Kizaru leisurely strolled over to Luffy and plopped down on a stool next to him, picking up a cup of coffee with his ever-relaxed demeanor.
"Oh~, what a stunning view this is," Kizaru remarked, standing in front of the ship's expansive window. The sparkling sea stretched endlessly below, dotted with tiny islands shimmering in the sunlight.
Behind the bar, Luffy raised a glass of champagne, a proud grin on his face. "Not bad, right? The view, the breeze, and a good drink—it's paradise."
Kizaru turned to him with a mock pout. "It's impressive, sure, but if the Fleet Admiral finds out about this luxurious setup, he's going to flip out."
Luffy frowned, setting his glass down. "Hey, Uncle Borsalino, don't make it sound like I'm misusing funds! This ship's renovations were paid for with our own savings."
Kizaru arched an eyebrow skeptically, but before he could retort, Luffy cut him off.
"I know what you're thinking," Luffy said with a grin. "But my Olivia is a successful businesswoman. Her personal assets are probably larger than the treasuries of some small nations."
At this, Kizaru's mouth twitched, his relaxed air momentarily giving way to bitterness. "First you snag the Pirate Empress, and now you've got a girlfriend richer than royalty? And here I am, still wondering why no one's writing me love letters."
He sighed dramatically, sipping his coffee like a man defeated by fate.
Luffy laughed, clinking his glass against Kizaru's. "You've got your charm, Uncle. Maybe you're just not looking in the right places."
With only the two of them present, the conversation flowed freely. After a moment of casual chatter, Kizaru leaned in, his tone curious. "So, Luffy-san, what's your real reason for heading to Punk Hazard? I can't imagine there's much there for you."
Luffy leaned back, swirling his drink as he answered. "Three reasons, actually. First, I want to meet Vegapunk, the genius scientist who's said to be 500 years ahead of his time. Second, I want to see if there's any high-tech gear the Science Department might let me test—or, you know, borrow. And third..."
His tone shifted, becoming uncharacteristically serious. He set his glass down and looked directly at Kizaru.
"Dr. Vegapunk has been researching artificial Devil Fruits, hasn't he?"
The casual air between them shattered. Kizaru froze, his hand trembling slightly as he gripped his cup. His usual carefree expression gave way to genuine surprise.
"How... how do you know that?" Kizaru muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Luffy's grin widened. "So it's true, huh?"
He poured the last of his champagne into his glass and drained it in one gulp before continuing. "Let me fill you in, Uncle. That idiot Jack from the Beasts Pirates spilled everything before he met his end. Turns out, Doflamingo was using Punk Hazard's technology to create artificial Devil Fruits. He even struck some kind of deal with Kaido."
Kizaru's jaw dropped slightly. "Impossible. Vegapunk's attempts to replicate Devil Fruits have all failed. And yet you're telling me Doflamingo has mastered the technology?"
"Believe it," Luffy said, his tone calm but firm. "Doflamingo got what he needed from Punk Hazard, though whether he stole it, bribed someone, or something else entirely is still unclear. I don't want to accuse Dr. Vegapunk without proof, but the facts are too suspicious to ignore."
Kizaru leaned back, his usual relaxed demeanor completely absent. "This is... troubling. If what you're saying is true, the implications could be catastrophic. The government won't take kindly to such a breach of trust."
"Exactly why I waited to tell you in private," Luffy said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "If this information leaked before we had a chance to confirm it, the Fleet Admiral would have your head."
Kizaru studied Luffy for a moment, then let out a heavy sigh. "You really know how to complicate my life, don't you?"
Luffy grinned unapologetically. "Hey, I'm just looking out for you."
For a moment, Kizaru considered the weight of Luffy's words. Then he raised his glass, offering a toast. "To headaches and surprises. Let's hope this one doesn't blow up in our faces."
Luffy laughed, clinking his glass against Kizaru's. "Cheers to that, Uncle."
As they drank, The Stormbreaker sailed on, cutting through the clouds as it headed toward Punk Hazard.
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