Even though he knew Shanks was coming to find him, Sherwin remained unhurried after hanging up the phone, continuing to copy Vegapunk data with the Felynes.
The Red-Haired Pirates didn't have the Dodo Advance, so even if they rushed over immediately, it would likely take several days.
Besides, Sherwin had no grudge against Shanks in fact, they had quite a few connections, so he wasn't worried at all about him showing up.
It had to be said that Vegapunk research directions were incredibly varied. Even focusing only on cultural research, it took Sherwin and the others two and a half days to finish copying everything.
After securing the data, Sherwin and the group once again used the blizzard as cover to sneak out of the research institute. Once they regrouped with Robin, they activated the Research Commission Secret Technique: Klee Meow Treasure Hunting Art.
Since there wasn't a specific target, the little Ragdoll used her tail-spinning-and-pointing method. Her tail tip eventually pointed toward a distant, strangely shaped peak, which was also the highest mountain on Karakuri Island.
Unlike the other mountains, the top of this peak was shaped like a rounded head of broccoli, and two giant bolts were embedded into the mountainside.
One look was enough to tell that Vegapunk had been tinkering with something there.
Sherwin hadn't considered that spot before because he vaguely remembered it being one of Vegapunk failed works.
"That is the 'Geothermal System' intended to warm the entire island," Robin, who had already thoroughly scouted the island intelligence, immediately explained.
"Supposedly, it was a work from Vegapunk youth, but it was never completed due to technical and financial constraints."
Looking at it this way, the technology in the world of Pirates actually seemed inferior to that of Ninjas. After all, the Land of Snow in the Ninja world managed to create a semi-functional version, while the most genius scientist in the Pirate world couldn't even produce a prototype.
Sherwin couldn't help but offer this internal hot take.
Besides, changing the climate here should be simple, right? Just let Akainu run wild for a bit, or simply let Klee Meow have at it?
"Meow?"
(=ω=)?
"It looks like the other research institute is most likely hidden inside that mountain. Our Spark Knight is amazing!"
Sherwin rubbed Klee Meow head, successfully diverting her attention.
"Ehehe~"
(=＞ω＜=)
The praised little Ragdoll rubbed her head against Sherwin palm, instantly tossing the strange "voice" she had sensed earlier to the back of her mind.
With Klee Meow leading the way again, the second hidden research institute wasn't hard to find. Sherwin and the others quickly located a concealed cave at the base of the mountain where the geothermal system was located.
Sure enough, the data here consisted of combat-related technology, including laser technology and animal modification techniques. From the layout inside, this was also the place Vegapunk used for his animal modifications.
Except...
"Brother Sherwin! There a self-destruct button here too meow! Let go dig out all the explosives here as well!"
(==)σ
Klee Meow tugged on Sherwin ear with one hand and pointed at the familiar black button on the wall with the other, shouting excitedly.
So this self-destruct button wasn't meant to hide the second research institute at all was it purely Vegapunk twisted sense of humor?!
Sherwin rolled his eyes speechlessly, then dutifully followed Klee Meow to dig out all the explosives here as well.
In addition, the data related to the geothermal system above their heads, along with the main control unit for the device, were also in this research institute.
After Purah Meow flipped through the data and inspected the main control unit of the geothermal system, she decisively concluded:
"The main issue is still the energy source meow. This geothermal device can't extract enough energy from underground to provide heat for the entire island it still requires a massive amount of external energy... Also, Vegapunk doesn't seem to have found a suitable material capable of evenly distributing the heat across the whole island meow. Check-it!"
(ゝω)~☆
Originally, Sherwin thought that since they had already fleeced Vegapunk for so much, and even planned to continue doing so at Egghead Island whenever the opportunity arose... he would have liked Klee Meow to help jumpstart this geothermal system as a way of repaying him.
However, since this thing had other unsolvable issues beyond just the energy source, there wasn't much he could do.
Another relatively important issue was that it was no simple task for Klee Meow to create flames powerful enough to start this geothermal device—flames that would keep burning and remain stable even after she left.
Sherwin had initially assumed that the flame summons Klee Meow called forth could exist indefinitely.
But later, Haibara Meow and Purah Meow had her cooperate in some experiments, which revealed that those summons would gradually dissipate over time once they were a certain distance away from Klee Meow.
If she used stronger Fruit powers, the summons wouldn't disappear, but they would go out of control, eventually resulting in a situation similar to Punk Hazard from the manga.
So, it wasn't that the Hunter was ungrateful the conditions simply didn't allow for it...
And so, Sherwin continued to work with Robin and the Felynes, copying the data within this research institute.
While they were busy acting as "movers," a world-renowned pirate crew also arrived at Future Island...
"Red—Red-Haired! It one of the Four Emperors, Red-Haired!"
"Damn it! Why is Red-Haired appearing here?!"
"Quick! Go to Headquarters and call for reinforcements!"
The floating ice outside Future Island certainly couldn't stop Shanks, so when the Red Force appeared at the almost abandoned pier of Future Island, the Marines on the island instantly fell into a chaotic mess.
There was no helping it the Marine presence on Baldimore was only at the level of a branch office, with the highest-ranking officer being merely a Captain.
Perhaps he was slightly stronger than a Captain from a branch in the four seas, but to a crew of the Four Emperors, there was absolutely no difference.
"Red-Haired! What do you intend to do by coming here?!"
As the highest-ranking Marine present, Captain Gorilla arranged for his subordinates to notify the island civilians to take shelter before leading the remaining Marines forward to confront Shanks, hardening his resolve.
Even though the Red-Haired Pirates were considered among the easier ones to deal with among the Four Emperors—and indeed among all pirates—they still had the crime of destroying an entire country on their record, so he had no choice but to proceed with caution.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to start a war with you. I'm just here to find 'Hunter' Sherwin."
Shanks waved his hand jovially, explaining his intent to Captain Gorilla.
"Hunter?" Captain Gorilla froze for a moment, then replied decisively, "He hasn't come here, so please leave!"
"Eh? But I received definite information saying that he arrived here quite a while ago..."
Shanks scratched the scar on his face and muttered in confusion.
Meanwhile, the adjutant to Captain Gorilla seemed to remember something and suddenly whispered a few words into his ear...
"Oh no! Vegapunk laboratory!"
Captain Gorilla face paled in shock. He completely ignored the fact that Shanks was one of the Four Emperors and rushed toward the laboratory with his subordinates.
Well, the quality of the Marines here was indeed mediocre.
When they hurriedly reached Vegapunk laboratory, what they saw was a dismantled wall and several large pits dug into the ground. As for the most important research data and equipment, they were perfectly fine and without any damage.
"It seems... they only destroyed the self-destruct mechanism of this laboratory and dug out all the explosives connected to it."
After checking the damage, several scientists invited by Captain Gorilla reached this conclusion.
"Furthermore, the data left behind by Vegapunk has even been reclassified and organized."
Unable to understand what Sherwin was trying to achieve, Captain Gorilla could only contact Headquarters again, only to receive a reply telling him to "ignore it."
In the eyes of Marine Headquarters and the World Government, the technology on Baldimore wasn't dangerous anyway, so it wasn't a big deal if Sherwin looked at it.
As for those explosives...
Sherwin had previously asked the World Government for Dyna Stones, so his motive was easy to guess. It was most likely for the Felynes by his side.
Meanwhile, with the Red Hair Pirates...
"Uh... Beckman, did I accidentally cause trouble for that Hunter?"
Shanks looked at his first mate with an embarrassed expression.
Benn Beckman shrugged. He and the rest of the crew had long since grown accustomed to these sorts of things.