Chapter 55: The Concept of Infinite Energy
Mentioning Whitebeard, Miss Bakkin didn't know what to say. Back in God Valley, her eyes were filled only with treasure. By the time she and others had grabbed some loot, Whitebeard had disappeared to who-knows-where.
She didn't see Whitebeard even after leaving God Valley. It was only later, when she saw it in the newspaper, that she learned Whitebeard had mixed in with a pirate named Epoida.
It wasn't that she didn't have a Transponder Snail, nor that she didn't know Whitebeard's number. It was just that Transponder Snails had a signal range. To contact someone over a long distance, a special high-signal Transponder Snail was needed.
Just like how real-world phones couldn't make international long-distance calls casually, Transponder Snail devices had similar limitations.
At this time, Miss Bakkin still intended to find Whitebeard, but she encountered this MADS research vessel. Having heard of Vegapunk's reputation, she ended up becoming a "freeloader" on the ship.
This "freeloader" referred to scientific research aspects. Bakkin still had a certain degree of security capability and the ability to communicate with the Underworld. After all, she was once a member of the Rocks Pirates and had some skills.
"You shouldn't be someone interested in other people's private lives. Anyway, liquidating assets through the Underworld will cost some handling fees. Rather than letting others earn it, why not let me do it?
One less middleman benefits both you and me.
Besides, we all served on Rocks's ship, after all. I know your strength, and I know your capabilities even better. I won't play tricks on this."
There was no trace of emotional attachment in Bakkin's eyes, only a craving for money.
"Indeed. I don't care about what's going on between you and Newgate. What you said makes sense. Wobbegong, let her handle the liquidation of those items when the time comes.
Also, here is the data on two Devil Fruits. My incomplete encyclopedia doesn't have information on them. Keep an eye out for anything related to this; notify me if there's any news."
Nereus didn't reject Bakkin's proposal. As Bakkin said, the higher the status, the clearer they were about Nereus's power and strength.
Rookies who just set sail dared to clamor about taking Nereus's head. But anyone who had sailed in the New World for a few days and witnessed the terror there would know how arrogant they had been.
While Bakkin was greedy for money, she also cherished her life enough. She truly dared not play any tricks in this regard.
After handing a list and data to Wobbegong, Nereus agreed to Bakkin's request. As for how much Bakkin could earn, Nereus wouldn't interfere.
She had the channels and connections; earning money was her own ability. Nereus only cared about how much she could liquidate for him.
"I understand. I'll pay attention to these matters later. Dr. Vegapunk's break time is in five minutes. Do you want to meet him, Big Bro?"
"Big Bro is an investor; does he have to wait specifically for his time? This doctor sure puts on airs."
"Sebastian, Dr. Vegapunk is very busy. He spends all day in the lab researching various things, rarely getting off the ship even when docked for rest.
Even so, he complains every day about not having enough time. And my ability can't compare to his. Some things we need... still require the Doctor's help to research."
Once, Wobbegong also thought Vegapunk was just a name without substance. Until he actually came into contact with this person, he realized the gap in ability between them.
Although Vegapunk was a user of the Brain-Brain Fruit (Nomi Nomi no Mi), this Devil Fruit only increased brain capacity, allowing Vegapunk to memorize more things.
Research wasn't something that could be completed just by knowing theories and memorizing data perfectly.
If memorizing formulas alone could accomplish everything, there wouldn't be failing grades in math and physics.
Wobbegong admired him from the bottom of his heart now. The other scientists on the ship were in a similar situation. Although they sometimes voiced dissatisfaction, they knew the truth in their hearts.
Just as those strong fighters knew the gap in martial power between themselves and Nereus, these pinnacles of intellect on the sea also knew the gap between their abilities and Vegapunk's.
Hearing Sebastian say the other party put on airs, he naturally defended Vegapunk.
"Alright, that's not the point. It's all the same."
...
Before long, in the lounge on the ship, Vegapunk took the espresso handed by his assistant and met Nereus, who was waiting for him there.
"You must be Mr. Nereus. Wobbegong mentions you every day, saying you are also the patron behind this ship. Sufficient funds have indeed solved a lot of trouble for me. Thank you."
At this time, Vegapunk hadn't memorized all the books from Ohara, nor was his head that gigantic yet. However, it still occupied half the proportion of his body. With this big head, his height was about the same as Nereus's.
"Just taking what we need. Everyone has things they need, right?"
"Indeed... But Mr. Nereus, I have a question. I saw the blueprints you asked Wobbegong to bring earlier. That seems to be a part of ancient technology.
Although incomplete, it should be the drive core of some weapon, right?"
"More or less. It should be a type of ship engine. Maybe for a warship, maybe for a civilian vessel. That ruin only had this part recorded, but the power provided should be strong enough."
"Yes, the test results confirm that. But Mr. Nereus, I feel that the crystallization of ancient science shouldn't be used for war."
The full name of MADS was a peace research institute, but among the researchers on this ship, probably only Vegapunk truly wanted to research things for peace.
"Your dream is to create a world where energy can be shared freely, right?"
Nereus didn't answer Vegapunk's statement but asked another question instead.
"Correct. Human wars are fought to compete for resources. If there are infinite resources, then war can be avoided..."
"Doctor, you are a bit naive. Competing for resources can only be considered the purpose of war.
If we talk about the cause, shouldn't it be human greed?
Humans are insatiable. Even if you truly develop infinite energy, the outbreak of war is only a matter of time.
To achieve peace, relying on energy alone isn't enough."
Infinite energy would still trigger wars. Or rather, infinite energy itself was a peculiar proposition.
Not to mention distant examples.
The "Mother Flame" developed by Vegapunk could be considered achieving his goal, yet the Mother Flame could power Ancient Weapons.
This showed that hundreds of years ago, someone had already mastered this technology and created special fuel, yet a massive war lasting a hundred years still occurred.
Whether the current wars on the sea could be regarded as a continuation of that great war remained an inconclusive question.
"Doctor, if your research is taken by others to be used as a weapon, would you continue researching it?"
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you