Just how brilliant is Dr. Vegapunk's research on the Lineage Factor? To grasp even a glimpse of it, you only need to look at one of his former colleagues.
Vinsmoke Judge.
Yes, the very man who is the biological father of that "perverted cook," Sanji. With his mastery over Lineage Factor engineering, Judge created an army of clone soldiers in countless models, designed to be expendable suicide squads.
Produced at a fraction of the usual cost, these soldiers allowed him to wage wars on multiple fronts at once. It did not take long before Germa's shadow stretched across the entire North Blue, and the Vinsmoke name became synonymous with bloodthirsty warmongers.
But Judge's ambitions extended beyond an army of disposable soldiers. He turned that same forbidden science upon his own bloodline, forging what he believed to be the ultimate heirs of Germa, five children who would one day surpass humanity.
The eldest daughter, Reiju, and the quadruplet brothers: Ichiji, Niji, Sanji, and Yonji. With the exception of Sanji, all of them were born with bodies harder than steel and superhuman strength ingrained in their very DNA.
Each developed horrifying powers reminiscent of Devil Fruits, yet without ever partaking in one. Reiju could generate and weaponize poison; Ichiji could unleash raging sparks; Niji summoned crackling bolts of lightning; Yonji embodied brute force capable of destroying steel with his bare hands.
And, of course, Sanji, though considered "defective" by Judge, would one day forge his own blazing path through the technique now feared as Diable Jambe.
But among all these experiments, Judge's most terrifying achievement was not strength, nor resilience, nor grotesque mimicry of Devil Fruits. It was what he stole.
Through manipulation of the Lineage Factor itself, Judge erased entire dimensions of human emotion. Fear, guilt, hesitation, compassion, gone. This was no poetic metaphor for "becoming unfeeling." It was a literal deletion from their genetic code.
Even at Big Mom's tea party, when facing death itself, the Vinsmoke siblings met the moment with unnerving smiles. They could not be afraid. And worse still, buried deep within their modified Lineage Factor, Judge carved an unbreakable imprint of obedience. A steel chain on the soul.
His children could never, under any circumstance, rebel against their father's command. Even Reiju, who felt the stirrings of conscience, remained shackled to his will.
Thus, Judge's most chilling legacy was not his kingdom's wars, nor his mechanical armies, but his conquest over the human mind itself.
As for Vegapunk, his own work with the Lineage Factor makes Judge's pale in comparison. Where Judge twisted human emotion, Vegapunk broke the laws of creation.
He succeeded in crafting artificial Devil Fruits, not the failed, grotesque imitations of Caesar Clown, but fruits nearly indistinguishable from the originals, their effects rivaling true Zoans.
He advanced further, endowing inanimate objects with life itself, granting weapons the power of Devil Fruits, as seen in Enies Lobby, where Spandam wielded a sword infused with the Elephant Elephant Fruit.
These were no parlor tricks. This was the rewriting of reality. And if these fragments of knowledge are known to the world, then just how far has Vegapunk's unseen research already gone?
And then, of course… the Pacifista.
Every model bore the same unblinking face: Bartholomew Kuma. The resemblance to Judge's mass-produced soldiers is impossible to ignore. Which leads to chilling questions.
Are these machines powered only by steel and laser light… or has Vegapunk, like Judge, imprinted something deeper into their very core? Some hidden seal upon thought, obedience carved straight into the soul?
No one yet knows.
Back when Liam had first recovered those research documents from the snowy mountain cave lab on Karakuri Island, he and Robin eagerly flipped through them together. The thrill of Vegapunk's forbidden discoveries was undeniable.
But afterward? Liam's interest faded almost instantly. Back in his old world, he had never been one to take studying seriously, crossing over into a new world hadn't magically changed that. Research, patience, academic dedication? Impossible.
And so, the priceless documents ended up tucked away in the Stand B.I.B.'s vast memory archive, left to gather digital dust.
Now, standing once more on a snowbound island, Liam casually thrust the stack of materials into the hands of a certain hundred-year-old witch doctor, at the very least making sure such treasures wouldn't go to waste.
After all, in canon, even without Vegapunk's data, Chopper alone had managed to push Zoan abilities further than anyone before him. By manipulating unique "wavelengths" of the Zoan fruit's power, he designed multi-stage transformations with distinct enhancements, shaping himself into a true combat doctor.
So then… if Chopper were to study Vegapunk's works on the Lineage Factor, the so-called daemon factor twisting the essence of life, what might he one day create? Liam could only imagine, and the thought made him grin.
But for now, Kureha knew nothing of this unseen future. Nor did she care. When Liam finally broached the subject of apprenticing Chopper to her, she dismissed the idea outright.
"Kid, the healing arts of the Bird Kingdom may be impressive, yes, and perhaps even worth referencing," Kureha said coolly, sipping from her ever-present bottle. "But you don't honestly think that I, at my level, couldn't survive without a few books? That I'd take some talking deer as my disciple, and hand over my life's treasures, in exchange for scraps of paper? Hah! To even suggest such a bargain, isn't that looking down on me?"
Liam raised an eyebrow. "If you're going to say that, could you at least put down the Dr. Vegapunk research notes you're clutching like treasure first?"
To scorn the Bird Kingdom's manuscripts while clutching Vegapunk's secrets as if they were her lifeline, that was a contradiction if ever there was one.
"…Hmph." Kureha's expression shifted effortlessly, like changing masks in a play. She weighed the sheaf of research in her hand, then fixed Liam and Robin with her sharp gaze. "It's not impossible for me to take care of your little pet. But if you want me to give him proper guidance, you'll have to deal with Wapol first."
"Deal." Liam grinned without hesitation.
'Smack!'
His hand slapped down on the stack of papers before she could change her mind.
And just like that, without fanfare, Pikachu.Chopper found himself conscripted as Kureha's "apprentice."
Liam, however, strongly suspected the old hag's real motives were closer to wanting a young servant, to fetch tea, haul medicine bags, and dash about the castle at her command…
"Giorno… what is a pirate?"
The question came from Chopper, not long after. The little reindeer had no true concept of medicine, apprenticeships, or what future "studies" really meant for him. What stayed in his head instead were Kureha's sharp words a moment ago: 'So you're planning to raise that little one into a pirate, huh.'
"Are you pirates?" Chopper asked innocently, tilting his head.
"Well…" Liam stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That's kind of a tricky question."
Robin's lips curved in a knowing smile. "Why don't we show him instead?"
"Good idea." Liam nodded, and with that, he led the wide-eyed reindeer upstairs toward the top levels of Stand City Castle.
Behind them, Kureha had already buried herself behind a fortress of tomes and medical scrolls, looking perfectly content to ignore whatever "nonsense" they were up to.
On the higher floor…
The chamber was vast and nearly bare, save for the single sailing ship that stood within it. Neither small nor large, its deck sat in quiet slumber beneath furled sails. And at the very peak of its mast, a black flag drooped heavily, hiding its insignia from view.
At a mere thought from B.I.B., the castle's will, pale fluid threads descended from the ceiling. Like strands of a spiderweb they caught the flag, tugged it outward, and stretched it wide as though a mighty wind filled the chamber.
Chopper's eyes widened as the banner revealed itself, unfurling in bold, proud strokes.
"This," Liam said, pointing at the JOJO-skull emblazoned flag, "is a pirate flag. And those who live by the call of this flag… those are pirates."
"Wooooah…" Chopper breathed, his eyes glittering with awe. "I get it now…"
Robin let out a soft, amused chuckle. "Didn't you just insist you don't acknowledge yourself as a pirate?"
Liam turned, caught her cheek in one hand, and pinched lightly. "Don't ruin the moment, woman."
Robin only smiled.
And so, in the shadow of Vegapunk's forgotten research, and under the flutter of a pirate flag, Chopper began his journey into medicine, whether he understood it or not.
(To Be Continued…)
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