After the incident at Fish-Man Island, Setsuna and his group stayed only briefly before setting course for the New World, known as the [Graveyard of Pirates].
Brilliant sunlight pierced the clouds, bathing the deck of the golden Ark Maxim in a dazzling glow.
Although the New World was infamous for its severe weather, with frequent hurricanes, tsunamis, thunderstorms, and other natural disasters… with Titan as an escort and two Logia users capable of altering weather, ordinary natural hazards posed no threat to them.
"The New World's weather truly lives up to its reputation," Robin remarked, looking up from the historical texts she was reading to gaze at the terrifying sea of churning thunderclouds in the distance. Just a minute ago, this stretch of sea had been cloudless and bathed in bright sunlight.
"Hmph, a storm of this level isn't even an appetizer," Enel sneered dismissively, pointing his golden staff at the thunderclouds and absorbing the entire skyful of lightning.
Setsuna, listening to the voices of all things, asked, "How much longer until we reach Punk Hazard?"
He had arranged to meet Cavendish at Dressrosa, but before heading to Dressrosa, he needed to make a stop at Punk Hazard first.
In the original timeline, roughly a year from now, Punk Hazard would become a no-man's-land due to Caesar Clown's poison gas experiments.
At this point in time, however, Dr. Vegapunk was still conducting his research on the island.
"Approximately one more day's journey," Robin replied after carefully examining the nautical charts.
"One day, huh?" Setsuna nodded slightly. "We can notify the World Government now."
…
As they had pre-notified the World Government, Setsuna and his crew encountered no resistance upon their arrival.
When the golden Ark Maxim slowly entered the port of Punk Hazard, several Marine Battleships were patrolling nearby but merely monitored from a distance.
As soon as Setsuna stepped onto the island, he noticed a group of Marine officers waiting.
At their head was a beautiful and striking female Marine wearing a spiked collar and a strapping, powerfully built man with a giant axe slung over his shoulder, dressed in a red belly-warmer.
"Setsuna-san, I am Rear Admiral Doll, the base commander of Punk Hazard. Welcome," The beautiful female Marine said.
"And I'm Sentomaru, Captain of the Marine Headquarters Science Unit… the man with the tightest lips in the world!" The stout man with the axe declared formally.
"Rear Admiral Doll, Captain Sentomaru," Setsuna acknowledged, his gaze settling on Sentomaru. "I heard Admiral Kizaru is also responsible for this island's security?"
"Don't think I'll tell you that the old man is on vacation!" Sentomaru immediately blurted out loudly.
"Marine Admirals can take vacations?" Ace couldn't help but interject, looking genuinely surprised.
He often saw newspaper reports about Akainu capturing pirates, as if there was an endless supply to catch.
Reports about the other two Admirals were much fewer. He had always assumed this was because those Admirals were on secret missions, hence the lack of coverage.
"I absolutely won't tell you that the old man spends one-third of the year on vacation!" Sentomaru stated with a serious expression.
"Huh? The Marines have benefits that good?" Ace's eyes widened in astonishment. "But I always read in the papers about which pirates Admiral Akainu has captured recently…"
"That's because some achievements are forcibly attributed to Admiral Akainu. The point of the reports is to let the public know they're being protected, even when they're not, actually," Sentomaru answered with remarkable candor.
Doll began coughing heavily beside him. "Sentomaru, don't you have other important duties to attend to? Let me handle our distinguished guests."
Sentomaru rubbed his chin, thinking seriously. "Do I?"
"You do!" Doll pushed him away without further discussion, then turned to Setsuna and the others with a gesture of invitation. "Please, follow me."
After passing through multiple security checkpoints, the group finally entered the interior of the research facility.
An elderly man with white hair approached. His head had a cover resembling an apple branch, and a large tongue lolled from his mouth.
"This is the Director of the research institute, Dr. Vegapunk," Doll introduced.
Setsuna gave a slight nod. "I apologize for the intrusion. I hope it doesn't disturb your research."
"Not at all," Vegapunk smiled. "I've been looking forward to meeting you for quite some time."
After brief pleasantries, Vegapunk invited the group to tour the facility's core areas.
Upon entering, they were met with breathtaking futuristic technology.
Automatic sensor doors slid open silently. Holographic screens floating in mid-air displayed streams of data. Mechanical assistants moved about deftly. Even the corridor lighting came from soft, breathing bioluminescence.
For the group, who had little exposure to high technology, everything before their eyes was filled with novelty and awe.
Vegapunk led them to a spacious room containing dozens of oddly shaped capsules arranged in neat rows.
"These are [Virtual Life] game pods," Vegapunk explained enthusiastically. "Lie inside, and you can experience a completely different life. Would anyone like to try?"
"Me! I want to try!" Bonney jumped excitedly, raising her hand high.
"Since we're here at Punk Hazard, everyone should give it a try," Setsuna said, then took the lead and lay down in one of the pods.
Seeing everyone was in position, Vegapunk also selected a pod. Turning his head, he asked, "Rear Admiral Doll, wouldn't you like to experience it too?"
Doll seemed tempted but shook her head. "I'll pass."
Vegapunk didn't press her. He lay down and activated the switch.
The next moment, his virtual projection appeared within Setsuna's virtual space.
"Master Setsuna, my apologies for meeting you this way," Vegapunk said. Seeing Setsuna's unchanged expression, he couldn't help but feel curious. "Have you been in a virtual space before?"
"Something like that. More of a mental space."
Vegapunk nodded in understanding, then adopted a serious tone. "Thank you for the message you had Kuma deliver. Had you not warned me, I would not have known about York's betrayal."
Setsuna shook his head gently. "The Five Elders haven't grown suspicious?"
"Please rest assured. I merely 'formatted' her memories. That clone is now completely under my control," Vegapunk assured.
Setsuna gave a slight nod. "My main purpose in coming is to request the Doctor's help in transplanting cells from a particular type of creature."
"Transplanting creature cells?" Vegapunk pondered. "I would need to see a sample firsthand to determine feasibility. How about this: I will report to Saint Saturn that you have agreed to participate in the Seraphim Project and that periodic collection of your body cells is required for research."
"This way, we will have a legitimate reason to meet privately in reality."