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At Egghead's Research Layer, inside the laboratory, seven nutrient pods were neatly arranged. Three of them contained Seraphim, ready to be awakened at any moment.
A burly man carrying a giant axe blocked Daichi's path.
"Old man! Why is the world's most dangerous bounty hunter in the research layer?!"
"Stop, Sentomaru!"
Vegapunk's main body was also there.
"Daichi-san is an important guest. You are not allowed to attack him. Also, the laboratory on the lower level needs you more."
"I came up here to activate the Seraphim precisely to deal with this!"
Sentomaru's expression was solemn.
A fierce battle had erupted on the lower level. First, CP0 forcibly entered the island and defeated the enraged satellite stationed downstairs. Then, former CP9 members appeared and fought with CP0.
The situation was bad, so he'd immediately come to the research layer, preparing to activate the Seraphim to suppress the powerful enemies with absolute force.
But he encountered an even more terrifying enemy!
Vegapunk commanded, "Sentomaru, please drive away the CP0 agents. They are here to kill me. As for Rob Lucci's side, they are not enemies!"
"Huh?!"
Sentomaru was stunned.
CP0, representing the World Government, had now become enemies, while Hoenn—originally an enemy—had become an ally.
How could it be so chaotic?
"Old man, are you going to betray the World Government?"
"That's right. You'll help me, won't you?"
"Why?!"
The two began to argue.
Daichi frowned. He wasn't here to watch their domestic squabbles.
"Where is the Mother Flame?"
The argument immediately ceased.
Vegapunk was not surprised. With Stussy as a link, Daichi naturally knew he was researching the Mother Flame, but he didn't know what Daichi needed it for.
The Mother Flame was indeed powerful, capable of being called endless energy, but to use it required the most professional equipment.
Hoenn probably didn't have it.
Vegapunk stopped arguing, looked at Daichi, and said, "Daichi-san, are you here for the Mother Flame?"
"That's right."
Daichi nodded slightly.
"Doctor Vegapunk, you should know what happened a few days ago. The Mother Flame cannot fall into the hands of the World Government."
Vegapunk remained silent for a long time.
He'd already gathered information about the disappearance of Lulusia Kingdom. Without a doubt, it was the World Government who'd accomplished it using the Mother Flame.
He turned and led the way.
"Follow me."
A few minutes later, inside a huge laboratory, within a giant spherical chamber filled with transparent liquid, a flame burned continuously at its center.
"That's it!"
Daichi stared at the Mother Flame, clearly feeling the immense natural energy contained within it. Compared to it, the Flame-Flame Fruit was insignificant.
This was exactly what he needed!
"How do I take this thing out?"
"Take it out?"
Vegapunk froze, then quickly waved his hand.
"No, it will go out of control. The Mother Flame's energy is virtually infinite. If it's placed outside, it can easily go out of control, with unimaginable consequences!"
Daichi gazed at Vegapunk.
He'd been worried about this precisely—otherwise he would have smashed the fusion reactor long ago.
"Then how did the World Government get the Mother Flame?"
"They relied on a special container. Also, the Mother Flame the World Government obtained was just a cluster of its flame, like a petal. But even so, it possesses terrifying power!"
Vegapunk quickly explained.
"Although I said the Mother Flame has endless energy, it's not entirely accurate. Even the true sun has a day when it will extinguish, and the Mother Flame is the same. Its energy actually comes from the planet's core."
"Egghead is a special island, with immense thermal energy beneath it. What I did was extract and utilize this thermal energy, and the Mother Flame is the special container I created."
"Theoretically speaking, before the planet we live on is completely destroyed, the Mother Flame's energy is indeed endless. However, the Mother Flame needs to stay within the fusion reactor, relying on the reactor to continuously draw power from the planet's core."
So that's how it is.
Daichi slowly nodded.
He'd been wondering before why such a bug as endless energy existed, and also, since the World Government obtained the Mother Flame, why had it only used it once and then it was gone?
Now he understood. The Mother Flame itself was also a consumable, but it could be continuously replenished by the planet's core energy. For normal humans, it indeed counted as endless energy.
But didn't this mean that even if he consumed the Mother Flame, its energy would eventually run out, just like Groudon's normal state? Groudon also reverted from Primal Reversion when its natural energy was depleted.
Therefore, it was better not to consume it, but to keep it as a charging battery.
Daichi pondered for a while.
"Doctor Vegapunk, please extract a cluster of the Mother Flame for me. I have an idea I'd like to test with the Mother Flame."
"Also, I need to ask you for one more thing."
"I need..."
Upon hearing Daichi's request, Vegapunk was stunned.
"Daichi-san, can you really do that?"
"We'll know if we try!"
Daichi's eyes were full of anticipation.
He was already eager to feel the sensation of being filled with power.
"How long will it take?"
"About half an hour!"
"That's a bit long!"
Half an hour was short, but at this point in time, it was troublesome. The Marine warships were probably already near Egghead.
"Speed, you are responsible for protecting Doctor Vegapunk. Once the Mother Flame is extracted, immediately send it to me!"
"Understood!"
Daichi nodded and walked toward the main door.
"Some troublesome guys have arrived. I'll go stop them."
At this moment, on the lower level of Egghead, golden laser beams rapidly refracted through the buildings, instantly reaching the center, followed by the appearance of a wrinkled man.
Marine Admiral Kizaru.
"It's truly nostalgic!"
Looking at the familiar scenery around him, Kizaru was filled with emotion. He'd also participated in the construction here, leaving behind many beautiful memories.
However, now, he had no choice but to kill his old friend.
Kizaru raised his palm, gently wiped the corner of his eye, then looked at the man running toward him.
"Surrender, Sentomaru!"
"Old man, why must we be enemies? You should know better than anyone that the old man is a good person!"
Sentomaru questioned angrily.
Kizaru shook his head helplessly.
"I apologize, Sentomaru, but I'm just an ordinary company employee, acting on orders. I can't change anything."
"Damn it!"
Sentomaru grabbed his giant axe.
If talking wouldn't work, then he could only fight.
Vegapunk was his great benefactor. No matter the cost, he had to protect Vegapunk and help him escape!
"BOOM!!!"
Suddenly, an explosion occurred in the sky!
"Laser barrier?"
Sentomaru looked up in surprise.
Had the enemy already invaded the research layer?
No, that's not right!
Something was falling from above.
An incredibly muscular figure burst out from the explosion and flames, arms crossed, plummeting toward the battlefield below.
"Jiehahahaha!"
"Long time no see, Kizaru!"
It was Daichi!