After arranging a large batch of building upgrades, Luo Lan walked to the gate of the Super Clone Factory, carrying a small box in his hands.
Standing before the gate's robotic sentry, he opened the box—inside was a Devil Fruit.
Specifically, the Suna Suna no Mi, a Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit.
The robot took the fruit and simply stared at Luo Lan.
At the same time, a system prompt appeared in Luo Lan's mind:
[Analysis cost: 50,000 points. Due to building synergy, discount applied: 10,000 points. Estimated time: 1 hour. Proceed?]
"Proceed."
Luo Lan confirmed mentally.
The robot sprang to life, stepping toward a high-tech, futuristic device. It placed the Sand-Sand Fruit on a platform within the machine.
Beams of light in various colors emerged from different angles, scanning the fruit in a rotating sequence.
Luo Lan silently observed from the side.
An hour passed quickly.
The machine powered down, and another system prompt appeared in his mind:
[Ding. Analysis complete. Item classified as Tier-5 Genetic Technology.]
[Ding. Detected: One Level-2 Defect. Moisture causes physical debilitation in host. Removal cost: 100,000 points. Proceed with modification?]
Damn. A chance-based modification opportunity... and he hit the jackpot on the first try.
Moisture exposure?
That referred to the well-known weakness of the Sand-Sand Fruit. If the user's body got wet, they could become immobilized or significantly hindered in combat.
Luo Lan was very familiar with that flaw—he'd used it to defeat Crocodile in the past.
So… this weakness could actually be fixed?
And just like Seras said, Devil Fruits weren't naturally occurring—they were artificially engineered genetic products.
As for what exactly "Tier-5 Genetic Technology" meant… Luo Lan wasn't sure yet.
Still, paying 100,000 points to eliminate the Sand-Sand Fruit's biggest weakness? Totally worth it.
"Proceed with the modification."
[Ding. 100,000 points deducted. Remaining balance: 3.372 million points.]
[Ding. Modified Sand-Sand Fruit is ready. Please retrieve your sample.]
[Ding. Modified version is now eligible for cloning. Single clone cost: 300,000 points. Duration: 3 days.]
[Ding. Super Clone Factory perk detected. Clone cost adjusted: 90,000 points. Duration: 36 hours.]
One fruit every day and a half.
90,000 points per clone—that's 900 million Beli.
Expensive? Actually, no.
You couldn't just go out and buy a Logia-type fruit. Even if you found one, it'd cost way more than 900 million—especially one that no longer had its fatal weakness.
This clone factory? Absolutely worth it.
"System, begin cloning one unit."
[Ding. Cloning initiated. 90,000 points deducted. Current balance: 3.282 million. Clone duration: 36 hours.]
At that moment, the entire clone factory began humming with activity.
Except for the two gatekeepers, all the robots moved swiftly between machines, operating with precision.
Luo Lan didn't linger. He stepped outside and took out his Den Den Mushi.
Brrr... Brrr...
"This is the Science Division. Seras speaking."
"Seras, how's the clinical trial on extracting Devil Fruits from live hosts progressing?"
"Oh, Marshal, your suggestion really came in handy!"
"Oh? How so?" Luo Lan's curiosity was piqued.
He quickly asked for more details.
"Well, during the 37th trial, the test subject died unexpectedly. We couldn't save them."
"Then again, during the 87th trial, we had another identical death."
"The probability was low, but when it happened—it was fatal."
"So we launched a thorough investigation. After nearly 200 clinical trials and four total fatalities, we finally figured out the issue. We then developed a refined version of the pseudo-death drug."
"Since then, we've run 1,270 trials using the improved version—every single one a perfect success."
At that, Luo Lan's face twitched hard.
Sure, he had come up with the experimental method.
But Seras and his team? They were absolute maniacs.
Nearly 1,500 trials in such a short time?
And during the first 200, four test subjects died.
Which meant… the last test subject had to endure all 1,270 remaining trials alone.
Considering that most of the expendable pirates had already been executed, the remaining candidates were likely either faux pirates who hadn't harmed civilians or actual Devil Fruit users.
So once the four Devil Fruit users died, no one else could be used to replace them.
After all, they couldn't risk using prisoners who didn't deserve death—or even worse, their own people.
Which meant that last poor soul had died 1,270 times…
Even Luo Lan couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
That was…
Brutal.
"Seras, I need a straight answer—can the Devil Fruit extraction surgery now be performed safely?"
"Yes. Absolutely, Marshal. I'm confident."
"Good. Prepare your team. I'll be sending Ace to you. You know what to do from there."
He hung up without another word.
Then, he called Hina.
He told her to locate Ace and personally escort him to the Science Division to meet Seras.
She was also instructed to observe the entire process—and report back with a definitive answer.
Frankly, Hina was confused by the request.
If Ace needs to meet Seras, why not just tell him directly?
And why does she need to personally accompany him and observe?
What exactly is she supposed to be watching?
And then, the final instruction—
To give Luo Lan a clear "answer."
An answer to what exactly?!
Hina was completely baffled.
---
Ten minutes later.
Hina arrived at the underground lab and entered the room where Seras and his team were waiting.
Behind her was Ace.
"Seras, we're here. What exactly is going on?"
"Huh? Marshal didn't tell you?"
"Nope. Just told me to bring Ace, watch everything, and give him a clear report after."
Hina was still confused.
But Seras understood.
"Well, if the Marshal didn't explain, then I'm not at liberty to say. Just watch—you'll understand soon enough."
"Alright, Ace, come over here and lie down on the examination table."
Ace looked just as puzzled but complied.
He knew Seras well enough to trust him—whatever was happening, it wasn't meant to harm him.
Ace lay down, and a lab tech placed a block of seastone on his chest, instantly neutralizing his abilities.
They had to—
Logia users automatically shift into their element when threatened, making injections impossible.
But with the seastone suppressing him, there'd be no problem.
The techs inserted a needle and began IV infusion.
With over a thousand trials under their belts, they moved with expert precision.
"Seras, what exactly are you guys doing?" Ace asked, feeling weak from the seastone.
"Relax. We're just going to kill you once—don't worry."
"What?! What do you mean by—"
Before he could finish, Ace's consciousness began to fade.
Seconds later, he passed out entirely.
The heart monitor nearby flatlined.
The white-coated researchers rushed forward and draped a black cloth over him.
At that moment…
---
https:// ko-fi.com/sami27
(COMPLETED)