Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Vegapunk Joins the Crew
So, it’s true—he can see the future? Vegapunk’s mind reeled. Could there really be a Devil Fruit power like that? It wasn’t entirely unthinkable.
After all, his own brilliance stemmed from a Devil Fruit, and plenty of big-shot pirates and Navy brass transformed into mythical creatures thanks to their powers. If this overlord Brook could glimpse the future, it meant Vegapunk was destined for fame. And judging by Brook’s attitude—offering rewards, respecting his talents, even insisting on bringing his parents to the Golden Ark—it was clear Brook was dead-set on recruiting him.
Refusing? That’d probably end badly, and not just for him. His whole hometown could get dragged into the mess. A guy like Brook, a New World heavyweight, wouldn’t let a future star like Vegapunk slip into someone else’s crew. Plus, the Hell Pirates’ resources seemed more than enough to bankroll his wildest experiments. The Golden Ark alone screamed wealth—funding wouldn’t be an issue!
"Brook-sama, I’m honored by your faith in me," Vegapunk said, choosing his words carefully. "My family and I are willing to join you. But moving Karakuri Island to a new spot—that’s something the island’s lord would need to weigh in on."
Vegapunk was just a young scientist, not some big shot who could make calls for the whole island. If the lord wasn’t on board, he’d have to ask Brook for funds to restart the giant heating furnace project instead.
Beside him, his mother and father trembled. Brook was the talk of the latest headlines—a new overlord who’d even taken down a Celestial Dragon! How could they not be terrified? And now this guy wanted their genius son to join his crew and drag them to the Golden Ark? Were they being taken as hostages?
"No need to bother with your lord’s opinion," Brook said, his skeletal grin unwavering. "I care about your choice. The Hell Pirates are here now—shouldn’t you cut ties with these islanders? If you become famous, they could get caught in the crossfire."
Brook wasn’t sure if the World Government might use the island’s residents to blackmail Vegapunk later. If it came to that, he had no time for hostage-rescue games.
Vegapunk paused, gears turning. He couldn’t stick around Karakuri forever, tinkering with heating furnaces. Maybe relocating the island was the cleanest solution—a one-and-done fix.
"Then, Brook-sama, please have Shiki-sama move Karakuri Island to a spring-climate sea," Vegapunk said decisively. It was his final gift to his hometown, a chance for a better life. He pulled out a nautical chart, pinpointing a prime spot with ideal geography, and handed it to Shiki.
Redfield escorted Vegapunk and his family onto the golden airship, bound for the Golden Ark. Meanwhile, under Brook’s orders, Golden Lion Shiki set to work relocating the island.
Shiki took a deep breath. Good thing it wasn’t a permanent float—just a one-time lift and shift. Still, moving an entire island was no small feat, even for him.
Karakuri was just one of the smaller islands in the Future Country Baldimore of the Grand Line. It had only gained a sliver of fame in recent years thanks to Vegapunk, the pint-sized genius turning it into a budding tech hub.
In the original tale, Wapol—after getting thrashed by the Straw Hat kid and losing his Munch-Munch Fruit—struck it rich with special alloys, building a new Evil Black Drum Kingdom. The guy even snagged a seat at the World Government’s Reverie, a quadrennial summit for the top 50 of over 200 allied nations, held at the holy land of Mary Geoise to debate global policies.
Even the king of Vodka Kingdom had to fork over insane Heavenly Tribute and sell off their strongest soldier, Kaido, just to score an invite to that meeting!
Point is, any kingdom or island could skyrocket to fame if someone extraordinary came from it. Vegapunk’s inventions—top-notch and wildly varied—had kickstarted trade on this frozen island, putting Karakuri on the Grand Line’s map.
...
Vegapunk’s family was settled into a lavish suite in the Golden Ark’s castle-like main building. Redfield gave Vegapunk the grand tour of Brook’s massive laboratory, complete with a Seastone-lined chamber.
Silva’s firearms lab, Tom’s invention workshop, and Crocus’s medical research room caught Vegapunk’s eye. But when he spotted a model sea train floating in a water tank, his curiosity went into overdrive. He leaned in, studying every detail.
Then he saw the blueprints for a Pluton replica cannon and other intricate designs. It was like a door to a new world had swung open. Even he found these weapons mind-boggling, itching to dive into research right then and there. Modified shells and other oddities only deepened his awe at the world’s wonders.
...
Back on Karakuri, panic gripped the residents as the island quaked. Soon, it lifted off
, floating into the sky. People freaked out, hiding in their homes, too scared to step outside.Some fled to the coast, nearly tumbling into the sea. The island’s lord cowered indoors, just as rattled.
After two hours of airborne chaos, the island settled with a massive jolt. Shoddy houses collapsed, causing injuries and a few casualties.
Brook’s crew had no interest in sticking around to explain or play nice with the locals. They grabbed Vegapunk and his family and left. Shiki, ever the opportunist, had also whisked Vegapunk’s lab and home to the Golden Ark, complete with his notebooks, prototypes, and half-mechanized animals.
Most of those critters were left behind as a defense force for Karakuri, though.
The islanders soon noticed something incredible: the snow was melting. The biting cold softened into a warm, spring-like breeze.
"It’s a miracle! The gods have blessed us!"
Crowds cheered, shouting in joy. Even the lord was stunned but quickly got to work, organizing aid for those hit by collapsing homes and tallying the wounded.
"Lord, Vegapunk’s lab and house are completely wrecked," a guard reported grimly. "They... they might all be gone."
The lord fell silent, mourning the loss of their prodigy. A genius like Vegapunk was their ticket to greatness, and now that chance was gone.
But the island’s new home in a temperate zone promised a brighter future. Prosperity—maybe even full-on wealth—was within reach.
The lord declared the day "Divine Descent Day," a holiday to celebrate the miracle and honor the memory of Vegapunk and his family.
...
Meanwhile, on the Golden Ark, Vegapunk was already geeking out in the lab. With every "Yo-ho-ho!" and jaw-dropping discovery, he started bonding with the Hell Pirates’ crew, ready to make his mark.
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