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'I don't have what you have, and you don't have what I have. So the question is… what did the pangolin say? Damn it!'
Rowen looked at Vegapunk in shock, "Someone completed the Paramecia Devil Fruit transfer before you! Don't you have any thoughts about that? Or is your only thought to copy it?"
"What else?" Vegapunk asked back, puzzled, then suddenly understood and explained, "In my eyes, only one thing matters the most. For it, I'm willing to pay any price."
"What is it?"
"The unknown!"
"The unknown?"
"Exactly!"
Vegapunk buried his head in the files, logging something as he wrote, "The glory of being the World's First Scientist or something like that, I don't really care. But if I can use the reputation I have to revive science, then I'm willing to take on that role."
"Everything is to explore the limits of science."
"Besides that, I also value practicality, like… my hometown, the future Kingdom of Baldimore."
At this point, the man who usually reeked of machine oil showed a rare trace of gentleness on his face. But he didn't continue and instead changed the topic.
"Science is humanity's precious knowledge, so the value of science lies in helping humanity achieve its goals. It must have practical use. Rather than who completed the Paramecia Devil Fruit transfer before me, I'm more concerned about what this technology can be used for."
"Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon), you came to me today because you have a need for this, right?"
'Clap! Clap! Clap!'
Rowen applauded in admiration.
"As expected of Vegapunk. You're right. I do have a request today."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gray, orange-like fruit with spiral patterns, a strange-looking fruit.
"This is the Paramecia Castle-Castle Fruit. It allows the user to store everything inside their body, like a castle… and anything that enters the body shrinks. All facilities inside the castle are controlled by the user. It's a very practical Devil Fruit ability."
Tossing the Devil Fruit to Vegapunk, Rowen smiled, "What do you think? Any ideas?"
"It sounds great, but if it's modified into a Devil Fruit item, outsiders would probably only be able to use its ability to store items inside the body. The rest, without subjective control, would just be a burden."
As Vegapunk spoke, his eyes lit up, "I think I know what you're planning. What a genius idea!"
"Not just the Castle-Castle Fruit, but among Paramecia Devil Fruits, which are the most numerous and have the most unpredictable abilities, they've always been a headache for the government."
"If they're modified into Devil Fruit items, the immortality of the [objects] can effectively prevent the circulation of Devil Fruits, making them easier to manage… At the same time, the various special abilities of Paramecia Devil Fruits can be combined, offering vast potential!"
Rowen: "…I actually didn't think that far ahead."
"No, having this idea is enough!" Vegapunk said excitedly, "The operational possibilities here are even greater than the Pacifista. The practicality is simply perfect!"
"Leave it to me, Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon). At most a month, and I'll give you a functional warehouse!"
Watching Vegapunk drop the ongoing testing of the Pacifista and run into his office, Rowen stood there, silently lighting a cigar.
"What can I say? As long as the goal is achieved, right?"
As for whether the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) would complain to him about Vegapunk neglecting his duties, Rowen thought, 'bite me'!
'When you have too many lice, you stop itching. When you have too much debt, you stop worrying.'
Just as he was about to leave, Rowen noticed a familiar figure in the distance, nodding at him.
"Zero? What are you doing here?"
This Zero was not the same as the previous one. He was the former CP0 Chief who had resigned after clashing with the Celestial Dragons, known as one of the Two Mountains of CP0, a powerhouse with strength comparable to a Marine Admiral, and the user of the Obliterate-Obliterate Fruit, Masked Zero.
"I'm now Mr. Vegapunk's personal bodyguard. Isn't it incredible? Someone like me, who was so close to the Nibelung family, can still gain the trust of the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars)."
This was the first time Rowen had seen Masked Zero's face beneath the mask, an ordinary middle-aged man with a square face and casually trimmed brown hair, the kind you'd lose in a crowd in the blink of an eye.
The only thing that stood out was his right eye.
On the cornea, slightly below the 6:4 position, there was a tiny red speck the size of a sesame seed. No matter how his eyeball moved, that speck remained motionless, as if fixed on a level.
"I think it's precisely because you can serve faithfully even those from the Nibelung family that the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) trust you."
In the lounge behind the laboratory, Rowen picked up a teacup and took a sip, smiling as he said, "It's been a long time. Thanks to your good words, I've indeed become a high-ranking official now."
Rowen's handling of the Hell Island crab incident had left a deep impression on Zero.
At that time, he had said that this kid would definitely become a big official in the future, able to speak to people and ghosts alike, completely shameless.
Now, it seemed that he was right! Not only was he the youngest Admiral in the Marines, hailed as the "Marine Thunder God," but even that person had invited him to take on the new role of Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars)!
To this, Zero wore a bitter smile.
"Perhaps..."
There is no retired Chief in CP0, only dead Chiefs.
His experience had also pioneered a historical precedent; in this special era, anything strange could happen.
After a pause, Zero continued, "By the way, I wonder if Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) still remembers what you told me two years ago."
"You mentioned that Vice Admiral Garp was protecting the pirate king's heir, intending to rebel."
"Naturally, I remember. What's up?"
Rowen narrowed his eyes silently, "That matter has been buried after a major event, and there's no need for you to gather evidence anymore."
"Well, that was indeed the case."
Zero blew on the tea leaves and took a sip.
"However, I recently discovered that Vice Admiral Garp has been unusually active, frequently traveling between the First Half and the New World under the guise of training recruits… To be honest, I don't trust any of you Marines, so I've kept an eye on this matter."
"I understand. I work in Information too; it's the same for me… So, what did you find?"
Rowen raised his arm, waiting for him to speak.
"According to my logs, I found that every training location of Vice Admiral Garp has been an island he landed on during the three years Roger returned to the Grand Line to become the Pirate King."
"And recently, he seems to have his sights set on Century City and Golden City, making four trips out of five to the nearby sea. Just recently, he happened to lead troops for the fifth time to the New World, targeting… if nothing goes wrong, the Golden City."
Buru Buru Buru… Buru Buru Buru…
At that moment, Rowen's phone rang.
This wasn't the small Tiger Tally from G-10 Base Head, nor was it Admiral Buster Call's golden Den Den Mushi, but his personal Den Den Mushi.
Except for necessary major matters, no one would dial his private phone.
Apologizing with a nod to Zero, Rowen stood up and walked outside, leaning against the door.
"Moshi Moshi, this is Rowen."
"Bad news, Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)!"
"Issho, slow down, what happened?"
"I just received news that the Pluton Blueprint has been confirmed by experts to be a reprint, not older than twenty years… I wanted to inform Tesoro, but I can't reach him!"
"A reprint? Can't reach Tesoro?"
Rowen frowned silently, suddenly narrowing his pupils.
"Damn it!!!"
(End of Chapter)