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Wapol felt a sudden splash of water on his face, snapping him out of a daze. The cold shock woke him up immediately.
"Who threw water on me?!" Wapol shouted angrily, but when he opened his eyes, he realized something was very wrong. He wasn't in his palace or his submarine. Confusion set in as he struggled to remember. 'Wait... was I kidnapped?'
Just then, the memory of being taken flashed in his mind.
"Remember now?" Arthur, sitting nearby, finally spoke up.
Hearing Arthur's familiar voice, Wapol's heart sank. 'This is a nightmare, isn't it?' His fear grew as he faced the situation.
"What are you planning? We're both kings under the World Government! Are you planning to go against their rule that allied nations shouldn't fight each other?" Wapol demanded.
"Of course not," Arthur replied calmly.
For a moment, hope flickered in Wapol's eyes. But Arthur's next words crushed that hope.
"What I mean is, as of today, the king of the Drum Kingdom, Wapol, has disappeared. You'll stay here and work on metal research for me. Don't worry, you'll be rewarded." Arthur smiled lightly, standing up and approaching Wapol.
Arthur, who was already around two meters tall, now seemed even bigger, towering over Wapol, who was sitting on the ground. The size difference was striking.
"No! You can't do this! I need to go back to my country! My people need me! I'm their king!" Wapol's voice shook with fear as he backed away from Arthur.
"Go back to your country? You mean... that place?" Arthur pointed out a window.
Wapol turned and looked. Through the window, he saw only darkness, with a distant planet about the size of a basketball.
"What is this...?"
"We're on the moon now. If you want to leave, that's not happening unless I say so. Unless, of course, you can fly," Arthur said coldly.
"The moon?! That's impossible!" Wapol rushed to the window, staring out in disbelief. "Is this really space?"
"Yes. That blue planet with the red ring is our world. So, you'll stay here and work on alloys for me," Arthur's voice was cold and firm.
"No! You can't just kidnap a king from an allied nation!" Wapol screamed, losing control. In his desperation, he charged at Arthur, forgetting the huge power gap between them.
*Bzzzzt!*
With a crackle of electricity, Wapol was struck by lightning mid-leap and collapsed to the ground.
"Let me go! I want to go home!" Wapol cried out. Arthur had only used a small amount of his lightning power—just three million volts—but for someone like Wapol, it was enough to cause intense pain without knocking him unconscious.
*Bzzzzt!*
Another jolt hit Wapol, and he screamed in agony, his body convulsing uncontrollably. The pain and paralysis made him unable to move, not even to roll away from the shocks.
Arthur's face, illuminated by the flashing lightning, looked cold and menacing. "In this world, power rules. You aren't strong enough. I need your Munch-Munch Fruit (Baku Baku no Mi) ability to help me. That's the only reason you're alive. Don't even think about defying me. Obey."
As the lightning faded, Wapol was left sobbing, his body trembling, even losing control of his bladder. Gasping for breath, he felt true despair for the first time. For the first time, he regretted eating his Devil Fruit, knowing that it was the very thing this ruthless man wanted from him.
"Do you understand? If you refuse, I'll make you suffer until you give in. You'll either work for me or, in two years, you'll be dead." Arthur's voice was ice-cold.
Wapol, terrified and overwhelmed, quickly nodded. "I'll do it! I'll work for you!" The thought of facing more pain left him no choice.
"Good. A research team leader will come and take you. Your job will be to help them develop alloys." Arthur nodded and left the room.
Outside, the research team was waiting. They had been working on material synthesis, but progress had been slow. Now, with Wapol's help, things were about to change.
Arthur left the room and walked into another one where 20 top medical scientists were gathered, looking anxious.
*Creak~*
As Arthur opened the door, all eyes turned to him. Once they saw it was him, they quickly averted their gazes, fear clear on their faces.
Arthur, however, wasn't going to treat them like he did Wapol. Wapol relied on his Devil Fruit powers and was a fool, but this group was different—they were talented experts.
"There's no need to be nervous," Arthur said calmly. "Wapol doesn't appreciate your talent, but I do. I'm asking you to work for me, not as his lackeys."
He continued, "You'll be free to do your research and experiments in your own fields of expertise. I'll even provide you with knowledge you haven't come across yet. All I need is for you to follow my orders and work on a special project."
The scientists exchanged glances, reassured by Arthur's tone. Unlike how he handled Wapol, his attitude towards them was much better. An older man in his fifties stepped forward and gave a respectful bow.
"King Arthur, as long as you don't harm us, we're willing to cooperate," the old man said.
Arthur laughed, "Hurt you? That would be foolish. Your talents are far too valuable. The only condition is that you'll stay on the moon, but otherwise, you're free to continue your research."
He added, "There are already scientists from Visalia here, studying astronomy. Plus, I have over fifty others working for me. You don't need to worry."
"Visalia? That sky island with the astronomers?" one of the doctors asked.
"Yes, the very same. They're here voluntarily, while you were brought by force. But tell me, aren't you tired of working under Wapol? If you have family, let me know. I'll arrange for them to join you here."
At the mention of family, many of the scientists' eyes lit up. They had spent so much time traveling with Wapol, they barely saw their loved ones. The chance to reunite with them and continue their work was more than appealing.
"King Arthur, are you serious?" the old man asked, his voice trembling. He hadn't seen his family in a long time, and the thought of his sons and grandchildren weighed heavily on his heart.
Arthur nodded. "Yes, I'm serious. I'll bring your immediate family members here. But once they arrive, you won't be able to return to the Earth for about ten years."
The scientists thought it over. Arthur was one of the strongest people in the world, and he had no reason to deceive them. Even if they didn't mention their families, it wasn't hard to find them. With that in mind, all 20 doctors reached a decision.
"King Arthur, I'm willing to serve you!" one declared.
"So am I!"
"I am too!"
"I want to bring my wife and children here," another said.
One by one, they all agreed to cooperate, and Arthur was pleased. It was much better to have them willingly submit than to force them like Wapol.
Arthur then asked, "I know Wapol handpicked the top 20 doctors, but I need more. Can you recommend another ten or twenty skilled doctors?"
The doctors nodded, and soon, Arthur had a list of names and descriptions. One of them was even a skilled artist and drew portraits of the recommended doctors.
In total, including family members, the group Arthur planned to bring to the moon exceeded a hundred people, but it didn't matter. The city of ruins on the moon could easily hold hundreds of thousands.
After securing the doctors and defeating Wapol, Arthur had what he needed to start the IQ grass project, handing it over to the experts with confidence.
Feeling satisfied, Arthur set off towards the sky island. It had been nearly two weeks, and it was time to return. Aside from the doctors, he had other places to visit to recruit more talents and gather unique technologies.