Time passed day by day.
Within Hoenn Fortress, the daily spectacle of the Pirate Empress's humiliating defeats had almost become a routine event. The charm of the Love-Love Fruit had absolutely no effect on a certain blockhead.
"Love is like a tornado!"
"I will never admit defeat!"
"Yamato!!!"
"Thunder Bagua!"
Another human-shaped crater was added to the fortress wall.
Commander's Office
Gurd stood by the window, sighing in exasperation.
This woman was so stubborn, obsessing over marriage all day. Couldn't she be more flexible? Why not act first and deal with the consequences later?
Heh.
He'd find an excuse to "comfort" her tonight!
"Lord Gurd."
Chikara wobbled into the office, carrying a stack of documents.
"Lord Gurd, battle reports from the frontlines."
"Hmm."
Gurd sat at his desk and began reviewing the situation.
After making contact with Germa, he had dispatched key officers like Hajrudin and Ulti to conquer non-affiliated nations in the North Blue. Many allied nations, having purchased large quantities of weapons from Germa, were now restless, ready to wage war at any moment.
"Any movement from the Marines?"
"None."
Chikara shook her head.
"Lord Gurd, the Marines..."
It seemed the Marines had completely abandoned any resistance against the Beasts Pirates. Even when their ships crossed paths with the Beasts, they pretended not to see them. Only when the Beasts' fleet passed by allied nations would the Marines mobilize—and even then, it was merely for surveillance.
"They've learned their lesson."
Gurd wasn't surprised.
Under the World Government's policies, they would never recklessly wage war against a Four Emperor. However, the threat he posed had forced them to act repeatedly.
His battle with Garp had showcased enough power to make the World Government abandon any thoughts of war. After all, the Beasts Pirates weren't just him—there was also Big Brother Kaido.
Even the Five Elders wouldn't dare provoke one of the Four Emperors lightly, let alone two!
With his current strength, he could easily break away with his trusted officers and Groudon Company to become the fourth and final Emperor.
As Gurd flipped through the reports, his brow furrowed.
Revolutionary Army.
They were active across all four seas, with bases primarily in non-affiliated nations. The Beasts' large-scale conquests had clashed with their operations.
"North Army Commander, Karasu."
"Chief of Staff, Sabo."
"And Bartholomew Kuma!"
Gurd's frown deepened as he read.
Ulti had engaged the Revolutionary Army in battle.
The Warlord of the Sea, Kuma, had also appeared, aiding the Revolutionary Army multiple times and hindering the Beasts' operations.
It looked like he'd have to intervene personally.
Puru puru puru—
The Den Den Mushi rang.
Chikara answered, listened to the report, then turned to Gurd. "Lord Gurd, Lord Queen and the others have arrived."
"Good. I'll head over now."
Reception Room, Fortress
Three men sat on the sofa, glaring at each other.
"Why are you here?!"
"I was about to ask the same thing!"
"Muhahaha! It's been over thirty years since MADS disbanded. Seeing your faces makes me sick!"
"I could kill you right now, Queen!"
"Shurorororo~ Maybe I should just poison both of you!"
Queen activated his transformation, his neck, tail, and other body parts splitting open to reveal mechanical structures, laser cannons charging.
Judge donned his Battle Suit, his Electromagnetic Gun crackling with energy.
Caesar was enveloped in swirling smoke, with vast amounts of Gas Poison spreading around him. In his hands, he held chemical containers filled with deadly toxins.
The battle was about to erupt.
After more than thirty years, their strength and bounties were no longer on equal footing. Yet even Caesar, who had fared the worst among them, was now confident he could take down Queen and Judge.
How could he possibly admit defeat?
"Do you two want to die by my hand?"
Just as the three were about to clash, a voice as chilling as the underworld itself reached their ears, freezing them in place. Cold sweat instantly drenched their backs.
Simultaneously, the three suppressed their fighting spirit and sat down like obedient children, not daring to even breathe loudly.
Gurd snorted coldly and took a seat in front of them.
"Brother Gurd!"
"Lord Gurd!"
"Mr. Gurd!"
The three hurriedly greeted him.
Queen swallowed hard.
After not seeing him for so long, Gurd's presence was completely different. At this moment, it even felt like facing an enraged Big Brother Kaido.
A monster!
If they acted recklessly, they would truly be killed!
Gurd's expression softened slightly.
"I've gathered you here today to rebuild MADS."
"Impossible!"
The three blurted out in unison.
Anything but that!
"Brother Gurd, if there's anything you want to research, just tell me! These two would only hold me back—we don't need them at all!"
"Shurorororo~~ Don't lump these two trash bags in with me! I'm a genius Evil Scientist!"
"These two fools who only mess around with viruses and modifications are complete wastes! The power of science should be used for weapons!"
The three hurled insults at each other.
Back in their MADS days, they had fought more than once over the title of second-best.
None of them acknowledged the others.
Gurd's gaze turned cold.
"I'm not here to negotiate with you!"
"..."
The three immediately shut their mouths, cold sweat pouring down their faces.
Expressionless, Gurd pulled out a blueprint.
"Take a look first. This is what I want to create."
"This is...?"
The three exchanged glances before leaning in to examine the blueprint, curious about what Gurd could possibly need all three of them for.
Soon, the disdain in their eyes vanished, replaced by wide-eyed disbelief and sheer horror.
"Vegapunk!"
As top-tier scientists, they understood better than anyone that only Vegapunk could create such a world-shaking invention.
A supreme artificial human warrior, modeled after the Lunarian race. Even just from the blueprint, they could foresee how terrifying the finished product would be.
Just like its name—
Seraphim!
"That's right. This is indeed Vegapunk's latest research."
Gurd nodded, his eyes blazing.
"Can you make it?"
"..."
The three looked at each other, then nodded in unison.
The blueprint's theory was complete, but even with it, none of them could create the Seraphim alone.
The process was far too complex, involving the Lineage Factor. A single mistake could lead to drastically different results.
But together? Absolutely.
Though they didn't respect each other, they were well aware of each other's scientific prowess.
Aside from that freak Vegapunk, no scientist surpassed them!
"Good!"
Gurd's smile widened.
"Now that you've seen this blueprint, you understand Vegapunk is developing the Seraphim. This is your only chance to surpass him!"
"Surpass Vegapunk!"
The expressions in the trio's eyes shifted.
Vegapunk stood before them like an insurmountable mountain. No matter how astonishing their research achievements were, they paled in comparison to his dazzling brilliance.
How they hated him!
Vegapunk was their common enemy!
"As long as the Seraphim you create surpass Vegapunk's Seraphim, it means you've surpassed him!"
Gurd spouted fallacies.
Yet, all three nodded in unison.
"Absolutely right!"
Vegapunk was too powerful—so formidable that even geniuses like them could only look up to him. Thus, even the slightest superiority over Vegapunk would prove they were no worse than him!
"Besides the Seraphim, there are other research projects for you to complete."
Gurd continued by presenting blueprints.
Vegapunk had gifted him many valuable items, including a "Sky Dome" system capable of adjusting an island's weather.
Hoenn Fortress, Amazon Lily, Research Institute.
He had established many crucial facilities within the Calm Belt. If he could manipulate the weather, it would be of immense help to him.
"Then, the new MADS is hereby established!"
"Give it your all, gentlemen!"
"I eagerly await the day you surpass Vegapunk!"
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/GoddessTL
Thanks!