"Look only. Don't touch my things."
Queen glared at Moses with a stifled expression, glancing at the cracked floor from the rod strike, cursing inwardly:
"Damn brat, daring to smash my floor. Just wait till I deal with you later."
Moses observed Queen's rapidly shifting expressions and the throbbing vein on his forehead. No need to guess—he was definitely cursing him out in his mind right now.
With a sour face, Queen led Moses on a tour of the laboratory.
"What's that?"
"Lab equipment."
"And this thing?"
"Lab equipment."
"What about you?"
"Lab equipment."
The moment the words left his mouth, Queen stiffened. Moses gave him a sidelong glance—did he really think he was some clueless newbie?
A massive vat of blood, with Kaido's name written on the base below—did he think he was blind?
Stupid fatso.
But for Queen to have Kaido's blood stored here... was it for researching the Lineage Factor?
And Kaido actually agreed to it?
How bizarre.
As they continued the tour, Moses refrained from touching anything. Then, a researcher called out to Queen:
"Mr. Queen, come take a look at this data. The test subject seems to be showing abnormalities."
Queen immediately responded, "Got it, I'm coming."
He then shot Moses a warning glare. "Kid, don't touch anything in the lab."
With that, he hurried off.
Moses looked around.
Soon, he arrived at a cluttered desk, eyeing the disorganized blueprints and data with curiosity.
Picking them up, Moses began carefully reading through them.
"Rejection Between Flesh and Machinery"
"Mechanical Augmentation"
"Applications of Viruses"
"Lineage Factor and Mechanical Structures"
Page after page of experimental data and illustrations—Moses was thoroughly engrossed.
The extensive records laid bare every detail of Queen's human modification technology.
From life design blueprints to mechanical augmentation, even virus-based drugs for unlocking human potential.
Half an hour later, Queen returned, wiping sweat from his brow. The moment he spotted Moses, his face froze, then flushed red as he roared:
"You brat! Who gave you the right to mess with my desk? Get the hell away from there!"
Moses picked at his ear, giving him an unimpressed look.
"Why are you yelling so loud? I saw how messy this desk was and tidied it up for you. Got a problem with that?"
Queen fumed.
"Get away now, or I won't be polite!"
Moses shrugged and stood, dusting himself off. He'd seen enough anyway—all of it was valuable, especially the experimental data on virus-based drugs involving human trials.
Queen rushed over to inspect the desk the moment Moses moved, terrified he might have damaged something important.
A few minutes later, he sighed in relief—only to see Moses wandering around the lab again. His eye twitched violently.
He immediately chased after him, sticking close like a shadow, muttering nonstop to prevent Moses from touching anything else.
After touring the key equipment, Moses felt it wasn't enough. Compared to Queen's setup, his own lab seemed downright amateurish.
Moses asked Kaido, "I heard from King that there's a weapons factory on the island where they forge weapons. Where is it?"
Kaido's eyes darted around. "Why do you ask?"
"None of your business."
Kaido's face darkened as he replied coldly:
"Get lost already. Don't stay here any longer."
"Find someone to take me there, or I'll keep staying right here."
Kaido felt exasperated, realizing he was being pestered. Reluctantly, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket and dialed, intending to summon someone.
After hanging up, Kaido said with a grim expression:
"I've called someone to take you there."
Moses grinned. "Well, thank you kindly."
"By the way, do you know Armament Haki?"
Kaido blinked in confusion. "Yeah? What about it?"
"Show me."
Moses said casually.
Kaido sighed but decided to humor him, thinking it was a small request to get rid of Moses sooner and prevent him from wandering around. He complied.
Extending his right hand, his skin darkened inch by inch from his elbow to his palm.
Armament Haki coating.
A distinct surge of energy manifested.
Moses observed Kaido's Armament Haki up close, clearly sensing the unique fluctuations emanating from his hand.
Disguise.
His breathing rhythm began to synchronize with Kaido's.
Moses grasped Kaido's right hand with his left, capturing and analyzing the distinctive frequency of the Armament Haki.
Armament Haki was rooted in the body, born from the fusion of intense willpower, vitality, and life force.
A fascinating form of Haki—somehow both opposite and complementary to Conqueror's Haki.
One physical.
One spiritual.
A minute later.
"Alright. You can withdraw it now. Good job."
Moses smiled.
Kaido looked baffled, unable to comprehend the brat's actions. Yet, the words felt oddly familiar.
Damn it, isn't that what I always say to my test subjects?!
At this realization, veins bulged on his neck as he glared at Moses with fury.
Noticing this, Moses asked curiously:
"What's wrong now? You seem awfully quick to anger. Got some kind of illness? I'm a doctor—well, sort of. How about you lie down there, and I'll take a look."
Kaido's face twitched as he turned to where Moses was pointing—a dissection table.
He stiffly looked back, his expression darkening as an intimidating aura surged from him:
"Brat, you got a death wish?"
Moses chuckled, not a trace of fear in his eyes. Gripping his staff, he smirked:
"Wanna try me?"
Kaido stared at Moses, sensing a faint danger. Remembering he was a valuable researcher, he gritted his teeth and said:
"Someone's coming soon to take you to the weapons factory. Just stay quiet and don't cause any more trouble."
Hearing his reluctant submission, Moses decided it was best to keep things peaceful. Even a cornered dog would jump over a wall—if things escalated and the lab got wrecked, Kaido wouldn't be happy.
After five or six minutes.
A somewhat handsome man scurried over with a fawning expression. "Big Bro Kaido, you called for me?"
Kaido said coldly, "Take this brat to the weapons factory outside."
The man nodded eagerly.
Then, with the same obsequious smile, he turned to Moses. "Ah, Young Master Moses! Please follow me. I'll show you the way."
Moses left with Bear Cub and him. Queen, seeing Moses exit the room, took two heavy breaths and spat in disdain:
"What a joke."
They walked past the outer staircase.
Arriving outside the skull-shaped structure, they were led to the right side of Oni Island's massive horn, where a rugged building came into view.
As soon as they reached this place, Moses could sense a scorching fluctuation in Breath frequency—a unique signature of flames.
Entering through a steel gate, they stepped inside to find a spacious layout with dense weapon production lines. Though Moses had never seen such a setup before, he could guess its purpose at a glance.
It shared some similarities with the weapon production base in Apayard.
Upon entering, someone approached them.
The man looked at Moses with an ingratiating expression, though a trace of contempt lurked deep in his eyes. Greeting Moses, he said:
"Young Master Moses, I am the supervisor of this factory. Lord King has instructed us to assign you a Forging room upon your arrival. Inside, you'll find the Sake Iron Ore you need, along with some rare metals."
The guide who had brought them here was stopped at the entrance and could only awkwardly bid farewell to Moses.
Moses nodded at him and followed the factory supervisor to a steel door deeper inside. As they approached, waves of searing heat assaulted them.
Pushing the door open, they entered.
It was a neatly arranged Forging room, fully equipped with all necessary tools. Moses was quite satisfied upon seeing it.
The supervisor was adept at reading moods. Though inwardly displeased that Moses had been granted such a premium Forging room upon arrival, he knew his place.
After all, this was someone personally favored by Governor Kaido and Lord King. He, on the other hand, was just a slightly higher-ranking subordinate with no choice but to follow orders. He knew exactly where he stood and who he couldn't afford to cross.
With the Forging room handed over, the man closed the door and left.
Moses examined the large rectangular furnace before him, its charcoal flames burning a fierce red. Surveying the surroundings, he noted the hundred-square-meter Forging room, with raw ore materials neatly categorized and piled in the corners.
.
「Appraisal」
[C-grade Sake Iron Ore (High Fusibility)]: Possesses exceptional fusibility. A top-tier casting material with high strength and toughness, capable of perfectly blending with any metal ore.
Moses narrowed his eyes slightly as he inspected the dark red, head-sized chunk of Sake Iron Ore in his hand. Its fine-grained texture exuded a faint alcoholic aroma when brought close to his nose.
"So this is why it's called Sake Iron Ore?"
Amused, Moses shook his head. He then selected a set of precious ores from the piles before him, combining them with the Sake Iron Ore into a stack.
Turning to Bear Cub, he said, "First refine and fuse this proportional stack of ores into an Alloy. Then we'll move on to the rest."
Bear Cub didn't mind the mess, plopping down on the ground to gather the ore pile in its arms before chewing and swallowing meticulously.
Meanwhile, Moses continued sorting and pairing different ores.
Soon after, Bear Cub spat out a millstone-sized chunk of metal Alloy.
Moses took it and examined it.
[C+ grade Sake Iron Ore Alloy (Flame)]
A precious Alloy forged from Sake Iron Ore and flame-attributed ores as the core, blended with several other ores. Possesses high strength and toughness.
Moses looked at the massive forging table that seemed enormous to him, casually picking up an alloy and tossing it into the high-temperature furnace.
Now, it was time to wait.
However, as Moses regulated his breath, he entered the State of Oneness.
He carefully recalled the unique frequency fluctuations of Armament Haki he had sensed earlier from Queen's physical body.
The strongest manifestation of willpower was undoubtedly Conqueror's Haki. With unwavering determination, Moses activated Qi Circulation Throughout the Body and began practicing a series of punches in the forging room. Each powerful strike generated no wind—a testament to his perfect control over his own strength.
His consciousness permeated every inch of his body.
As his physique engaged in intense movement, the vitality, energy—or one might say, the life force and blood qi within him—became exceptionally active.
With ease, Moses detected those previously overlooked frequency fluctuations. Under the unified integration of his willpower, everything fell naturally into place.
An intangible Armament Haki awakened and emerged from within his body.
From points to lines, then to surfaces, dense Armament Haki began manifesting, awakening, and saturating every corner of his being.
Given that his "Mystery" attribute was rated C+, the energy stored within Moses was inherently profound.
Now, with the awakening of Armament Haki, he naturally possessed an impressive reserve of this power from the outset.
Qi Circulation Throughout the Body.
Moses sensed the "points of light" within him—those belonging to Armament Haki. With each breath, the awakened Haki within him began to mobilize.
Rather than erupting outward from every part of his body, it flowed within him like Conqueror's Haki.
It was as if he had gained another limb—one named Armament Haki. Logically, mastering such a "limb" to the point of effortless control would require rigorous training and cultivation.
Moses focused on the Armament Haki concealed in every corner of his body.
With each breath and the circulation of qi, the Haki gradually converged and began flowing under the guidance of his willpower.
Time passed minute by minute. After what felt like an eternity, Moses finally achieved smooth control over the Armament Haki now coursing through his body with every breath. A faint smile curled his lips.
Opening his eyes, he checked his perception of time. "Three hours have passed already? Time flies."
Moses raised his right hand before his eyes, summoning the Armament Haki within. It gathered and coiled, his right arm darkening inch by inch from the elbow downward.
Armament Haki—Hardening.
Clenching his fist, he sensed the terrifying power contained within. A single strike would undoubtedly blast a two-meter-wide crater into the marble floor.
Gazing at the jet-black hue coating his hand, Moses felt an innate sense of security.
This was a formidable defensive force—armor rivaling the strength of steel.
Turning his attention back to the furnace, Moses noted the alloy had reached a blazing red heat, ready for forging.
Seizing the moment, he mentally summoned the holographic panel.
Under the Blessing Abilities section:
[C-rank Blessing: Armament Haki]
[Blessing Effect: An innate physical vitality ability, born from the fusion of life essence and willpower—a force that arms all things. Grants permanent moderate acceleration in growth for Strength, Endurance, Willpower, and Mystery attributes up to C-rank.]
[Blessing Effect: Among the "Essence, Energy, and Spirit" three treasures, it belongs to the power of vitality, qi-blood, and willpower in "Essence and Spirit" — the most potent armed manifestation of life.]
"Grade C?"
Moses wasn't surprised. For newly awakened Armament Haki to already possess C-grade quality was quite good. Indeed, with stronger foundational attributes, the Haki closely linked to the body naturally becomes more powerful.
Moses used iron tongs to place the alloy on the anvil. Gripping the forging hammer in his right hand, he wrapped it in Armament Haki, turning the metal hammer pitch black.
Raising his right arm high, he struck down forcefully.
"Clang!"
A piercing metallic clang accompanied sparks flying in all directions. Under the enhancement of Armament Haki, the alloy was deeply dented by the blow.
Delight flashed in Moses' eyes. This initial test yielded unexpectedly excellent striking feedback. "The intervention of Armament Haki should save considerable effort."
Moreover, given his internal reserves of Haki, simple forging like this could easily be sustained for an hour or two.
Without further thought, Moses focused intently on hammering the alloy.
Clang! Clang-clang! CLANG!!!
The rhythmic strikes flattened and shaped the alloy, repeatedly folding and forging to align the material's grain. Throughout this process, Moses experimented with Armament Haki's intervention.
Comparing with the knowledge in his mind, he fully manifested it upon this alloy.
As time passed, a three-meter-long sword blank took form.
With continuous alignment of the material's grain, spiritual energy quietly gathered.
The forging process completed.
Quenching.
The long blade was plunged into a massive cooling tank. Hiss! Thick white steam billowed forth.
Spiritual energy successfully coalesced.
「Tempering」
The blade returned to the furnace for further refinement.
When this stage concluded and the blade cooled, Moses began meticulous polishing.
As night approached, Moses held a completed three-meter-long sword in his hands.
The palm-width blade gleamed white, covered in delicate flame-like patterns.
A four-leaf clover-shaped guard.
The blade curved slightly, its edge appearing exceptionally sharp.
「Appraisal」
[C+ Grade Longsword (Good Skillful Blade)]: A thousand-hammered, hundred-folded Good Skillful Blade possessing high hardness and toughness. When swung, friction with air generates flames.
Moses examined the longsword, his expression neither satisfied nor disappointed.
"The forging of a Great Grade Blade failed, and the 「Engraved Patterns」 weren't fused into it. Seems my understanding remains incomplete. What I've forged is merely a Good Skillful Blade that, through special materials, shares Cold Dew's characteristics."
Neither pleased nor disheartened, Moses shouldered the blade and left the now-deserted weapons factory with Bear Cub.
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