The sun tree eve is a divine tree as famous as the Treasure Tree Adam, and it is even far rarer. In the entire world, only this one remains.
From this point alone, only the "Tree of Knowledge" that was destroyed in Ohara can compare to it.
When Taro was on Fish-Man Island, he had seen this sun tree eve; the intense light emitted from its massive roots was the source of sunlight for Fish-Man Island.
And now, Dr. Vegapunk's research institute was located inside the Red Line, in the middle section of the sun tree eve.
Did this mean that this sun tree eve vertically pierced through the entire Red Line?
If that were the case, then its canopy would be in the Holy Land Mary Geoise?
He had flown over the Red Line several times; why hadn't he noticed this?
Was his vision and detection blocked by some kind of alternate space?
In an instant, Taro's mind raced with a hundred thoughts. He felt that by coming here today, he seemed to have touched upon some of the world's secrets.
The Pangaea Castle where that "Lord Imu" resided, that Secret Garden, and the hidden history of the uranus!
His heart thudded wildly, and his breathing became heavy and hurried!
Sentomaru could well understand Taro's feelings; he had felt the same way the first time he came to this place.
Taro took a few deep breaths to calm his emotions. "My teacher, Zephyr, was here not long ago, right?"
Sentomaru shook his head. "No, Dr. Vegapunk was in Marijoa at the time! Head Instructor Zefa went there to meet the doctor!"
"Oh?" Taro's mind stirred as he silently calculated the time.
The period Vegapunk went to Marijoa highly coincided with the time of the duel between the two Admirals.
And since Punk Hazard was Vegapunk's former research institute, combined with Aokiji's attitude, Taro wouldn't believe it even if he were beaten to death if there wasn't some connection here!
"What did they talk about?" Taro asked.
Sentomaru frowned as he thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"They didn't talk about much, just simple greetings. Then, the doctor had me hand over a squad of pacifist to Head Instructor Zefa, that's all!"
Taro nodded. This batch of pacifist must be the ones that followed Zephyr in the original story.
"Clack, clack."
Two crisp sounds rang out. As the warship approached the island, two jetties with a strong metallic aesthetic extended from the island.
Sentomaru and Taro disembarked side by side, with the squad of pacifist following closely behind.
The jetties were automatic tracks like those in Marijoa, carrying the massive bodies of the pacifist steadily forward.
The metal jetties extended all the way to the largest research institute on the island. Outside the institute were two buildings that looked like massive warehouses.
A heavy metal door on each building opened automatically, and a smaller automatic track appeared, diverting the pacifist standing behind the two men.
Taro noticed that inside the buildings, countless robotic arms were twisting. On unknown instruments, various colored indicator lights flashed. Within the neat, grid-like spaces, even more pacifist were being assembled and serviced.
"That's the manufacturing workshop for the pacifist. It's now entirely handled by machines," Sentomaru explained, noticing Taro's gaze.
"How many people are in the doctor's research institute?" Taro asked out of curiosity.
"Are you talking about the researchers?" Sentomaru patted his round belly.
"There are fewer than ten actual researchers. Not many people in this world can keep up with Dr. Vegapunk's train of thought."
"Even those few researchers only perform simple, auxiliary work!"
"As for combat personnel, there aren't many either, and the number is constantly decreasing. Having the pacifist is enough!"
Taro nodded. Two years later, these seemingly "artificially retarded" pacifist might not be enough, but for now, they were sufficient.
Two years later, Vegapunk's research would have made significant progress. That "SSG" unit could make Fujitora determined to abolish the Seven Warlords of the Sea system; its combat power could well be imagined.
"We're here. Go in by yourself!"
The automatic track stopped in front of the largest metal door. Sentomaru gestured for him to enter.
"The doctor doesn't like crowds. I'll wait for you outside!"
Taro said his thanks and took a step forward.
"Scanning..."
"Marine Headquarters Direct Subordinate, Serial Number 00233, Vice Admiral Taro, temporary visitor clearance confirmed!"
"Hum~"
The metal door slowly opened. Both sides were filled with various equipment, leaving only a passage in the middle.
Taro walked down the passage. The sense of high technology inside left him dumbfounded. Even with the knowledge of two lifetimes and having seen many sci-fi movies, he was still amazed.
Incredible!
As a country bumpkin, only these words were in Taro's mind!
It wasn't that he couldn't find other adjectives, but no other adjective was as fitting as these!
"Oh, you must be Taro. Come, take a seat!"
At the end of the passage, the space seemed to widen. A voice full of vigor came over, possessing a kind of penetrating power that directly gripped Taro's mind!
Taro unconsciously quickened his pace. As he stepped out of the passage and into that circular open space, he felt his Internal Energy fluctuate, as if it had broken through something.
He quickly scanned his surroundings. It was a space about half the size of a football field, with some consoles neatly distributed throughout. The surrounding walls were also composed of various instruments, yet it was empty of people.
"Dr. Vegapunk, where are you?" Taro frowned and shouted.
For a long time, there was no response. Taro asked again, "Hey, Doctor, are you there?"
"Creak!"
On the floor in front of Taro, two metal floorboards slid to the sides. A chair rose from below, and then the metal floorboards closed again, returning to their original state.
That voice rang out again.
"Oh, you must be Taro. Come, take a seat!"
Lines of black appeared on Taro's forehead. Was this a damn pre-set program?
He stared at the chair for a long time without finding anything unusual.
However, this was Vegapunk's laboratory; he didn't dare touch anything.
Who knew if the chair made by this miraculous scientist had some hidden trick!
I'm just here to ask some questions, not to be a guinea pig!
Ultimately, Taro made up his mind to just stand there, not touching anything or moving anymore.
After an unknown amount of time, some movement finally came from above the laboratory.
A metal rod extended straight down. With a "click," a metal buckle appeared on the floor at the right moment, firmly securing the metal rod.
Immediately after, a buzzing sound rang out, and a large object resembling a nutrient tank slowly descended along the metal rod.
The nutrient tank was filled with a light green, somewhat turbid, unknown liquid.
"Gurgle, gurgle."
Bubbles rose in the liquid as it flowed away to who-knows-where, receding rapidly to reveal a person inside!
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