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Arthur laughed. Vegapunk would never know the source of his information.
"So... you have developed the technique."
"I cracked the code for Zoan fruits long ago. You showed up not long after I figured out Paramecia."
Vegapunk walked to a lab table, picking up a thick stack of documents and handing one to Arthur.
"Memorize this, then destroy it. I reported to the World Government that the success rate for creating Paramecia-based weapons is one percent. In reality—as long as the material is compatible—it's one hundred percent."
Vegapunk had hidden his true progress from the World Government, keeping his most significant breakthroughs secret.
Arthur took the document, scanning the contents. His memory was excellent. Memorizing a single page was child's play.
The process was surprisingly simple.
It required applying "pressure" to the Devil Fruit's essence—the "demon" residing within. Trapped with nowhere to go, the demon would latch onto the nearest compatible object—not just another fruit, but any suitable material.
Arthur's eyes widened as he read, the implications of this discovery sinking in.
He had assumed Blackbeard used his Dark-Dark Fruit to extract Devil Fruits from their users, its gravity pulling the "demon" out and transferring it to a new fruit.
The Dark-Dark Fruit was the natural enemy of all Devil Fruits. It could pull Devil Fruit users towards it, bypassing even Logia intangibility—suggesting it could interact directly with the "demon" itself. If it could attract Devil Fruit users, why not attract the "demon" and transfer it to a new fruit?
But Vegapunk had discovered a different method—applying external pressure to force the "demon" out and into a new host.
And the key to creating this "pressure"— Pyrobloin, the very essence of the sea, the element that Devil Fruit users feared most.
It was a stroke of genius, Vegapunk's understanding of Devil Fruits surpassing everyone else's.
Arthur stared at the document, a sense of awe—and a touch of fear—washing over him.
Vegapunk's genius was terrifying. He was in a league of his own.
Caesar Clown, currently working at the Marine Science Division—his future ambition to surpass Vegapunk—it was laughable, delusional.
"One last question—Did you acquire any ancient scientific research?" Arthur asked.
A single lifetime wasn't enough to master so many fields—Devil Fruits, Lineage Factors, advanced weaponry—and excel in each. Vegapunk's achievements defied explanation.
A step ahead was genius.
Ten steps ahead was madness.
Five centuries ahead? That wasn't genius or madness. That was…divine.
Vegapunk chuckled, his expression unreadable. He didn't answer the question directly. "You should leave. Lingering too long will arouse suspicion."
"Alright." Arthur nodded.
He wouldn't press the issue. He'd accomplished his mission here. It was time to return to Sabaody and find Jessica.
And his dream—a storage device, a combination of Pure Gold and the Castle-Castle Fruit—it was within reach. The thought sent a thrill of anticipation through him.
"Until we meet again, Dr. Vegapunk. When I'm strong enough to storm Marineford—or if…chaos erupts—I'll come for you." Arthur turned and left without hesitation.
He estimated he'd be strong enough to break into Marineford within two years—perhaps even sooner.
In 1498, Roger would turn himself in. If history held true, Shiki would attack Marineford for his friend.
The ensuing chaos would be the perfect opportunity—Arthur could bid farewell to the legendary Shiki while simultaneously liberating Vegapunk.
——
Arthur, replacing his mask and adjusting his robe, walked out of the Science Division, the guards saluting as he passed.
Once clear of the futuristic building, he found a secluded spot and transformed into lightning, soaring into the sky.
The mission had been surprisingly easy. He hadn't expected to acquire Vegapunk's secrets so effortlessly.
———
As he flew towards Sabaody, his mood buoyant, his speed unconsciously increasing—
"I can't enter the New World looking like this." He removed the CP0 mask, tossing it aside.
The black and white prison stripes under the white CP0 robe—it was a ridiculous combination. He missed his white shirt and blue greatcoat.
"I'll 'acquire' some funds and buy myself some new clothes on Sabaody."
He increased his speed.
Below—a pirate ship was sailing in the same direction, its figurehead a massive cat's head.
"Well, well…Consider yourselves unlucky."
Arthur chuckled. He'd commandeered many ships since leaving the West Blue, but it seemed he hadn't outgrown his old habits.
Whoosh!
He plunged from the sky, a streak of blue light, like a falling star.
"What the hell is that?"
"Something's falling!"
The pirates on the ship stared upwards, their eyes wide.
Falling stars weren't uncommon. But some meteors contained valuable minerals. The pirates' eyes gleamed with greed.
"Helmsman! Turn! Avoid the meteor! Meow!" the captain yelled, the cat-like suffix to his command oddly comical.
He had a crescent-shaped mustache, two large horns, a mane of long hair like a lion's, and cat-like eyes. Two of his teeth were missing.
It was the "Corrupt King" Avalo Pizarro.
The helmsman, experienced and quick-witted, immediately changed course.
But the falling "Star" changed direction as well, following them.
"Gentlemen! I just need to borrow your ship—and your treasure. I'll disembark at Sabaody. No need to run." Arthur's voice echoed as the lightning around him faded, revealing his form as he landed on the deck.
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