Vegapunk recorded the image before it dissipated, then remembered something else and asked, "Where's the ship? If you don't bring the ship here, how am I supposed to upgrade it?"
Hera observed the size of the space and felt it was large enough. The argo and the ark emerged together from the City of Devouring Time, quickly filling the room.
Vegapunk became even more curious about Hera's ability; he also wanted the power to store a large amount of items, but his love for science led him to observe the ark first.
The entire golden construction of the ark dazzled Kizaru: "A ship made of so much gold? What a waste."
Hera said, "The Rumble-Rumble Fruit can melt gold, and gold has better conductivity. The God on the Sky Island must have taken that into account when building it."
Then Hera made her request: "I want the argo to be like the ark, able to fly using the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. Also, I hope the training room inside can be updated. For the materials, it's best if the conductivity is no weaker than gold while being harder, and don't let others see the difference."
Vegapunk recorded Hera's requirements and nodded: "That's simple. I've researched new alloys that can guarantee conductivity while also having impressive strength."
Then he asked, "Is there any style for the appearance? Should I make it pink for you, with a cute style?"
Hera thought about herself piloting a cute little pink ship and feared she would be laughed at before the battle even started with other pirates. She quickly stopped him: "It should be black and red or white. No cute style, it should have a Marine feel."
Then she asked a bit nervously, "We can only stay for two days. Can it be done?"
Vegapunk said confidently, "It won't take two days. These modifications can be done within a day." Edison, representing 'Thought', walked over and took the two ships away.
Looking at Vegapunk's clones, Hera couldn't help but remind him, "Are you really that at ease with your clones? Especially since they represent different thoughts."
Vegapunk was somewhat puzzled by Hera's thoughts: "How could my own brain clones betray me?"
Hera thought of Kurumi's clones in Date A Live and complained, "Let alone your brain clones, even your past self can't be completely trusted."
"I've heard of a future self returning to the past to kill their past self before." The image of a certain Red-clad Male God appeared in Hera's mind.
Seeing that Vegapunk still had no reaction, Hera couldn't help but remind him: "For example, what if a certain clone representing 'Desire' wants to become the only Vegapunk, or wants to become one of the Celestial Dragons?"
Kizaru's expression also became solemn. The example Hera gave was too specific, as if she had seen something.
Vegapunk also realized the seriousness of the problem. He hadn't considered this before, but now Hera's words pointed out a possibility. He subconsciously followed that line of thought and quickly realized something.
Without looking back, he walked to a certain laboratory and began experimenting, his eyes focused on the console. He didn't forget to tell Kizaru and Hera: "I have some things to verify. You two go back first. Your ship will be upgraded by tomorrow."
Having settled his mind, Vegapunk had no energy to deal with the two of them and only wanted to reach a conclusion as soon as possible. Seeing this, Hera dove back into Kizaru's shadow and left.
After Kizaru walked out, his friend and the constant guard, Sentomaru, asked curiously, "Don't you usually fly around? How do you have the time to walk?"
Kizaru chuckled: "I've flown too much and wanted to walk a bit to see the changes on this island."
Sentomaru sighed with emotion: "Yeah, this place looks like a different world compared to the outside."
Hera also nodded in the shadows. Many villages in the East Blue were still in the agricultural age, while this place looked like the electrical age. The gap was truly too large. She wondered if she could get some things to help improve other places.
Hera's thoughts drifted far away, and she suddenly thought of something. If done well, it could connect the oceans into one. She silently noted the matter of the sea train in her mind.
"When things in the East Blue are over, I'll go promote the sea train project. I wonder how Tesoro is doing over there."
Hera's thoughts gradually strayed, causing Kizaru's shadow to flicker slightly. Suddenly, Hera felt a chill; it was Kizaru reminding her. She quickly pulled her thoughts back.
Sentomaru saw Kizaru's shadow tilt slightly, but he didn't care, assuming it was just the sunlight. He was still excitedly wanting to spar with Kizaru.
After getting away from Sentomaru, Kizaru returned to his room, and Hera emerged from the shadow.
Kizaru looked at Hera curiously. After today's events, he no longer saw Hera simply as Garp's granddaughter but was curious about her as an individual.
Whether it was the bizarre deaths of the Celestial Dragons after she landed on the island—how could Kizaru, as an Admiral, not link the abnormalities of Rayleigh and Issho with the assassinated Celestial Dragons? Thinking carefully, the one who benefited most in the end was the Marine faction led by Hera.
Not only did it strike at the prestige of the Celestial Dragons, but it also took the opportunity to clear the slave traders on the Sabaody Archipelago and gained the goodwill of Fish-Man Island. Now, she had precisely pointed out Vegapunk's problem.
One must know that no one told Hera that Edison was Vegapunk's clone, nor did anyone tell her there was a clone representing 'Desire'. Even he himself wasn't clear on exactly how many clones Vegapunk had.
It was as if this girl could truly see a part of the future. Kizaru couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked, "How did you know Vegapunk has several clones?"
Under Hera's feet, the phantom of Zafkiel's giant clock face emerged. Hera pointed at herself and revealed a smile: "Does that even need to be said? Of course, it's because I saw the future."
The setting sun outside shone through the window into the room. The girl's sweet smile was reflected against the twilight sky. The giant black and red phantom covered the floor. The sunset placed the girl in a blood-red light, like a nightmare smiling in hell, showing her masterpiece to others.
Kizaru shook his head, casting the thoughts out of his mind. No matter what Hera was like, her identity as a Marine wouldn't change. He sighed from the bottom of his heart, "This is truly a terrifying ability."
Soon it was the next day. Hera repeated her trick, hiding in the shadow to meet Vegapunk.
The modified argo was already parked there. The gold from the Sky Island ark had been completely melted into a new alloy. The new argo was dark gold overall, looking extremely domineering, with occasional platinum stripes as accents.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!
