47 Dr. Vegapunk
A/N: If you want to see more chapters and support my work, go to my Patre@n to see more chapters ahead.
You can see more chapters ahead of everyone on my Patre@n:
WWW.patre@n.com/RK98
------------------------------
After the festive banquet concluded and the guests had dispersed, Brontes found himself in the solitude of Garp's office. The room was quiet, but the atmosphere was charged with a certain intensity.
Garp was there, waiting for him. As Brontes entered, he couldn't help but notice something different about Garp. Garp had an air of seriousness that was rarely seen in him. It was as if Garp had put on a completely different face, one that was stern and earnest.
"Garp-san." Brontes greeted, standing in front of him.
"Take a seat." Garp said.
Brontes sat down, and Garp regarded him with a look that seemed to carry years of experience and expectation.
"Out of all the graduates from the Elite Camp, you were the one I had the most hope for, apart from my own son, Dragon, that rascal." Garp began, his sigh hinting at a mix of pride and concern.
Brontes was momentarily caught off guard, expecting a lecture on ideology or duty from 'Garp'.
Garp continued in serious voice: "But it doesn't surprise me that you've become an Admiral first. I'm actually quite pleased. Dragon left the Marines two years ago, and now no one knows where he is. Despite that, I still hear things about him. He's gotten himself mixed up in something very dangerous."
Brontes listened intently, aware of the concerns in Garp's voice.
"I can't pinpoint exactly what he's up to, but it's definitely not safe. I know you're close to him, but remember your current position." Garp said with sigh, his gaze fixed on Brontes.
Brontes nodded, his expression showing that he was taking Garp's words to heart.
Garp then shifted the conversation: "Do you know why I've consistently turned down the position of Admiral over the years?" He asked.
Brontes shook his head. He had some idea that it was related to the World Government and the World Nobles, but he didn't know the full story.
"Being an Admiral means you lose your freedom, and with it, your faith." Garp said slowly.
"Faith will be lost?" Brontes echoed, a look of confusion crossing his face.
"Yes. When you're promoted to Admiral by the World Government, they essentially want you to be a compliant servant. You're also aware that if a World Noble is attacked, an Admiral must respond. There are only three Admirals, each representing the pinnacle of Marine combat power, and they're not usually sent out unless the World Nobles are threatened." Garp explained.
"The Buster Call!" The term sprang to Brontes's mind immediately.
"Exactly. The Buster Call exists to protect the World Nobles. Take the recent Ohara incident—it wasn't the Marines' decision to wipe out an entire island. That's not something Kong-san would do; only the World Government and the World Nobles would commit such a merciless act." Garp said with a hint of disdain.
"You're suggesting I keep my distance from the World Nobles." Brontes figured out.
"You're as sharp as I thought, maybe even sharper than Dragon. Yes, I want you to maintain a distance from the World Government. We are Marines; we stand for justice." Garp affirmed.
"I understand." Brontes acknowledged, his nod signaling his agreement.
"That's all I need to hear. I won't say more; knowing too much isn't good for you. In time, you'll see that things are more complicated than they appear." Garp concluded, a satisfied smile finally breaking through his serious demeanor.
...
The following day, Brontes had anticipated a day off, but instead, he was tasked with a significant new mission.
The SSG was officially placed under his command. Additionally, he was appointed as the commander of the G-1 Marine Base, a role that Sengoku had previously held in conjunction with his other duties.
With the Marine forces undergoing a reorganization and Brontes's promotion to Admiral, he was now responsible for taking on some of Sengoku's previous responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Borsalino stepped in as the acting commander of the G-2 Base.
Sakazuki was appointed as the Acting Commander of the G-5 Base, while Kuzan remained stationed at Marineford.
"I thought I could have some rest, but it seems I was mistaken." Brontes said softly, his voice tinged with resignation.
"There will be time for holidays, but not now. Just don't start following Garp's example and desert the base whenever you're bored. That man! He's gone again," Sengoku grumbled, his frustration evident as he clenched his fist.
Garp had managed to slip away from Marineford quietly after getting permission from Kong. Officially, he was on a month-long vacation to the East Blue, but the paperwork indicated he was on a mission in the Goa Kingdom.
"Alright, I might want to take a break eventually; it looks like there won't be much free time in the future." Brontes said, accepting his fate.
"That's fine, but don't get too comfortable. Times have changed, and the seas are more treacherous than ever, making our jobs even more challenging." Sengoku warned.
"Yes, Sengoku-san," Brontes responded.
Brontes then made his way to the Holy Land, Mariejois. As an Admiral, he held a prestigious position within the Marine and also served as a high-ranking official of the World Government, granting him the privilege to attend the World Conference.
Upon arriving in Mariejois, Brontes was there to meet with the Five Elders, a standard protocol for someone of his new status.
"Admiral Ragnarok, welcome to Mariejois." The Five Elders greeted him, their expressions stoic yet their eyes intently focused on him.
"Thank you for having me, Five Elders." Brontes replied, offering a polite smile.
"The new generation of the Marine is advancing rapidly. Our decision to approve Zed's creation of the Elite Camp was a wise one. With the Great Pirate Era upon us, without strong Marines like yourself, the situation could spiral out of control." The bearded elder without hair said.
"The world is teeming with challenges, and the threat of pirates grows daily. The chaos that ensued after Roger's execution cannot be allowed to happen again." Added the elder wearing a black hat.
"Therefore, the Marine must be vigilant. We trust you will safeguard the peace of the seas and protect the World Nobles." The elder with the long sword stated.
"I will do my utmost." Brontes assured them earnestly.
"Very well, you are dismissed." They concluded.
After fulfilling all necessary formalities, Brontes departed from Mariejois to assume command of the G-1 Base.
His new role also required him to visit Punk Hazard, as he was now the highest-ranking officer of the SSG and had the authority to liaise with Dr. Vegapunk without arousing suspicion.
...
Upon reaching Punk Hazard, Brontes, as the Commander of the G-1 Base and head of the SSG, inquired about Dr. Vegapunk immediately.
"Is Dr. Vegapunk here?" He asked the temporary officer in charge, a Rear-Admiral.
"Yes, sir. Dr. Vegapunk is present." The Rear-Admiral confirmed.
Sengoku, the former Admiral overseeing the SSG, had been preoccupied and, due to a shortage of personnel, spent most of his time at Marineford or the G-1 Base.
Consequently, he seldom visited the SSG, and the Marines stationed at Punk Hazard rarely had the opportunity to interact with high-ranking naval officers like an Admiral.
"Hmm, lead the way, I want to see the doctor." Brontes instructed firmly.
"Yes, sir." One of the guard responded, promptly leading the way.
Punk Hazard, before its transformation into a land of fire and ice due to the cataclysmic battle between Admirals Sakazuki and Kuzan, was once a lush and vibrant island.
It boasted rich vegetation and clean air, making it one of the most livable islands at the entry of the New World.
As Brontes entered through the mountain pass, he observed numerous researchers bustling about.
Dr. Vegapunk's current project was particularly intriguing, focusing on human experimentation and the study of Lineage Factors.
The doctor had a multitude of research topics under his purview, supported by the seemingly limitless resources of the World Government. Whenever Dr. Vegapunk required something for his work, the government was ready to provide.
Brontes sent a guard to inform Dr. Vegapunk of his arrival. After a short wait, the guard returned with a look of hesitation.
"Um..." The guard began, clearly afraid to talk.
"Speak up, what did Dr. Vegapunk say?" Brontes said.
"Dr. Vegapunk said he doesn't have time to build you a warship right now. He suggested you could find any shipbuilder for that task." The guard relayed with some difficulty.
Brontes, unfazed, produced an ancient scroll and handed it to the guard. "Then show this blueprint to him, and if he still disagrees, then forget it." He said.
The guard quickly returned to Dr. Vegapunk with the blueprint. Moments later, he came back, this time with urgency in his voice: "Sir, Dr. Vegapunk agreed to see you."
Brontes nodded in acknowledgment and followed the guard inside. They traversed a steel corridor until they reached Dr. Vegapunk, who was intently examining the scroll in front of a complex instrument.
"This design is fascinating; it doesn't appear to be from our time." Dr. Vegapunk said, his interest piqued by the ancient scroll Brontes had found in the Temple of God in Birka, along with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
"Yes, I discovered it alongside my Logia Devil Fruit. If the ship is built according to these designs, its power and speed could be revolutionary." Brontes said, his voice steady yet filled with anticipation.
"Indeed, this ship seems to be specifically designed for Rumble-Rumble Fruit users. It's a flying ship, no less, and its power source is quite unique, albeit a bit primitive." Dr. Vegapunk observed, nodding in approval.
"Is it possible to build it?" Brontes asked directly.
"It's feasible, but constructing a ship entirely out of gold, as the blueprint suggests, would be astronomically expensive—tens of billions of Berries, which is beyond your means." Dr. Vegapunk explained.
"That's why I'm proposing the use of copper and iron as alternatives. As long as the conductivity meets the requirements and the core mechanism is powerful, the ship's appearance are secondary to me." Brontes said.
"That's acceptable. I can construct it for you. However, I'm quite intrigued by the origin of this design." Dr. Vegapunk said, he was obviously very curiosity about the design.
Sensing the need for privacy, Brontes glanced at the surrounding personnel.
Rear-Admiral Kaise caught the cue and promptly ushered everyone out of the room, leaving Brontes and Dr. Vegapunk alone to discuss the mysterious origins of the ancient blueprint.
