Living Laboratory
Looking at the black building before him, a flash of surprise crossed Kai's eyes.
The entire structure was pitch black.
No doors or windows whatsoever.
And in Kai's perception, the whole building seemed to be emanating an aura similar to a living organism.
"Interesting."
Kai's voice came curious.
Noticing Kai's expression, Sentomaru quickly explained:
"Admiral White Dragon, this is the Doctor's Laboratory No. 1." Pause. "Unlike other laboratories, because Laboratory No. 1 is extremely important to the Doctor, he had it 'consume' the Float-Float Fruit."
Understanding flashed in Kai's eyes.
No wonder he sensed a life-like aura.
So Vegapunk had integrated a Devil Fruit into the building.
Impressive.
But he couldn't help but admire Vegapunk's grand gesture.
It was comparable to the Celestial Dragons' extravagance.
Precious Fruit
The Float-Float Fruit!!!
One of only five Devil Fruits in the entire pirate world that could grant flight abilities to users.
Just think of Marco's Phoenix Fruit.
And Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit.
That made clear just how precious this ability was.
But thinking about it further?
This was perfectly reasonable.
For a scientist, a laboratory was equivalent to a swordsman's blade.
Something as important as life itself.
This also explained why the World Government would allow someone as important as Vegapunk to remain in the New World without Admiral-level protection.
With a laboratory that had consumed the Float-Float Fruit?
Vegapunk could choose to escape at any time.
Interrupted Research
Just then, the pitch-black building suddenly split open with a circular opening.
A middle-aged voice came through—
Slightly impatient.
"Sentomaru, what do you need from me?"
For a scientist, being interrupted during experiments was extremely annoying.
Before Sentomaru could speak, Kai said first:
"Dr. Vegapunk, I apologize for disturbing you." His tone came respectful. "I'm the highest-ranking officer of G-1 Base, Marine Headquarters Admiral: White Dragon—Kai Mitarashi!"
"White Dragon!?"
The middle-aged voice suddenly rose an octave.
Before Kai could continue, a thin, somewhat disheveled middle-aged man ran out.
Looking excited.
Scientific Curiosity
Eyes gleaming as he looked at Kai.
Vegapunk's voice came urgent:
"You're White Dragon, right?" Pause. "I learned about you from intelligence CP0 gave me."
He continued rapidly:
"Fire control abilities." His excitement grew. "Abnormal energy fists." Pause. "Plus the tree manipulation and giant energy armor you displayed in your battle with Whitebeard..."
His tone came certain.
"These absolutely couldn't be abilities from a single Devil Fruit." His eyes blazed. "You must have consumed multiple Devil Fruits."
Pause.
"How did you do it!?"
Vegapunk, who devoted himself to Devil Fruit research—
Might not care much about the world's strongest fighters.
But he paid close attention to every special ability user in the world.
He also demanded the World Government provide full support in this area.
Kai's files would naturally appear on Vegapunk's desk.
Not What Expected
Looking at the eager Vegapunk, Kai felt somewhat helpless.
He shrugged.
"Sorry Doctor, I'm not a Devil Fruit user."
Kai wasn't bothered at all that the World Government would investigate his information.
Think about it.
If you were the supreme leader of a force and a mysterious, ridiculously powerful individual appeared in your territory?
Wouldn't you investigate?
The answer was obviously yes.
Hearing Kai's words, Vegapunk's expression froze:
"Not... a Devil Fruit user!?"
Vegapunk was stunned for a moment.
Then his expression became even more fanatical.
His tone became more urgent:
"If you're not a Devil Fruit user, then how do you control this kind of energy?"
Without any reservations, Vegapunk asked directly.
Chakra Demonstration
Kai didn't avoid the question either.
He raised his palm.
A Rasengan appeared in his hand.
Then transformed into various jutsu attribute forms.
As he explained:
"Chakra—a product created when spiritual energy and physical energy are mixed together through will." Pause. "Then it's channeled outside the body through specific release methods to manipulate different attribute energies."
His tone came clear.
"I call this energy release method ninjutsu."
As he spoke, Kai threw the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken that had formed in his hand.
BOOM!
It directly destroyed a nearby building several dozen meters tall.
Of course, before throwing it, Kai had already sensed with his Observation Haki that the entire building was empty.
New Power System
Seeing the massive destructive power, Vegapunk's pupils contracted.
A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
He murmured:
"Chakra!?"
Pause.
"A completely different power system from Devil Fruits and Haki." His voice came awed. "It's never been recorded in history."
His excitement grew:
"And even in the Void Century materials the Five Elders told me about, there's no mention of it!"
Pause.
"A completely new power system!?"
The more Vegapunk spoke, the more excited he became.
Until his face even flushed red.
Unable to suppress his inner fervor any longer—
Vegapunk's current mood definitely wouldn't be inferior to a pirate reaching Laugh Tale.
Research Request
Vegapunk asked impatiently:
"Can you let me research this energy?"
Seeing Vegapunk's somewhat urgent expression, a conspiratorial smile appeared on Kai's face.
"Of course that's no problem, but..."
Here Kai paused.
Looking at Vegapunk with a smile.
"But what!?"
Vegapunk's voice came frantic.
"What do you want?" Pause. "Devil Fruits?" His words rushed out. "The World Government gave me many." Pause. "If you need them, I can give you all of them."
His desperation showed:
"If that's not enough, I'll ask the World Government for more!"
Pause.
"Also, are you interested in the Void Century history?" His tone came pleading. "If you let me research this energy, I'll tell you everything I know!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (100+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!