The short sword in Ann's hand wasn't one of the Supreme Grade Swords. It was a Great Grade Sword she'd conveniently taken from Roger before leaving.
After all, Supreme Grade Swords are very rare and hard to come by.
Great Grade Swords are also scarce, but Roger's pirate crew had kept one in their warehouse for years. This short sword was less than a meter long with only a slight curve to the blade. It was called 'Shadow Cut', said to be a famous sword that could cut even intangible shadows.
Now, Ann had arrived on Pandora Island with her weapon.
As a Marine Admiral, she could move freely around the island, but her Observation Haki revealed some areas that weren't on any maps.
She wondered what kind of research was going on inside...
And the "Pandora Room" on the map had no listed function. Even she, as a Marine Admiral, wasn't allowed to enter.
While Marine Admirals are said to be the World Government's 'highest power', they're nowhere near the Five Elders in terms of negotiating. Many classified secrets are only known to the Fleet Admiral.
Maybe when she becomes the Marine Fleet Admiral, she'll learn more about Makima.
With that thought, Ann quickened her pace.
Pandora Island wasn't large, even small. She got off the boat and quickly reached the experimental area. Led by government personnel, she soon arrived at Vegapunk's lab.
She was startled when she saw Vegapunk.
Because Vegapunk...
His appearance was far from human standards. If you knew, he looked like a person, but if you didn't, you'd think he was some kind of demon.
His head was enormous. His head was taller than his body, and his long tongue stuck out, making him look deformed.
Luckily, Pandora Island knew Vegapunk was coming, so the rooms were all extra tall. When Ann first arrived, she wondered why the rooms were so high, but now that she saw Vegapunk it all made sense.
Ann had seen Vegapunk's information in the Marine files, knowing he was a Brain-Brain fruit user, but she hadn't expected him to look like this.
However, she wouldn't judge someone by their appearance. Vegapunk's abilities were world-renowned. The World Government shamelessly snatched him up, which shows how capable he is.
"Dr. Vegapunk, hello, I'm Ann."
After a brief moment of surprise, Ann composed herself and said, "The World Government has authorized me to participate in the experiment."
"Perfect." Vegapunk was drawing something on the experimental table, and after noticing Ann, he said quickly, "I've prepared an experiment tailored specifically for you."
"Weren't you supposed to be testing the Devil Fruit on Shadow Cut?" Ann frowned. It sounded like there were other experiments to be done.
"That experiment has already succeeded, there's nothing to do." Vegapunk said. "That's not why I had you come all the way here. I specifically asked for you to come here for something stronger, but more dangerous."
"..." Ann was still frowning. She hadn't heard about any other experiments.
However, she didn't sense any malice from Vegapunk, so she asked, "What kind of experiment will it be?"
"Come on."
Vegapunk didn't answer right away. Instead, he pressed a button to open a door in the room. Two fruits appeared: a Monster Cell and a Devil Fruit.
"Devil Fruit?" Ann was slightly surprised.
"That's right. Monster Cells can fuse with weapons, so why can't Devil Fruits? Why can't both be fused together? This is what I've really been researching all these years. But mixing these two fruits into a weapon might cause some problems, so I need an Admiral-level person to help me."
Vegapunk walked into the room and waved his hand, saying, "The Black Order doesn't use weapons, and you're the only one in the Marines who does. So you're the perfect subject for this experiment."
Ann felt a sense of wonder. What would happen if the Monster Cell and Devil Fruit were fused into her Shadow Cut?
Letting the sword eat a Devil Fruit?!
That was ridiculous!
Devil Fruits were important treasures and resources in this world. There aren't enough for people to eat, let alone a sword! It was too extravagant.
Probably only the World Government had such wealth and technology...
Others probably wouldn't even think about such a pointless project.
Letting Monster Cells fuse with a weapon makes sense since Monster Cells can corrupt people into monsters. But there's no need for a Devil Fruit, is there?
However, since Vegapunk said so, Ann had no reason to refuse. If this experiment succeeded, what would her Shadow Cut become?
She couldn't even imagine!
"What dangers are there?" Ann asked, walking behind Vegapunk.
"You should know... Devil Fruits have their own will, right?" Vegapunk said.
"Yeah, I think I've heard something like that." Ann nodded.
However, it seems like only Zoan-type Devil Fruits have a certain level of consciousness. But Devil Fruit Awakening might have something to do with the fruit's will. When the mind and body match the ability, the Devil Fruit awakens.
"Devil Fruits have a certain will, and Monster Cells can quickly corrupt consciousness, causing it to become demonic. Once these two fruits are mixed together, and placed on an inanimate weapon, they will 'corrupt the Devil Fruit' without any moderation."
"Corrupt the Devil Fruit?" Ann asked in surprise, "What is that?"
"In other words, your sword might develop some kind of self-awareness, and that awareness will be evil. You'll need to fight it and then... control it!"
Vegapunk continued, "Just like Devil Fruit Awakening, you need to match your mind and body to the weapon's ability, so that the two are coordinated, and it obeys you. If you do that, you'll get superhuman power."
"... I think I understand a little." Ann's frown gradually eased, and she said softly.
"However, what Devil Fruit is it?"
"Fleet Admiral Makima picked it out for you. It's the 'Paramecia-type Spring-Spring Fruit'."
"Spring-Spring Fruit?!" Ann raised an eyebrow.
"That's right. According to my estimates, after Shadow Cut fuses with it, it will be able to freely contract and launch itself!"
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