Chapter 289: A Longer Lifespan
A few days later, on a high-level balcony in Terra's research institute.
Louis stood, putting away the Den Den Mushi he had just hung up. He gazed out at the bustling city streets, his eyes thoughtful.
Minutes ago, Yelena's kinsman, Mabo, had found an opportunity to report the full contents of the Marine high-command meeting. From their plan to use the Whitebeard Pirates to weaken Louis's forces, to the World Government's technological breakthrough and their order to collect blood—Lineage Factor—from all high-ranking Marines, Warlords, and Impel Down prisoners for some unknown purpose.
"The Marines... they're thinking the same thing I am."
He planned to use Whitebeard to weaken the Marines, and the Marines planned to use Whitebeard to weaken him.
"We've never met, but we're perfectly in sync, aren't we, Sengoku?"
But...
"Collecting the Lineage Factor of the strongest Marines and pirates..." Louis's eyes narrowed. "Are they making 'Pacifistas'? Or Seraphim?"
In the original timeline, the World Government had used Kuma's Buccaneer DNA to create an army of powerful cyborg soldiers: the Pacifista. They were strong enough to give the Supernovas a hard time. While they weren't a match for an Emperor's top officers, their sheer numbers made them a formidable weapon.
The Seraphim, on the other hand, were created using the Lineage Factors of the Warlords, combined with Lunarian DNA. Their power surpassed even most Lunarians, allowing them to fight on par with pirates worth over a billion.
But now, Kuma, the original test subject, was living peacefully in a church on Terra. He would not become their experiment. Therefore, the Pacifista would never be created.
Perhaps Vegapunk would create similar weapons for the World Government, but they wouldn't be called "Pacifista." That name came from Kuma himself.
So, the World Government collecting Lineage Factors now was most likely for a new type of weapon... or for the Seraphim.
"Does this mean... there will be more than just seven Seraphim in the future?" Louis mused, lost in thought.
Just then, a voice called from behind him. "Lord Louis, Father has finished his experiment. He is on his way."
Reiju entered the rest area, placing a fresh pot of tea on the table.
Louis turned from the balcony and sat on the sofa to wait.
Reiju, noticing the empty table, turned and walked gracefully toward the institute's dining hall.
A few minutes later, the door opened and Judge strode in. He was wearing a white lab coat, his face was smeared with grime, and he had dark circles under his eyes.
"You wished to see me, Lord Louis?" Judge's foul mood from his failed experiment vanished instantly, replaced by a forced smile.
Ever since that incident years ago, Judge had become acutely aware of the power disparity between them. His attitude toward Louis was... enthusiastic. His temper had cooled so much that even Reiju and the other scientists marveled at it. He no longer treated human life as disposable.
Reiju had analyzed this and concluded it was because there was more than one person on Terra who wouldn't hesitate to beat him senseless if he stepped out of line.
Judge sat opposite Louis, his eyes full of questions.
"Judge," Louis said, his voice calm, "would you like to study my Lineage Factor?"
Judge's exhausted brain instantly rebooted. A cold shiver ran down his spine. "Is this... some kind of test?"
His mind raced. He couldn't afford to say the wrong thing. He hadn't forgotten that Louis had a crewmate with the Memo-Memo Fruit. That three-eyed girl, Pudding, had copied Vegapunk's memories for him. She could just as easily copy his and give them to another scientist. Louis had a deal with Vegapunk; Judge was not indispensable. This had to be a test of his loyalty.
After a frantic mental scramble, Judge organized his words. "Lunarian Lineage Factor? I've seen the data from Vegapunk. Lord Louis, is there something you wish for me to do with the Lunarian Lineage Factor?"
As he spoke, he subtly wiped the sweat from his brow.
But Louis's reply floored him. "No. My own Lineage Factor. It has little to do with the Lunarians."
"Your... Lineage Factor... has little to do with...?" Judge's voice trembled, his mind reeling.
Louis's gaze focused. "My Lineage Factor holds an immense secret. If you could successfully analyze even one-ten-thousandth of it, the reward would be unimaginable. So, Judge. How about it? End this employment contract... and truly join me."
The offer was clear. Swear fealty, and gain the right to study Louis's blood.
Judge's mind nearly broke. The simple, clear words echoed in his head like an irresistible, demonic whisper.
Louis sipped his tea and waited.
Just then, the click of heels announced Reiju's return. She carried a platter of fresh grapes, placing it in front of Louis. "Lord Louis..."
"..."
Louis picked up a grape, then looked at Reiju. "I recall you have a battle suit... one made of an 'invisible' material, correct?"
"Yes. That is No. 3, 'Stealth Black'," Reiju replied, pausing. She wondered why someone of Louis's stature would care about that.
"Prepare a new set of that material," Louis ordered. "Give it to Ulti, and have her deliver it to Yelena."
Reiju's curly eyebrow twitched. "A full suit, tailored to Lady Yelena's size?" She figured Yelena, one of the few who wore armor, might be getting an upgrade.
"No," Louis said, surprising her. "Just enough material to conceal her horns."
"Conceal... her horns?" Reiju's mind began to work. Lady Yelena's true face had never been revealed. If her most identifying feature, her horns, were also hidden... "She would be able to move freely, anywhere..."
Reiju suddenly understood what they were planning.
"I understand," she nodded. "I'll prepare it at once."
She left, and the room was silent again, save for Judge's ragged breathing. His face was a mask of conflict.
Louis ate his grapes.
Suddenly, Louis paused, his eyes flashing as he glanced in the direction of the institute's port. He's here...
At that same moment, Judge's internal struggle ended. He had been on Terra for years. He knew the terrifying power hidden here, power that could make the entire World Government tremble. He couldn't say who would win in an all-out war, but he knew the battle would engulf the world.
Avant Heim gave Louis's forces terrifying mobility. If war broke out, powers like Germa would be crushed in the crossfire if they didn't choose a side. And since he had worked with Louis for years, he knew him far better than he knew the World Government.
If Louis could make Hajrudin the king of all giants... then surely, it wasn't too much to ask for Germa to rule the North Blue after the war?
Judge took a deep breath, his expression hardening. "In that case... Germa swears its loyalty to the Archangel."
His voice was no longer trembling; it was firm. But he couldn't hide the burning hunger in his eyes. "Lord Louis... your Lineage Factor..."
"That can wait," Louis said, his gaze returning from the port. "Finish your current projects first."
Louis's goal was to have Judge analyze his blood and extract the shareable aspects of his power. But that was a project for the long peace after the war.
Judge's face fell. He felt like he'd been tricked. But he knew Louis wasn't a liar. "Lord Louis... what exactly do you want me to research in your blood?"
"A longer lifespan... for all of you."
"A longer lifespan?" Judge was stunned. "How... how long?"
"Longer than the World Government has existed," Louis replied flatly.
He had known since he ate the Life-Life Fruit that his own lifespan was abnormal, dwarfing even that of the giants. It wasn't the fruit, and it wasn't just his Lunarian blood. It was the "Angel's Blood."
Louis knew exactly what that meant. In another world, someone with his name had lived for 1,500 years and was still going. If he could extract that essence, he wouldn't have to worry about his subordinates dying of old age.
Of course, with current technology, analyzing his blood would take a very, very long time. So long, in fact, that without Pure Gold, Judge would die of old age long before he found anything.
This was why Pure Gold was an absolute must.
A few minutes later, a figure in a heavy cloak, completely obscuring their features, appeared in a street filled with sweet shops.
The figure took a step... and the scenery instantly blurred and changed.
The five-meter-tall man under the cloak froze.
"Long time no see, Katakuri."
Katakuri turned, pulling back his hood to reveal his scarred face and fanged mouth. "I heard Whitebeard is leading his fleet to Terra. They'll be here in a few days."
"I... was worried about my brothers and sisters here. Worried they would be caught in the crossfire of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. So I came."
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