"What did you say???"
Franky dug his finger into his ear, somewhat disbelieving York's words, although he could see the newspapers here as well.
Although he didn't know exactly what Vegapunk looked like, Franky had seen the news of Vegapunk's death, and the people of Baljima even held a memorial service.
To Shaina and King, Vegapunk was a researcher who tainted their bloodline, but for the citizens here, Vegapunk had always been a genius scientist who cared about the nation.
Now, this dilapidated robot, emitting a female voice, claiming to be Vegapunk, of course Franky didn't believe it.
"Hehehe, cherish your opportunity. This is an opportunity others can't reach."
York didn't explain anything, instead, she went to the workbench in front of Franky.
"This blueprint... is for a fusion robot, right? You must have been stuck here for a long time, your idea is correct, but you lack the crucial materials, ordinary materials can't do this.
I shelved it back then because of the materials.
Among the known metals, the best for making this type of robot is the Divine Steel sold by Hundred Beasts, followed by the Wapol Alloy that appeared on the market last year.
Given the circumstances here, it's impossible to acquire either of these metals, so we'll have to use another method."
The exiled Wapol could only make a living picking up trash from under the bridge, making toys, and due to the Munch-Munch Fruit, he ate all sorts of rubbish, eventually synthesizing toys discovered to contain a special memory alloy.
Wapol Alloy, unlike Arceus' Divine Steel, can be created by top scientists if the technical level is adequate, though the quality would be poorer, as human synthesis pales compared to the power of a Devil Fruit.
Moreover, the output is limited, making widespread adoption difficult.
Wapol, on the other hand, started mass-producing Wapol Alloy utilizing the power of the Munch-Munch Fruit.
Wapol became rich overnight; first, he expanded the toy shop's scale, then established the manufacturing company Munch-Munch Factory, and even the Wapol Corporation, using his immense wealth to re-establish a regime in the South Sea.
Arceus' Divine Steel was scarce, usually only produced more when Ghost Island needed repairs and Steel-type Pokemon faced nutritional deprivation.
Wapol might not compete in the top-tier market, but he quickly dominated the secondary market; those with connections knew about it too.
"The materials here are relatively sufficient, enough to barely make some. This weapon system too, these places here and here should be improved accordingly."
She's Vegapunk's fragment, yet not a simple fragment. Vegapunk's six fragments aren't merely robots, but rather alternative replicas, with a certain emotion enlarged infinitely for each individual.
York's desire is vast, but she also possesses impressive analytical ability. Though the data stored in Punk Record is gone, she remembers the information, and recalling some things upon seeing these drawings isn't difficult.
This is also her way of proving herself; Franky doesn't know Vegapunk has six fragments, so her skill is enough to fool him.
York's intentions are clear; she wants to utilize Franky's DIY research lab to repair her own body, then find those Navy contacts to connect with the Five Elders, making herself the only Vegapunk.
As for the outcome, from Franky's glowing eyes, it is clear York has succeeded.
What Franky learns or gains during this process is irrelevant to York.
...
Remembrance, sorrow, regret; different people reacted differently to Vegapunk's death, but two individuals were special: Vinsmoke Judge and Caesar Clown.
Judge himself didn't say much, but ordered Germa to expedite follow-up research while Caesar was overjoyed.
"Shee-shoo-shoo, Vegapunk's dead, now I'm the number one scientist in the world! What does that boastful Queen have to compare with me!"
Looking at the slightly manic Caesar, Monet adjusted her glasses, planning to accelerate her own tasks.
[The Young Master was right, Caesar will end up playing himself to death sooner or later...]
A few more days passed, and the news of Vegapunk gradually faded from The Sea; it's a matter too high-end, too high that ordinary people aren't interested at all.
Whether it's being 500 years ahead of the world or the title of the number one scientist, it doesn't concern them; for ordinary people, Vegapunk's life or death is less important than the fish they can catch or next year's harvest.
The first day they saw the news, they might have commemorated, but days later, such emotions naturally faded away.
For Ghost Island people, Vegapunk's importance is even less than a few Wanted Posters.
...
Lightning · Zeraora
1,720,000,000 Belly
Lack of impressive performance during the Summit War left Zeraora's bounty unchanged, but after the battle of Aeghede, his threat level was reconsidered.
Similarly, Shaina's bounty also soared.
Flame Blood · Shaina
2,300,000,000 Belly - Extremely Dangerous
Shaina's bounty matched King's, exactly the same, seemingly conveying a special implication, though also came with a special remark.
Her reckless actions rendered her threat level far higher than other officers.
There's another changed Wanted Poster, but it isn't Kuzan's; it's Yamato's.
Ghost Princess · Yamato
Bounty 2,960,000,000 Belly.
The bounty symbolically increased by 100 million, related to newspaper reports. Kuzan's appearance was concealed, but Yamato was mentioned as a pirate using ice abilities.
It's improbable to keep this matter hidden forever, but there weren't eyewitnesses regarding Aeghede's events; conceal as long as possible, since an Admiral joining the pirates is too disgraceful.
"What's with this? What are these people thinking? Aeghede has nothing to do with me. What do you think, Kuzan?"
"How would I know? I resigned long ago; this isn't the outcome I wished to see."
Days passed, and Zeraora and Kuzan naturally returned to Ghost Island, with Kuzan discontented over the World Government's cover-up about this.
Initially, he wanted to prove himself with this action, as integrating into Ghost Island's pirate group would be more convenient; however, the Navy and World Government's concealment left his progress bar stagnant.
The only one feeling balanced about this matter was Queen; after so many years, he finally encountered an event he could empathize with.