In reality, Kenji had already planned it out.
A portion of the technological products developed by Vegapunk's team in the future could be sold to other major powers.
One must know, these unique dark technology products would undoubtedly sell for exorbitant prices. This way, the issue of funding would naturally no longer be a problem.
Of course, not everything could be sold, it would certainly need to be screened beforehand.
"As long as your team can continuously produce things, I will take care of the funding." Seeing Vegapunk still staring at him, Kenji explained further.
He could tell that Vegapunk wanted a definite answer, preferably something like a signed contract. But Kenji would certainly not sign such a thing.
Fortunately, he had been continuously providing a portion of the funding to the MADS team over the years. Although this funding was officially allocated, Kenji was responsible for its transportation, so in the eyes of the MADS scientific team, it naturally came from Kenji.
"This... If you can provide sufficient funding, I am willing to cooperate." Vegapunk pondered for a long time and finally nodded in agreement.
Kenji saw his hesitation but wasn't worried. Because after a period of time, all MADS team members, including Vegapunk, would encounter events they couldn't handle. At that point, even if they were unwilling, they would have to agree.
"Then, the cooperation is settled."
Kenji didn't want to resort to coercion, especially when the targets were a group of researchers. Scientific research couldn't be forced.
"Alright, next, I need your help with something." Kenji spoke again, asking Vegapunk if there were any Devil Fruit users on the island.
This request was seen by Vegapunk and the others as a test of their sincerity in cooperation. They really wanted to help, but there were no Devil Fruit users on the island.
Except for Stussy, who was a suspected devil fruit user, but she had been silent since earlier, quietly watching Kenji interact with the other scientists present.
"No choice, it seems I can only use some of my..."
Kenji frowned slightly, planning to implement the method he had considered before.
That was to take out the powerful Devil Fruits he had acquired. Then, select someone from the island personnel or Marine soldiers to consume them, and once they gained the Devil Fruit abilities, he could naturally observe them on the spot.
You might think this is wasteful? Just giving powerful Devil Fruits to a stranger or a soldier is simply throwing away treasure?
But actually, Kenji never intended to truly give away the Devil Fruits.
The method was very simple. It was by using the Future Vision ability.
'Hmm, if things develop normally, I will give out Devil Fruits, and they will be consumed...'
Kenji began to mentally simulate the development of events.
'The Devil Fruit ability, used on the spot...'
'If everything goes smoothly, I should be able to see those Devil Fruit abilities on the spot within about half an hour.'
'Hmm, however, some strong Devil Fruits might fail to be comprehended...'
Kenji suddenly thought, what if the current Super Comprehension couldn't comprehend those Mythical Zoan or conceptual-type Devil Fruit abilities. That would be awkward then.
'Fortunately, it's all in the future, it won't actually happen.'
After repeatedly estimating and simulating several times in his mind, Kenji had already clearly arranged all the subsequent steps in his mind, preparing to start his plan.
Just then, Vegapunk, who was nearby, suddenly got up and walked towards the adjacent laboratory.
"Oh no, I've wasted so much time, my experimental subject is going to escape again..." Vegapunk muttered as he quickly ran into the laboratory.
Kenji originally intended to stay put and wait for Vegapunk to return, but soon, his Observation Haki suddenly sensed something strange and interesting.
He ignored everyone else present and walked towards the laboratory.
Scien, Judge, and the others also got up, the room next door was also their laboratory.
'The conflict isn't that serious, there should still be room for reconciliation.'
Stussy watched as everyone present successively entered the laboratory, biting her full, rosy lips. She thought for a moment, then also got up and followed them.
Inside the laboratory.
Vegapunk was running hard, his two short legs churning, his large head swaying from side to side with inertia. And what he was chasing was a small yellow dog.
If one looked closely, they would find that this yellow dog had a very strange appearance. Its body was stretched very long, and near its belly, it had a part of a gun, looking like half-dog, half-gun.
"This is... a musket that ate a Devil Fruit?" Kenji was surprised, remembering that this technology indeed originated from Vegapunk.
'Object Devil Fruit technology... It was developed so early?'
'Hmm, well, yes, Vegapunk had already started researching Lineage Factors by now, and even had some success...'
Lineage Factors were the foundation of artificial Devil Fruit technology, as well as technologies like cloning.
Stussy's clone had already been created, which clearly indicated that the MADS organization's research into Lineage Factors was already quite advanced.
'If the target is a gun that ate a Devil Fruit... can I comprehend its Devil Fruit ability?'
Kenji looked at the 'dog-gun' running around flexibly in the distance, somewhat hesitant whether to make it the target of Super Comprehension.
Fortunately, the next moment, a sudden phone call helped him divert his attention.
The person on the other end of the Den Den Mushi was from the personnel remaining on the warship, and the report was just a simple sentence.
"Large numbers of World Government ships have been spotted in the waters near Egghead Island."
'So the World Government people still came.' Kenji wasn't too surprised.
But the next piece of intelligence, which followed immediately, made him frown.
After the warship's remaining personnel finished their report and the call ended, Kuzan's contact followed immediately.
The report was also just one sentence:
"Kenji-san, the Five Elders are on their way."