and bodily functions?"

"I still don’t understand how you knew I planned to create the Greed Satellite," the main Vegapunk grumbled, pointing at what looked like a trash can nearby. "There! And of course, I followed your request and didn’t create a Greed Satellite for myself."

"But to save time on eating, excreting, and sleeping, I specially built a separate body. It’s not linked to the Vegapunk Network and has no self-awareness. It possesses only the pure instincts for eating, excreting, and sleeping!"

Dante cast a curious glance at the trash can-like object, then dismissed it from his mind. He looked at the scientists before him. "That puts my mind at ease. Is there anything else? If not, I’ll be heading back. I have a lot demanding my attention over there."

"It’s the New Pirate Regulations, right? I read those too." Vegapunk nodded, then seemed to remember something. "Oh, right, speaking of pirates... where’s that kid, Mock? I’ve had some new inspirations lately. I’m ready to upgrade his East Blue Overlord Armor!"

"Mock... I’m not too sure either. He hasn’t contacted me since leaving Marineford, but judging by his Vivre Card, he’s fine." Dante frowned, lost in thought. "I have no idea where he ran off to."

He had Vivre Cards made for all the important people around him to prevent an incident like the World Government making Vegapunk disappear from happening to their East Blue Marines.

He looked back at Vegapunk. "Didn’t you install a tracker in Mock’s armor? Check where he is right now."

The words were barely out of his mouth when Vegapunk slapped his apple-shaped head. "I almost forgot about that." He quickly turned on the screen beside him. "Let me see where he is first..."

He stopped, blinking in surprise. "Huh? Mock... isn’t he right near us?"

"Huh?"

At the same time, somewhere in the East Blue sea.

"Sister, that guy is a high-priority wanted criminal of the World Government. Why bring him along? If they find out, we’ll be in serious trouble. Sister, why don’t you turn him to stone? Then we can just sink him to the seafloor!"

"Mary, that East Blue Overlord is the son of Rayleigh’s captain from back in the day. Rayleigh personally went to rescue him. Wouldn’t it be wrong to sink him into the sea? We owe Rayleigh a great debt!"

"But... he is a highly dangerous man!"

"He’s not that strong, is he? Didn’t Sister subdue him in an instant?"

"But a guy with a 2.5 Billion Berry bounty is absolutely dangerous."

"So what? As long as we aren’t discovered, isn’t it fine?"

"Second Sister, Sister is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, "

While the two argued, Boa Hancock sat on a throne formed by a striking crimson-white snake opposite them, frowning. Watching her two younger sisters bicker, she looked clearly annoyed. She pressed a hand to her forehead and said impatiently, "Both of you, quiet down! I have my own plans. Now, leave me!"

Sensing their sister’s impatience, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold immediately fell silent, not bothering her further. Though they were sisters, their eldest sister was also their king. They dared not defy her orders.

However, just as they were about to respectfully withdraw, a voice called from outside the cabin.

"Snake...Snake Princess. We are almost at the place you mentioned!"

"You’re saying... Mock is in the East Blue?"

Hearing Vegapunk’s words, Dante stared in sheer bewilderment. Impossible. If Mock were truly in the East Blue, why had every call failed to connect? The war had been over for days, yet that man hadn’t made a single call. He couldn’t possibly be hiding his tracks and sneaking back to soak his feet because he feared Enel settling scores or Dante denying him leave, could he? He wasn’t even daring to make a call!

"He is not at Romance Dawn."

Vegapunk answered the question Dante hadn’t yet voiced. He manipulated the screen while speaking. "He is just near us... oh, wait. He has already entered nearby waters and is approaching Headquarters Dock step by step."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely certain!"

"Don’t tell me... Mock’s armor fell off and flew back on its own?"

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