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Overnight, the entire world underwent earth-shattering changes.
Aside from the Red Line, people all over the world lived on islands. As the sea level dropped by a full ten meters, most islands expanded to an astonishing degree.
Preliminary estimates suggested that the total area of islands worldwide had more than doubled. Some, like Wano Country, were unaffected, while others, like Tequila Wolf, merged into continents, increasing their land area by hundreds or even thousands of times.
In the early morning, the sun rose.
People from all regions flocked to the new coastlines, staring blankly at the new land covered in puddles. After a moment, they all returned home to grab buckets and other tools.
"So many fish!"
As the seawater receded, in addition to the endless land, there were also large quantities of stranded fish, shrimp, and other marine resources.
They were going to forage on the beach!
Besides collecting fish, they also wanted to see how far the new land extended.
Egghead.
The lower level was almost destroyed, but the Research Layer above remained intact. Under Vegapunk's control, the Research Layer, which was held up by the island clouds, successfully detached from the lower level and floated into the sky.
Next, the Research Layer would enter a floating mode, drifting with the wind and able to travel anywhere.
"This way, it's safe."
In the central control room, Vegapunk and his satellites breathed a sigh of relief.
"Where is York?"
"She led the Seraphim and escaped with Kizaru."
"Alas, this is our own fault."
The sudden betrayal of "Greed" truly caught them off guard. No one expected themselves to betray themselves.
But the incident had already occurred, and fortunately, the most important Research Layer was not destroyed, and the fusion reactor and brain were also well preserved.
As long as the Research Layer existed, Egghead could be rebuilt.
"Click!"
Daichi entered the room, already dressed in new clothes.
Vegapunk and his satellites immediately came forward, expressing their gratitude. "Daichi-san, thank you for your help this time."
"No need to thank me."
Daichi waved his hand.
"Just work for me for the rest of your life."
"..."
The Vegapunks were speechless.
What a realistic answer!
However, scientific research required money. Without funding from the World Government, the only force that could support them in utilizing their full intellectual capacity was the Hoenn Government.
They had no other choice.
Daichi sat down, crossing his legs.
"I heard about the situation. What impact does York's escape have?"
"There is some, but it's not a major problem."
Vegapunk explained.
His brain, "Punk Records," was equivalent to a supercomputer and could transmit signals via brainwaves, meaning York could potentially reconnect to "Punk Records" and steal knowledge.
But without the Research Layer, York, relying on her own computing power, would be unable to create the Mother Flame for at least two years, so her capabilities were limited.
Therefore, there was an impact, but it wasn't significant.
"Hmm, that's fine then."
Daichi nodded slightly.
He actually knew early on that one of Vegapunk's satellites would betray him, but this was a good thing for him, as it could push Vegapunk into his camp.
Furthermore, this was his first meeting with Vegapunk. It would be too ridiculous to tell the other party that there was a traitor among "themselves" without ever meeting them, as he didn't know when York would betray them.
If York couldn't cause trouble within two years, there was no need to worry.
"Doctor, next I need you to research a topic."
"What?"
Vegapunk was a little nervous.
Is it a weapon? It must be a weapon!
He knew all too well that these powerful figures only knew how to develop weapons and wage wars, caring nothing for world peace.
"I have raised the land, but those lands that emerged from the sea have been soaked in seawater for a long time, and the salinization is quite severe, making them unsuitable for farming."
"I need you to research how to improve soil properties, turning these saline-alkali lands into fertile farmland, or to develop new crop varieties that can adapt to these lands."
"Ah?!"
All the Vegapunks were stunned, completely unexpected that Daichi would propose such a research project that would benefit all humanity.
They hadn't even thought of this. His thoughts were too meticulous, weren't they?
"Jiehahahaha!"
Daichi smiled brightly.
His Groudon Company had already spread throughout the world with the Hoenn settlements, ready to contact and negotiate with local administrators at any time.
Limited by technology, most countries were basically unable to deal with saline-alkali soil, so his Groudon Company could contract and develop it at a low price.
Moreover, since he was the one who raised the land, those newly added lands, in terms of reason and logic, should rightfully belong to him!
If anyone refused, he would beat them!
"Oh, by the way, can the Mother Flame still be separated?"
"Yes, but..."
Vegapunk nodded.
He already understood that Daichi relied on the power of the Mother Flame for crustal movement, and only with the Mother Flame could he continue to raise the continents.
"The Mother Flame can separate three flames at a time. Two have already been consumed, and one more can be separated."
"After that, the fusion reactor will need to be placed in a suitable location, allowing the Mother Flame to rest and replenish energy, which will take about a month."
Normally, the Mother Flame's energy was inexhaustible, with replenishment speed greater than consumption, but no amount of energy was enough for Daichi and the Ancient Weapon to mess around like this.
Who messed with the world like this?
"Hmm, alright."
Daichi nodded slightly.
This meant one Mother Flame every 10 days, including resting time, so in a year, the land could be restored to its state 800 years ago.
Completely sufficient.
The problem was that raising the continent by 10 meters was enough to keep the entire world busy for several years. If the continent were raised in a short period, could people adapt to such a significant geographical change?
There was also the environmental issue.
He only wanted to reclaim land from the sea, not destroy the world.
Several days later, the island clouds drifted above the Hoenn Research Institute.
The research institute was built according to the blueprints of Punk Hazard. While it couldn't compare to Egghead, it was still a first-class research institute with very complete basic research equipment.
It was enough for Vegapunk and the other scientific researchers to use.
When enemies meet, their eyes burn with rage.
"Vegapunk!"
Queen, Caesar, Judge.
The new MADS trio, seeing Vegapunk arrive, all had ferocious expressions and almost lost control and went berserk.
"Lifelong enemy" Vegapunk!
Vegapunk was also a little surprised to see the trio.
"It's you three scumbags!"
"Bastards!"
The three were furious.
"Stop arguing."
Daichi spoke coldly. "Haven't you always wanted to surpass Vegapunk? Now he's here, and your chance has come."
"..."
The three exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up.
Oh right, wasn't this their best chance to defeat Vegapunk, and they even prepared a trump card!
"The island clouds will temporarily stay here."
"You all get along well, and don't cause me any trouble."
"I still have matters to attend to."
After a few words of advice, Daichi returned to the Hoenn Fortress. He had just received news from Hajrudin that Elbaf had suffered an almost devastating blow.
Dorry the Blue Ogre, Brogy the Red Ogre, and a large number of Giants were all turned into Ancient Giants by the Knights of God.
Hajrudin was also in Elbaf, fighting a duel with Dorry and Brogy to inherit the captain position of the Giant Warrior Pirates.
The sudden change interrupted his duel with the two captains. In the end, he escaped Elbaf with children and some Giants.
Now, Elbaf had become a demon fortress.
"Supreme Commander!"
Inside the fortress, seeing Daichi return, the soldiers immediately straightened their chests, their eyes filled with an unprecedented fanaticism, completely different from before.
Daichi could feel that the soldiers' attitude toward him had changed. Before, it was reverence. Now, it was more like faith.
It was as if they regarded him as a god.