When York's laughter finally died down, Stussy asked, "Are you planning to take Vegapunk and his MADS research institute completely under your wing?"
"No wonder you're you. You even guessed that." York kissed Stussy again, then began to explain.
"Do you still remember those science and technology books we found in Ohara back then?"
Stussy nodded lightly.
"Of course I remember!"
When she first discovered those books, she had been quietly shocked. She had never imagined that many discoveries and inventions modern scientists were so proud of had actually appeared long ages ago.
Ancient technology was even far more advanced than what they had now.
"If we want to recreate the ancient technologies recorded in those Ohara books, one particular Devil Fruit is indispensable."
"The Paramecia-type Brain-Brain Fruit."
York looked at Stussy with a smile.
"And a major characteristic of the Brain-Brain Fruit user is that because of the ability, the head keeps getting bigger and bigger, eventually becoming as huge as that of a giant."
Stussy blinked her beautiful eyes, and in her mind automatically surfaced the image of the first time she met Vegapunk, that deeply impressive oversized head of his.
"I'm not very close to Vegapunk, but I've seen his photos in some newspapers and magazines before, so his big head left quite the impression on me."
This was both an excuse York made up on the spot and the truth of this world.
Before officially founding MADS, Vegapunk had already gained some fame in the scientific community; it was just that ordinary people never paid attention to scientific news.
"Now that we have your Mirror World, we can easily go to Ohara and read those books."
"Once we bring in Vegapunk, the Brain-Brain Fruit user, and have him join us, realizing the ancient technologies written in those books will only be a matter of time."
Hearing this, Stussy pictured the scene York described and could not help feeling a bit of anticipation.
"I'll contact them right away and confirm the meeting place."
"Wait."
York grabbed Stussy just as she was about to get off him, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "No need to rush this very instant. Let me properly thank my good, capable wife first."
Stussy's pretty face flushed red and she spat lightly, "Honestly, there's just no dealing with you."
…
The next day.
Through a Den Den Mushi, Stussy confirmed the meeting location with Vegapunk and the others.
Before departure, York went to find Ivankov, who was currently training his physical strength with Kaido.
"Ivankov."
"Captain York?!"
"We're heading out. Go get ready, you're coming along this time."
Ivankov's face lit up with joy.
"We can finally leave this place?!"
Although the environment of Sky Island was beautiful and it even had the legendary Golden City and Golden Bell, it was still isolated from the world. At Ivankov's age, his curiosity about the outside world was at its peak; making him stay long-term in a place that wasn't his homeland was indeed something of a torment.
York smiled at Ivankov, then turned his head and saw Ginny, whose eyes were also full of expectation.
He casually tossed a Devil Fruit to Ginny.
"Ginny, you're not that young anymore. In another two years, you can start taking part in operations."
"This is the Paramecia-type Barrier-Barrier Fruit. Eat it, develop its power properly, and in two years I'll take you out with us."
Ginny hurriedly caught the fruit in a fluster and nodded obediently to York.
"Thank you, Captain York!"
Seeing this, Ivankov also bent at the waist and bowed to York in thanks.
Although this fruit wasn't for him, as the eldest of their trio he wanted even more to see Ginny and Kuma have a bright future.
York patted Ivankov's shoulder with a smile.
"Don't worry. I already have my eye on the Devil Fruit most suitable for you. It'll be your turn sooner or later."
After drawing a big, hopeful picture for Ivankov, York went to find Dragon.
"Dragon, I'm heading out to take care of something. Want to come along?"
Dragon's expression changed slightly.
"Where to?"
"To meet the man who'll be the world's greatest scientist in the future. And while we're at it, I plan to have someone build us a proper pirate ship. Sailing around in a Marine warship all the time makes us look pretty poor."
Dragon chuckled softly. He hadn't expected York to care about such details.
"No problem. I also feel we've been on Sky Island a bit too long. I'll join this operation with you."
A few days later.
A warship flying a red pirate flag plunged off the edge of Sky Island.
The massive hull was about to drop straight into free fall at once, but at that critical moment a violent gale surged up, supporting the warship from all directions.
Escorted by this storm wind, the warship smoothly slid down from ten thousand meters in the sky into the vast and mighty sea.
After a whole year, finally seeing that deep blue ocean again, York couldn't help taking a long, deep breath.
"The salty, fishy sea breeze is unpleasant, but at the same time, it's nostalgic."
Stussy raised her left wrist; the Log Pose there pointed toward the direction of the next island.
One day later.
York and the others smoothly reached Long Ring Long Land.
They did not linger here; once the Log Pose finished recording the magnetic field, they headed straight for the next island.
At the same time, that was also the island Stussy had arranged as the meeting point with Vegapunk and his group—Water Seven.
Departing from Long Ring Long Land, after two days of sailing they safely arrived at Water Seven.
In the original story, this was the island that came right before the highly praised Enies Lobby arc, and also the crucial island where the Straw Hat Pirates replaced their pirate ship.
York held equally high expectations for this island.
Their ship came into port, but did not dock at an official harbor; instead they found a hidden corner to moor in.
The reason was simple: Water Seven was one of the World Government's member nations.
Although Water Seven was not a country and its leader's title was "mayor", it paid the Heavenly Tribute and enjoyed the protection of the World Government and Marines, so at least on the surface, a pirate ship could not dock openly.
Strolling along the fountain-like streets of Water Seven, York found the scene very different from the bustling city he remembered.
There were few shops, tourists were sparse, and only the city's waterway infrastructure appeared especially grand and beautiful.
Vegapunk had contacted Stussy again yesterday, saying that he would not be able to reach Water Seven until at least tomorrow.
So after a brief look around the city, York and the others began asking directly for the location of Tom's Shipbuilding Company.
The people of Water Seven were long used to pirates coming and asking around.
After all, this island made its living by shipbuilding.
Besides taking orders from the World Government, their second-largest group of clients was pirates.
Under the kind guidance of a few passersby, York and his group smoothly found Tom's Shipbuilding Company beneath a large bridge.
By coincidence, Tom was just about to head out, and York immediately stepped forward.
"Hello, Mr. Tom. My name is York. I'm a pirate, and I'd like to ask you to build me a pirate ship."
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