Dragging the processed yak meat behind them, Moses and Bear Cub returned home.
As soon as they entered, they saw Kureha sitting by the fireplace, sipping tea.
Moses grinned. "Doctorine, are you hungry? Let's have beef hotpot later."
Kureha glanced at him, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "What's the occasion? You're back early today instead of at night."
Moses chuckled. "Didn't want you to worry, that's all."
"So?" Kureha said coolly. "Did you manage to forge what you wanted?"
Moses' face immediately lit up with pride as he pulled out the dagger tucked at his waist and presented it like a treasure.
Kureha took it, unsheathed the short sword-like blade, and examined it closely. Within seconds, the corners of her lips curled into a faint smile.
"Not bad at all. You actually managed to craft something decent."
With her vast experience, she recognized at a glance that this dagger possessed the quality of a Swift Blade—a renowned weapon.
Famed blades were rare on the high seas.
Supreme Grade Swords - 12 Craftsmen.
Great Grade Swords - 21 Craftsmen.
Good Grade Swords - 50 Craftsmen.
Though Swift Blades weren't officially ranked among these three widely recognized grades, they were still exceptional named weapons.
Many people could spend their entire lives without ever laying hands on even a single Swift Blade.
And now, one rested in her palm.
After admiring it for a while, Kureha sheathed the dagger and handed it back to Moses.
"Take it."
Moses didn't reach for it. Instead, he smiled and said, "It's for you. Even if it's just the lowest tier of named blades, it's still the first one I've successfully forged. Its sentimental value outweighs its practicality."
"Since you know how to wield weapons, Doctorine, I'm giving this to you. It's small and handy—perfect for self-defense. Or, if nothing else, you can use it as a nail clipper."
"Oh, and its name is 'Bamboo Tube.'"
Kureha eyed him, her lips quirking slightly. "Sentimental value, huh? Not bad. Fine, I'll humor you and accept this 'Bamboo Tube.'"
She withdrew her hand and twirled the bamboo-like dagger deftly between her fingers.
In high spirits, Kureha stood up to slice the yak meat while Moses fetched a cast-iron pot and transferred embers from the fireplace to a small stove.
Bear Cub busied himself compressing and refining coal. Before long, working together, they prepared a large pot of spicy red broth.
The stove roared with flames, and soon the broth bubbled vigorously.
Ingredients were tossed in one after another.
The trio gathered around the pot, bowls and chopsticks in hand.
Thin slices of beef, marbled with fine veins of fat, were swished briefly in the pot—just a few seconds to cook—then paired with fresh seasonal vegetables for a delicious hotpot feast.
With Bear Cub's bottomless appetite, the entire yak was devoured. In the end, he even lifted the pot and drank the remaining spicy broth clean.
After the meal, Bear Cub cheerfully took the pot to wash.
Kureha went outside alone for a stroll to aid digestion.
Moses sat at the desk, flipping through an amusing children's serialized comic book:
Ocean Warrior Sora.
This tells the legendary tale of Sola, the ocean hero who represents justice (Sola is based on the real exploits of naval heroes), leading his companions against the evil organization Germa 66, which repeatedly tries to corner him.
A very interesting comic book aimed at younger audiences.
The story features all sorts of strange abilities and creations—Super Clones, Giant Robots, Superpowered Battle Suits, and other fascinating things.
Though it's a wildly popular maritime read, it also carries some political undertones.
Seeing past the surface, straight to the essence.
The theme is that good will always triumph over evil.
The content portrays Sola (the Navy) as a powerful symbol of justice through Germa 66's constant defeats.
Since it's a children's comic, it also serves as excellent material for shaping young minds (or indoctrination).
But no matter how much hidden agenda the comic might contain, Moses still considers it a great read.
Especially the superpowered warriors within the evil Germa 66—Moses knows they're genetically modified soldiers.
Artificially created superhumans.
And they've already achieved success.
"What are you reading?"
Kureha, returning from her stroll, stood behind Moses and glanced at the comic he was reading.
"Heh, a change of taste is nice. Germa 66? Interesting."
"Any thoughts after reading it?"
Moses said, "Are you asking for a review?"
As for the authenticity of Germa 66, there was no doubt—both of them knew it was real, not just a fictional creation in the comic.
Back then, Garp had brought Vegapunk's research on the "Lineage Factor" of life design blueprints, which also mentioned the Vinsmoke family of the North Blue. Germa 66 was the external manifestation of the Vinsmoke lineage.
Before Kureha could speak, Moses continued, "Germa 66's super soldiers must be the result of genetic modification involving the Lineage Factor. The five among them—Poison Pink, Sparking Red, Electric Blue, Invisible Black, and Winch Green—each have different superpowers.
But they all share the same foundational abilities: steel-like skin, rapid regeneration, and physical prowess far beyond ordinary humans.
Doctorine, I've read your research on the Lineage Factor. Could you develop special drugs to interfere with human genes and grant people extraordinary abilities?"
Kureha narrowed her eyes. "You actually understood that stuff?"
"Mostly. Germa 66's genetic technology probably involves altering the arrangement of human Lineage Factors and grafting entirely new biological genes.
By splicing genes from creatures with special abilities, they gain superhuman powers?"
Kureha rubbed her forehead, looking exasperated. "I didn't expect you to actually grasp it. You're right—that's the gist of it. But I can't do it. My current research focuses on drug development for the human body, not genetic splicing.
Well, not exactly.
To put it more accurately, my research involves enhancing the activity of human telomerase through drugs, interfering with cellular proliferation."
"An elixir of immortality?"
Moses nodded in understanding.
Kureha immediately beamed with joy, placing both hands on Moses' shoulders and giving them a firm squeeze.
"You're a clever little brat, aren't you? Quick on the uptake. Good. Though I've shifted my research focus to Brain Domain Development these days, human physiology studies are all interconnected. Research on genes and cells still overlaps. Especially since the foundation of the research subjects is built on the Lineage Factor.
Vegapunk really is a genius."
Hearing this, Moses ignored the pain in his shoulders and asked in surprise, "So, Doctorine, have you made any progress in your Brain Domain research?"
Kureha's face twitched. "Some, yes. But the lab mice don't survive past a day—they just drop dead from brain failure.
What? You wanna volunteer?"
Moses stiffened. "Uh… I'll pass. I'm still young. Not ready to meet my parents that soon."
Kureha paused mid-squeeze, then moved her hands to ruffle Moses' hair instead, nodding in understanding. "Ah, I see. Just as I thought.
So, you never thought to ask that bastard Garp who your real parents are?"
"We did ask. Wanna know?" Moses said. "Since it's you, I can tell you."
"Nah. Your parents have nothing to do with me. Besides, they're already dead. Doesn't matter either way."
"But from the way you talk, were they famous or something?"
Moses nodded. "Mom was just an ordinary person. The other one, though—household name."
"Heh!" Kureha laughed. "Household name? Don't tell me your old man was Whitebeard? Wait, no, he's dead. Couldn't be that bastard Roger either—timeline doesn't match."
Moses gave her a deadpan look. "Ever considered the possibility that my brother and I stayed in the womb for over 20 months?"
Cough! Kureha choked, her hands twisting Moses' head sharply to the side with a crack! as his neck popped.
Cough, cough!
"Sorry, sorry. Got a little carried away."
She awkwardly watched Moses, who had turned just in time to avoid a broken neck, now staring at her wide-eyed.
Moses muttered darkly:
"L-a-t-e-s-t-n-o-v-e-l-p-u-b-l-i-s-h-e-d-o-n-6-9-s-h-u-b-a!"
"Did that guy wrong you somewhere or something?"
"Seriously, you almost snapped my neck."
"What kind of grudge is this?"
Kureha scratched her nose sheepishly before snapping, "Alright, enough already! It was an accident, and it's not like I actually broke it!
Even if I had, I could've fixed it. With your physique, you'd heal up in a couple of weeks tops."
Moses blinked, then nodded thoughtfully. "Huh. You're right."
"Then I'm not mad anymore."
Kureha rolled her eyes, clicking her tongue. "Well, well. Who'd have thought?
The World Government went to such lengths to capture you, and yet you were saved by that method.
Your birth mom's a real piece of work. I respect that."
"My foster mom's no slouch either—she nearly broke my neck just now."
Kureha fumed. "You little brat, are you done yet? Drop it. Not another word."
"Fine, fine!"
"Let's get back to the main topic, Doctorine. Which step do you think caused the brain death?"
"Hmm!" Kureha walked over to the table and sat down on it, her eyes thoughtful:
"It's likely the absence of a certain catalyst—a medium that can sustain the regeneration of brain cells. After the mice took the Brain Domain Development Drug, their neural responses became unusually active for a period.
But upon later observation, it seemed more like a case of overdrawing the brain's potential.
We need to find a creature with regenerative abilities for experimentation. Preferably one capable of regenerating its brain. Only then can we extract the missing core element through testing."
As she spoke, her eyes suddenly lit up, and Kureha grinned. "Salamanders—these creatures can regenerate even parts of their hearts and brains. Using them for experiments should yield useful data."
"Tsk! No one's as clever as me." Kureha smirked proudly, glancing at Moses. "Tomorrow, I'll take you somewhere. It's probably the only place on this winter island where you can find Snow Salamanders."
"Get some rest early."
Moses looked outside—the sky had already darkened. "Oh, right!"
Standing up, he said, "I'll go wash up first."
After freshening up, Moses read some comics for a while before turning in early.
...
The next day.
He woke up and washed his face.
Moses pulled open the curtains and looked outside at the heavy snowfall.
Visibility was low.
"I'm going for a morning run. I'll be back soon."
Moses called out to Kureha in the kitchen.
Opening the door, he stepped out with Bear Cub following closely behind, soon disappearing into the snowy landscape.
The warm breath from his mouth turned into white mist.
Closing his eyes, Moses entered a state of Unity of Heaven and Man. Through Observation Haki, he sensed his surroundings and sprinted swiftly through the snow-laden forest.
His rhythmic strides matched his breathing.
His movements were perfectly coordinated.
As he ran faster and faster through the wind and snow, he dodged obstacles with precision. In this heightened state, everything around him felt vividly alive.
His own aura intertwined with the environment, and through Observation Haki, he absorbed the feedback from the surroundings, forming a unique "visual sense" in his mind.
He ran with absolute freedom.
Swinging his arms in sync with his steps, breathing—effortlessly, naturally—his entire body brimming with vitality.
As if aided by the wind.
Even running against the snowstorm, he could feel a force pushing him forward.
Sensing the breath of the storm, he merged his own aura with it, letting the wind from his movement blend with the natural snowfall, turning it into momentum.
Like a swirling vortex.
In his perception, Bear Cub was right behind him.
Moses attuned to Bear Cub's breathing rhythm. Since their breathing techniques shared the same origin, their frequencies gradually synchronized over time.
In the state of Unity of Heaven and Man,
there was already an innate ability to harmonize with the breath of all things in nature. Moses guided Bear Cub's breathing with his own, steadily aligning them into one.
They ran without pause.
Then, suddenly—
"Eep!" Bear Cub's breathing faltered—his foot had caught on a rock, sending him tumbling forward.
He crashed right into Moses' back.
The next moment, Moses was sent sprawling too, and the two rolled together in the snow.
His Breath was disrupted, and Moses exited his heavenly state.
Sprawled out in the snow, he adjusted his breathing, puffs of white mist escaping his mouth.
"Ow~ woo!"
At that moment, Bear Cub crawled over, his big head pressing down on Moses' chest while his left paw rested on Moses' face.
Pushing Bear Cub's paw away, Moses said helplessly, "So cold—your paw's covered in snow. And you're so clumsy, actually tripping like that. You nearly killed me."
"Ying!"
Bear Cub stuck out his tongue and leaned in, giving Moses' face a big, wet lick.
He rubbed his big head against Moses' face, letting out soft "ying ying" whimpers, his voice full of grievance.
"Alright, alright, I won't scold you. Stop pretending to be pitiful."
"You're a Panda spirit, not a cat spirit or a fox spirit. Quit acting cute."
"Ow~"
PS: Regarding Germa's human modification technology, there are some original interpretations since the source material doesn't provide exact details. I've tried to make it as plausible as possible.
Apologies for any discrepancies!!!
(End of chapter)