Slightly surprised, Kyle quickly composed himself. He offered the towering female Giant a shallow bow and a charming, practiced smile.
"Hello, beautiful lady. It sounds like Jabba hasn't been saying very nice things about me."
"That's not bad-mouthing!" the female Giant, Gerz, boomed with excitement. She gently patted the shoulder of the other Giant, Helding, with her massive palm, signaling him to lower his guard. "Mr. Jabba said you're the biggest show-off he ever met on Roger's ship! Always have to be the center of attention when it counts!"
Hearing this, Helding's tense body relaxed. The legend of the Roger Pirates was well-known even among the giants of Elbaf. If this man was a friend of Jabba's, then there was no reason to be hostile.
"Hahaha!" Kyle laughed heartily, not bothering to deny it. "Well, the old man wasn't wrong. We were young back then. If you're not a little reckless, are you even living?"
His frank and easygoing nature immediately won over the Giants. Gerz's laughter shook her entire body, and the impressive scenery on her chest swayed so violently that Kyle felt a bit dizzy. He subconsciously looked away, thinking to himself, What a sight. Jabba, my friend… I finally understand.
With the tension gone, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Vegapunk, who had been silent the entire time, now looked anxious. He pushed his glasses up his nose, his eyes fixed on the books laid out to dry, filled with an intense longing. After a moment of hesitation, he finally gathered his courage and spoke in an almost pleading voice.
"Um… friends from the Giant Race, my name is Vegapunk. C-can I please look at these books? I promise I'll only read them! I won't take a single page! The knowledge of Ohara is a treasure for the entire world, and I just want to record it!"
"Vegapunk?" Helding repeated the name, his eyes widening in recognition. "I've heard that name. You're the smartest man in the world!"
The Giants knew of the famous scientist, but his position as a World Government employee made them naturally cautious.
Seeing their hesitation, Kyle stepped in at the perfect moment. "The Doctor is a friend of mine. He's not like those fools in the World Government. You should let him have a look. It's better to preserve this knowledge in the world's greatest brain than to let it get buried at the bottom of a lake. Who knows? It might be useful someday."
With Kyle's endorsement, the Giants had no more objections.
"If he's a friend of Mr. Kyle, then of course it's no problem!" Helding agreed readily.
"Excellent!" Vegapunk was overjoyed. He practically scrambled over to a pile of dried books, picking one up. His eyes moved with inhuman speed, scanning the pages like the world's fastest machine. Page after page of knowledge was absorbed into his massive head with stunning efficiency. He was completely lost in an ocean of information, muttering to himself, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes nodding in understanding, completely oblivious to the world around him.
Dragon watched from the side, and his respect for Kyle grew even more. Whether it was the leader of the Revolutionary Army, the legendary giants of Elbaf, or the world's top scientist, this man seemed to effortlessly connect with everyone and earn their trust. That kind of charisma was a terrifying power in itself.
Mihawk, meanwhile, leaned against the charred trunk of a tree with his eyes closed, resting. He had no interest in books or politics; his mind was still replaying every single moment of his duel with Rayleigh.
Kyle, on the other hand, had already blended in perfectly with the Giants. His quick wit and clever remarks quickly earned him the favor of the straightforward warriors, and their conversation was filled with booming laughter. After a while, Kyle's smile faded, and his expression turned serious.
"Everyone, if you happen to see Saul, could you please give him a message for me?"
Helding and the other Giants quieted down, listening intently.
"Tell him that Robin is doing great now," Kyle said. "She has a loud but reliable group of friends, and she's found a home where she can finally sleep peacefully. She isn't alone anymore. So, tell him he doesn't have to worry."
Helding nodded deeply, committing the words to memory. "We'll make sure he gets the message, Mr. Kyle!"
Kyle smiled. As far as he knew, Jaguar D. Saul had managed to survive Akainu's attack—a truly unkillable legend.
Vegapunk was still completely absorbed. He was now multitasking, with three or four books salvaged from the lake propped up in front of him. The pages turned rapidly as if moved by an unseen wind. His eyes, like the most precise scanners ever built, darted between the different books as his brain absorbed Ohara's legacy with terrifying speed. Despite this, he was still able to carry on a conversation with Kyle and Dragon.
"Vegapunk, how is that research you mentioned before coming along?" Dragon asked, breaking the silence. He was very interested in Vegapunk's projects that had the potential to change the world.
"Oh, you mean the 'cloning technology'," Vegapunk replied without looking up from his books. "I've been working to perfect it ever since MADS was disbanded. The first success, Stussy, is a name you've probably heard, but the technology still isn't perfect. It can't fully replicate certain special abilities."
He finally lifted his gaze from the books, turning his enormous head to look directly at Kyle. His eyes shone with a fanatical light. Kyle raised an eyebrow, sensing that the real topic was about to begin.
Vegapunk put down his book and began pacing back and forth, rubbing his hands together. "I'm trying to combine the Lineage Factor of a certain powerful individual with the Lineage Factor of the Lunarian Race! If I add my theory on Devil Fruits, which is still in its early stages… can you imagine what kind of powerful being would be born from that?!"
The air grew still. Dragon's breath caught in his throat. He instantly understood the terrifying implications of Vegapunk's words.
Vegapunk stopped pacing and looked at Kyle with an incredibly serious expression. "Kyle-san!" he exclaimed, bowing so deeply that his huge head almost touched the ground. "I have a formal request! Please, provide me with some of your blood for my research!"
He looked back up, his voice filled with passion. "If the experiment is a success, a clone based on you, but with the body of a Lunarian, will be born! He will possess unparalleled power—enough to suppress all conflict on the seas! When that happens, the hypocritical justice of the World Government will be completely shattered, and true 'peace' will finally come to this world!"
Mihawk's eyes, which had been closed, opened just a crack, his sharp gaze shifting between Kyle and Vegapunk. Dragon's heart pounded in his chest. He looked at Kyle, waiting for his answer. This was a decision that could change the future of the entire world.
Kyle frowned, deep in thought. A Seraphim based on him? A perfect creation that inherited his talents and possessed the near-invincible body of a Lunarian… wasn't that basically his own child, created without a partner?
His mind raced through the possibilities. There was a huge potential risk: a disobedient clone could become his most dangerous enemy. After all, no one would know his weaknesses better than a copy of himself. What if this "son" turned against him?
But then he considered the alternative. The World Government was already heading down this path. Rather than letting the Five Elders control an army of Seraphim based on the Warlords, it would be far better for him to hold a trump card of his own—a trump card that was, in theory, even stronger. This wasn't just a way to keep the World Government in check; it was a critical piece he could play when the time came to turn the world upside down.
Having weighed the options, Kyle looked up, a sly smile returning to his face. He held out his right index finger and pressed the tip lightly. A single drop of crimson blood seeped out and, under the control of his Wave-Wave Fruit ability, formed a perfect sphere that hovered in the air.
"Take it, Doctor."
Vegapunk excitedly reached for a special container to collect the sample.
"But I have one condition," Kyle said. His voice was calm, but it made Vegapunk freeze in place. Kyle looked at him, his gaze steady and filled with an undeniable authority. "This project, and the existence of this creation, must be kept an absolute secret from the World Government. Not one word."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "My 'son' will not be a dog for the Celestial Dragons."
Vegapunk was stunned for a moment, then nodded his massive head with conviction. His tone was as solemn as a sacred vow. "I swear on my honor as a scientist! This project will be completely independent of the World Government. Its highest authority will belong only to you and me!"
"Very good."
With a flick of his finger, Kyle sent the hovering drop of blood shooting like a red line directly into the vacuum test tube Vegapunk held ready. Vegapunk clutched the tube as if it were the most valuable treasure in the world, his face alight with the thrill of making history.
Dragon watched it all unfold, silently suppressing the shock that was coursing through him. The way he looked at Kyle had changed from simple admiration to a deep, profound awe. This man was always making moves, laying the groundwork for events that could shake the very foundations of the world.
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