One Piece: Curse of Immortality

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Arashi chuckled softly. "Meeting you here is both unexpected and delightful."

Vegapunk smiled, his gaze shifting to the Marines retrieving books nearby. A faint look of regret and sorrow crossed his face. 

"It's just a shame that such a reunion is happening amidst a disaster like this."

Hearing this, Arashi smiled faintly, his eyes also fixed on the Marines. 

These individuals were, of course, a G-18 squad under Evans' command, swiftly recovering books and transporting them back to the base.

"A reunion is a pleasant thing," Arashi said softly, "and it marks the beginning of our story."

"Civilization and knowledge are the hard-won treasures of humanity, built through generations of effort and struggle." 

"These books… it's fortunate that someone still understands their value."

"Unfortunately, it's the Marines." Vegapunk sighed, recalling the devastation of Ohara. 

The destruction of so much human knowledge, buried under cannon fire, was nothing short of a tragedy for all humanity.

"They're all my people. And the scholars of Ohara… they're not dead."

"I saved them," Arashi said with a smile.

"What?" Vegapunk's face lit up with shock and excitement. 

"Are you saying Dr. Clover is alive? That you saved him?"

After speaking, Vegapunk's expression shifted again. "No wonder there's been unrest at Marine HQ lately." 

"There are even rumours of a powerful Marine in the West Blue defying both the HQ and the World Government, engaging in a fierce battle. That person… is you?"

Arashi smiled faintly and nodded. "I am now an enemy of the world."

He paused, his piercing gaze locking onto Vegapunk. "That's why, Vegapunk, your friend needs your help."

Vegapunk's body stiffened, hesitation flickering across his face.

"With your intellect and my strength, together we can change the world!" Arashi continued, his eyes gleaming as he looked ahead.

"You possess the world's greatest mind, and I…"

"…possess power that surpasses all else. This is an alliance of the strongest!"

With a light laugh, Arashi turned back to Vegapunk. "Together, we'll forge an unstoppable path ahead!"

He took a deep breath, feeling the wind brush against him, and spoke again.

"What does your ideal world look like, Vegapunk?"

"A world where children laugh and play, where people live in peace and prosperity. A world where all races coexist as equals, free from slavery, tragedy, and suffering.

"No more Celestial Dragons. No more nobility.

"Those in power will serve as mediators of fairness, bound by justice. Princes and paupers alike will answer to the same laws.

"Is such a world possible?"

Every word caused Vegapunk's expression to shift, his eyes sparkling with thought. When Arashi finished speaking, the scientist's oversized head seemed lost in a daze.

"Can such an ideal world exist?"

Arashi smiled. "It doesn't exist yet. But if we join forces, we can create it. Then it will exist."

Vegapunk's face changed repeatedly as his thoughts churned. Finally, he let out a long sigh. "My research requires immense funding and a quiet, undisturbed place to work. As things stand, only the World Government can provide such resources."

Arashi burst into hearty laughter, waving his hand decisively. "Money, resources, a research facility—you won't need to worry about any of it. I'll handle everything!"

Vegapunk looked up, doubt flickering in his eyes. "Can you manage that?"

Grinning, Arashi delivered a reason so compelling that the great scientist couldn't refuse. "I'll even let you study my lineage factor."

Hearing this, Vegapunk's pupils constricted. He was, of course, aware of Arashi's unique abilities and the extraordinary nature of his bloodline. 

Unlike any other, Arashi's body defied all forms of death, becoming stronger in the face of harm.

Even the Lunarians—renowned for their resilience—could be killed. But Arashi's existence shattered those limitations. 

His indestructibility was something Vegapunk, as a scientist and seeker of truth, couldn't resist studying.

"You're serious?" Vegapunk asked, his voice trembling.

"Absolutely," Arashi confirmed. "But I can't guarantee you'll discover anything significant."

He smirked knowingly, his mind clear about the unique nature of his powers, which weren't entirely tied to lineage factors but rather his mysterious advantage. 

Even so, the promise was enough to entice the scientist.

"Fine. I'll join you!" Vegapunk declared without hesitation.

But just then, the wind around them grew stronger.

"Don't be so quick to accept his offer, Vegapunk."

A low, steady voice broke the moment as a cloaked figure emerged, the wind distorting his silhouette.

Arashi's expression remained calm as he shifted his gaze toward the figure. It was none other than Dragon.

"Dragon?" Vegapunk exclaimed, clearly recognizing him.

"I intend to form a revolutionary army to overturn the world and rebuild it."

"Vegapunk, join me!" Dragon said with a smile, removing his hood to reveal his sharp gaze fixed on Arashi.

In that instant, their positions became clear: two opposing forces vying for the same ally.

Vegapunk hesitated, his expression troubled.

"I'm sorry, Dragon," he finally said. "I've already agreed to join Arashi. He offered me something I simply can't refuse."

Dragon's eyes burned with momentary anger as he looked at Arashi, but he quickly regained his composure.

"So far, everything he's done is truly remarkable—defying the World Government, defeating two admirals, and rescuing the innocent from Ohara's Buster Call."

"Choosing him isn't inherently wrong." Dragon's tone grew colder. "But—" He paused, his sharp eyes fixed on Vegapunk. 

"This man's ambition is beyond what you can imagine, Vegapunk! Be cautious. In the future, he may bring unimaginable chaos to the world."

With that, Dragon's figure distorted in the wind and disappeared.

"Arashi," Vegapunk turned to him.

"Don't mind him," Arashi said with a smirk. "Dragon's just jealous—sour grapes."

"Hm!" Vegapunk nodded before continuing, "By the way, I want to read through all the books left from Ohara." 

"They could be incredibly useful for me and might elevate my research to the next level."

"No problem!" Arashi replied without hesitation. 

"I'm planning to find a suitable location to rebuild the Tree of Knowledge, set up a state-of-the-art research base for you, and recruit a team of brilliant scientists."

Hearing this, Vegapunk nodded in satisfaction. The two stood quietly watching as the Marines continued transferring the books.

Arashi's expression was calm, but his thoughts were heavy. 

Providing the necessary money, resources, and facilities for a scientist of Vegapunk's calibre was no small task.

Vegapunk had always known the World Government's true intentions, yet he stayed under their wing, solely for the convenience of unlimited resources and freedom for his experiments. Now, Arashi had taken on that burden.

But he quickly dismissed his doubts. He had already made his decision—there was no turning back now.

"Money… there's still a stash of gold on Skypiea. As for land…"

A flash of inspiration struck him, and a smile spread across his face.

"Dr. Vegapunk, we might need a ship capable of travelling between the sky islands and the seas below."

Vegapunk blinked in surprise before nodding thoughtfully. "If we can solve the energy problem and provide sufficient power, that would be a straightforward task."

Arashi chuckled, extending his hands.

Crackle!

Lightning sparked between his palms, blue arcs of lightning dancing in the air.

"So, you're a Goro Goro no Mi user!" Vegapunk exclaimed, clearly impressed. "That's perfect!"

Moments later, Saul and his team arrived with reinforcements, joining the effort to transport the books.

About two hours later, three Marine battleships were loaded with the weighty treasure trove of knowledge.

Standing at the bow, Vegapunk glanced at Saul, who was on one of the other ships.

"You even have a giant among your crew?"

Arashi laughed. "He's my friend, Saul. We share the same ideals!"

Vegapunk nodded thoughtfully before asking, "Have you left the Marines entirely?"

Arashi grinned mischievously. "Who knows?"

"Then it seems your past might hold more surprises," Vegapunk mused. 

"The World Government is undoubtedly considering how to handle your actions during the Ohara incident."

Arashi froze for a moment before understanding dawned. He nodded slowly.

"Just wait. I'm sure you'll hear from someone soon. Your relationship with the Marines and the World Government may become complicated and ambiguous soon," Vegapunk remarked casually.

"Is Dr. Clover also at your base?"

Arashi nodded.

"That's excellent news. I have so much I want to discuss with him," Vegapunk said enthusiastically. 

Then, raising his gaze, he looked at Arashi and remarked, "You're quite the clever one, aren't you? You know how to recognize what's most valuable."

Arashi let out a helpless laugh. "I can't tell if you're praising me or mocking me."

"It's praise," Vegapunk assured him.

"Thank you!" Arashi replied.

The conversation subsided into silence. Arashi gazed at the rolling waves ahead, his eyes filled with a rare intensity. 

Recent events flashed through his mind, leaving him both awed and frustrated.

"I'm still too weak," he muttered. Not just in terms of personal power, but in terms of influence as well. 

Seven days ago, during his battle with the admirals, even though he had intentionally held back, the combined force of two admirals was still a significant challenge.

With that thought, Arashi accessed his internal system and allocated his points to the Goro Goro no Mi. In an instant, the fruit reached its maximum potential.

The next moment, the feedback from his body caused his pupils to shrink.

"This is…!"

"Logia Awakening?"

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