"I refuse!"
Taro refused decisively, without even considering it!
Artificial Devil Fruit!
The first thought that popped into his head was this: Vegapunk wanted to use his blood to create a Devil Fruit!
Vegapunk wasn't too surprised by Taro's reaction. He sat up, a wise light flashing in his eyes.
"It seems you did see some things at Punk Hazard. That little gadget—did you take it with you?"
Taro's eyes flickered. A denial was almost on the tip of his tongue, but the person in front of him was clearly a smart man—and an exceptionally brilliant one at that!
With just one refusal, Vegapunk had instantly analyzed that Taro knew some of the hidden secrets of Punk Hazard and concluded that Taro had taken that item.
"Yes," Taro sighed after thinking for a long time, finally choosing to admit it honestly.
Vegapunk nodded, not pursuing Taro's actions. "It's just as well that you took it!"
Taro was stunned. He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he actually heard a hint of relief in Vegapunk's tone.
"Is there... something wrong with that fruit?" Taro asked hesitantly, feeling uneasy.
I've already given that thing away; there won't be any problems, will there?
If there are, you'd better say so quickly so I can hurry and get it back!
Vegapunk nodded and said softly, "In my eyes, it is undoubtedly a failure!"
Hearing him say this, Taro felt much more at ease instead.
In your eyes versus in our eyes—those are two completely different things, Big Shot!
"I understand. However, I'm sorry, but even so, I still cannot accept your previous proposal!"
Taro still shook his head firmly, refusing Vegapunk's deal.
A flash of eagerness appeared in Vegapunk's eyes—a fanaticism for technology.
"Aren't you at all curious about the information I'm about to tell you? It's definitely something you want to know, and it concerns Zephyr. Think it over; you only need to provide a little blood!"
Hearing that it concerned Zephyr, Taro clearly struggled for a moment, but in the end, he maintained his firm refusal.
"It's impossible for me to let you use my blood to create a Devil Fruit!"
"Do you have a Devil Fruit Ability?" Vegapunk asked.
"Uh," Taro was taken aback. "No, I don't. What do you mean...?"
Vegapunk chuckled. "There is no Devil Fruit power in your Lineage Factor, so how could I create a Devil Fruit?"
Although Taro felt that his logic made sense, he was still uneasy.
"Then who knows if you'll create some other weird thing!"
Your brain is always thinking of things others wouldn't dare to; I'm afraid I can't outplay you, Big Shot!
"I only want your blood for research, to satisfy my curiosity!" Vegapunk continued trying to persuade Taro.
"I guarantee that even if any byproduct is created from the research, it will only be given to you and will never be leaked!"
Upon hearing this, Taro jumped up in shock.
"So there really will be weird things created! That's exactly what you meant, isn't it!"
For a moment, Vegapunk looked a bit disappointed, and his vigorous voice turned low.
"You aren't a researcher; you wouldn't understand the pain of having an idea in your head but being unable to create the finished product!"
Taro fell silent. In Vegapunk's hometown, the Future Land—Balkimoya—there remained countless design blueprints he had drawn in his youth.
However, those were all concepts that could not be completed with existing technology and conditions.
This kind of regret would perhaps accompany this once-in-a-millennium Genius for his entire life!
"Sigh, you can tell me that piece of news now!" Taro sighed helplessly.
Noticing Vegapunk's surprise, he added,
"Let's be clear first: if I feel the information you provide isn't worth it, our deal is immediately void!"
Vegapunk was overjoyed. He stepped down from the round stool and crouched on the ground to be as level with Taro as possible, then looked into Taro's eyes.
"The pirate who severed your Teacher Zephyr's arm is a product of Lineage Factor theory! He is an artificial human!"
Taro's eyes widened. Edward Weevil is an artificial human?
"Surprising, isn't it? I told you that you'd be interested in the information I give you!"
Vegapunk was very satisfied with Taro's reaction. "I'll throw in a bit more intel: that woman, she is a scientist and also a ship doctor!"
That woman? Miss. Bakkin?
Taro was incredibly shocked. This information was indeed unexpected and very useful.
If Edward Weevil is an artificial human, he would naturally need Whitebeard's Lineage Factor as a base for modification.
If that short old woman was a ship doctor, obtaining Whitebeard's blood would indeed be effortless.
In this way, it really did make sense.
Then, Taro thought of when Whitebeard and Miss. Bakkin were on the same ship; it seemed to be on that ship full of powerful figures.
Kaido, Golden Lion, and Big Mom were all on there. Could Miss. Bakkin also have their Lineage Factors?
Taro thought of many things in an instant, and finally asked a question,
"So, what exactly is his Devil Fruit Ability?"
Vegapunk waved his hand. "Our deal is a one-for-one exchange. This is all I can say!"
"We can continue trading. What else do you want?" Taro said urgently, his blood boiling.
Vegapunk shook his head and then lightly tapped a button.
"No, I am just a researcher. I have no interest in other matters!"
A mechanical arm extended down toward Taro. It caused a fluctuation in the Internal Energy around his body, and the mechanical arm could no longer advance an inch.
"Since it's a trade, sincerity is paramount! Taro!" Vegapunk said.
Taro frowned and withdrew his Internal Energy. Only then did the mechanical arm extend a bit further. A thin needle pierced Taro's arm and was quickly withdrawn; the entire process lasted less than a second.
Vegapunk was even more amazed by the ability Taro displayed.
"Truly astonishing. Your blood type is different from ordinary people, and your ability is even more unheard of!"
The fact that Vegapunk could see the abnormality in Taro's blood type at a glance also surprised him. After thinking for a moment, he said softly,
"I have Type O blood. Don't go giving my blood type some other random name!"
Vegapunk nodded. "Thank you, Taro! In this world, nothing is more intoxicating than scientific research!"
Taro's brow furrowed at those words. Vegapunk had also conducted Human Gigantification Experiments, and Caesar was still continuing that project.
Recalling another event that would happen soon in the original story, he said hesitantly,
"Doctor, you've heard of the person named Trafalgar Law, right?"
Vegapunk was clearly taken aback. "Taro, you really are very smart and know a lot!"
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