Thanks to the swift voyage of the sea serpent Seaking, Yuda, Rengoku arrived at Vegapunk's laboratory earlier than scheduled.
"So… what you're asking is whether Zoan transformation wavelengths can be diversified further?"
Vegapunk repeated the question back at him.
"Yes, Doctor," Rengoku answered firmly.
He still remembered it clearly—the reindeer Zoan user at Enies Lobby, consuming something and transforming into a monstrous form. That was far beyond the normal scope of a Zoan user.
It could only have been one of two things: either the power of awakening… or an artificially altered transformation wavelength.
Rengoku had already witnessed awakened Zoan users back in Impel Down—their overwhelming physical ability and regenerative power rivaled even demons. But whether that monstrous reindeer had truly awakened, or if its transformation wavelength had gone berserk, he couldn't say. Either way, it had sparked a deep interest within him.
"Diversifying transformation wavelengths isn't particularly hard," Vegapunk mused. "But what exactly is it you want from me?"
The scientist's vague response left Rengoku tilting his head.
"Could you explain a little more clearly, Doctor?"
Vegapunk gave a small chuckle.
"As I said, broadening transformation types isn't the challenge. What puzzles me is why someone like you—who already possesses three forms, human, hybrid, and beast, along with 'Life Return'—would suddenly take an interest in manipulating transformation wavelengths."
To most Zoan users, only two forms existed. But Rengoku, through mastery of his ability, had achieved three. From Vegapunk's view, it seemed as though Rengoku was seeking to add even more.
But Rengoku quickly clarified, redirecting the conversation.
"I'm not interested in diversifying for its own sake. What I want is amplification—using transformation wavelengths to enhance what I already have. For example: applying the raw physical power of beast form into hybrid form… or compressing the size of my massive beast form into something smaller, more wieldy."
He began to lay out his reasoning.
The Nemean Lion model of the Zoan was undoubtedly powerful. Yet its animal form, the size of a giant, was impractical. As a swordsman, Rengoku could hardly wield his blades at all in that state—Enrin Kitetsu or Shusui looked like toys in such massive hands.
Even in hybrid form, he stood over seven meters tall, still unable to properly execute refined swordsmanship. Life Return allowed him to force his body down to roughly three meters, but even then he had to grip a sword meant for two hands with just one.
Yes, the raw amplification of strength was undeniable. But for a swordsman, his Zoan power had become a double-edged gift—brute force at the expense of technique. That was why he sought a way to compress beast and hybrid attributes into his human form.
Hearing this, Vegapunk finally nodded in understanding.
"You're right. It makes sense. Even Emperor Kaidou, when in beast form, becomes a massive dragon stretching dozens of meters across. Powerful, yes—but that size also creates enormous target exposure, and his weapon skills are restricted. For all his overwhelming physique, it's a weakness in disguise."
Vegapunk turned toward a console, activating a set of machines. Lights flickered, and data began scrolling rapidly across the display as he continued his explanation.
"So then—summarize clearly for me. What exactly is the transformation wavelength you seek?"
"If possible, Doctor, I'd like to retain either my human or hybrid form while channeling the full physical output of the beast form."
"And Life Return? Will you be relying on it?"
"Best case, I wouldn't need it at all. But if that proves impossible, then yes—assume Life Return as part of the process."
Tap-tap-tap! Vegapunk's fingers flew across the keys as he typed, then pointed toward a massive apparatus towering thirty meters tall.
"Since you've come all this way, we may as well begin at once. Step inside."
The chamber's interior was cavernous. Rengoku entered, and almost immediately a web of lasers swept across his body. Within moments, his physiology was translated into raw numbers projected on the monitors.
"Hm. As expected, a highly superior physical specimen… Now—transform into your hybrid form."
Rengoku obeyed. In an instant, his 193cm human body surged into a towering 7-meter lion-man. The scanners whirred again, tracing his frame, and the numbers skyrocketed. They climbed relentlessly until—ping!—they leveled out at a high plateau.
"Ho… as I thought. A Mythical Zoan is truly something else," Vegapunk muttered, eyes gleaming as he studied the curve. Then he gestured again.
"Now. Use Life Return."
"Yes, Doctor."
With a focused breath, Rengoku invoked Life Return: Peerless Godhood. His massive frame compressed, muscles drawn tight until a form resembling a three-meter warrior—like one of Elbaf's legendary heroes—stood in the chamber.
Though still fundamentally hybrid, his physique had narrowed into something closer to human, lion's mane crowning his head like a mask.
"Incredible… Your mastery of Life Return defies belief. A normal Zoan user would still manifest beastly traits. Yet you revert almost entirely to human proportion. Remarkable."
The scanner swept again, and the readings shifted dramatically. Some attributes dipped, others surged upward.
"Compression has pushed raw power even higher—though speed has dropped a fraction. But given the output you've gained, the tradeoff is acceptable."
At Vegapunk's urging, Rengoku tested his movements. He could feel it—the slight lag in speed—but it was nowhere near crippling. The strength, however, was undeniable.
"Excellent. With further training, even that lost speed can be recovered. Your potential scaling is extraordinary…"
Vegapunk typed rapidly, and another dataset appeared on the adjacent screen.
"Doctor, what is that?" Rengoku asked.
"Stored data. Kaido's readings—from the early days after consuming the Uo Uo no Mi. At that time he was weaker than he is now, so these values fall below yours. But for comparison between hybrid and full-beast forms, it's perfect."
"I see."
"Now then—beast form."
"Yes, Doctor."
Rengoku shifted again. His body expanded into a colossal lion, fourteen meters tall, twenty-five meters long from mane to tail-tip. The scanner's alarms shrieked as the numbers on-screen exploded upward.
Vegapunk's eyes widened.
"Unbelievable… the spike is enormous."
"The increase, Doctor?"
"Indeed. The growth curve is 11% higher than Kaido's readings at the same stage. Eleven percent!"
The implication was clear: the Nemean Lion fit Rengoku as if destined—and his latent potential exceeded even one who would become an Emperor of the Sea.
That Rengoku's beast-form surge exceeded Kaido's early numbers by 11% meant two things.
First: his Zoan fruit was exceptionally well-suited to him.
Second: Rengoku's latent potential eclipsed even Kaido's at the same stage.
He could not yet rival the present Four Emperors—but to show such explosive growth so soon after eating the fruit spoke of a truly innate genius.
"Good. Now revert to human form. I'll consolidate the data we've gathered and help adjust the transformation wavelength you seek."
Rengoku stepped out of the machine, watching the monitor as it displayed four distinct profiles—human, hybrid, hybrid with Life Return, and full beast. The spike when shifting from hybrid to beast was so steep it might as well have been a vertical wall.
"This," Vegapunk said, jabbing a finger at the peak.
"You want this apex carried down into this form." His hand slid to the hybrid curve.
"To maintain the appearance of your hybrid—or even human—while sustaining beast-form output. Correct?"
"Yes. Ideally the same would hold when using Life Return. And if it were possible… I'd like to access the rampage state as well."
"Hmph. Life Return is purely a matter of bodily control, separate from the Devil Fruit's system. That won't interfere. As for the rampage you describe—that's likely akin to releasing the fruit's full output at once. I'll keep your request in mind."
Vegapunk's fingers clattered across the keys. His eyes flicked to Rengoku.
"And tell me—do you think training will be required?"
"Training?"
"Of course. You're tampering with the transformation wavelength itself—what some call the 'curse' of a Devil Fruit. The stronger the base body, the less the risk. So—yes. Build your physical strength first."
Clack! Vegapunk entered the final sequence of commands.
"I've just completed a new training chamber. I want you to use it. I'll record the data from each session—nothing invasive, just measurement. Will you allow it?"
"Measurement?"
"Exactly. No drugs, no grafts. Simply logging your numbers under strain."
"…Very well."
"Good. Then—blood sample."
Before Rengoku could respond, a sting at his shoulder and a vial of crimson was already in Vegapunk's hand.
"Tell me—have you heard of lineage factors?"
"The discovery you made with Judge Vinsmoke?"
"Correct. I once crafted artificial fruits from Kaido's lineage factor. Unsatisfactory. So I've shifted focus—multi-lineage factors. A double reinforcement, if you will."
A mad glint lit his eyes.
"Picture it. Your Nemean Lion and Kaido's Azure Dragon. Two Zoan lineages woven together. The durability of the lion, the flight and flame of the dragon—a true chimera. The beast of legend, lion-bodied with a serpent's tail, born anew."
Rengoku said nothing. But he understood. Vegapunk was already envisioning a synthetic Devil Fruit modeled after Chimera.
"Enough theory. Begin training immediately. With seastone shackles. Strip your fruit's aid away and hone your raw body. Only then can we force the beast's surge into the hybrid shell."
"Yes, Doctor."
And so Rengoku dismissed the Kuja Pirates, unwilling to keep them idle while he endured this indefinite training. In the sterile chamber of Vegapunk's laboratory, his wrists bound with seastone, electrodes wired to every limb, Rengoku began the first stage of his grueling new regimen.
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