Devil Fruits, the sea's secret treasures—consuming one grants unimaginable powers, but earns the ocean's disdain, turning the eater into a landlubber.
Even Fish-Men lose their swimming ability after eating one, though they can still breathe underwater; they'll sink like stones.
Vegapunk and Oran's experiment involved a special device aimed at isolating Pyrobloin particles.
These unique keratin particles, ejected by volcanoes into the skies, interact with moisture based on density differences, forming island clouds and sea clouds.
Beyond that, Seastone is rich in them, and traces exist in rivers, lakes, and oceans—they're omnipresent, yet vanish upon entering the human digestive system.
Sky Island sea clouds weaken ability users like seawater, while Seastone is their ultimate nemesis.
Seawater's debilitating effect merely prevents active power use, but passive bodily changes persist—like in the original timeline at Arlong Park, where Luffy, plunged into a pool, could still have his head stretched up to breathe.
High-purity Seastone seals abilities entirely, reverting the body to normal—as in the Summit War, where Marco, cuffed with Seastone, temporarily lost his powers.
All of this revolves around Pyrobloin particles; higher concentrations mean stronger sealing.
Thus, Oran proposed this experimental mode: a special generator creating a field to block these particles, freeing ability users from fearing ordinary water.
As the Brain-Brain Fruit user, Vegapunk volunteered as the test subject, but success eluded them.
"Oran, these particles are bizarre—extreme penetrative power, odd affinity for water. Conventional methods won't achieve the goal.
Perhaps mimicking Shabondy Archipelago's bubbles to isolate water outright would be simpler."
"That'd consume too much energy and limit the holder's combat. At least this time, you had strength to wave—progress."
Handing Vegapunk a fresh lab coat, Oran marked another X in the experiment log.
"Oran, remember my hypothesis? On Devil Fruits' origins. To grasp the rejection's root, we must find their birthplace."
Devil Fruits represent humanity's evolutionary potential, living embodiments of fantasies from multiple alternate dimensions.
Unnatural, they're rejected by Mother Nature—the sea. Punished yet enduring.
This was Vegapunk's proposed origin theory; even he unsure of its accuracy.
"Assuming I'm right, P-particles are nature's spawned substance, meant to counter the irrational."
"Isn't our research defying nature anyway? Your endless energy goal violates laws. Even if your hypothesis holds, I won't abandon this—surpassing it is our duty."
Over two years, Oran and Vegapunk debated often, growing closer through it. They vied not for group supremacy, but research direction.
Disagreements accelerated progress; no seniority suppression—instead, mutual refinement of experiments, results dictating all.
To Vegapunk, Oran's whimsical thinking and aligned pursuits made him a true friend.
One exception: Oran was more aggressive at times, pursuing weapons too.
"When others suspect you have a deadly weapon, best produce something deadlier."
Oran's words. Vegapunk believed endless energy could reduce conflict, foster peace; Oran insisted on a weapon to safeguard it from exploiters first.
Through interactions, Vegapunk realized Oran's polite facade masked profound arrogance—never wielded to bully the weak.
Only close observation revealed his warmth; offending him unveiled consequences.
As for how Vegapunk knew those repercussions...
Suffice to say, some aboard had experienced them. Oran's mischievous side was the ship's deadliest.
The ship's broadcast chimed timely, summoning Oran and Vegapunk outside.
On deck, a golden-haired woman in a white top hat sat by the railing, calmly awaiting judgment. Signs of skirmish surrounded her; she'd felled several security personnel.
"I said, I just want to talk to your leaders. No need for aggression."
Hands raised in non-threat, she sensed danger from the reinforcements.
True to her words, she came with purpose, no intent to antagonize.
"What's this? Who's the woman? Feud with Cidril and Vegapunk?"
"Shurororo, feud's better—someone to humble those smug bastards. Right, Queen?"
Oran's addition had solidified the trio's alliance, their main pastime: verbal self-consolation victories.
But oddly, the usually chatty Queen stayed silent.
"Looking defiant again? Want a fight?"
"Yeah, another round with Blitz?"
"!!"
Now Caesar and Judge understood Queen's silence—Kate and Blitz had snuck behind them unnoticed.
Kate was one thing, but the hulking iron Blitz, via learning modules and prolonged time with Kate, had mastered silent cat-like steps.
Over two years, MADS held several invention showdowns.
Kate, viewing her heart as Oran's creation, teamed with Blitz for 2v3 bouts.
Caesar's terrified expression spoke volumes: Kate's record instilled deep trauma.
Hextech-enhanced Mink plus Blitz easily trounced these novices.
[Queen, you traitor!]
Caesar's glare burned with fury; Queen had spotted them but said nothing.
Queen glared back unyieldingly.
[My fault? Warning you makes me complicit!]
Shaking heads in unison amid eye exchanges—no new breakthroughs lately; no suicide today.
Kate said nothing, lingering with Blitz until Oran and Vegapunk arrived.
"I've seen that woman on bounties—Buckingham Stussy, a pirate. Why's she here?"
(End of Chapter)
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