With Vegapunk proving so efficient, Dante didn't need to say much. He simply waved a hand, granting Mock, a vacation, as he had been crushed under the weight of mandatory training.
He told the kid to take Vegapunk out for a good time and enjoy the special perks of the Marine 16th Branch.
And... everything was reimbursable!
Moved to tears, Mock clung tightly to Dante's leg, shouting with deep affection, "Boss!"
Sure enough, the Boss still loved him.
Just yesterday, he had been stripped of his right to visit Romance Dawn, but today the punishment was revoked, and he could even expense the trip. What more was there to say? He guaranteed the mission would be accomplished! After greeting Bonney, he planned to take the Light Bulb... No, he should be called Apple Man now, out to live it up.
Mock was already well-versed in arranging such excursions.
Of course, hearing that they were off to do something fun, the fully recovered Bonney's eyes lit up. She hoped to tag along, but was promptly stopped by a silent Kuma on the grounds that she was too young.
Although Bonney was terribly curious, she listened to her father, even if she was a little disappointed.
Law, who had been busy assisting Vegapunk all night, was also invited by Mock. After acting slightly reserved for a moment, he agreed to go along with a flat expression.
According to him, he wasn't interested in Romance Dawn, he had merely heard his crewmates were there. Since he hadn't seen them in days, he was just dropping by to say hello.
But Mock punctured this excuse immediately. "I get it. After all, I go there to 'entertain clients' too!"
Law's face turned red, and he urged Mock to hurry up and leave.
As for the other two marginal figures in the Laboratory, Wapol and Enel... Wapol, who had effectively become Vegapunk's Deputy, could only watch with envy.
He had been locked up for a long time, he wanted to go out and see the world too.
However...
Now that he knew so many secrets, how could Dante easily let a guy like him out?
Of course, Dante still had to paint a hopeful picture, telling him that as long as he worked honestly, he 'might' gain his freedom in the future. Emphasis on 'might'.
But if he wasn't honest? Based on what Wapol knew now, they would have to kill him and let Vegapunk figure out a way to extract his ability.
Then, Dante sinisterly produced an Artificial Devil Fruit, deliberately implying that Vegapunk might already possess a method to extract the powers of an Ability User.
This scared Wapol so badly his face turned white. He hurriedly nodded, guaranteeing absolute obedience to the organization's arrangements.
Although the man had a black heart and ruthless hands, he was also a coward who feared death. He bullied the weak and feared the strong, a little threat was all it took.
On the other hand, Enel... was still the same. When he saw Mock enter, he glared at him. After Mock left, he calmly lay back down in the Energy Extraction Pod specifically built for him.
He looked much thinner, and his eyes lacked the spirit they held when he first arrived.
The fact that Vegapunk had been able to research all sorts of chaotic inventions recently was really thanks to this Thunder God!
Dante couldn't help but sigh with internal sympathy. But after that brief moment of pity, he paid it no more mind and turned his head to look at Bonney.
His visit this time, besides checking on Vegapunk's progress, was to check on her.
After this period of treatment and observation, Bonney was fine. From now on, she could live under the sun and the moonlight just like a normal person.
After receiving Kuma's tear-stained gratitude yet again, Dante waved his hand and prepared to hold a Rebirth Banquet for Bonney.
To celebrate Bonney's new life!
This made Bonney dance with joy. She couldn't wait to attend the party, especially since it was her party.
Robin had already made the arrangements. By the time they brought Bonney over, the banquet began immediately.
Even Mock and Vegapunk, who were originally heading to Romance Dawn, paused for a bit. They decided to attend Bonney's banquet first and go party later.
According to the Romance Dawn expert (Mock) the night life at Romance Dawn was much more comfortable anyway! As for Law... naturally, he came too, bringing the crew of the Heart Pirates along with him.
Sure enough.
The Heart Pirates did not recognize Vegapunk's true identity.
The photos of Vegapunk published in the World Government's newspapers were old pictures featuring his giant light bulb head. Who would guess that the current Vegapunk had sliced off his own cranium?
Coupled with the fact that face-blindness is a common affliction on the sea, Vegapunk, having lost his signature trait, would likely not be recognized by anyone who wasn't a close acquaintance.
Of course, that wasn't certain either.
It was possible that even close acquaintances wouldn't recognize the current Vegapunk.
After all, in this vast sea, even partners who have traveled together for a long time can mistake each other for someone else.
Soon, the banquet officially began.
Amidst everyone's blessings, Bonney, the guest of honor, wept with emotion. Biting her lower lip, she expressed her sincere gratitude to everyone.
She thanked her father, thanked Dante-nii, Robin-nee, Nami-nee, Kuina-nee, and Vivi-nee, as well as the Grandpa Lamphead, Uncle Mock, Catwalk Guy, and Doc.
This brought gratified smiles to everyone's faces-even the usually cold-faced Law.
Looking at the happy Bonney, his eyes seemed to reveal a trace of memory and a faint sadness.
Perhaps he was thinking of someone.
But after a moment...
"Law! Why are you still standing there in a daze? Come eat! I heard this sheep was specially purchased from the Kingdom of Dressrosa. Rumor has it that it's a High-Grade Sheep specially raised by the legendary Tontattas. The breeding conditions are very strict, and it's prepared with a Secret Royal Roast recipe from the Royal Family of Dressrosa. The smell is amazing!" Penguin and Shachi had their hands full of Grilled Lamb Skewers, their mouths stuffed full.
Bepo was in a similar state, his white, fluffy bear face covered in grease.
"Law, if you don't come eat, it'll be all gone! Speaking of which, there are really a lot of Secret Royal Recipes here! I wonder if they're real!"
Hearing this, Law went silent
'Fake! It's all fake! Bullshit 'High-Grade Sheep specially raised by Tontattas'!'
He had come here on the same ship. Did he not know if the cargo came from the Kingdom of Dressrosa? But he didn't say anything. He simply walked over, took a skewer, and took a bite.
'Actually... it isn't bad.'
"Not bad, right?" Seeing their Captain eating with relish, Shachi said happily. "I wonder if there really are Tontattas!"
"Perhaps." Law glanced at a gust of wind curling up nearby. "I don't know either."
There were too many secrets here, it was better for these idiots not to know what they didn't need to know.
He hadn't even told them what he had been doing these past few days.
"Another skewer!"
"Here! Law, let's have a toast. I didn't expect that we'd just come to find Wolf, only to end up in such an interesting place."
"Cheers!"
Everyone happily enjoyed the banquet.
Even the joyous Bonney wanted a drink, but she was refused by Kuma on the grounds that she was still a child.
This made Bonney huff, insisting she had grown up. Her body instantly transformed into that of an adult, though she reverted back a moment later.
The crowd saw it, staring at the scene in surprise.
But after a moment, they paid it no mind.
Just a Devil Fruit User, that's all.
Everyone continued to eat and drink to their hearts content! Soon, the banquet came to an end.
Afterward, everyone went about their business.
Mock led Vegapunk and the crew of the Heart Pirates toward Romance Dawn, wearing happy smiles.
Kuma carried the exhausted, sleeping Bonney. Hearing the murmur from his back, "Papa, I am well!", a warm smile appeared on his face. After solemnly expressing his gratitude to the Boss again, he took Bonney back to rest.
Nami and Viola took the drunk Kuina and Vivi back to rest. Except Viola... that woman had a strange look in her eyes when she left, throwing a subtle wink at Dante.
As for Robin...
"Boss~, want to play?"
"Let's play."
It was another wonderful night.
===============
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