"Shurororororo... It's finally complete!"
Caesar held a test tube, laughing wildly, eagerly arranging the test subjects.
The Punk Hazard laboratory held many captive pirates.
Pirates had no human rights.
The laboratory often used these pirates for clinical experiments requiring human subjects.
Soon, a pirate was brought to Caesar's research room.
"Shurororororo... You should feel honored!"
Caesar floated in front of the pirate, holding an apple covered in strange circular patterns, and tempted him: "This is an artificial Devil Fruit. If you eat it, you will gain your freedom."
The pirate shook his head violently.
Caesar, annoyed, grabbed the pirate by the collar and forcibly shoved the artificial Devil Fruit into his mouth.
"No... hahahaha... stop!"
The pirate laughed uncontrollably, desperately spitting out the remnants, tears streaming down his face.
"Tch, another failure."
Seeing that the test subject did not transform into an animal, Caesar angrily snapped his neck, then arranged for another pirate to serve as the next test subject.
After several consecutive failures, the sixth pirate finally underwent a mutation, partially transforming into an animal.
"Damn it, the success rate is only sixteen percent?"
Caesar disposed of the test subject, flipping through previous experiment records, growing increasingly frustrated.
The new SAD could not be called a complete failure.
Compared to the previous version, the new SAD's success rate had improved significantly, but it was still far from perfect.
In his vision, even if his artificial Devil Fruits could not match Vegapunk's, they should still be flawless.
Yet, the artificial Devil Fruits produced with the improved SAD had a success rate of less than twenty percent.
"I won't let you have all the glory!"
The thought of Reddy gaining the admiration of nearly every researcher in the laboratory over the past year filled Caesar with unbearable jealousy.
Though the new SAD was not perfect, it could still serve as a milestone achievement.
It was still better than letting Reddy steal the spotlight indefinitely.
Soon, news spread throughout the laboratory that Caesar would publicly announce his latest research results.
The researchers were supportive, with nearly all of them attending.
Caesar's SAD was indeed highly intriguing.
Aside from Dr. Vegapunk, Caesar was the only one capable of producing artificial Devil Fruits.
And the core ingredient for artificial Devil Fruits was SAD.
"Shurororororo... The best application of the Bloodline Factor is artificial Devil Fruits!"
Caesar's opening line subtly implied that Reddy's achievements were insignificant inventions. Still unsatisfied, he directly named Reddy: "Using the Bloodline Factor to create some kind of activator? What a joke! That is a disgrace to the Bloodline Factor, the greatest discovery in history!"
The researchers exchanged glances, quickly growing even more intrigued.
Seeing most researchers showing interest, Caesar immediately arranged for six test subjects to conduct a live demonstration.
The artificial Devil Fruits made from SAD drew gasps of amazement from the researchers as soon as they were unveiled.
"Shurororororo... Open your eyes wide, for you are about to witness the greatest invention in history!"
Caesar laughed maniacally, forcibly feeding the six test subjects the artificial Devil Fruits.
The researchers watched intently, not wanting to miss this historic moment.
Artificial Devil Fruits were no less significant than Reddy's activator, perhaps even more so.
"Hahaha..."
Perhaps due to a stroke of luck, two of the six test subjects successfully transformed.
"Remember this historic moment..."
Caesar spread his arms, laughing triumphantly, but someone rudely interrupted him.
"Dr. Caesar, I believe this is an immature achievement."
Beal carefully observed the four failed subjects and shook his head. "Your new product has severe side effects, and the success rate still seems too low."
"What nonsense!"
Caesar's voice cracked with anger. "A success rate of around thirty percent isn't high enough?"
"No."
Beal stood his ground. "No one would use such an unstable product. No one would dare take that risk."
The researchers began murmuring among themselves.
Some believed Caesar's achievement was indeed a major step forward, while others sided with Beal, arguing that the failure rate was too high for anyone to accept the consequences.
After a long discussion, the majority gradually leaned toward Beal's viewpoint.
"Did that guy send you to undermine my work?"
Caesar, humiliated, shouted angrily, glaring at Beal for ruining his moment.
Beal smirked dismissively. "Dr. Reddy's work is flawless. He is my idol."
Without comparison, there could be no judgment.
Reddy's activator had undergone clinical trials and earned universal recognition.
While Caesar's achievement was impressive, it was still far from true success.
Support for Caesar dwindled.
The scales gradually tipped in Reddy's favor.
Beal straightened his lab coat and proudly addressed Caesar. "Dr. Caesar, you still have work to do."
Caesar snapped. "Then let that guy try making a perfect artificial Devil Fruit himself!"
Everyone paused, then buzzed with excitement, discussing whether Dr. Reddy could actually create artificial Devil Fruits.
"Dr. Reddy will undoubtedly create the perfect artificial Devil Fruit."
Beal smirked confidently, fully endorsing Reddy and casually accepting Caesar's challenge on his behalf.
Caesar's expression shifted to a sly grin. "Then I'll wait for him to develop the perfect artificial Devil Fruit."
...
"Artificial Devil Fruits?"
Reddy had not attended Caesar's presentation. Upon learning that Beal had accepted the challenge on his behalf, he found it both amusing and exasperating.
As for artificial Devil Fruits, he was not without ideas.
Ever since arriving in this world and obtaining his golden finger, he had considered the possibility.
However, why resort to such outdated methods when there were better alternatives?
Seeing this, Beal broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "Dr. Reddy, if you're unsure, I can clarify that this was my own idea and has nothing to do with you."
"It's not that I'm completely without ideas..."
Reddy tapped his finger on the lab table, then asked, "Is everyone in the laboratory now expecting me to create artificial Devil Fruits?"
Beal nodded vigorously.
More than just expecting, they were eagerly anticipating it, hoping Reddy would produce results within a week.
Reddy snapped his fingers and smiled. "Alright, our next project will be artificial Devil Fruits."
"Really?"
Beal was both shocked and thrilled.
After receiving Reddy's confirmation, Beal immediately gathered the other assistants in the lab. Soon, they spread the news that Reddy had accepted the challenge.
Before long, every researcher in the laboratory knew about it.
When Caesar learned that Reddy was truly attempting to create artificial Devil Fruits, he was overjoyed, practically beside himself with glee.
Only he could produce SAD.
Without SAD, how would Reddy make artificial Devil Fruits?
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