Seeing Franky's face light up with a mixture of excitent and concern, Luffy suddenly rembered that the cyborg was an enthusiastic fan of Dr. Vegapunk.
Though he couldn't recall exactly when that admiration had begun. Either way, watching Franky's expression shift from curiosity to awe at the re ntion of the scientist's na was entertaining.
Based on Franky's animated gestures as he spoke about the Stormbreaker's schematics and the laser weapon, it seed his admiration had blossod after studying those technical drawings.
A sly grin spread across Luffy's face. This could be interesting. Especially since Vegapunk was now within his territory.
"So you admire Vegapunk, huh?" Luffy leaned back in his chair, casually taking a sip of his cola wine. "Don't worry about it. I've been friends with the old man for many years now."
Franky's jaw dropped slightly, his eyes widening.
"He wasn't kidnapped by the Revolutionary Army like the World Governnt claims," Luffy continued, enjoying the shipwright's stunned expression. "That whole story was just governnt propaganda. In truth, he accepted my father's invitation willingly and joined the Revolutionary Army of his own accord."
Luffy paused, taking another slow sip of cola while glancing sideways at Franky, preparing to deliver his knockout blow.
"Besides," he added casually, "he's currently in Wano, which falls under my jurisdiction. He's conducting his research on a Sky Island floating 10,000 ters above Wano, away from prying governnt eyes."
"WHAT?! He's in WANO?! AND on a LEGENDARY SKY ISLAND?!" Franky's chanical arms shot up in astonishnt, nearly knocking over the table between them. His nose began to leak oil in excitent—a quirk of his cyborg modifications.
The revelation had the exact impact Luffy had hoped for. Not only was Franky completely shocked about his idol's whereabouts, but the existence of Sky Island—a legendary phenonon many considered mythical—had the shipwright visibly shaking with excitent.
Even Iceberg, who had been quietly nursing his drink, sobered up instantly. His mouth ford a perfect "O" of surprise—the trademark shocked expression common throughout the Grand Line when soone heard truly astonishing news.
Luffy couldn't help but smile smugly behind his glass. There was sothing deeply satisfying about surprising people like this.
"Yes, the doctor is with now," Luffy confird, setting down his drink. "Even if the World Governnt searches every corner of the Blues, they won't find him."
Franky took a deep breath, his massive tal hands clenched into fists as he tried to contain the excitent bubbling up inside him. But his heart began whirring loudly, betraying his emotional state.
The urge to et his scientific idol suddenly overwheld him. Once the thought took root, he couldn't suppress it any longer. Driven by pure fanboy determination, Franky shoved Iceberg aside, who had been sitting between them.
Under Luffy's surprised gaze, Franky grabbed both of Luffy's hands, tears welling in his eyes.
"PLEASE!" he begged, his voice cracking with emotion. "PLEASE let et Dr. Vegapunk! I have so many questions I want to ask him in person! Please give this opportunity!"
Luffy was montarily taken aback by Franky's passionate outburst, but his surprise quickly gave way to delight. This was perfect! He had originally planned to find so way to recruit one of the world's finest shipbuilders after their eting. Now Franky was practically volunteering to co to Wano—it couldn't have worked out better if he'd planned it.
"Of course," Luffy replied, hiding his satisfaction behind a thoughtful expression. "But I still have a mission assigned, so I can't return to Wano anyti soon."
Before he could continue, Franky cut in eagerly:
"No need to worry about ! I can go by myself!" The shipwright's eyes were practically sparkling. "If it ans eting the doctor, I'd be willing to go to Mariejois itself—Wano is nothing in comparison!"
Looking at Franky's determined expression—the face of a man ready to risk life and limb for a chance to et his idol—Luffy angrily shook off the cyborg's grip.
"Idiot!" Luffy scolded, though there was no real heat in his voice. "Don't talk like you're marching to your death. It's just Wano. It's perfectly safe there now."
He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head.
"The New World has beco much quieter since Kaido's defeat. It's not nearly as dangerous as it used to be. With the relationship between the Galley-La Company and the Marine, you can easily take the Marine-protected route and reach Wano safely."
Luffy grinned confidently. "I'll make arrangents for you in advance. Just tell them you're my friend, and they'll take you to see the doctor."
With Luffy's reassurance, Franky's excitent reached new heights. Tears of joy stread down his face as he began sobbing dramatically.
"SUUUPEEERRR!" he cried, striking his signature pose despite his emotional state. "This is... this is what it feels like when dreams co true! I can't wait to et the doctor and share my cola technology with him!"
As Franky continued his emotional display, Iceberg, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke up with confusion evident in his voice.
"Franky, didn't you say you wanted to start a company? Are you really ready to leave Water 7 just like that?"
Wiping tears from his eyes, Franky turned to face his foster brother, his expression suddenly conflicted. If Iceberg hadn't ntioned it, he might have completely forgotten why they'd co to see Luffy in the first place.
But now that the chance to et Vegapunk was within reach, he couldn't possibly give it up.
Luffy, pleased with having essentially recruited another valuable ally, perked up with interest at Iceberg's words.
"Company? Franky? What's this about?" He leaned forward, genuinely curious. "Tell more."
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