Egghead Island, also known as Egghead, greeted him with a sea breeze carrying the faint scent of salt and the unique tang of machinery in motion.
This was the domain of Dr. Vegapunk—the heart of the Marine's scientific forces!
As the highest-ranking officer of the Science Unit, the superior of Sentomaru, the Science Unit Captain, Egghead Island was as familiar to Kizaru like his own backyard.
Swaggering in without hesitation, he barged straight into Vegapunk's lab.
"Dr. Vegapunk?"
"Where are you?!"
"Hurry up and sign this 100-billion-Belly contract!"
"Borsalino…?"
"What brings you here at this hour?"
From the depths of the research facility, a head slowly peeked out.
It was Dr. Vegapunk in his original form, cheeks slightly flushed and hair streaked with white.
His head was adorned with what looked like apple tree branches, and an enormous tongue protruded from his mouth, stretching all the way down to his abdomen.
He shuffled toward Kizaru. "What's this about a big deal worth 1000 Belly?"
"1000 Belly?"
Kizaru chuckled, waving the contract in front of Vegapunk's face with a rustling sound.
"Open your eyes wide and take a good look. This isn't 1000—it's a full 100 billion Belly!"
Kizaru deliberately emphasized the word "billion."
"This is the special research funding that kid Mike personally approved for you…"
"And your salary…"
"When I saw the amount, I almost wanted to rip your head off and attach it to my own!"
"Come on, hurry up and sign the contract."
"What?!"
"How much?!"
"A hundred… billion?!"
Vegapunk snatched the contract, his eyes bulging as if they might pop out of their sockets.
He eagerly flipped through the pages, scrutinizing every detail.
Given that Vegapunk possessed the greatest intellect on the seas, the contract was naturally exhaustive, spanning dozens of pages.
Titled New Marine Special Talent—Dr. Vegapunk Employment Contract, it had been dictated by Mike, drafted by Kuro, and meticulously refined.
Seeing Vegapunk engrossed in reading, Kizaru casually strolled over to the sofa, plopped down, crossed his legs, and lounged with an air of utter relaxation.
As long as Dr. Vegapunk opened that contract, his bonus was as good as secured!
Knowing the old man's obsession with research, this contract would undoubtedly send him into a frenzy of excitement.
Vegapunk flipped through the New Marine Special Talent—Dr. Vegapunk Employment Contract.
The opening section struck hard—the first round of research funding alone amounted to 100 billion Belly!!!
The funds would be delivered under New Marine escort the very next day after his signature.
And!
His monthly salary would be as high as 2 billion Belly?!
This was no small sum.
In the past, to secure research funding, he'd even resorted to collaborating with the World Government.
Yet, the World Government had been stingy, withholding funds unless he completed their demanded experiments.
This forced him to conduct his own desired research in secret, never able to work freely.
Now, 100 billion Belly in research funding was right before him, within arm's reach!
"This…"
As he read further, Vegapunk's heartbeat quickened.
What thrilled him most was Captain Mike's special provision: the research funding was divided into two parts—designated research and free research!
The designated research would focus on specific directions requested by the New Marine and the New Warlords of the Sea.
Most of these projects involved enhancing the New Marine's military capabilities and modifying war weapons.
"Hmm… that's understandable."
Vegapunk gave a slight nod.
After all, these are still troubled times, with pirates running rampant and the Celestial Dragons committing atrocities.
To achieve true peace, formidable military strength is indispensable.
But what truly sets my blood boiling is the free research portion!
This funding is entirely at my disposal—I can research however I please!
Study whatever I want!
Moreover, the contract actively encourages directing research toward areas like public welfare and technological advancement!
Scientific achievements in these fields come with additional bonuses!
"Captain Mike…"
"These terms, these benefits… this is simply…"
Dr. Vegapunk was so excited he could barely speak coherently, "This is the dream of scientists like us!"
What's more, the contract promised that as long as corresponding research results were achieved, they could be exchanged for additional research funding from the New Marine!
With the power of his "Brain-Brain Fruit" ability, as long as there was sufficient funding…
He had absolute confidence he could create countless miracles capable of changing the world!
Produce beneficial research, exchange it for funding, then use that funding to explore new fields, then exchange for more funding…
This was practically a perfect cycle, an engine that never stopped!
Vegapunk could already envision a brand-new world—one with highly advanced technology, where people lived in peace and prosperity.
A world without war, without hunger, without poverty…
Where everyone could freely pursue their dreams and enjoy the conveniences and joys brought by technology.
This was the grand ambition he had sworn when he first became a scientist!
Praise the New Marine!
Praise Captain Mike!
"Pen! Where's my pen?!"
He frantically rummaged through his cluttered research desk, sending all sorts of oddly shaped parts and blueprints clattering to the floor with a noisy clatter.
"Whoosh—"
A flash of golden light, and Kizaru was already standing before Vegapunk.
In his hand was a pen, a smile on his face.
"Here you go, Doc."
"The pen—I had it ready for you long ago."
Vegapunk snatched the pen without even glancing at Kizaru, his wrist flying as the pen left a flurry of bold, sweeping signatures on the contract.
He signed faster than he usually conducted experiments.
"Doc."
Kizaru extended his hand, his smile widening, "Welcome to the New Marine!"
'Heh~'
'Special talent recruitment bonus—secured!'
"Pleasure working together with you!"
Vegapunk shook Kizaru's hand vigorously, muttering incessantly, "Borsalino…"
"When can you arrange for me to meet Captain Mike?"
"I noticed the contract has many novel and inspiring proposals regarding public welfare!"
"For example, laying sea trains across the entire ocean…"
"This would greatly strengthen connections between nations."
"As for increasing construction speed and reducing costs, I already have a complete plan—just need some experiments to verify…"
Vegapunk rambled on, his enormous tongue wagging excitedly.
"And also…"
"…"
Kizaru sighed helplessly as he watched Vegapunk descend into research frenzy mode.
Once this guy got going, there was no stopping him.
"Doctor? Still awake?"
Just then, a voice interrupted Vegapunk's lengthy monologue.
A chubby figure wearing a red bellyband with three distinctive tomoe patterns walked in.
Upon seeing Kizaru, he paused slightly in surprise.
"Uncle, what brings you here?"
This was Sentomaru, captain of the Science Unit and Vegapunk's personal bodyguard.
Though he always claimed to be "the man with the tightest lips in the world," he invariably ended up leaking information unintentionally.
"Sentomaru, perfect timing!"
Kizaru's eyes lit up at the sight of him.
He pulled out a standard New Marine contract from his pocket and shoved it into Sentomaru's hands.
"Here! Sign this."
"???"