Vegapunk gave a firm nod, affirming Luffy's request, and the young pirate's excitement was palpable. His enthusiasm practically radiated as he clenched his fists, his voice brimming with urgency.
"Doctor, you have to develop these two technologies as soon as possible!" Luffy declared. "Soil improvement and Crop improvement —these are far more important than all those flashy inventions you've been working on!"
"Hey, kid! What did you just say?!" Vegapunk's face turned red with indignation, his passion igniting like a spark in dry tinder. "Are you suggesting my other inventions are worthless? Each one is a masterpiece—a testament to human ingenuity and a guiding light for mankind's progress!"
The fiery retort left no room for argument, or so Vegapunk thought. To him, the world's boundless resources and vast territories made these "mundane" agricultural technologies trivial compared to his groundbreaking creations.
But Luffy wasn't one to back down. Holding a microphone in his hand, he fixed Vegapunk with a serious gaze and posed a question that cut deeper than any sword.
"Doctor, have you ever considered who exactly benefits from your so-called technological advancements?"
The question caught Vegapunk off guard, but his response came reflexively. "Why, for all of humanity, of course! Take my island-wide air conditioning system, for instance. I plan to provide it to my hometown one day so that they can finally escape the harsh cold."
"That's just one isolated case!" Luffy countered, his voice rising. "The truth is that most of your inventions are so expensive that only the wealthy can afford them. They're luxuries that the common people can never dream of owning. So tell me, Doctor, what progress have your technologies truly brought to the masses? For ordinary people, nothing has changed!"
Vegapunk opened his mouth but found himself unable to respond. The reality of Luffy's words was undeniable. Scientific progress demanded astronomical costs—research, development, manufacturing, and distribution—all of which inevitably drove up prices.
Luffy sighed, his tone softening but carrying a gravity that made Vegapunk listen intently. "Doctor, true progress comes when your creations are accessible to everyone. When your inventions are affordable and widespread, only then can they change lives. Otherwise, they're just luxury goods disguised as progress, serving the rich while leaving the poor behind."
These words hit Vegapunk like a lightning bolt. His eyes clouded with deep thought, and moments later, they began to shine with a new light—a glimmer of understanding he had never felt before.
Luffy wasn't done yet. His voice carried a persuasive warmth, as if he were trying to reach the very core of Vegapunk's ideals. "Land and crops are different. They're the foundation of life for ordinary people. Transform the land, and it will produce food endlessly. Improve the yield of crops, and you can change the lives of countless families."
The young pirate's words painted vivid images in Vegapunk's mind.
"Imagine," Luffy continued, "if one acre of land could feed a family of five, doubling its yield would feed another family. It's not just about survival—it's about giving people the chance to live better lives."
Vegapunk's head bobbed as he nodded along, his resistance eroding with every word. For the first time, he saw the young pirate not as a reckless troublemaker but as someone with vision—a dreamer with the power to inspire change.
For the first time in his life, Vegapunk felt he was truly in the right place. Here, he had not only the resources to pursue his research but also the companionship of people like Luffy, whose ideas could reshape the world.
A spark of hope lit up his mind. Perhaps, if he followed this path, he might witness a future where peace and freedom reigned—a world where technology truly served humanity.
With newfound excitement, Vegapunk asked, "Your ideas are brilliant. Once these technologies are perfected, will you make them available to everyone for free?"
Luffy's response was immediate, yet firm. "Free? That's unrealistic, and it wouldn't solve the real problem."
The young pirate's tone turned serious as he explained further. "Doctor, why do you think those poor people are in such dire straits? Is it because they're lazy or unwilling to work? No. The truth is, their lives are controlled by kings, nobles, and tyrants who exploit them at every turn."
His words were like a mirror reflecting the harsh realities Vegapunk had overlooked.
"Even if you provide these technologies to the people, do you think they'll truly benefit? The rulers will simply find new ways to exploit them, leaving their lives unchanged. Progress doesn't come from tools alone—it comes from breaking free of oppression."
Vegapunk fell silent, his thoughts in turmoil. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the orange glow illuminated the fields, abundant with crops. Yet, despite the bounty, many still went hungry, trapped in a cycle of poverty they couldn't escape.
For the first time, the scientist truly understood the revolutionary army's purpose. It wasn't just about overthrowing a corrupt government—it was about dismantling an entire system that had chained humanity to suffering and inequality for centuries.
"What should we do?" Vegapunk's voice trembled with resolve, the weight of his question heavy in the air.
Luffy paused, his gaze distant but determined. When he finally spoke, his words carried the conviction of a plan long conceived.
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