Vegapunk's sharp memory didn't fail him. As soon as Olivia entered the conversation, he recognized her as the young woman who had once asked for his autograph. Intrigued, he turned his attention to her.
"Miss Olivia," he began, his voice filled with curiosity, "forgive me for not knowing of you before. What field do you research, and what inventions have you contributed to science?"
Olivia froze, her mind racing. How could she answer this question without embarrassing herself? Should she confess that her primary research revolved around... eroticism? And that her most notable invention was, of all things, a massage stick?
The thought of Vegapunk—arguably the greatest scientist in history—reacting to such a revelation nearly made her break out in cold sweat. She could already imagine him slapping her into oblivion and declaring her a disgrace to science.
After a brief internal debate, she decided to phrase her answer more tactfully.
"My research focuses on vibrations in objects and their applications in human health management," Olivia said cautiously. "The gadgets I've invented are just small tools to help people relieve stress and fatigue. They're nothing compared to your groundbreaking work, Doctor."
Olivia braced herself for disappointment, expecting Vegapunk to scoff or dismiss her efforts. To her surprise, Vegapunk waved his hands enthusiastically, his face lighting up with admiration.
"No, no, no! Don't belittle your contributions," he said earnestly. "Science is not meant to be lofty or untouchable. Its true purpose is to serve humanity. Helping ordinary people in their daily lives is one of the most meaningful things a scientist can do."
Vegapunk's praise left Olivia stunned. Not only did he respect her inventions, but he also admired her intentions. To him, she embodied what every scientist should strive to be—someone who uses knowledge to benefit others.
"I'm inspired by your work," Vegapunk continued. "You've reminded me of something I've wanted to pursue for years."
Hearing these words filled Olivia with both embarrassment and determination. She resolved to improve her inventions, starting with her infamous massage stick. No longer would it be a mere indulgence; she would transform it into a legitimate healthcare product that could alleviate fatigue and promote physical well-being.
I will never let Dr. Vegapunk down! she thought resolutely.
Meanwhile, Luffy noticed that the conversation had taken a deeply technical turn. Vegapunk and Olivia were now discussing professional topics at a level far beyond his comprehension.
Luffy tried his best to follow along, but the technical jargon was impenetrable. He recognized each term individually, but together, they formed an indecipherable mess.
With a sigh, Luffy realized he had been completely sidelined. Seeing that the two were engrossed in their discussion, he decided to leave them be.
Turning his attention elsewhere, Luffy spotted his father, Dragon. Most of the women who had crowded around Dragon earlier were now gone, leaving only Koala and Robin behind.
Dragon, clearly more comfortable with a smaller group, was engaged in a discussion about the latest developments within the Revolutionary Army.
As Luffy approached, he couldn't help but feel a pang of amusement. Robin, despite being part of his team, had spent the past six months away, traveling and uncovering ancient histories. During this time, she had even collaborated with Lindbergh to visit Zou and transcribe the second Road Poneglyph.
Despite her accomplishments, Robin was restless. Staying in one place for too long didn't suit her, and she often ventured out on her own quests.
Luffy joined the group, carrying a half-filled glass of wine. His casual demeanor prompted the three to pause their conversation.
Dragon glanced at the glass in Luffy's hand, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he spoke with mild disapproval.
"You should drink in moderation," Dragon advised. "You're far too young to be drinking in the first place."
Luffy ignored the remark, pulling up a chair and sitting down without a care. "You're not wrong," he admitted with a shrug, "but with my physical condition, I don't get drunk easily—if at all. It doesn't affect my health."
To prove his point, Luffy downed the remaining wine in one gulp and placed the empty glass on the table.
Dragon said nothing, knowing Luffy was right. As much as he wanted to enforce fatherly authority, he understood that Luffy was no ordinary teenager.
Curious about his father's perspective, Luffy asked, "When you came here, you must've seen what I've done with Onigashima. What do you think? Not bad, right?"
Dragon nodded, acknowledging Luffy's efforts. "Not bad," he said. "At least you're not one of the incompetent rulers the Revolutionary Army despises."
Luffy frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the lukewarm response. "Not bad? That's all you've got to say?"
Transforming a devastated country into a thriving land in just six months was no small feat. To Luffy, it deserved more than a mere "not bad."
Sensing Luffy's frustration, Robin chimed in with a gentle smile. "What he means is that you've done a remarkable job," she explained. "Far better than most leaders in the world could manage."
==============================================
Support me at [email protected]/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
=============================================