One Piece: New Order-Chapter 73: Vegapunk’s Wish

Vegapunk offered a bitter smile. "I understand. I haven't asked your name yet."

"Sakazuki," the vice admiral replied.

The scientist extended a hand. "Vegapunk."

They shook hands, and without further words, Vegapunk led Sakazuki through the gate and onto the ship. Opening the hatch, he had all the researchers inside step out and line up.

Sakazuki swept his gaze over the group. Among the unfamiliar faces, he spotted two he recognized: Queen and Caesar.

"Is this everyone?" he asked.

"A few are still out gathering materials," the scientist answered. "But I've already told them not to return."

"Do you have their personnel records?"

Vegapunk nodded. "I do."

He stepped back inside the cabin and returned shortly with several sheets of paper, which he handed over to the vice admiral.

Sakazuki gave them a quick scan. "Vinsmoke Judge, huh..."

He gathered the documents and looked at Vegapunk. "You have a control device, right? Clear out the mechanical beasts in the forest outside."

The scientist nodded again and pulled out a remote from his pocket, its surface lined with multiple buttons.

After pressing one of them, the soldiers stationed around the perimeter noticed something strange. All the countless red dots in the forest suddenly retreated deeper into the woods and vanished. Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

Back at the research facility, Sakazuki called out, "Enel."

The boy's voice echoed from outside. "Got it!"

Crack!

A bolt of thunder rang out as Enel instantly appeared among the Marines.

He gave a sharp salute, then looked at the officer with the highest rank present. "Sir, Vice Admiral Sakazuki has captured all personnel. Ready to move in and take over."

Titus returned the salute and gave a nod. "Understood."

Then he addressed the nearby marines. "Everyone, move into the forest. Prepare to take custody of the criminals."

"Yes, sir!" they shouted in unison.

Right after, another sudden thunderclap shook the air and Enel vanished in a flash of lightning. He returned to the lab, landing beside the vice admiral.

By now, Sakazuki and Vegapunk had stepped outside the facility. They stood silently, gazing at the island where the snow was still melting.

Vegapunk seemed lost in thought. "A scene from my dreams..."

A moment later, he turned to the vice admiral and asked, "Mr. Sakazuki, is there a way to keep the island like this?"

He looked at the man nervously after speaking. This warm island made Vegapunk feel dazed. For a moment, he forgot everything else.

Buried deep in his heart, that first dream of his wasn't weapons, or lifeforms, or Devil Fruits. It wasn't about researching everything in the world. It was... to let the people of this country feel warmth throughout all four seasons.

Sakazuki glanced at him. "Effortless."

Vegapunk looked a little emotional, about to speak. But then he came back to his senses. He was a prisoner now...

Just then, Sakazuki's voice sounded again. "Is there any place suitable for building a volcano?"

Vegapunk suppressed the excitement in his chest and replied with a slight tremble in his voice, "Yes!"

After speaking, he looked toward the mechanical structure shaped like a windmill, taking up nearly half the island.

It was his own design. He had convinced the king and the people, and the entire nation had come together to build it. But in the end, it was never finished, stalled by a lack of funding and technology.

No one ever blamed him for it, but Vegapunk had never been able to let it go in his heart.

In the end, it had all gone astray...

"Underneath that furnace is a hollow space. Back then, due to a lack of funding and technology, we couldn't finish it. And that location is the most suitable spot on the entire island."

Sakazuki listened silently as Vegapunk explained, his eyes fixed on the massive structure.

Then he raised his right hand.

With a roar, the molten gold eagle resting near the research facility took off, surging toward the giant furnace. With one strike, it crashed into the exposed upper section of the furnace and sent it flying. Then the eagle shot high into the sky, folded its wings, and dove straight down.

With a deafening boom—

BOOM!!!!

The top was instantly blasted open, leaving behind a crater several hundred meters wide.

Inside the pit, the molten gold eagle melted into a pool of lava. It surged downward rapidly, pouring endlessly into the depths.

Nearly a kilometer down, the lava suddenly expanded and spread in all directions, assimilating the surrounding terrain. Sakazuki appeared in the heart of the structure. He plunged one hand into the molten pool, guiding and suppressing the flow as it spread.

Beneath the earth, a huge triangular chamber began to take shape, nearly a kilometer high and several kilometers long. It was completely filled with Sakazuki's magma.

This magma, born from his awakened ability, wasn't just hot—it was incredibly durable and long-lasting. Stored deep underground, it could burn for at least three hundred years.

And as for what would happen after those all years, by then, technology should have advanced enough to handle it.

When the volcanic heat finally began radiating across the island, Sakazuki withdrew his arm and returned in a flash to the facility.

He said to Vegapunk. "This dormant volcano will burn for at least three hundred years. As for the filtration system, that's something your country will have to build. It's magma, after all. The gases it releases still carry traces of toxicity."

The scientist stared at Sakazuki, overwhelmed with emotion. "Thank you. Thank you very much. The filtration system won't be a problem."

He bowed deeply. "Truly, thank you, Vice Admiral."

Sakazuki waved a hand casually. "No need for that. It was nothing."

In the distance, rows of marine soldiers came running up in formation. At the front, Titus gave a crisp salute.

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki."

Sakazuki returned the salute with a simple nod and waved at the excited soldiers, signaling them to escort the scientists out of the research facility.

They moved in pairs, each group guarding a scientist as they headed toward the port.

Then Sakazuki motioned for Enel to come over. He turned to Vegapunk and said, "There's something I'd like to ask of you. Enel has always been fascinated by machines, electricity, and magnetism since he was a child. Would you be willing to guide him a bit during this time?"

Vegapunk nodded. "Of course. Though, I am a prisoner now... I'm not sure if it's appropriate."

Sakazuki smiled. "Don't worry. The government won't make things difficult for any of you. A scientist like you, Mr. Vegapunk, is the future of this world."

Vegapunk let out a long breath, visibly relieved. "Then there's nothing more to say. Leave it to me, Vice Admiral."

Sakazuki asked, "Is there anything important left inside the facility? We can have people help pack it up."

"There's still quite a bit," Vegapunk replied.

"Then I won't be polite about it. It'll be a good opportunity to run a few tests with Enel too." Sakazuki summoned five squads of soldiers and ordered them to follow Vegapunk into the research facility and obey his instructions.

By the iron gate, Titus, the Marine base commander of Baldimore, seemed to be hesitating about something.

He waited until the others were out of earshot before finally speaking.

"Vice Admiral, Is this really alright...?"

Sakazuki shook his head. "It's fine. The order came from me."

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