Chapter 191: Chapter 191: List of Future Powerhouses
The next day.
Golden Island set sail, charting a course back to the New World’s main battleground.
Aboard the Golden Ark, in the captain’s quarters, Brook sat pondering the Mythical Zoan Octopus Siren Devil Fruit. Should he offer it to his subordinates in Wano Country?
Ashura Jakun and Hyougoro were both formidable swordsmen, well-suited to mimic Dawei’s Eight-Sword Style with near-perfect precision. But their loyalty remained uncertain. The Kozuki family’s influence ran deep—almost unshakable. If Brook clashed with the Kozukis, whose side would they choose?
It was clear: only after securing full control over Wano could he empower these samurai further.
For now, it was time to scout the future’s big players.
Brook grabbed a sheet of paper and started scribbling. The future Four Emperors were his focus. Beasts Kaido was already on the list. Who else?
The Giant race?
No dice—they had bad blood with Charlotte Linlin. It was one or the other.
He wondered if the Revolutionary Army’s West Army Commander, Morley, was a Giant. Probably not a fit either.
Little Oars Jr. and the colossal battleship Sanjuan Wolf, those ancient super-Giants, might not be famous yet. At 20 and 47, they were likely still maturing, but they could be penciled in for later.
Then there were the current pirates: World Destroyer Byrnndi World and Naguri. But these captains were no pushovers—each a force to be reckoned with!
As for future Navy Admirals, Yellow Monkey Borsalino was probably six or seven years old, Red Dog Sakazuki three or four. Both hailed from the North Blue, but Brook had no clue where to find them. Names were all he had—no locations, no leads. Were they from Navy legacy families?
He’d have to task Mortomas with keeping an eye out.
The Revolutionary Army’s leader, Dragon, was Sakazuki’s age—three or four—living in East Blue’s Windmill Village under Garp’s watch. Fujitora Issho was two or three, lost in some corner. Green Bull Kuzan? Not even a gleam in anyone’s eye yet.
But then Brook’s mind lit up with a game-changer: Dr. Vegapunk, the scientist said to surpass human intellect by 500 years.
Born on the Great Route’s Machine Island—Balkimoa, the Future Kingdom—a frigid winter island.
In the original story, Vegapunk led the rogue research group MADS, with scientists like Plague Queen, Vinsmoke Judge, and Caesar Clown under him. They tackled weapons and more until Vegapunk uncovered the "Blueprint of Life," catching the World Government’s attention.
That led to MADS’ dissolution. Vegapunk was arrested and forced to work for the World Government. Caesar, the youngest, tagged along. Queen and Judge escaped—Queen joined the fledgling Beasts Pirates in Wano, while Judge returned to the North Blue, diving into "Lineage Factor" research, creating modified humans and dominating the region.
Queen and Judge, both four or five years old now, suggested Vegapunk was slightly older—old enough to recruit them later.
This enigmatic genius had sparked the One Piece world’s tech boom. Back home, he’d pioneered semi-mechanized animals and built a massive island-wide heater to improve life for Balkimoa’s residents.
Human gigantification, artificial Devil Fruits, modified humans, the Blueprint of Life—all Vegapunk’s brainchildren. Caesar, Queen, and Judge merely built on his foundations.
Yet, this powerhouse only developed the method to embed Seastone in Navy ships to cross the Calm Belt years before the main story, enabling the Navy to threaten Amazon Lily.
Brook theorized it was Kaido’s occupation of Wano, combined with Donquixote Doflamingo’s underground empire, that flooded the World Government with enough Seastone for Vegapunk’s experiments.
Wano’s craftsmen were the only ones skilled enough to refine Seastone. Even the World Government relied on Doflamingo for processed Seastone products.
Once Wano was under Brook’s control, he’d ensure Seastone stayed locked down. If Vegapunk got his hands on too much, he might figure out Brook’s method for recycling Devil Fruits.
In the original story, Vegapunk lacked access to large, high-purity Seastone or Wano’s master craftsmen to create seamless Seastone chambers, preventing him from pursuing Devil Fruit recycling research.
But now, this young scientific titan was on Brook’s radar—and the World Government wouldn’t get a chance to claim him!
...
Brook meticulously sorted through his notes on future powerhouses. Many lacked known birthplaces, giving him a headache.
Still, Vegapunk and Kaido topped his must-have list. They were non-negotiable—recruit or eliminate, but never let the World Government have them.
The Navy’s current stars—Garp, Sengoku, Tsuru, Zephyr—had been Marines since childhood, now renowned officers. No chance of poaching them.
Roger’s crew was nearly complete, and digging into their ranks was off-limits. Barrett and Shanks weren’t even born yet!
After some thought, Byrnndi World, the World Destroyer, seemed conquerable. He lacked Conqueror’s Haki, unlike Naguri, who’d be harder to subdue.
Brook gave the name-filled paper one last glance before setting it ablaze.
His edge from knowing the One Piece timeline was nearly tapped out. It was time to huddle with Charlotte Linlin and start crafting some high-potential heirs!
From the captain’s quarters echoed Brook’s signature "Giegiegie!" laugh. One Vegapunk was worth two Emperors—artificial Devil Fruits, Pacifistas, mechanized beasts, bioengineered dragons...
...
Meanwhile, the Overlord Alliance’s Vesper and the Rocks Pirates’ captain, Rocks, sensed the war’s end looming.
The Hell Pirates’ return would shatter the stalemate. Rocks, his face dark with frustration, ordered a retreat, halting this round of assaults.
Dawei’s total defeat had gutted the Rocks Pirates’ top-tier fighters. Their mid- and low-tier forces couldn’t keep up either. Even the mighty Overlord Rocks was powerless to turn the tide!
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