After obtaining the genetic samples of the demon Oars and Ryuma, Reddy immediately immersed himself in the laboratory.
Beal suddenly turned around in excitement and called out, "Lord Reddy, we just discovered something unusual in the bloodline factor sample of Oars."
The other assistants also turned their heads, looking at Beal with envy.
Oars stood at a height of sixty-seven meters, making him an almost infinite source of genetic material.
Reddy had not restricted the others.
Since they were working as assistants in Reddy's laboratory, they had all chosen Reddy's research direction and obtained samples of Oars's genes.
However, only Beal had made a discovery.
"Oh?"
Reddy was surprised.
Even the system had failed to analyze the unknown substance. Could it really be deciphered under real-world conditions?
Reddy quickly walked over to Beal and asked for details.
Beal pointed to the microscope on the lab bench. "While observing the sample just now, I accidentally noticed that the cells in this sample seem to have been processed using a special method."
After hearing Beal's explanation, Reddy understood.
The system could analyze genes but not cells.
He walked to the microscope and looked down to observe.
Indeed, the cells in the sample exhibited nearly negligible differences compared to normal cells.
The cell walls were about twice as thick as those of normal cells.
If it had been him, he would likely have overlooked it.
"This must be the secret behind creating zombies."
Hogback was a renowned doctor, enjoying considerable fame worldwide, though his personal hobbies and beliefs had left his reputation mixed.
Reddy speculated that Hogback had used some method to process the cells of corpses, allowing them to maintain a certain level of vitality without rotting.
"These are the experimental records provided by Moria."
Reddy turned and walked to the filing cabinet in the corner, pulling out a thick stack of experimental records and handing them to Beal. "It's a shame Hogback is dead. Since you were the one who discovered this, you'll be responsible for reconstructing this technology."
The other assistants immediately looked at the experimental records in Reddy's hands with envy.
"Lord Reddy..."
Beal was so moved that he tightly gripped the precious experimental records, his eyes even slightly red.
He knew of Hogback's reputation but had never expected Reddy to entrust him with reverse-engineering Hogback's unique technology.
Even if this technology wasn't groundbreaking or as valuable as bloodline factor research, Reddy's trust alone moved him deeply.
"I've always had high expectations for you."
Reddy patted Beal on the shoulder, offering unreserved praise.
"Leave it to me. I will definitely reconstruct this technology."
Beal immediately became as energized as if he had been injected with adrenaline, his fighting spirit burning brightly. He began flipping through the experimental records, ready to systematically analyze Hogback's development process and the principles behind the technology.
Inspired by Beal's example, the other assistants also buckled down and focused on studying the samples in their hands.
Oars was a member of the Giant Tribe, but his size far exceeded that of ordinary giants. There might be more discoveries of value beyond just Beal's findings.
Reddy smiled and returned to his workstation to continue the day's tasks.
The demon Oars was a treasure, and not equipping him with the best would be a disservice.
Since Reddy currently lacked a Level 13 genetic sample and a complete plan, he temporarily set aside cloning Oars and instead focused on analyzing Ryuma's genetic sample.
"Something seems off."
Reddy stared at the gene chain displayed in the genetic analysis lab, resting his left elbow on his right hand and his chin on his right palm as he fell into deep thought.
After countless uses of the system to analyze genetic samples, his instincts told him that Ryuma's genetic sample differed from normal genes.
Just like how Oars's cells differed from normal cells.
But he couldn't pinpoint it—it was just a feeling.
Every segment of the gene chain had been labeled, and at first glance, it seemed no different from a normal gene.
Even the system hadn't flagged any anomalies.
"What's wrong?"
Reddy stubbornly switched to another genetic sample for analysis, comparing the results with Ryuma's genes.
This was a last-ditch effort.
He knew that genes would naturally differ between individuals.
But science was all about trial and error.
Reddy trusted his instincts unless evidence proved them wrong.
Besides, he had swindled a large amount of energy from the Navy at Punk Hazard.
He could afford to spend it.
After comparing over a hundred genetic samples, Reddy grew increasingly impatient.
Without exception, he couldn't find anything that matched his gut feeling.
"What about this, then?"
Reddy glanced at the energy reserves.
There were still just over two million units left.
During this period, he had treated energy as expendable, using up several hundred thousand units for experiments.
Reddy steadied his mood and patiently began a new experiment.
Creating a clone of Ryuma.
Since there was no need to enhance Ryuma's genes or install the three modules, a blank clone of Ryuma was soon completed.
This clone was completely unmodified, with all stats at their baseline.
A genetic sample was collected from the clone.
It was sent to the genetic analysis lab for examination.
The results surprised Reddy.
The two genetic samples were identical, with no differences whatsoever.
"Was my feeling wrong?"
Reddy fell into deep thought.
Half an hour later, he gave instructions to Beal and the other assistants before leaving the laboratory, planning to summon the clone for an experiment.
Before he could even step out of the research institute's gates, Reddy heard Perona's arrogant laughter.
"Horohorohorohoro... You foolish little brat."
Reddy exited the institute and saw Bonney gritting her teeth as she launched attacks at Perona, who was floating mid-air. Unfortunately, her efforts were futile.
Spiritual bodies were completely immune to physical damage.
Reddy knew this.
But Bonney didn't.
She assumed Perona was using some kind of trick and believed that with a little more effort, she could land a hit on this annoying older girl.
Reddy chuckled and walked to the other side, summoning Ryuma's clone in an open area far from the institute.
Just moments ago, he had thought of a wild idea.
Where did the human soul reside?
In his previous world, this question had no definitive answer, and in this world, it didn't seem to have garnered much attention.
Reddy had come across many theories, but the most plausible one he believed was that the human soul was a special composite function produced by brain activity.
When metabolism and neural activity ceased, the human soul would also disappear.
Considering that Ryuma had retained his consciousness even after being turned into a zombie, Reddy suddenly wondered if the soul might exist within the genes.
Reddy then handed Shusui to Ryuma's clone, hoping the legendary sword would awaken Ryuma's instincts.
If the clone truly awakened the instincts of a master swordsman, it would prove that the soul existed in some special form within the genes.
The clone took Shusui and held it horizontally, staring down at the blade.
Reddy's eyes lit up.
It seemed there really was a reaction!
Reddy patiently waited for the results while relinquishing control, allowing the clone to act freely.
The clone stood motionless for a long time before suddenly swinging the sword clumsily.
"I was right!"
Reddy clenched his fist and punched the air in excitement.
The clone's swings gradually became smoother until, finally, it delivered a powerful slash.
A flying slash tore through the ground.
Reddy was so thrilled that the excess adrenaline in his body made his limbs feel weak.
The clone, without any enhancements, had still unleashed a flying slash, undoubtedly reaching the level of a master swordsman.
This meant the clone had inherited Ryuma's swordsmanship through its genes.
"Muscle memory... No, it should be genetic memory!"
Reddy took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm as he deduced the underlying principles.
The explanation he found most convincing was muscle memory—or rather, the principle behind it.
"If swordsmanship can form genetic memory, what about other aspects?"
Reddy grew slightly excited.
In the world of One Piece, the three pinnacle power systems were Devil Fruits, Haki, and technology.
But Haki stood above the other two.
Especially Conqueror's Haki, whose feats in the original story were nothing short of extraordinary.
Reddy excitedly continued his reasoning. "Golden Lion Shiki also had Conqueror's Haki, but it didn't form a functional module. Could it be because he didn't train it enough, causing the genetic memory to degrade?"
"If we could capture a strong individual with developed genetic memory, could we develop a Conqueror's Haki module?"