Luffy pondered deeply. Dragon was his biological father, after all, and he was about to send him one of the world's top talents. It was only natural to prepare for his arrival with care.
It's better for me not to do anything reckless or immoral, he thought, shaking off the temptation of shortcuts that would compromise his principles.
After a brief conversation with Garp, Luffy hung up the Den Den Mushi. Contrary to his usual demeanor, the old man hadn't mentioned Ace even once. Perhaps he's finally given up and let it go, Luffy mused. Still, he committed Garp's warnings to memory, knowing better than to underestimate his grandfather's intentions.
The timing was convenient. Nami, Violet, and the others were currently out on Stormbreaker, tending to their respective duties. Meanwhile, several warships sent by Marine Headquarters over the past six months were actively patrolling the surrounding seas.
"Just keep the surface appearances clean," Luffy muttered to himself, leaning against the balcony. "Ordinary people need to see we're doing our part. As for anything beyond that... Sorry, our G66 branch is still new. We're short on manpower, our warships are incomplete, our funds are limited, and supplies are stretched thin. There's no room to send additional support."
After issuing these directives, Luffy stepped into his bedroom to change. He discarded his old, lipstick-stained clothes into the laundry pile and donned a fresh outfit. Now that his old man has succeeded, the man should arrive within the next few days, he thought with growing anticipation. Before that, he needed to prepare to welcome Vegapunk and make sure the legendary scientist felt at home.
From his vantage point, Luffy observed the bustling activity below. The ships surrounding Onigashima moved purposefully, their crews executing tasks with military precision.
Three days later, as expected, the Punk Record "No. Flying Brain" broke through the clouds and descended over Wano Country. Aboard it, Vegapunk and his three companions gazed at the scene below in awe.
"This is incredible," Vegapunk murmured, adjusting his glasses. "There were no islands here before. Did Luffy-kun use his ability to move this entire landmass from elsewhere?"
Standing nearby, Dragon and Sentomaru exchanged knowing glances. For ordinary people, the most familiar example of relocating islands was the Golden Lion, Shiki. Yet, Kaido's Flame Clouds had also demonstrated the feasibility of such a feat. And now, Luffy had accomplished something similar.
Between Luffy, Koala with her Pink Dragon Fruit, and Nami with her Cloud-Cloud Fruit, the possibilities are endless. However, Koala's capabilities were still developing, and Nami's physical limitations meant she could only handle smaller islands for now. Even so, Alpha and Yamato had taken it upon themselves to rigorously train her over the past six months. With time and improved strength, Nami's potential would undoubtedly grow.
As the Punk Record descended further, an island of remarkable size came into view—large enough to accommodate 20,000 to 30,000 people. Vegapunk was taken aback by the sight.
"This island… It's impressive," he said, marveling at the thriving settlement. "Through this, Luffy has not only provided Wano Country with a channel for external exchanges but also fostered economic circulation and ensured the people have enough to eat and wear. He's surprisingly adept at governance."
Hearing these words, Dragon couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. His son's achievements were undeniable. From the occasional updates he received through Robin and Koala, Dragon had gathered bits and pieces of Wano's transformation. But witnessing Onigashima's prosperity firsthand was a different experience altogether.
"Ah, this little devil," Dragon muttered, a grin spreading across his face. "People who don't know him would think he's already a king."
Meanwhile, aboard the Punk Record, Vegapunk glanced at Dragon, his curiosity piqued. "Hey, Dragon, stop daydreaming. Now that we're here, isn't it time to contact him? We can't just hover in the sky forever."
Dragon chuckled, waving off the comment. "No need to rush. Raise the Punk Record a bit higher—it'll feel just like a real sky island."
Without hesitation, Vegapunk complied. The ship climbed steadily, ascending past the White Sea at 7,000 meters, and then beyond the White-White Sea at 10,000 meters, entering the Sky Island's domain. The thin air made Vegapunk stumble, forcing him to adapt quickly.
"Hah… Hah… The air here is challenging," he gasped, wiping sweat from his brow. "Fortunately, I've been to Sky Island before. I'll adjust soon enough."
In stark contrast, Dragon and Sentomaru appeared unaffected by the altitude. Their attention was drawn to the artificial island not far away. Its bustling port, teeming with activity, immediately caught Dragon's eye. At the forefront stood a young man, tall and imposing, waving in their direction.
"That's him," Dragon murmured, his heart swelling with paternal pride. He looks just like me when I was younger.
Turning to Vegapunk, who was still recovering, Dragon said, "Looks like they're ready for us. Let's go."
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