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He frowned, pondered for a moment, then said: "Right now, the entire sea is guessing what exactly was the content in the call back then, that it made the captain of the Beast Pirates even give up ten billion. These days, everyone on the seas is saying that guy's face is even greater than yours, it's worth ten billion belly."
"Ian, the God of Sun? Ten billion belly' worth of face is indeed greater than mine, but that guy really knows how to stir things up!"
A trace of helplessness appeared on Shanks's face. "I originally thought that after being quiet for two years, that guy would settle down a bit. Who would have thought that just one call would make him famous again?"
As he spoke, he also frowned, as if thinking about something.
But after only a moment, he did not dwell on it any further; he smiled and shook his head, lifted his gaze, and looked out at the sea before him. "I look forward to meeting you in the New World,
Luffy!"
...
At the same time, on the Big Mom Pirates' side.
All the crew members looked at their mother, whose expression was somewhat unpleasant. Of course, they all knew why their mother's face was so dark, but it was better not to speak at this time.
After an unknown amount of time, Charlotte Linlin finally put down the newspaper in her hand with a dark face, then raised her head and looked at the son beside her. "Where is Katakuri now?"
"He's still in the East Blue. As for the Straw Hat Pirates, we don't know where they're hiding right now."
Upon hearing their mother's question, the son beside her did not hesitate in the slightest and hurriedly said. "Big brother Katakuri said he can't come back for now and asked for you, Mama, to trust him. He will definitely obtain the Dark-Dark Fruit."
"No need! Tell Katakuri to come back immediately!"
Charlotte Linlin still had a dark face, her tone carrying a ferocious edge. "And turn around now and head to Wano Country!"
"Yes, Mama!"
After Charlotte Linlin's words fell, the crew of the Big Mom Pirates more or less guessed what their mother was going to do in Wano Country. Although they all felt that it was a real pity to have Big Brother Katakuri give up at this time, their mother was angry right now!
Big brother Katakuri still had a very good chance of snatching that devil fruit.
But it was better not to make their mother unhappy.
Without any hesitation, the moment their mother gave the order, all the children immediately took action; they turned the ship around and prepared to head for Wano Country.
...
After the Four Emperors' crews withdrew, the entire sea seemed to become much calmer. As for Ian's side... He did not pay much attention to the matters in the East Blue anymore. He was currently at Umbrella Corporation's research facility, preparing to handle some business with the Beasts Pirates.
However, at this moment, as Ian looked at the things Caesar Clown took out, he could not help but frown. "After all this time, this is the kind of trash you came up with?"
"Boss Ian!"
Hearing Ian's words, Caesar Clown immediately put on a pitiful expression and said: "Research isn't that simple, you know. How long has it even been? And didn't I already produce a finished product that meets your requirements?"
"Aren't you always bragging that you're the world's number one scientist? Out of a hundred, you only manage to produce one qualified product, and you still have the nerve to compete with
Vegapunk for the title of world's number one scientist?"
Ian tossed the so-called finished product in his hand and looked at Caesar Clown with undisguised contempt as he spoke without giving him any face at all. "What a disappointment. I even lent you Vegapunk's artificial Devil Fruit for reference, and this is all you managed?" Caesar Clown: "..."
These words instantly made Caesar Clown's face flush red. Not from shame, but from anger.
No matter what, he was still a scientist; how could he possibly tolerate such humiliation?
Glaring at Ian angrily, he said: "You idiot, do you even understand research—"
"Hm?"
"Sorry, boss Ian, I was too arrogant."
Seeing the tiny piece of red tissue in Ian's hand, no larger than a grain of rice, Caesar Clown, who had been about to explode instantly, calmed down, and he hurriedly lowered his head and said, "I will definitely continue to work hard and complete your task as soon as possible!" This detestable bastard!
He actually dared to threaten the world's number one scientist?!
"Please spare me!"
"Forget it. I'll give you another chance. Continue your research for me. As for those messy, random projects of yours... Throw them away. For this period of time, focus honestly on researching artificial Devil Fruits. As long as you surpass Vegapunk in artificial Devil Fruits, there's still some possibility of you becoming the world's number one scientist!"
Although this guy didn't say anything and even put on an obedient, well-behaved appearance, how could Ian not know what he was thinking inside?
Picking on the weak and fearing the strong, that described this guy perfectly. But as long as Ian held his heart in his hand, he could exploit this guy for his entire life, making him obediently work here for a lifetime.
"I'll take this artificial Devil Fruit. If there's still no improvement next time, don't blame me for being ruthless."
After saying that, Ian no longer paid any attention to that guy. Holding the artificial Devil Fruit, he turned around and left directly.
He didn't even care about Caesar Clown behind him, who was secretly grinding his teeth and baring his fangs.
Actually, this guy had made some progress during this period. At the very least, after Ian handed him Vegapunk's artificial Devil Fruit, he successfully optimized the artificial Devil Fruits quite a bit.
For example, the artificial fruit currently in his hand is the Chimpanzee Fruit.
Although it still had the flaw common to artificial Devil Fruits of being unable to freely switch forms at will, at least this fruit wasn't like that garbage, which not only had side effects but might also fail after being eaten.
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