Hive Island.
Although the great Pirate Emperor, His Majesty Ian, had returned to Wano after unifying the Beasts Pirates and no longer treated this island as his main headquarters, the island did not fall into decline because of it.
To this day, Hive Island still shines alongside Wano, remaining one of the two most important islands under the banner of the Beasts Pirates.
At this very moment, in the central district of Hive Island, inside a building that bustled with life even in broad daylight,
Stussy was holding a Den Den Mushi, speaking with someone on the other end of the line.
Excitement was impossible to hide in her voice.
"Doctor! Are you saying… the research is finished?"
"That's right," the voice from the Den Den Mushi was equally filled with joy. "There's only one final procedure left—adding the last material—and it will be completely complete. To avoid alerting the Government, I deliberately stopped at this stage."
"That's wonderful!"
Stussy was overjoyed. "I'll inform Ian immediately and have him come pick you up right away, Doctor."
However, at that moment, Vegapunk's voice on the other end grew hesitant.
"Stussy… tell me honestly. Is that man, Ian, truly worthy of trust?"
The World Government wanted to use the energy in his hands to awaken an Ancient Weapon.
But wasn't what Ian wanted to do essentially the same?
"At this point, we don't have a choice anymore, Doctor," Stussy sighed softly. "It's either the World Government or Ian. There is no third option left in this world."
"And compared to the World Government, I believe the Beasts Pirates are the better choice."
"At the very least, everything I've seen in the New World these past years has been far better than what I ever saw under the Government's rule."
"I understand."
Vegapunk seemed to finally make up his mind. "Go inform Ian, Stussy. I'll wait for him here."
"Alright."
Stussy immediately ended the call with Vegapunk, then without delay dialed Ian's Den Den Mushi.
Thus, far away in Wano, Ian received a call that sent his heart soaring.
"Are you certain, Stussy?"
Even as he forced himself to stay calm, the excitement in Ian's voice could not be concealed.
"That's exactly what the Doctor said. There shouldn't be any problems left," Stussy replied. "Go, Lord Ian. Please go and bring the Doctor back."
"Of course."
Ian hung up the call without the slightest hesitation.
Since that was the case, there was no reason to hesitate any longer.
Ian immediately summoned Bullet and Kuma.
After briefly instructing Kaido to keep an eye on the Charlotte Family group, the three of them set off at once.
With Kuma's ability, they shot straight into the sky, rushing at top speed toward the Navy Science Unit base in the first half of the Grand Line.
After their departure, all of Onigashima began to stir.
Everyone knew that once Ian returned from this trip, the war would officially begin.
Kaido was thrilled, while Yamato cheered with excitement.
Shanks, who had also realized what this meant, could not help but sigh.
"So it's finally starting?"
The unfinished war from eight hundred years ago was about to resume at last.
The only uncertainty was what the outcome would be this time.
Those who anticipated it the most were the members of the Revolutionary Army.
Dragon said excitedly to the cadres who had followed him here, "The moment to change the world is about to arrive!"
Leaving everything else aside, if they could make the entire world resemble the New World as it was now, it would already far exceed the expectations of every Revolutionary soldier.
Everyone was waiting for the day when the sky and earth would be overturned.
Navy Science Unit Base.
After ending the call with Stussy, Vegapunk habitually hid away the specially modified Den Den Mushi, then went to bed.
Normally a man who slept exceptionally well, he found himself unable to fall asleep tonight.
What would this world ultimately become?
Even he could not say for certain.
Those who truly understood the world knew that the Beasts Pirates governed the New World remarkably well, completely different from ordinary pirates.
But people… could always change.
As long as the World Government still existed as an enemy, and as long as its rule was confined to a corner of the New World, Ian might still be able to maintain his original intentions.
But if he were to win the final war, crush the World Government, and seize control of the world itself—would he still be as wise and clear-headed as he was now?
Would this world truly become better under his rule?
Vegapunk had no way of knowing.
But now that everything had already been done, there was no chance to turn back, even if he wanted to repent.
Better to sleep first.
At last, he fell asleep with great difficulty.
However, the very next day, just as he woke up and got out of bed, something unexpected happened—an unexpected person appeared right before his eyes.
"Well done, Dr. Vegapunk!"
Leaning on a cane, impeccably dressed, sporting a thick beard, and wearing a small black hat atop his head, the man's tone carried praise, yet his eyes held nothing but impatient anticipation.
Vegapunk's mind went blank. Even his speech turned stuttered.
"S-S-Saint Saturn!"
Why would one of the Five Elders appear here?!
Oh no—could it be that his secret contact with the Beasts Pirates had been exposed?!
If that were the case, wouldn't it all be over?!
No!
I can't die yet!
The dream of allowing everyone in the world to enjoy cheap energy hasn't been realized—how could he die like this?
As terror surged through Vegapunk's mind, one of the Five Elder who had come from afar, Saint Saturn, merely spoke calmly.
"The research has entered its final stage. Please understand the importance we place on it."
He continued, "This project cannot afford the slightest mistake. Therefore, until the research is fully completed, I will be staying here."
Vegapunk immediately let out a long sigh of relief.
Thank goodness.
It hasn't been exposed!
But his heart quickly leapt back into his throat again.
One of the Five Elders would be staying here?
A figure of such exalted status would never appear alone!
**********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 20 early chapters.
patreon.com/PirateKing24