Since his enrollment in the Marines' elite training camp, Luffy had always been a natural leader. His comrades admired his charisma, trusting his judgment and following him without hesitation.
Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp were no exception. Despite Usopp's timid nature, his courage never faltered when it truly mattered. Together, the three reaffirmed their loyalty to Luffy, vowing to help him create a better era.
The brave marine believed not only in Luffy but also in the justice he stood for.
Now, let's bring the focus back to the present—March 20th.
In celebration of Dr. Vegapunk's arrival, Luffy organized a grand banquet. Sanji, as head chef, led his culinary team in a tireless effort to craft their finest dishes.
The smell of freshly grilled meats, rich stews, and fragrant spices wafted through the air as the chefs worked with determination. Even Vegapunk, who had tasted some of the rarest and most exquisite cuisines in the world, couldn't help but marvel at the flavors.
"This is truly a miracle!" Vegapunk exclaimed after sampling one of Sanji's dishes.
Meanwhile, Sentomaru was so engrossed in devouring his meal that he didn't even notice when Luffy tried to strike up a conversation with him. His head seemed permanently buried in his plate, a testament to the irresistible allure of Sanji's cooking.
On another side of the banquet hall, Dragon found himself the center of attention—not by choice. Ain, Hancock, Nami, and several other women eagerly surrounded him, competing for his attention and engaging him in lively conversation.
Unlike Garp, who thrived in such lively environments, Dragon appeared stiff and uncomfortable. He was entirely unused to this level of attention, especially from so many beautiful women.
"Who did Luffy inherit this kind of amorous charm from?" Dragon wondered, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of the situation.
Had Hina, Kalifa, Yamato, and Violet been present, Dragon might have felt even more overwhelmed. Fortunately, their duties in Wano Country spared him from further existential crisis.
As the banquet unfolded, Luffy observed Vegapunk, Dragon, and Sentomaru enjoying themselves. He felt a sense of relief, knowing his efforts to make everyone feel welcomed had paid off.
Seizing an opportunity, Luffy approached Vegapunk, who was wrestling with a particularly juicy piece of sea king meat.
"Doctor," Luffy began with a grin, "I remember you once complained about being overwhelmed with work. Have you found a way to manage everything more efficiently now? By the way, you look much more handsome without that oversized head."
Vegapunk chuckled, touching the apple-shaped antenna on his head with pride. "Hahaha! Yes, things are much easier now."
When it came to technology, Vegapunk was unstoppable. With enthusiasm, he launched into an explanation about the development of the "Punk Records" and his ambitious plan to create multiple clones that would share a collective brain.
Luffy listened intently, fascinated by the scientist's vision. The idea of turning his brain into a shared database for the world's knowledge was nothing short of remarkable.
"Doctor, that's incredible!" Luffy said. "Actually, I've been working on something similar. We're developing a new machine called a computer, and I think your expertise could take it to the next level."
Intrigued, Vegapunk paused to listen.
Luffy elaborated on his idea: to use computers as a medium for sharing knowledge. By connecting computers to a central database (modeled after Vegapunk's brain), people could search for answers to their questions.
Additionally, Luffy envisioned creating a communication platform, akin to a public forum, where professionals could share their expertise with others. Scientists, doctors, and experts from various fields could upload their knowledge, expanding the database and providing opportunities for learning.
Vegapunk's eyes lit up with inspiration. The concept of making knowledge universally accessible resonated deeply with his ideals.
"This is a brilliant idea!" Vegapunk exclaimed.
However, when he asked Luffy about the current prevalence of computers, his excitement waned. To his dismay, Luffy admitted that computers weren't widely available yet—in fact, they hadn't even built a fully functional prototype.
Olivia's earlier invention, a game console, didn't qualify as a real computer either.
Despite this, Vegapunk wasn't discouraged. Creating computers sounded like a simple challenge for a mind as brilliant as his. Without hesitation, he patted his chest and declared, "Leave it to me!"
Luffy seized the opportunity to introduce Olivia. Dragging her into the conversation, he said, "Doctor, this is Olivia, a member of the Marine Research Institute. She can assist you with any computer-related issues."
Before Vegapunk could respond, Luffy added, "By the way, Olivia came up with something called electronic games. I was thinking we could incorporate it into the computer as a selling point. People would love it!"
Olivia's jaw dropped, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Help Dr. Vegapunk? Me?!" she stammered, pointing to herself in disbelief.
The idea of working alongside the world's greatest scientist was beyond her wildest dreams. Overwhelmed by the honor, she nearly fainted from joy.
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