Chapter 267: Two Years Later, Setting Out for the Science Island!
Totto Land.
On the new Cake Island, Luo Han floated midair, holding a basketball-sized orb of freshwater.
He had taken it that morning from the central lake of Ark Island.
After returning from Zou and placing the red Road Poneglyph at the bottom of the lake, Luo Han still felt uneasy. So he decided to create a freshwater version of Sea God—he'd already named it: Water God.
His plan was to let it fuse with the lake, making the entire body of water part of Water God itself.
That way, no intruder could escape its detection.
The moment someone tried to sneak in, Water God could alert Luo Han through the spiritual world.
Luo Han would instantly teleport to the lake and eliminate the threat.
"Blue Demon, what do you want this time?"
Charlotte Linlin sensed his arrival and flew over on her new Zeus thundercloud. Her expression was sour, and her tone cold.
"Just a small favor," Luo Han said with a grin, guiding the water orb toward her with telekinesis.
"..."
This bastard!
This scoundrel!
Does he think I'm his tool?
Charlotte Linlin screamed internally, itching to blast him—but the difference in strength made her suppress her rage.
She sighed, extended her hand, and summoned a small white soul orb, injecting it into the water ball.
"Bye now!"
Just like last time, Luo Han vanished the moment the job was done, as if he were strolling through his own backyard—coming and going as he pleased.
"BLUE DEMON, YOU DAMNED BASTARD!!!"
Linlin finally erupted, unleashing a wave of Conqueror's Haki across Cake Island.
"Mama!"
"My ears hurt!"
The citizens clutched their heads in agony.
After a while, Linlin calmed down, and the island finally breathed again.
Bang!
Landing in front of her palace, Charlotte Linlin growled at Katakuri, "Accelerate the intel department's progress!"
She couldn't wait any longer—she had to find the Ancient Weapons.
"Yes, Mama," Katakuri replied calmly.
Boom boom… boom…
She walked into the palace, where several Poneglyphs were stored.
Including one red Road Poneglyph.
...
Meanwhile—
Luo Han returned from Totto Land.
After giving Water God a spiritual will, he tasked it with guarding the central lake.
Anyone who entered would have to go through him.
After all, there were too many weird Devil Fruit abilities—some could change appearance or identity. Caution was necessary.
Plop!
He released Water God into the lake. Like Sea God before it, it melted into the water and disappeared.
"Not bad."
Although it didn't cover a 10-kilometer radius like Sea God, covering the central lake alone was more than enough.
Floating above the peaceful surface, Luo Han felt oddly empty.
Staring at the lake, he sighed, "Poor Penguin… it's really gone now."
But he couldn't live on a ship forever. It was time to build himself a proper home.
Without hesitation—
He teleported to Island 3 and found Tuck.
Tuck, lounging lazily in a chair, jumped when Luo Han appeared.
"B-Boss! What can I do for you?"
"Have someone build a villa on the mountaintop plaza—same size as the one for me, Akatsuki , and Aishi ."
With that, Luo Han vanished again.
"…Got it, Boss!" Tuck replied belatedly and got to work.
...
Two months later—
A modern five-story villa stood proudly on half the mountaintop plaza.
The top floor was reserved for Akatsuki . Though the smallest, it was still far larger than her old cabin on the Penguin.
A massive bed occupied the room—large enough for her to enjoy "intense workouts" with up to four participants.
At the foot of the bed was a 30-meter-tall floor-to-ceiling window, facing Ark Island's coastline.
At night, during those "activities," one could admire the island's unique aurora.
The fourth floor had four bedrooms, a large kitchen, and a terrace big enough for private parties.
The second and third floors held storage and entertainment rooms—with every amusement imaginable.
Of course, there was also an infinity pool on the first floor facing the coast—large enough for even Luo Han and Akatsuki 's enormous forms to enjoy together.
...
Time passed quickly.
Two years flew by.
Evernight City prospered, with its population growing rapidly. Development had reached Islands 9–18, forming the Second Island Chain.
Luo Han continued his routine: training, controlling Sea Kings…
And indulging in nightlife.
That afternoon—
On the fourth-floor terrace of the villa, Luo Han sat with Akatsuki , Aishi , Aishi , and Sora, enjoying tea under the sun.
Bloop bloop!
Bloop bloop!
Suddenly, a Den Den Mushi rang.
Sora frowned and pulled a golden-haired, blue-eyed Den Den Mushi from her pocket.
"Hello?" she said. "What is it, Monica?"
"Lady Sora, we've located Vegapunk!"
"You found him?!" Sora's face lit up. "Where… No—wait, I'm coming to you!"
She turned to Luo Han. "Wanna come listen?"
"Let's go."
Luo Han stood and smiled. With a thought, he and Sora vanished.
Akatsuki and the others kept sipping tea, unfazed by their sudden departure.
Island 7.
In the intelligence office, Sora and Luo Han reappeared.
Thump!
Luo Han flopped onto a couch.
Sora leaned against him, resting her head on his chest.
Thanks to two years of physical evolution, Luo Han's lifespan had increased significantly. He now looked like a 27- or 28-year-old mAnne and stood at a modest three meters.
"Monica, come in," Sora said into the Den Den Mushi. "We're in the office."
"Yes, ma'am."
Click-clack, click-clack!
The sound of high heels echoed down the hallway.
Bang!
The door opened. A tall, blonde, blue-eyed beauty strode in.
"Oh! Lord Luo Han, you're here too!" Monica beamed, quickly sitting to his left and leaning naturally against him.
Clearly, this wasn't the first time.
Luo Han, arm still around Sora, instinctively reached for that familiar softness on Monica's side.
No surprise—Monica, Sora's close assistant, had long been under Bie Tianshen's control. Beautiful and loyal, she often spiced up Luo Han's visits here.
Life, after all, was meant to be enjoyed.
"Give us the details," Sora said, sitting upright.
"Yes, Lady Sora."
Switching to her professional tone, Monica reported,
"Vegapunk is on an island in the New World, near the Calm Belt."
The Calm Belt?
Hadn't Luo Han already scanned that area while searching for the lanternfish? How had he missed a whole island?
She continued,
"Besides him, the island hosts several of the world's top scientists."
"They've come together for a terrifying project—which they recently completed!"
"But internal conflict led to a leak. That's how we learned their location."
"What project?" Luo Han asked, already guessing the answer.
"Bloodline Factor," Monica said. "A blueprint for life itself."
Then she added urgently,
"The World Government found out too. Just moments ago, intel confirmed that Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the rapidly rising Vice Admiral Kizaru are en route to the island."
"They're calling it… Science Island."
"Kizaru, huh?" Luo Han murmured, intrigued. "So we meet again… Monkey D. Kizaru."
"…"
"His name is Borsalino," Sora said, exasperated. "He's not Garp's son. And 'Kizaru' is a codename—not his real name."
She sighed. "Anyway, if the government already left, when are we going?"
"I'll go alone," Luo Han smiled. Then asked Monica, "Do you have a Vivre Card or Log Pose for the island?"
"No," she replied. "Security there is tight. Our agents could only dock at a nearby island."
She handed him a Vivre Card. "This belongs to one of the locals. With your power, it'll lead you straight to Vegapunk's island."
Luo Han accepted it and stood.
"Then I'm off."
Before Sora could reply, he vanished—reappearing high above Ark Island.
He checked the direction the Vivre Card pointed…
FWOOOSH!
He rocketed off like a supersonic missile.
...
At the same time—
In the New World.
Between G1 Base (soon to be the Marine Headquarters) and Vegapunk's island, three warships moved swiftly in a triangle formation.
Splash splash!
On the lead ship's bow stood three figures gazing toward the horizon.
Two were Sengoku and Kizaru.
The third was a slim, elegant woman whose aura rivaled—even surpassed—Kizaru's.
She spoke first. "Sengoku, this mission… feels risky."
"Yes, Tsuru," Sengoku sighed, narrowing his eyes. "We've heard Evernight City has been searching for Vegapunk for years. If they found out… I wonder who they'll send."
"Hopefully not him," Tsuru muttered—the future Chief Strategist of the Marines.
One Vegapunk wasn't worth Blue Demon acting personally.
And the World Government would never allow such a dangerous man to seize that kind of asset.
Joining them were three CP0 warships, led by their commander.
In terms of combat strength, their task force rivaled—perhaps surpassed—the top pirate crews.
But…
Against him?
That was another story.
Sengoku and Tsuru's faces showed concern.
Kizaru, meanwhile, was confused.
Why were Sengoku and Tsuru worried?
Was Blue Demon really that terrifying?
Over the years, Kizaru had fought Whitebeard and Golden Lion. They were strong—truly powerful.
But no stronger than Sengoku.
Could Blue Demon really be in a different league?
Kizaru wasn't convinced.
If that man showed up…
He'd let him taste light speed firsthand.
"Have you ever been kicked… at the speed of light?"
Smirking, Kizaru's iconic smile curled across his face.
(END CHAPTER)
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