Chapter 315: Dr. Tsukimi

South Blue, a mysterious island of robots.

"Oh! Finally finished!"

With a kindly smile, Dr. Tsukimi wiped the sweat from his forehead and set down his tools.

"Woohoo~ Such miraculous knowledge... purely mechanical intelligent robots, with completely autonomous consciousness—this can no longer be called a machine... but life itself, right?"

Dr. Tsukimi gazed at the small robot lying on the laboratory table before him. The little robot had a round face, a small mustache, and a chubby, endearing body.

"Hmm... let's call you... Spacey, shall we?"

Pressing the activation switch, Dr. Tsukimi watched with satisfaction as the robot's eyes gradually lit up with life after a faint buzzing sound.

"Ha! Success! That means the other three can be activated too!"

Seeing the little robot—Spacey—shift its gaze from confusion to clarity, Dr. Tsukimi eagerly pressed three more activation buttons.

...

"Doctor! These dumplings are delicious!"

Freshly activated, the four little robots—Spacey, Cosmo, Galaxy, and Macro—accompanied Dr. Tsukimi under the moonlight, enjoying the delicious mochi dumplings.

The island's climate was pleasant, resembling the autumn islands of the Grand Line. The clear night sky made it perfect for moon-gazing.

"I feel like my energy increased a little after eating these dumplings!"

Spacey exclaimed. He wore a steel helmet and an army uniform, dressed like an officer.

Beside him, Cosmo wore samurai armor with a horned helmet. Galaxy was clad in full-body armor, while Macro sported a beret.

"They can even convert food into energy... haha, this could truly be called... an artificial human, right?"

Looking at the four lively little robots around him, Dr. Tsukimi smiled warmly.

"Ah... in my old age, having you four by my side makes me so happy, hahaha!"

"We will always accompany you, Doctor!"

"Good children... Puh!"

Dr. Tsukimi's smiling eyes suddenly widened, his gaze fixed on the bright full moon—where a streak of lightning flashed across its surface!

"What is that?!"

Dr. Tsukimi stared in astonishment but thankfully wasn't choking—he had been watching the robots eat.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

The four robots coughed violently. Having been infused with considerable knowledge at their creation, they naturally knew that lightning shouldn't appear on the moon.

Dr. Tsukimi hurriedly patted their backs before realizing they were robots—unable to choke.

After some effort, the robots swallowed their mochi and turned to Dr. Tsukimi.

"Doctor! What's happening on the moon? Why is there lightning?"

"I'm not sure..."

Dr. Tsukimi's gentle face turned serious. The elderly scientist sensed that this incident might be connected to him.

After all, among the technologies he inherited were some strange descriptions—such as how to send robots to the moon.

"What's happening on the moon..."

Dr. Tsukimi gathered the four robots in the laboratory and assigned them a mission—

Explore the moon!

"Spacey, your origins may be connected to the moon above us..."

"I just created you, and the moon is already showing abnormalities. Perhaps... you should go see what's happening there!"

"I've spent most of my life analyzing and recreating the technology that made you... This technology is so astonishing that even the world's greatest scientist, Dr. Vegapunk, might not be able to replicate it!"

Dr. Tsukimi took out four seemingly ordinary... balloons.

Yes, balloons.

He handed them to the four robots.

"These were obtained alongside the technology that created you—specifically designed for your use. Only you can utilize them."

"If anything happens on the moon that you can't resolve, return immediately. Understood?"

"Yes, Doctor!"

As intelligent robots created by Dr. Tsukimi, they possessed intelligence equal to humans. To them, Dr. Tsukimi was their father.

They would do anything for him.

...

On Vearth, Enel stroked his chin, observing the strange creatures and machines he had just defeated with a single strike.

"Pathetic!"

"But... who are these guys... Hmph! If they dare damage the domain of a god, they'll be reduced to ashes!"

Enel grabbed one of the electrocuted creatures and walked toward the explosion site.

These bizarre beings were clearly up to no good—the pirate-like symbol on their bodies only made him more suspicious.

At the bottom of a massive crater, Enel found the explosion's origin.

"They... were trying to blow something up? What's hidden here?"

Frowning at the wreckage, Enel saw scorched equipment and charred bodies of strange creatures.

"Tch... Better figure out what they were up to."

He placed a hand on the captive, sending sparks crackling through its body.

"*&%$#...!"

"..."

Enel's eye twitched as the creature shrieked in incomprehensible gibberish.

"Useless!"

A bolt of lightning knocked the captive out cold again.

"Tch, guess I'll have to call for backup."

Dragging the creature back to the Raijin, Enel tossed it into the ship's hold and approached the Lightforged Beacon.

"Of course the Transponder Snail wouldn't work—this is the domain of gods. Those mundane creatures couldn't connect here anyway."

"But this beacon will work..."

"Hmph! That guy... This isn't something mere strength can explain anymore."

Muttering, Enel activated the communication channel.

In Dr. Vegapunk's laboratory, Wright paused while discussing future research plans with Kuma and Vegapunk, sensing a special communication request.

Every Lightforged Beacon could contact Wright directly, transmitting identification codes.

"This is... the Raijin's beacon!"

Wright's spirit lifted.

"Dr. Vegapunk, there's news from the Raijin! Enel must have reached the moon and found something!"

"Enel..."

Kuma's eyes flickered before a rare smile appeared.

"So, the powerful Warlord of the Sea, 'Thunder God' Enel... is involved too."

"What's the message?"

Dr. Vegapunk's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"I'll confirm right away—Doctor, please head to the highest security Lightforged Beacon to prepare for transmission!"

"Hm, if you're interested, Kuma, you can join us—this might greatly aid our future plans!"

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