That carefree attitude...
"As expected of Marine HQ's former Chief Instructor, Black Arm Zephyr," Shaka sighed in genuine admiration. "I didn't expect him to come to terms with it so quickly."
"After all, he's a man who's seen his fair share of deadly moments. It's just a color. No big deal." Dante waved his hand dismissively. "And actually, that color looks pretty good."
The dragon Zephyr turned into was nothing like Momonosuke's comical serpentine form. Backed by Zephyr's burly physique, it looked incredibly imposing. It was just that the old man still carried too much mental baggage.
"He'll get used to it."
Dante turned his attention back to Vegapunk. "But while you're researching the artificial fruit, could you also look into how to safely modify the Lineage Factor within the human body?"
"I know." Vegapunk didn't press for details, merely nodding. "Go on, what else is there?"
"It's nothing major. I just came to ask how the textbooks are coming along, and to check on Mock's new armor. Given his current strength, I want to look into enhancing him in other areas."
While Dante discussed science textbooks and Mock's upgrades with Vegapunk, things were proceeding differently on the other side of the base.
Having come to terms with his new power, Zephyr no longer obsessed over the aesthetic. A gentle, relaxed smile returned to his weathered face as he made his way back to the Academy.
It was true. Strength was what mattered most.
Moreover, with the rapid expansion of the East Blue Marine ranks and the new Pirate Regulations, the Academy had been swamped lately. Thinking about it, he regretted wasting an entire morning at the lab. He decided to work overtime tonight to resolve everything and get the curriculum back on the right track.
Just as Zephyr was pondering which administrative task to tackle first, a polite voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"Director Zephyr."
"Kuro?" Zephyr looked at the bespectacled officer who had suddenly appeared behind him. "What is it?"
Although he still didn't entirely like pirates, after all this time, he had actually grown to accept the Ghost Instructor. An edge of tension crept into the old man's voice. "Did something happen at the Academy?"
"Please don't worry, Director, nothing is wrong," Kuro explained smoothly, pushing up his glasses. "It's just because you weren't here this morning, many students were worried. So, since I saw you, I came over to ask."
"No, nothing happened! Hahaha~"
Hearing Kuro's reassurance, Zephyr breathed a sigh of relief. A moment later, he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I just took a quick trip to Laboratory Island."
"Laboratory Island?" Kuro froze. He frowned, his analytical mind working quickly. "Did something go wrong with that artificial fruit?"
"Don't worry about this old man, there's no prob-"
Kuro continued smoothly, "Didn't Boss say there was only an issue with the color?"
Zephyr completely froze.
He blinked slowly. Then, he frowned, his voice laced with disbelief and dawning fury. "That bastard said there was a problem with the color? When did he say that?"
"Right after you took the Devil Fruit, Director. Why?" Kuro stared blankly at the furious older man. "Is there really a problem... Eh, Director, what are you doing? Why are you rolling up your sleeves? Aren't you heading back to the Academy? The Academy is this way."
"I am taking a leave of absence. I just remembered I have some personal business to take care of." Zephyr ignored Kuro entirely, aggressively rolling up both sleeves as a vicious grin spread across his face. "That brat has got some nerve, messing around with a female pirates. The more I think about it, the angrier I get."
Kuro stood frozen. Hadn't that rumor passed ages ago? Why was it being brought up again now?
But before Kuro could open his mouth to ask what was going on, Zephyr had already stormed away from the Academy in a blind rage, leaving the intelligent officer looking completely bewildered.
"So, what just happened?"
"Upgraded Aqua Ursa?"
Having cleared his current workload, Dante brought up his long-term enhancement project. With six brilliant Vegapunks now at his disposal, it would be a total waste not to put them to good use. Besides, his funding had increased. If he didn't outline a strict plan ahead of time, the scientist would likely blow the budget researching some bizarre contraption again.
"It can indeed be upgraded." Vegapunk spread his hands flatly. "But didn't I say so before?"
The current Aqua Ursa was developed utilizing Kuma's Lineage Factor. Kuma belonged to the near-extinct Buccaneer race, carrying latent Giant blood within his veins. Born with an astonishing physique and superhuman strength, he was a natural warrior. His Lineage Factor was extraordinary, and therefore, the combat pill relied heavily on Buccaneer genetics to boost strength.
"The Lineage Factor we currently possess doesn't meet the genetic requirements for a proper upgrade yet," Vegapunk explained.
"I know, you already told me that." Dante nodded slowly. "If we had the pure Giants Lineage Factor, could we upgrade it further?"
"Giants?" Vegapunk mused for a moment before nodding firmly. "If we had it, then yes."
He was no stranger to Giant genetics. Back when he worked for the World Government, he had extensively researched their Lineage Factor and was even tasked with developing gigantification technology to turn normal humans into massive supersoldiers. Unfortunately, that research ultimately failed. While it could indeed make humans gigantic, it came with severe physiological side effects which were quite glaring and would've only gotten worse over time, so he eventually abandoned the project. However, he had heard the World Government never gave up, and Caesar Clown had been conducting brutal secret experiments too.
As if remembering something, Vegapunk sighed, then looked up at Dante with profound astonishment. "Did you get your hands on the Giants Lineage Factor? Where did it come from?"
"There's an island called Little Garden in the waters not far from Whisky Peak. Two Giants live there."
"Whisky Peak? Oh, I remember now, the commercial island in the first half of the Grand Line. I didn't expect there to be Giants in those waters. But getting their Lineage Factor is no easy feat. Don't tell me you slaughtered them?"
"Not at all." Dante stared at the scientist in sheer exasperation. Why did this guy's go-to solution always involve slaughtering? Didn't he once win the Ibel Peace Prize?
He didn't hide the truth, snapping irritably as he explained, "You know how the Giant race loves their rum. Little Garden is a massive island that still preserves a prehistoric landscape. Aside from a few surviving dinosaurs, it's just the two of them. They're short on everything, let alone rum, even basic living supplies are incredibly scarce."
"So you traded rum for their blood? How could those proud warriors possibly agree to that? And prehistoric creatures? An island like that still exists? Where? Quickly, take me to see it!"
"Calm down, let me finish." Dante gestured for the excited scientist to settle down. "Due to an old grudge, those two Giants are constantly dueling. And dueling means severe injuries, right? Even a minor wound from a Giant yields more than enough blood for our testing needs. So, every so often, Baroque Works agents transport a batch of high-quality rum to Little Garden. Under the guise of selling supplies and tending to honored clients, they bandage their wounds and clean up the battlefield."
A while ago, Dante had assigned Baroque Works the massive task of gathering strong rookies from the Four Blues as well as varied Lineage Factors from the different races originating there. Upon discovering Giants on Little Garden, they immediately went into action to secure the vital samples.
He issued the mission, but he never forced them to collect violently. He only told them to do so if conditions allowed naturally. If newly arrived rookie pirates were flat broke, they could be directed to a clinic to sell their blood. If a powerful fighter lacked money for food, they could be pointed in that direction too. Even a strong swimmer passing through without cash for booze could do the same. After all, a solid reputation still mattered in the underworld business.
Quite a few accidents happened during this period, yet they still gathered a vast amount of blood and transported it directly to the lab. Most of it, however, proved entirely useless.
"I knew it. No wonder so much blood was delivered a while ago." Vegapunk nodded in realization. "The vast majority is incredibly common, possessing absolutely nothing special."
"Can't be helped. They don't know what a Lineage Factor is. When they spot someone with decent strength or a somewhat unique appearance, they just direct them to sell blood."
"Forget it. Gathering this much data is still good, this must diversity would help in comparisons. Now..." Vegapunk didn't mind the duds. He made the remark casually before fixing a tense, excited stare on Dante. "That Little Garden..."
"In a while, Baroque Works will need to deliver rum again. You can send a clone then." Dante glanced at the nearby Vegapunk clone, who watched him with equal scientific curiosity. His gaze shifted back to the main body as he continued, "As for you... you still shouldn't go out. The World Government hasn't given up looking for you."
"Alright." Vegapunk knew his precarious situation and nodded in resignation. "It is a shame, but it must be this way."
A clone was still a Vegapunk, after all. A live broadcast on-site with perfectly shared memories afterward would work just fine for research purposes.
"I will go see it myself when the chance arises in the future," the scientist mumbled.
"You will." Dante nodded with a slight smile.
With everything settled, he reminded them that the Giant's blood and the Bloodstained Stones would arrive over the next couple of days. He also stressed that Vegapunk needed to take their upgrade discussion seriously, not let sudden inspiration distract him, and ensure the budget went exactly where it was supposed to go.
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