Because he possessed the most powerful brain, not only could he comprehend advanced technology, but he also saw through worldly affairs and interest-driven relationships with perfect clarity.
Even so, he still had to admit the power of money was truly difficult to resist.
Especially when it ca from soone strong.
Even Vegapunk himself—hadn’t he been controlled by the World Governnt through the very sa ans?
Of course,
Vegapunk’s suspicions weren’t unfounded either.
If the funding for the Revolutionary Army were to fall under the control of Orin, the king of the underworld, and their own strength was insufficient to challenge Orin...
Then things would get very interesting.
Would this "Revolutionary Army" still belong to Dragon?
Or had it already beco Orin’s army?
The key point was that Orin and the World Governnt currently maintained friendly relations. He was even the heir to the throne of a World Governnt-affiliated kingdom.
A shadowy manipulator uninterested in world domination—choosing to bet on both sides.
Would the old guard World Governnt crush the upstarts?
Or would the newborn power overthrow a decaying regi?
So hard to say...
But either way, it probably wouldn’t be a loss.
After resolving the issue with Dragon, Orin turned his attention to Vegapunk beside him.
"Well then... Dr. Vegapunk, do you need financial support?"
"This..."
Vegapunk hesitated. Mainly because, while Orin’s smile appeared gentle, it gave him a deeply unsettling feeling.
As if he were making a deal with the devil.
In fact, the sense of unease surpassed even what he felt dealing with the World Governnt.
"You should think carefully. Unlimited funding, you know—just let make use of so research results in return. Don’t worry, the World Governnt won’t find out~"
Orin spoke persuasively, because he understood— what unlimited funding ant to a scientist.
To put it bluntly... it was like throwing a 30-year-old virgin into a red-light district with everything free for a limited ti.
Once the condition was t, it was impossible not to wear oneself out completely.
As expected, after a brief mont of hesitation, Vegapunk once again gave in to the temptation.
He even considered, if only for a second, betraying the World Governnt and throwing in with Orin instead.
After all, the Heavenly Tribute collected by the World Governnt mostly went to the Celestial Dragons and Marine military budgets. While there was research funding, it wasn’t unlimited.
But Orin was different—wealthy beyond belief, treating money like trash. In fact, his thods of raking in cash across the seas were even more ruthless than those of the World Governnt.
He was simply the dream patron of every scientific researcher.
And the first task Orin entrusted to Vegapunk— was to upgrade the black gun on his person.
"No need to turn it into a laser weapon. Just make it feel better to handle, give it longer range, and of course, don’t worry about recoil."
No joke—there probably wasn’t a gun in existence that Orin couldn’t control. In fact, if it didn’t look so ridiculous, even lugging around a ship cannon, his monstrous strength could easily suppress the recoil.
As for Vegapunk’s future funding, Orin would have people deliver it at irregular intervals.
With such massive financial backing, if any breakthrough tech ca out of it, Vegapunk promised Orin would be one of the first users—on par with the World Governnt.
For instance...
"Orin-san, there’s a research project I’m wondering if you might be interested in."
"Hm?" Orin looked over as Vegapunk took the gun from him.
Hearing that sudden question, he couldn’t help being curious.
"This is just a preliminary concept... a small breakthrough related to cloning technology."
Ever since Stussy was created, Vegapunk had continued to pursue a more perfect cloning process.
For example, inheriting the power of the original subject, adding certain unique racial traits, and perhaps even incorporating the early-stage results of Devil Fruit research...
"If you’re willing, the being created from your blood might beco the pinnacle of this technology!"
Upon hearing this,
Orin imdiately understood everything. His expression turned strange.
A Seraphim "Orin"?
Inheriting Orin’s current talents and Devil Fruit abilities, and then adding the genetic advantages of the Lunarian race?
With Orin’s innate gifts, combined with the Lunarians’ terrifying regeneration and defense, he’d be practically flawless.
A ten-year-old with the power to rival an Admiral?
Might even surpass him soday...
Forget it. He didn’t like the idea of soone parading around the seas with his handso face,
way too awkward.
"Let’s talk about that later. Show successful results first."
And so, Orin decided to put it off for now.
Vegapunk also understood. After all, it was natural to be skeptical about a project with no proven results yet.
Everything was progressing even more smoothly than Orin had expected.
Maybe it was because he’d thrown in too much money, or because the power gap was too large.
Everything felt harmonious.
Watching Dragon and Vegapunk’s team tally up the Belly,
Mihawk showed no interest. Instead, he asked Orin directly:
"Well then... where are we going next?"
"Next, huh..."
Orin thought for a mont, pulled a Den Den Mushi out of his coat, and made a call.
"That depends on whether Morgans has disappointed , his new boss."
Click.
"How’s that matter I asked you to handle going, Morgans?"
"Orin-sama! Are you referring to those other underworld figures, or...?"
"All of them."
"Right... quite a few underworld giants agreed to submit—Umit, for example...
But there were also so who refused. They said Orin is nothing! That there were major interests involved with truly big players, and they didn’t dare offend those people."
"Oh?" Orin raised an eyebrow with interest and asked slowly,
"Big players, huh? Who exactly?"
When Morgans heard Orin ask that, he instantly perked up. His bird face lit up with a wicked grin.
Finally, he asked~
Hahahahaha~
Just rembering how, when he made those calls, people mocked him for becoming Orin’s lapdog, saying he’d gone soft— he’d been furious.
But as angry as he was back then, he was just as smug now.
Those country bumpkins could never compete with soone like him who dealt in intelligence.
They had no idea how terrifying Orin truly was—not like those rats who only knew how to hide in their dens.
Of course, Morgans and his people could deal with the minor ones themselves. But there were still many they couldn’t touch:
"There are quite a few, Orin-sama... The most frequently ntioned na— is soone who seems to be rising as a new hegemon in the New World... Forr captain of the Rocks Pirates— Charlotte Linlin!!!"
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