Chapter 463: The Betrayed
In the deep sea outside Fish-Man Island, Brett calmly listened as Ashier detailed the Pure Gold extraction method.
Though he didn't understand much due to his lack of scientific knowledge, that didn't matter. Someone understood, and with Dr. Vegapunk around, that man could definitely handle it.
However, even though Brett didn't think Ashier would deceive him now, he still maintained his Observation Haki throughout, reading Ashier's thoughts.
It wasn't distrust. This matter was simply too important.
"Thank you very much!"
After Ashier finished explaining the complete extraction method to Brett, Brett solemnly expressed his gratitude.
"No, I'm the one who should be thanking you, Brett-san."
Ashier was equally solemn.
"In that case, let's call it even."
Tesoro rolled his eyes. These two were being endlessly polite.
"Indeed."
Brett's lips curved. "Then let's consider it mutually canceled. Nobody owes anyone. Just a normal friendship."
"Friends?"
Ashier froze slightly.
"Of course we already are."
Brett chuckled lightly. "However, if you go to the surface, don't tell others about this relationship. The Government and I don't have the best relations."
Probably more than just "not the best," right? Didn't you say you'd go to war with the Government?
Ashier sighed inwardly, but his face showed a bright smile. "It's my honor!"
"Haha, today's a good day! Let's go, Ashier, and see Fish-Man Island!"
Brett accelerated forward with the three, heading toward Fish-Man Island. "The current Fish-Man Island is completely different from two hundred years ago."
"I look forward to it."
Ashier sniffled. "In my era, Fish-Man Island had only just joined the World Government."
"That was two hundred years ago."
Brett said calmly. "Actually, even after joining the World Government, Fish-Man Island's situation didn't change at all. Not until now."
It's been so long already.
This world has become completely unfamiliar.
Ashier sighed inwardly.
However.
He looked down at his daughter sleeping in his arms.
Ashier's lips curved slightly.
It doesn't matter.
As long as Olga stays by his side, nothing else matters.
As long as she's safe and sound, this world is still beautiful.
Brett's lips also curved gently.
The most sincere emotions between people are always moving.
"Director Brett!"
Amid his subordinates' enthusiastic greetings, Brett brought everyone into Fish-Man Island.
Setting the father-daughter pair and Tesoro on the ground, Brett said, "I need to find the Doctor first. Tesoro, you take Ashier and Olga to the hospital for treatment."
"Please!"
Ashier immediately bowed deeply to Tesoro.
"Leave it to me."
Tesoro didn't mind.
"After that, have Tesoro arrange for someone to show you around Fish-Man Island."
Brett said to Ashier.
"I can't wait."
The old father smiled with narrowed eyes.
"Then, see you later."
Brett departed immediately.
His destination was Vegapunk's laboratory.
His speed was like lightning. Before long, he'd already arrived at Dr. Vegapunk's laboratory deep within the Sea Forest.
Vegapunk's laboratory was what Brett had moved entirely from Punk Hazard. It just needed various supporting facilities connected before it could be put to use.
After so much time, it was naturally operational now.
Brett barged directly into the laboratory.
The two Doctors and Judge were gathered around a giant egg, busy with something.
Looking carefully though, it wasn't an egg but a head. Vegapunk's head.
"Brett?"
Clone Vegapunk turned around, somewhat displeased. "You're really rude. Can't you notify us before entering?"
"Sorry, sorry."
Brett perfunctorily apologized with sincerity. "But this is very important."
"Very important?"
The old man, who now had an apple-tip-like cover on his head, also turned around. He said with interest, "If little Brett says it's very important, it must truly be important."
"Well..."
Brett first glanced at Judge, his eyes widening slightly.
Between invisible pressure swelling, Judge had already collapsed.
"Is such secrecy necessary?"
Clone Vegapunk was somewhat surprised.
Brett casually waved his hand. A sphere wrapped in flame clouds flew over.
Then the clouds receded, and brilliant radiance immediately burst forth.
"Oh! So dazzling!!"
The old man danced around, shielding his eyes with his hands. "Is it the sun? Little Brett, did you package up the sun?"
Clone Vegapunk had already approached. "Is it metal? Looks like gold?"
"Gold?"
The old man approached, touching and poking the golden sphere. "The texture really is gold."
"Brett?"
Both turned around simultaneously.
"It's Pure Gold."
Brett said.
"Pure Gold?" The old man froze.
Clone Vegapunk also paused. "The legendary one?"
"If there isn't a second Pure Gold legend." Brett said.
"Oh!!"
Both immediately turned back, their eyes unable to contain anything else.
"The metal legendarily capable of granting eternal life."
The old man stroked the Pure Gold sphere almost obsessively. "It truly exists."
"So Brett."
Clone Vegapunk didn't look back. "You want us to reverse-engineer the Pure Gold extraction method?"
"No."
Brett shook his head. "Actually, I already know the extraction method. I just hope the Doctors can verify it and clarify exactly what its effects are, whether there are any side effects."
"Oh!!"
Thus both men's eyes were already glowing. "So Brett, what's the extraction method?!"
At the same moment, somewhere in the New World, at the Navy Science Division's new research base.
"Aaah!!"
A man with yellow skin and a dorsal fin on his back was screaming.
His entire body convulsed. Even though his body was fixed to a metal operating table, his continuously contracting muscles still caused the entire table to shake.
"Ah ah, so this is how two different Lineage Factors combine?"
The floating man completely ignored the man's screams. He grinned while recording something in a notebook. "No, I should say the human Lineage Factor is being assimilated! Hahaha, isn't this principle similar to my artificial Devil Fruit approach?"
"Hehehehe, I think I've got an idea! Vegapunk, just watch. My experimental plan will definitely be more perfect than yours!"
"You bastard, stop! Do you know what you're doing?"
In the corner, another similarly bound man was currently furious. "We're Navy!! How can you do this to us?"
"Navy? Shulololololo, who knows? The Government has already denied your existence. And did you forget who transferred you here?"
The man's gaze gradually grew dim.
They were betrayed, weren't they?
"Shulololololo! Just cooperate with my experiments obediently! The world will thank you for your contribution!"