"Bonney's vital signs are all good."
Beal handed Bonney's test results to Reddy and then stepped aside.
Reddy casually flipped through them, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
The gene therapy had been a complete success.
The test results showed that Bonney had fully accepted the modified genes, not only curing her Sapphire Scale Disease but also significantly improving her gene rating.
[Gene Rating: LV12]
While obtaining the test records, Reddy also acquired Bonney's current gene sample.
The results were very promising.
Previously, Bonney's genetic potential was already high, reaching LV11.
This was also the foundation for her achievements in the original story: forming the Bonney Pirates at age nine, becoming a Supernova with a bounty of 140 million Berries at ten, and seeing her bounty rise to 320 million Berries two years later, ranking alongside Luffy and others as part of the Worst Generation.
After the genetic modifications by Reddy and Vegapunk, Bonney's gene rating had risen by one level.
Though it hadn't reached the Admiral-level LV13, it still placed her among the top tier.
"Continue monitoring."
Reddy handed the records back to Beal, once again emphasizing that no negligence was allowed, as this involved an infinite gene sample donor.
Beal nodded and turned to leave the lab.
"Time for some enjoyable research again."
Reddy stretched his limbs, invigorated, and began the day's experiments.
The improvements to the Gene Enhancement Serum were progressing smoothly.
The more he researched, the more he marveled at Vegapunk's prowess in the field of science.
The Gene Enhancement Serum had immense potential in many aspects.
Especially in terms of compatibility.
After several days of development, Reddy had already achieved the perfect fusion of gene fragments from two different donors in a lab environment.
However, the success rate was still below 40%.
If he used the system, he was confident he could produce a Gene Enhancement Serum that would allow him to perfectly fuse with another gene at a 100% success rate.
"Dr. Reddy!"
Just as Reddy was about to further develop a more perfect Gene Enhancement Serum, the lab door was suddenly pushed open, and Beal rushed in hurriedly.
"Hmm?"
Reddy frowned.
Beal was a very competent assistant.
This was the first time he had seen Beal so flustered.
"CP—"
Beal spoke anxiously, but after uttering just one word, he was roughly pulled aside and pinned against the wall.
"Dr. Reddy, we are CP5. This is an authorization from the World Government."
The leader of the CP5 agents stepped forward and emotionlessly presented a World Government authorization document.
Reddy glanced at it, raised an eyebrow, and asked with a strange expression, "The clones I created need to be fitted with control chips?"
"Please cooperate with our work."
The CP5 leader signaled for Reddy to hand over the clones and not to resist the World Government's will.
Reddy smiled and snapped his fingers.
Five clones appeared in the lab.
"You're a Devil Fruit user?"
The CP5 agents were shocked and instinctively took a step back.
Soon, the leader realized his blunder, coughed lightly, and stepped forward to amend, "I'm glad you didn't make the worst choice... Once the control chips are installed, they'll still be yours."
Before he could finish speaking, a large hand suddenly clamped around his throat, lifting him into the air.
"You—"
The leader managed to utter one word before the hand tightened, making his eyes roll back as he nearly suffocated.
The other CP5 agents paled.
Before they could react, the other four clones had already moved.
Baby 5 transformed into a thick, black chain, binding them all together.
Blueno opened an air door.
The other two clones simultaneously kicked, sending them tumbling through the air door.
A second later, the air door vanished.
The four clones' coordination was seamless, without the slightest hesitation.
In less than a second, only Reddy and a dumbfounded Beal remained in the lab.
"Time to run away again. What a shame."
Reddy shoved his hands into his pockets and walked out of the lab with a regretful expression.
The well-equipped facilities of the Punk Hazard research institute were quite nice. He had been very satisfied.
"Wait, Doctor!"
Beal snapped out of his daze and hurriedly chased after Reddy, shouting at his retreating figure, "You're not the one at fault! It's the World Government that's wrong!"
Reddy stopped in his tracks, turned to look at Beal, and was slightly surprised.
I just wiped out a group of CP5 agents, man.
"Doctor, leave this matter to me."
Beal spoke earnestly, then quickly left.
Reddy was silent for a moment, as if realizing something, before smiling again and leisurely following.
The dining hall was packed.
All the researchers had gathered, their faces filled with disbelief as they whispered among themselves, speculating why Beal had summoned them here.
New research findings should be announced in the lab, shouldn't they?
They were all scientists. Who cared about formalities?
"Shurororororo... Could it be that Director wants to treat everyone to a meal?"
Caesar, the only one who knew CP5 had gone after Reddy, sneered loudly, mocking his nemesis Reddy in his heart.
The other researchers laughed.
The atmosphere in the dining hall relaxed.
Soon, Beal entered with several other assistants from Reddy's lab.
"Shurororororo..."
Caesar, ever the troublemaker, exaggeratedly jeered, "Has Director gotten into some kind of trouble and can't even show up?"
Beal and the others glanced at Caesar with disdain.
The other researchers weren't stupid and sensed something major was happening, so they fell silent.
The dining hall became so quiet that even heartbeats could be heard.
Everyone, including Caesar, was stunned.
Especially Caesar, who suddenly realized the situation wasn't what he had imagined.
Reddy steps down, I become the director, and control the World Government's vast research funds?
No!
The World Government's CP5 agents were just wiped out by that bastard Reddy?
I need to run!
Thinking this, Caesar immediately began sneaking toward the exit.
The moment he left the dining hall, he flew straight for the Marine base outside the research facility.
"Caesar, where are you going?"
Reddy stepped out from around a corner, blocking Caesar's path with a smile.
"Shurororororo... Reddy, your biggest mistake is trying to stop me in this environment!"
Caesar's eyes darted around, and with a sinister grin, he spread his arms, preparing to use his Devil Fruit powers to capture Reddy. In such an enclosed space, the Gas-Gas Fruit gave him an overwhelming advantage.
Before he could finish speaking, an air door opened behind him, and a hand coated in Armament Haki grabbed the back of his neck.
Caesar immediately put on a fawning smile. "Respected Dr. Reddy, I was just joking earlier. I want to report that those World Government dogs were trying to frame you!"
Reddy simply looked at him, smiling without speaking.
Caesar grew increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze and forced an awkward smile while his mind raced for a way out.
"Caesar..."
Reddy suddenly spoke, his smile odd.
Caesar hurriedly fawned, "Dr. Reddy, please assign me a research project. I beg you!"
Reddy snapped his fingers and grinned. "Perfect timing. I have a new research project that needs manpower. Do you have any experience with poison gas?"
Hearing this, Caesar immediately adopted an expression of camaraderie. "Dr. Reddy, I may very well be the world's greatest expert on poison gas, second only to you."
The Artificial Devil Fruit research was just a scheme to secure independent funding from Doflamingo.
What I really love is developing powerful poison-based weapons of mass destruction.
Reddy smiled faintly and was about to dangle another carrot when a furious roar erupted from the dining hall.
"Drive out the Marines! Take control of Punk Hazard!"