Beltz arranged for Rukia to stay in Grove 33.
Groves 30 through 39 are all part of the Soap Bubble Park. Since there were no dangers here, Beltz felt relatively at ease leaving Rukia in this area.
Of course, Rukia herself possessed a certain level of strength, so even if something happened, ordinary petty thieves wouldn't be able to handle her.
As for Beltz himself, he naturally headed to Grove 17.
Following the numerical guidance, he quickly arrived there.
This Science Conference gathered renowned scientists from all over the world and could be considered a scientific grand event, though unfortunately, it was initiated by the Underworld.
In this Lawless Zone, the number of troublemakers naturally increased, including many pirates.
The Sabaody Archipelago itself is a necessary stop on the way to the New World, and many pirates from the first half of the Grand Line gather here.
But Beltz's purpose was not to seek out pirates.
"Wha—Why did that guy come here?!"
He was just about to look for Vegapunk when he heard pirates discussing something in a panic.
"It looks like he's looking for someone. Oh my god, this guy showing up at the Sabaody Archipelago is a huge incident! If Marineford finds out, they'll probably send an Admiral!"
"The Rocks Pirates have been destroyed, so their threat shouldn't be that great anymore, right?"
"Stop talking nonsense! That's Golden Lion Shiki! Even without Rocks, he is still the most ferocious great pirate!"
The Golden Lion had indeed arrived.
Beltz wasn't surprised. After all, the Golden Lion dared to barge into Marineford; besides Roger and Whitebeard, he probably didn't put anyone else in his eyes.
Rocks' death ended one era and began a new one. The vicious pirates he had once suppressed scattered across the four seas, grew stronger, and became the foundation for the future Four Emperors.
However, before the Great Pirate Era, there were few pirates like Shiki who weren't afraid of the Marines.
Even Roger and Whitebeard, upon hearing that the Marines were pursuing them, would first react by running.
After all, the Marines, combined with the armies of the affiliated nations, numbered tens of millions.
If one kept getting entangled with the Marines, it would truly be endless.
It wasn't until the Great Pirate Era that pirates stopped being ordinary sea bandits and became Emperors of the Sea, which is why the Marines didn't dare harass them.
The Golden Lion, however, grasped the essence of the future Four Emperors early on, already planning to assemble his invincible fleet before the Great Pirate Era began.
Shiki was a person Beltz needed to meet, but not right now.
Beltz's top priority right now was still to find Vegapunk.
However—
That bastard Shiki better not provoke an Admiral into coming here.
As Beltz thought this, he had already found out where the Science Conference was taking place.
With his ability as The Subconscious, getting information out of people was the simplest thing.
There were indeed many guards here, but Beltz simply used a Psychological Invisibility on himself and swaggered right in.
Psychological Invisibility is an ability that causes people to unconsciously ignore him. It isn't true invisibility, but it still allows him to pass through unimpeded.
Is this somewhat similar to Doraemon's Stone Hat?
In any case, Beltz walked and inquired, quickly arriving at Vegapunk's residence.
Vegapunk was a Brain Man who had eaten the Brain-Brain Fruit, so his head was enormous. He was currently hunched over a desk, diligently drawing blueprints for something.
Beltz didn't disturb him; instead, he sat on the bed and watched him design.
This designing process lasted for about half an hour.
"Ah! The inspiration in my head is endless. If only someone could share this burden!"
Finally, Vegapunk completed his work, yet he complained. As a top genius scientist, Vegapunk often lamented that time was too scarce.
"Yes, I think so too."
Beltz suddenly spoke at that moment.
"Who is it?!"
Vegapunk was startled when he suddenly heard Beltz speak. He turned his head and finally noticed Beltz sitting on the bed.
"Who are you?!"
"Wait, let me think. You must be the person Dr. Clover introduced."
"Oh? How did you figure that out?"
Vegapunk relaxed considerably. He had a long tongue, which was even sticking out of his mouth, but it didn't affect his speech.
"Dr. Clover once described your appearance to me. Men like you are quite rare."
Most people in One Piece are burly and rough; Beltz, this refined boy from the world of Bleach, truly clashes with the aesthetic of this world.
He couldn't help but chuckle, "Doctor, you seem quite trusting of me."
"Because no matter who you are, you definitely need this brain of mine," Vegapunk said confidently. "Whether it's you, the World Government, or even Lu Feld right now, none of you would dare kill me."
"I don't mind working for you, but the prerequisite is that you show me your strength. Otherwise, I'd rather work for the World Government."
Vegapunk's scientific research ability was already very famous, and the World Government also wanted to recruit him into the Marine.
He believed Beltz would never use force to coerce him, because his value lay in his intellect. If Beltz used force, would Beltz truly dare to use the things he created?
Moreover, this person was introduced by Dr. Clover. Putting aside others, he trusted Dr. Clover's character.
Anyone introduced by Dr. Clover would certainly not be an evil person.
"I have trillions of berries in funding support."
Beltz immediately stated his financial power.
"Trillions?" Vegapunk was stunned upon hearing this. "Are you joking?"
This wasn't tens of billions or hundreds of billions; it was trillions!
He instantly doubted his previous judgment.
Could it be that Dr. Clover really recommended a big liar?
But Beltz stated with certainty, "Yes, it is trillions."
"I don't know how much you know about the God Valley Incident, Doctor, but the Celestial Dragons brought hundreds of billions of berries worth of treasure to God Valley, and all that treasure is now in my hands."
Upon hearing this, Vegapunk recalled the World Government's report that the Dragon had taken away treasures worth hundreds of billions.
He knew Beltz was that Dragon, but that was only hundreds of billions, still far from trillions.
Beltz continued, "Besides the Celestial Dragons' treasure, I also know the location of Shandora's Gold."
Shandora's Gold was a widely circulated story.
Legend said it was the Golden City discovered by Montblanc Noland, a city built entirely of gold, but no one other than Montblanc Noland ever found it.
Later people followed Montblanc Noland's directions to search but found nothing. Montblanc Noland was consequently deemed a big liar and even executed.
Vegapunk had naturally heard this story as well.
"The Golden City really exists," Beltz said calmly. "With a Golden City like that, I can support you with as much money as you need."
Vegapunk frowned slightly, pondering the truthfulness of Beltz's words.
"But, even if everything you say is true, the World Government can provide the same things."
Vegapunk said, "Furthermore, the World Government can provide a safer research institute."
"You're a pirate, aren't you? If I follow you, I'll only be wanted by the Marines, forced to live without a fixed home. Most importantly, my inventions will be boycotted and cannot be used to improve people's lives!"
This was the point Vegapunk was most concerned about.
Vegapunk researched these things to make the world a better place.
He didn't want to research military weapons; what he truly wanted to study were various tools to improve civilian life.
And these things required advancement by the World Government.
Beltz sneered upon hearing this, "Dr. Vegapunk, you are truly naive. Do you really think the World Government wants you to join them to improve civilian life?"
"You are wrong. They want you to research powerful weapons to strengthen their combat capabilities."
"Do you want to uphold the rule of the Celestial Dragons and become an accomplice in their massacres?"
"I—"
Vegapunk quickly said, "How could that be? Celestial Dragons are Celestial Dragons, and the Marines are the Marines. The Marine is a massive organization, and there are plenty of good people in it."
"What good are good people? They still contribute to maintaining the Celestial Dragons' rule." Beltz shook his head. "Forget it. If this doesn't move you, then how about this?"
Because time was short, Beltz had no interest in debating the World Government's justice with Vegapunk here.
He simply took out Mayuri's research data that he had previously copied from the Empire.
Looking at the document-like object, Vegapunk was initially puzzled, wondering why this young man suddenly took this out.
But he took it anyway.
The moment he took it, Vegapunk was instantly shocked.
"This—! Whose research is this?"
As a top scientist, he immediately recognized the value of this research data.
His pupils widened, and he looked at Beltz with considerable excitement.
Vegapunk was currently engaged in research related to lineage factor, one major marvelous use of which was the creation of Artificial Humans.
The data Beltz gave him now contained very explicit designs for Artificial Humans, and many parts of it were completely incomprehensible even to him!
This was definitely the work of a top scientist!
Vegapunk believed that no one else in the MADS organization, apart from himself, could compare to this scientist!
"Besides this, I have much more research."
Beltz chuckled, "As long as you can help me, Doctor, I can help solve many problems for you."
☰