The World Government's intelligence network was exceptionally powerful.
Only a few days after York conquered the Vodka Kingdom, news of the kingdom's destruction appeared in the newspapers.
The name of the Red Flag Pirates once again resonated worldwide.
Unfortunately, the World Government exercised restraint, not daring to report in detail on York's actions in the Vodka Kingdom; otherwise, the shock to the world would have been even more profound.
After a few days of buzz around this truncated news, big news from the Roger Pirates, Whitebeard Pirates, and Golden Lion Pirates quickly took over the headlines again.
In this era after Rocks' death, it truly verified the saying: scattered like stars in the sky.
Just like that, half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
During these six months, the Vodka Kingdom did not launch a single foreign war, yet under York's governance, the entire country grew more prosperous by the day.
One day, a massive ship with the four English letters "MADS" on its side slowly docked at the newly built port of the Vodka Kingdom.
A young man with a head shaped like a light bulb, almost as large as his body, led three peers of various appearances off the ship, looking out at the island they had once never even considered visiting.
"Is this the Vodka Kingdom?"
"It's not quite like the rumors!"
"After all, the current King is Lord York! How can you compare the old Vodka Kingdom with the present one!!"
...
These four bizarre-looking individuals were naturally Vegapunk, Queen, Judge, and Caesar from the MADS research institute.
The person responsible for welcoming them had actually been waiting at the port for a long time. Seeing them disembark, he immediately led them to the royal capital.
Compared to half a year ago, the capital had been renovated, showing no signs of the corpse-strewn scenes it had once witnessed.
Arriving at the palace, York received them personally and introduced Acier to them.
"This is Dr. Myskina Acier. He created Pure Gold 163 years ago and is a top materials scientist."
A simple introduction, yet it contained shockingly important information.
Vegapunk, Queen, Judge, and Caesar were collectively startled.
"The legendary Dr. Acier?! The man himself?!"
As the four strongest scientists in the world today, the Vegapunk quartet had never yielded to anyone, with only Vegapunk barely suppressing the other three thanks to his Brain-Brain Fruit.
The only ones who could command their heartfelt admiration were those top scientists who had been dead for many years and lived only in books.
Unfortunately, Acier, who was mistakenly thought to be dead, was one of them.
Of course, this was perhaps another kind of fortune. After all, seeing a living person was always more thrilling than looking at cold book illustrations.
York sat on the throne, calmly watching the five scientists shock and flatter each other.
Once their emotions stabilized, York continued, "I called you back this time partly to know about your technological progress, and partly because I have a plan to discuss with you."
Speaking of technological progress, Vegapunk instinctively hesitated.
He was a scientist with ideals, hoping to achieve world peace through the power of technology.
However, recalling what he had seen and heard since landing on the island, his inner defenses immediately relaxed.
York had indeed fulfilled everything he promised. Perhaps it wasn't perfect yet, but as the saying goes, human effort achieves all things; progress always comes little by little, just like scientific research.
So, Vegapunk spoke of their achievements over the past six months.
"We have discovered the Lineage Factor!"
Hearing this, York's eyes lit up instantly.
"You've already discovered the Lineage Factor? Then what stage is the applied research at now?"
A look of guilt flashed across Vegapunk's face.
"Still under research..."
Actually, it wasn't that they lacked the ability.
The main issue was the lack of experimental materials.
Like Devil Fruit users, or the blood of rare races, etc.
These things were easy to say but troublesome to obtain.
This was actually one of the reasons they came immediately upon York's summons.
"Not bad!"
York didn't mind Vegapunk's guilt at all; instead, he nodded approvingly.
"Although the applications are still under development, discovering the Lineage Factor is enough for my plan to be implemented!"
"Plan? What plan?"
Vegapunk asked instinctively.
York said, "I want the MADS institute to disband!!"
"What?!"
Vegapunk, Queen, Judge, and Caesar stood up simultaneously, faces full of disbelief.
York raised his hand to signal them to calm down and explained, "Only a superficial disbandment!"
"You see my current situation. Apart from money, I can't give you much help in terms of supplies and experimental materials."
"So, I plan to have one or two of you pretend to break away and defect to the World Government, using the World Government's resources to continue research!"
A glint flashed in Vegapunk's eyes. "You want us to be spies?!"
"Not entirely."
York explained to Vegapunk calmly, "Take you for example. You probably still harbor some illusions about the World Government."
"Then, rather than staying away from the World Government and not seeing their true colors, why not join them directly and see with your own eyes whose justice is more just—mine or the World Government's!"
Upon hearing this, Vegapunk, whose gaze had been cold just a moment ago, instantly became hesitant.
Caesar stood aside and asked sinisterly, "Aren't you afraid we'll betray you directly after going to the World Government?"
"Hahahaha..."
York laughed boldly.
"If I didn't even have this kind of magnanimity, what right would I have to change this world?!"
"Believe me, after you go to the World Government, you will only become more loyal to me, while I, essentially, have done nothing!"
York's confidence made Caesar snort lightly.
But he actually couldn't help admitting in his heart that such a York was indeed very charismatic.
"Discuss it carefully. Among you four, who will go to the World Government, and who will stay to use my research funds."
The four MADS scientists looked at each other and began to discuss.
Two minutes later.
The result of the discussion was not surprising.
Vegapunk and Caesar decided to join the World Government to broaden their horizons.
The former wanted to discern with his own eyes who was more just, York or the World Government.
The latter purely thought the World Government had more resources.
After all, Caesar was the youngest of the quartet.
And scientific research ability was actually greatly influenced by age.
He planned to use the massive resources of the World Government to quickly catch up with, and even surpass, the other three—oh wait, now with Acier added, surpass the other four and become the world's number one scientist!!
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