Sakazuki was momentarily dazed.
Time had left its mark on Vegapunk, a testament to the universal experience of aging.
Sakazuki then realized that it had been nearly twenty years since he first met him, until now...
He was at an age where he could refer to himself as "old man"...
He shook his head and smiled:
"Then you should rest more."
"Right, where should this material be sent?"
Behind Sakazuki, four soldiers were carrying a bed-like device.
Inside was Boa Hancock, who had become a vegetable.
"Send it to the Research Institute, the Pacifista Project team."
After speaking, Vegapunk stepped forward first and looked through the glass on the device:
"Hmm... it doesn't seem as powerful as you say."
"Although very beautiful, it hasn't reached the point of petrifying people yet."
Sakazuki walked over and opened the lid:
"That's because of the Seastone."
He said, removing the Seastone chains that were pressing down on her.
Vegapunk's complexion instantly changed, and his body felt an uncontrollable sensation...
"Put it down quickly!"
Sakazuki smiled and casually dropped the Seastone chains:
"How does it feel?"
Vegapunk's expression was grim:
"It's terrifying."
"I personally believe my willpower is quite strong."
"But this feeling of losing control..."
"Hiss—"
"However... you are quite something."
"No mercy."
Vegapunk shook his head as he looked at Boa Hancock, whose limbs were clearly twisted and useless, despite being brought back...
Sakazuki smiled and said nothing, then gestured for the soldiers to carry her into the Research Institute.
Watching Boa Hancock being carried away by the soldiers, Vegapunk stood still with a furrowed brow.
Sakazuki looked confused:
"What's wrong?"
Vegapunk shook his head:
"Nothing..."
"I suddenly had a new idea."
"People have always unilaterally chosen to eat Devil Fruits."
"But why is this user of the Love-Love Fruit so powerful?"
"Does every Devil Fruit have a suitable user?"
"If the right person eats it, the Devil Fruit's power will be maximized."
"According to the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia."
"And the information I've found on past users of the Love-Love Fruit."
"None of them achieved such results..."
Vegapunk seemed possessed:
"For example, a strong person eating the Tiger-Tiger Fruit, a weak person eating the Rat-Rat Fruit."
"Someone inherently beautiful eating... the Love-Love Fruit then..."
"Talent bonus..."
"That's it! That's it!!!"
"Hahahahaha!"
With a new line of thought opened, countless inspirations burst forth:
"Sorry, Sakazuki!"
"I have to leave for a bit!!!"
Sakazuki pondered:
"It's fine, don't worry about it."
Watching Vegapunk sprint away, Sakazuki thought of something:
"Joyboy... the happy boy..."
So this was the key to awakening the government's forbidden fruit and becoming Joyboy...
Sakazuki let out a soft laugh:
"But... it doesn't matter anymore."
When the plan succeeds, no one will escape.
Everyone... will die!!!!!!!
----
A few days later.
East Blue, Foosha Village.
Luffy stood at the port, watching the busy members of the Red-Haired Pirates:
"You're leaving."
Shanks, his cloak covering his left arm and his right hand resting on the sword at his waist, sighed:
"Yes."
"We've been stationed here for a long time, and it's time to say goodbye."
"You'll be lonely from now on."
Luffy turned his head:
"I will be lonely."
"But I won't ask you to take me with you again."
"I've decided to become a pirate on my own!"
Shanks' lips curved upwards, and he suddenly made a funny face at Luffy:
"Pfft!"
"That's because I wouldn't take you anyway."
"And you?"
"Can you even be a pirate!"
"Hahahaha."
Luffy clenched his fists and shouted:
"Of course!!!"
"One day, I'll gather a crew of companions no less than yours."
"Find the world's greatest treasure."
"Become the Pirate King!!!"
Shanks looked at the boy determined to become the Pirate King:
"Is that so..."
"Then... I'll entrust this hat to you for safekeeping."
He placed the straw hat on Luffy's head:
"This is a very important hat to me."
"Cherish it well."
"When you become a great pirate."
"Come back and return it to me."
Luffy, hidden under the straw hat, choked out a 'yes'.
Tears continuously fell to the ground.
Shanks smiled and turned to board the ship:
"Yoi!!!"
"Set sail!!!"
Amidst the cheerful goodbyes, everyone waved goodbye to Luffy.
Luffy dared not look at them, only holding the straw hat to cover his face.
It wasn't until the Red-Haired Pirates' ship completely disappeared on the sea.
That Luffy dared to take off the straw hat, revealing his reddened eyes and a face full of reluctance:
"I will, Shanks!!!"
He shouted into the empty sea...
------
Evening.
An unknown sea, the Red-Haired Pirates.
Nothing was more important than eating, and everyone was feasting and having fun in the banquet hall.
The boisterous laughter even startled the birds away.
At the stern railing of the Red Force, Shanks gazed in the direction of Foosha Village for a long time.
Benn Beckman walked out from the cabin:
"I knew you'd be here."
He walked beside Shanks, resting his elbows on the railing:
"Hoo—"
A smoke ring slowly appeared, and Beckman turned to look at Shanks:
"Why did you do that?"
"Was it worth it?"
Shanks smiled:
"What was worth it?"
Beckman said:
"Don't play dumb, I'm talking about your arm."
Shanks placed his right hand on his severed arm, which still ached faintly:
"Of course..."
"I've bet everything on 'it'."
"We will meet again in the New World..."
Beckman, not discerning the difference between 'it' and 'him', said:
"Although I agree with Luffy."
"I don't believe just that would make you give up an arm."
"What are you hiding..."
Shanks suddenly interrupted him, pulling him towards the cabin:
"Don't mind it."
"There will be a day when the answer is revealed anyway."
"Want to make a bet? I bet I'll win."
"How about the bet being that bottle of sake you've been cherishing!!!"
"Hahahaha."
Ignoring Beckman's struggle:
"Hey, hey, your smoke is falling off!"
He pulled him into the cabin...
No one knew what Shanks was thinking, not even his closest friend Beckman.
Before entering the cabin.
Shanks glanced one last time in the direction of Foosha Village.
If will could indeed reside as recorded, then he might have been influenced without realizing it.
That's why he had been so conflicted and hadn't eaten that fruit.
Is it because 'it' didn't choose me...
If that's the case...
Shanks turned and looked towards the cabin.
A smile appeared on his lips:
"Yoi!"
"Let's have a feast!!!"