Bartholomew Kuma was quietly reading a book.
When he heard footsteps entering the laboratory, he looked up and unexpectedly saw Vegapunk leading a tall, thin man inside.
"He is the new Warlord of the Sea, Bartholomew Kuma."
Vegapunk briefly introduced Kuma's identity, then immediately pulled Reddy into designing an experiment, showing no intention of introducing Reddy to Kuma.
Kuma silently watched Vegapunk and the man discuss, a question forming in his mind.
"Dr. Vegapunk has resumed researching Devil Fruits?"
After Vegapunk used Kaido's Bloodline Factor to create the first perfect artificial Devil Fruit, research in this area had slowed significantly, almost to a standstill.
Due to his daughter Bonney's illness, Kuma had known Vegapunk for many years, but this was the first time he had seen Vegapunk so interested in Devil Fruits.
Kuma set down his book and quietly listened as the two designed an experiment.
"In the field of Bloodline Factors, you are the world's best."
Vegapunk was captivated by Reddy's novel perspectives, especially the many inspirations Reddy provided during the experiment design, and couldn't help but praise him.
Kuma's heart stirred.
His daughter Bonney suffered from a rare Sapphire Scale disease. Many renowned doctors had told him Bonney would not live past the age of ten.
In desperation, he had turned to Vegapunk, hoping the world's top scientist could cure his daughter.
This man before him seemed even more suitable than Vegapunk.
Reddy unapologetically accepted Vegapunk's praise.
"Dr. Vegapunk..."
Kuma hesitated to ask Reddy directly and instead tactfully reminded Vegapunk to introduce him.
Only then did Vegapunk seem to remember, casually introducing, "This is Dr. Reddy. In this world, no one understands the field of Bloodline Factors better than him. Bonney's illness might only be curable by him."
Kuma's eyes lit up, filled with excitement as he looked at Reddy and earnestly pleaded, "Dr. Reddy, Bonney is only five years old. She deserves a better life. I am willing to pay any price. Please, you must cure her."
Vegapunk added, "To cure Bonney, Kuma sold himself to the World Government, becoming a Warlord and accepting my modifications."
Reddy glanced at Kuma.
Kuma's eyes were filled with determination.
Reddy remained silent for a moment before speaking, "I need to perform an examination on... Bonney."
"I will bring Bonney here right away."
Kuma smiled like a nearly seven-meter-tall child and immediately stood up to fetch Bonney.
"This place isn't suitable for an examination."
Reddy looked around the laboratory and stated that the environment wasn't appropriate for a five-year-old girl.
"This..."
Kuma hesitated and looked at Vegapunk, his confidence in Reddy wavering slightly.
Could a routine examination really determine the illness?
That didn't seem scientific at all!
Vegapunk shrugged and gave Kuma a reassuring look.
The three then left the underground laboratory.
"Bonney, this is Dr. Reddy."
Kuma held Bonney's small hand and led her to Reddy, smiling warmly to ease her wariness.
"What a beautiful gem. I envy you."
Reddy bent down, resting his hands on his knees, and looked at the blue stone below Bonney's right eye with an expression of envy.
"Hehe, right? My dad loves it too."
Bonney proudly lifted her chin, immediately finding Reddy very likable, second only to her father.
"Give me a chance. I want to have such a beautiful gem too."
Reddy asked to draw a small amount of Bonney's blood, openly stating he wanted to study the Bloodline Factor to uncover the origin of the blue stone.
Bonney generously extended her arm, "Go ahead. I'm not afraid of pain."
Kuma, watching from the side, felt even more favorably toward Reddy.
He had taken Bonney to many famous doctors, including Vegapunk, but none had cared for Bonney's feelings as thoughtfully as Reddy.
Soon, Reddy obtained Bonney's blood sample, discreetly storing it in his gene bank. While entertaining Bonney, he began gene analysis.
"Hmm?"
Reddy was surprised to find Devil Fruit abilities in Bonney's genes. After a moment's thought, he understood.
Kuma had sold himself to the World Government in exchange for Vegapunk's treatment of Bonney. Asking for a Devil Fruit as an extra wasn't unreasonable.
Reddy wasn't interested in Bonney's Toshi Toshi no Mi ability. Instead, he searched the stained gene segments for the Sapphire Scale disease's pathogenic gene fragments.
The Sapphire Scale disease was inherited from Bonney's mother, Ginny, making it a genetic disorder.
Soon, Reddy located the pathogenic gene fragments.
In the gene analysis laboratory, they appeared as dark green.
These dark green gene fragments were widely distributed in the gene chain, making complete removal difficult.
"Go play. Next time, I'll tell you about my adventures with Golden Lion Shiki."
Having made his diagnosis, Reddy smiled and sent Bonney away. After she left, he sighed.
Kuma grew tense.
He had a deep bond with Bonney's mother. If not for his concerns about being a Buccaneer, they would have married.
After Ginny's death, he treated Bonney as his own daughter.
But Bonney had inherited Ginny's Sapphire Scale disease and would not live past ten.
Now five years old, Bonney only had five years left.
"I have two treatment plans."
Reddy's next words filled Kuma with hope.
Vegapunk remarked, "So far, I've only found one possible method to cure Bonney... You truly are the world's best in this field."
"Please, Dr. Reddy."
Kuma clasped his hands together, looking at Reddy with excitement.
Reddy shrugged, "Before treatment, we must confirm Bonney's lesions haven't spread."
Kuma listened attentively.
The Sapphire Scale disease could be considered a type of cancer.
Thus, gene therapy could be used—introducing normal exogenous genes into target cells, using normal cell metabolism to correct or compensate for defective and abnormal genes, thereby curing the disease.
Once the lesions spread, curing it would become much harder.
Reddy already understood Bonney's condition.
By removing the pathogenic gene fragments from her gene chain, Bonney could be cured.
He had two plans.
The first was the conventional method: introducing Bonney's normal genes into the lesions, suppressing abnormal gene metabolism, and using cell metabolism to replace the abnormal genes.
The second was virus-mediated gene transfer, leveraging the virus's unique properties to forcibly intervene in the gene chain and correct abnormal genes.
Both plans had their advantages.
Reddy preferred the second plan, as gene chains could mutate during metabolism, leading to unknown consequences.
"I recommend the second plan."
Vegapunk voiced his support, "Dr. Reddy's plan has given me great inspiration. I can assist Dr. Reddy in refining this plan... Bonney might even gain significant benefits."
Reddy glanced at him.
He guessed Vegapunk's idea.
Virus-mediated gene transfer required cultivating special RNA viruses, using their reverse transcriptase to correct pathogenic genes.
During this process, specific genes could be added to enhance Bonney's genetic potential.
In short, this treatment could transform Bonney into a superhuman.
Hearing this, Kuma firmly chose the second plan, "Dr. Reddy, Dr. Vegapunk... I leave Bonney in your hands."