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Even Wolf couldn't help but sigh: "As expected of the world's number one scientist!"
Just the scraps and leftovers were enough to allow an organization's science and technology to make a leap in progress.
Ian looked at the sky and, feeling it was almost time, he put the two children down and stood up.
"It's about time. We should head home for dinner."
After saying that, he looked at Zephyr. "You? Want to come?"
"I'll pass. Since I'm finally back, I'll have a drink with Binz, Enel, and the others tonight!"
Zephyr happily refused. Then, as if remembering something, he looked at Ian with a serious expression. "Right, don't forget about the Book-Book Fruit!"
Ian: "..."
Seriously? He was actually serious about that?!
Ian looked speechlessly at Zephyr, then directly ignored him. After the two children said goodbye to their grandpa Zephyr, he took them back home.
Father and children didn't walk fast, leisurely strolling along.
In these two years, Ohara had changed a lot.
You could say there was no trace of the old Ohara left; not only had the past remnants been erased, but even the desolation that followed had now disappeared.
Compared to the scholarly Holy Land that Ohara used to be, the current Ohara lacked the academic atmosphere but gained a stronger technological feel.
Of course, this was thanks to the technology Vegapunk left behind.
You could say Ohara had completely transformed, and even the population had increased significantly.
Meanwhile, the Marines were still trying to find out where their base was.
But under Grado's cover, relying on just Smoker's single fleet wasn't nearly enough to find it so easily.
When they arrived at the door, the two little ones immediately pushed it open and rushed inside.
"(Robin) Mommy! (Ain) Mommy!"
"I'm back."
Ian also entered, put down his axe, and looked at Ain and Robin, as well as the dinner already prepared. "Dinner is ready?"
"You're a bit late today, dear."
"I chatted with Zephyr for a while."
Hearing Robin's words, Ian smiled and nodded. He then looked at Ain and Robin and was about to tell them to start eating and enjoy a family dinner when…
"Purururu!"
The Den Den Mushi on him rang. Ian raised an eyebrow but still answered it, simply saying, "Hello."
But when he heard the voice on the other end, an expression of surprise appeared on his face.
He said suspiciously, "Why did you suddenly call me? Aren't you afraid of being discovered by the World Government?"
Right after Ian finished speaking, a familiar voice came from the other side: "It really has been a long time, Mr. Ian. Please don't worry, this is a secret room I built specially. The World Government can't eavesdrop here."
"So cautious?"
Hearing Vegapunk's words, Ian narrowed his eyes slightly, but still spoke calmly: "Anyway, just get to the point! Calling me at this time, I hope it's not something too terrible."
"Ahahaha…"
Faced with Ian's wariness, Vegapunk's face showed a hint of embarrassment. "Rest assured, it's nothing huge, and besides, we should be friends, right? I even gave you the perfect artificial Devil Fruit that took me countless efforts to develop."
"Didn't you say that was a defective product?"
Vegapunk: "..."
"Say what you need to say! If not, I'm hanging up!"
"All right, all right! Wait a moment."
Hearing that Ian was about to hang up, Vegapunk showed a flustered expression and said, "There actually is something I need your help with!"
As he spoke, he switched to an apologetic smile. "Can you give me some of your blood?"
"Goodbye!"
"Wait, wait, wait, please listen! My research has reached a critical moment."
Without any hesitation, Vegapunk hurriedly shouted, "The key blood I need is missing right now. Your blood might be able to help me!"
"What's that got to do with me?"
"All right, maybe you don't know what my research is for."
Faced with Ian's merciless rejection, Vegapunk sighed, his tone filled with emotion and sorrow.
"I want to develop a weapon that can protect peace across the sea. If my research succeeds, it will deter pirates, and perhaps the sea will become a better place because of my invention."
"It's a nice idea, just a bit too idealistic."
Ian immediately shot him down without giving face. "You should know chaos isn't just caused by pirates. Your invention might even allow those who create chaos to use it to create even greater chaos!"
Vegapunk: "..."
As soon as Ian finished speaking, Vegapunk instantly went silent. After a moment, he sighed and said helplessly, "Fine! You might be right, but it's undeniable that my method can reduce casualties. Ian, the Marines aren't as disgraceful as you think!"
"But the World Government is even worse than I thought."
Ian shrugged and said impatiently, "And your method might only cause even more sacrifice."
"... I'm not sure whether my choice is right or wrong either, but I understand more."
"Understand more? You mean history? Don't tell me you've been researching history and the World Government found out!"
"Huh, how did you know that?"
Vegapunk showed a panicked expression, but quickly recovered and spoke in a serious tone: "Enough, let's not talk about that. I still hope you can give me some blood. No matter what, reducing casualties is a good thing. If not, then the Tyrant from South Blue, Bartholomew Kuma, should be a Buccaneer, right? Maybe his blood could help me. Don't worry, I'll give you satisfactory compensation."
"The World Government should have Lunarians' blood."
Ian frowned. "That should satisfy your requirements, too, right?"
"Huh? How do you know that?"
Vegapunk was surprised, then gave a bitter smile. "But Lunarian's blood is too rare, and it doesn't match the current stage of my research. Using Lunarians' blood to manufacture anything would be extremely expensive. Ian..."
"Stop thinking about me or my subordinates' blood."
Ian cut him off immediately, as if he already knew what Vegapunk planned to say.
Then his eyes flickered, as if he suddenly thought of something, and he spoke with a helpless tone: "Forget it, I do know someone whose blood should be very suitable for you."
Vegapunk: "...?!"
Hearing that, Vegapunk's eyes instantly lit up as he urgently asked: "Who?"
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