Marine Science Division – 8th Research Facility Due to severe contamination at the previous facility, Vegapunk had relocated his research ba
Marine Science Division – 8th Research Facility
Due to severe contamination at the previous facility, Vegapunk had relocated his research base to this new island.
Currently, the island was in the midst of massive reconstruction—naval warships were continuously transporting research equipment and supplies ashore.
On the other side of the island—
A tall figure suddenly appeared.
He stood six to seven meters tall, wearing a trapezoid-shaped white hat speckled with brown spots, topped with two bear ears.
He had frameless glasses, a head of black woolly curls, and wore a black jacket with a white cape draped over it. His pants were white, adorned with the same brown speckles.
"Papa, are we here? Where is this place?"
A cute little girl's voice rang out from the small black-covered cabin nestled in the man's massive arms.
That sturdy man, despite his imposing size, cradled the little cabin like fine porcelain—gentle, careful, and full of tenderness.
He smiled warmly at her voice.
"This is the place that can cure your illness,"
"But before we treat you, the doctor needs to run some tests."
"So be a good girl, Bonney."
He held her carefully, speaking softly yet firmly.
These two were none other than:
The pirate with a 296 million Beli bounty — Tyrant Bartholomew Kuma,
And his adopted daughter, Jewelry Bonney.
"I'll be good, Papa."
"If I get better, will I be able to see the sunlight?"
"Yes, Bonney."
"Yay! I really want to play in the sun like other kids!"
Hearing her innocent excitement, Kuma's eyes flashed with deep sorrow.
He looked toward the island's central facility, marked with a giant number 8, his face filled with unwavering determination.
He would do anything to cure Bonney.
Even if it cost him everything.
"Stay quiet now, Bonney. Papa's going to quietly find the doctor."
"Okay."
Kuma smiled.
He could already imagine her covering her mouth seriously inside the cabin.
With his immense strength and expert Haki, he easily evaded the Marines on the island and slipped into the core area of the 8th Research Facility.
There, not a single Marine could be seen— Apparently, the world-renowned genius scientist Vegapunk didn't like being disturbed.
Using his Observation Haki, Kuma quickly located Vegapunk moving about deep within the facility.
"Two people?"
Kuma furrowed his brows.
He could sense that there were two people in the core area.
One of them should be Dr. Vegapunk.
But the other… who?
Kuma hesitated.
If the second person turned out to be powerful, he wouldn't be able to subdue them quickly.
If things got noisy, the Marines stationed on the island would quickly be alerted— His entire plan to get Vegapunk to treat Bonney might fail.
Dragon had told him: because the lab had just been relocated here, security was temporarily lax.
In other words, he had only one shot.
If he missed this chance, it would be very hard to get close to Vegapunk again.
After thinking it over, Kuma decided to take the risk.
There was no guarantee that the second person would leave anytime soon.
Without further delay, Kuma sprang into action.
He pushed open the door to Vegapunk's laboratory.
Inside, he saw a man with a massive head busy working at a console.
Not far from him sat a burly figure, cross-legged on the floor.
This person had a wrestler-like physique, wore a red bellyband, and despite the muscular body, had a face and hairstyle like a girl.
"Who goes there?!"
The moment he heard the door open, the large person—Sentomaru—snatched up his giant wooden staff and entered a defensive stance.
"This is a restricted research facility of Dr. Vegapunk!"
"No one enters without permission—not even an Admiral!"
Seeing Kuma, Sentomaru's expression immediately darkened.
"A pirate?!"
In an instant, he jumped in front of Vegapunk to shield him.
Upon hearing the word "pirate," Vegapunk slowly turned around.
His hair was white, his cheeks flushed pink, and his enormous tongue hung all the way down to his abdomen.
His entire appearance was bizarre and eccentric.
"I'm a friend of Dragon," Kuma said, locking eyes with Vegapunk and stating his identity clearly.
At the same time, every muscle in his body tensed—
If the burly "girl" made even a hint of a move to scream or attack, he was ready to subdue them instantly.
"Dragon, you say?"
Vegapunk's eyes grew distant for a moment—then he gently patted Sentomaru's arm.
"A friend of Dragon wouldn't harm me."
"But Doctor!" Sentomaru objected, still standing protectively in front of him.
"He's the pirate Bartholomew Kuma with a bounty of 296 million Beli! I've heard he's extremely brutal!"
Vegapunk, always buried in his research, didn't know much about the outside world—
But Sentomaru kept up with the news from the seas.
The moment he saw Kuma, he immediately recognized him.
"Is that so? A pirate with a high bounty, hmm…"
Vegapunk muttered with interest.
Vegapunk pondered for a moment, then slowly stepped forward.
"Relax, Sentomaru. He won't hurt me,"
he said with confidence.
After all, he was the most brilliant scientist in the world.
Whether they were pirates or Marines, their first instinct upon seeing him was never to kill
But to use his genius for their own research purposes.
Sentomaru showed a helpless expression, but still held his giant axe-like weapon at the ready, watching Kuma warily.
"So, why are you here?"
"Or did Dragon send you with a message for me?"
Vegapunk asked as he walked up to Kuma.
But before Kuma could answer, Vegapunk's eyes lit up—he stared straight at Kuma in amazement:
"Such a powerful frame... what tremendous physical structure! I can't believe a human like this actually exists!!"
"Simply astonishing!"
The way Vegapunk looked at Kuma was as if he were examining a perfect work of art.
If it weren't for a sliver of rationality holding him back, he probably would've started dissecting and studying Kuma on the spot.
Kuma shifted uncomfortably under the scientist's intense gaze.
"Funny. That's exactly what I thought when I saw your... head."
Kuma replied flatly, glancing at Vegapunk's enormous brain, which looked like it was about to bump into the ceiling.
"This exceptional physique!!"
"Let me examine your muscles!"
"All for the advancement of science!!"
Vegapunk exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement—completely ignoring Kuma's jab at his head.
He reached out, eager to poke and prod Kuma's muscles, fully immersed in his scientific fervor.
What no one noticed was that in the corner of the lab, a den den mushi (transponder snail) that had been slumped and motionless...
Suddenly lifted its eyes.
Its little eye-stalks focused sharply on the group in the room— Silently watching everything unfold.
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