Chapter 90: The Azure Dragon Fruit (Pink Version)
Punk Hazard - Vegapunk's Laboratory
After two days of recovery in a nutrient-filled healing tank, Bonney finally woke up.
The tall medical pod hissed open, and a light mist escaped from the seams. The nutrient solution's glow reflected off her pink hair, which was matted to her small face. She groggily opened her eyes.
"Mmm... Daddy...?"
Before she could even sit up, a massive figure was already at her side.
Kuma leaned down, his arms trembling as he lifted her into his embrace. His face, usually as calm as a mountain, was now red-eyed, his voice choked with emotion. "Bonney... Oh, thank god... you're finally awake..."
Vegapunk stood nearby, his eyes on a data pad displaying her vital signs. His voice was as clinical as ever, but held a trace of undeniable relief. "The toxin's spread has been inhibited. Now, we just have to wait for the stem-cell clone-host to mature, and we can begin the transplant surgery."
Kuma, as if a great weight had been lifted from his soul, just stared at the little girl in his arms, tears openly streaming down his face.
"Thank you... thank you so much, Doctor..."
Bonney lifted her small hand, confused but worried, and tried to wipe away his tears. "Why is Daddy crying...? Don't cry, don't cry~ Bonney's all better now."
Kuma let out a tearful laugh, gently rubbing her small cheek. "These are happy tears, sweetheart. Daddy's happy."
Nearby, Roy leaned against a piece of machinery, watching with a small smile. He casually walked over to Vegapunk, his voice a low, teasing drawl. "So, Doctor~ I solved that little problem of yours. Pretty elegant, wasn't I?"
Vegapunk shot him a look, snorting, "Cut the crap, brat. You think I don't know what you're scheming?"
"Come on, Doctor, that's hurtful~"
"...Shut up and follow me."
Vegapunk turned and walked toward the deepest part of the lab. Roy's eyes lit up, and he followed, passing through multiple high-security doors until they arrived at a top-level storage vault.
Inside a massive, transparent container, a dream-like Devil Fruit was floating.
—The Artificial Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Type, Model: Azure Dragon (Pink Version)!
Compared to the original that Kaido had eaten, this fruit was a soft, uniform pink. Its swirling patterns seemed to glow with a biological light, as if holding an unawakened power.
Vegapunk entered a series of commands, and the barrier field slowly deactivated. He carefully lifted the fruit out and handed it to Roy. "I will report to the World Government that this was 'destroyed.' Its serial number will be erased from the database. What you are holding... is a 'non-existent failure.'"
Roy took the fruit, his eyes deep, excitement swirling beneath his calm exterior. "Doctor... the fidelity on this thing... it's even more perfect than I imagined."
Vegapunk just pushed up his glasses. "Of course. Who do you think I am? After twenty years of research, you think I'd produce a failure? I just needed an excuse to keep it, just in case."
Roy examined the pink dragon fruit, his eyes flashing with the light of pure ambition. "Kaido is strong, but there's no denying the boost the Azure Dragon fruit gave him! This fruit, aside from the color, has the exact same potential!"
Vegapunk paused, his eyes narrowing. "Who do you plan to give it to? A Mythical Zoan of this caliber... it's not something a normal person can handle."
Roy didn't answer. He just smiled, a mysterious, calculating look on his face. "Don't worry. I already have the perfect candidate."
"He will become... the Navy's future 'Heaven-Destroying Dragon.'"
Vegapunk stared for a second, then shook his head, exasperated. "This is exactly the kind of trouble you'd start..."
He looked at Roy's ambitious expression and muttered to himself, "This kid... he's even more cunning than those old foxes at the top..."
Roy just smiled, already picturing the storm this fruit would one day unleash.
Back in the main lab, the sound of laughter echoed off the cold metal walls.
Bonney, fully recovered, was sitting on Kuma's broad shoulders, her little legs kicking happily, her face the picture of pure energy.
"Whoa—! I'm so high up, Daddy!" she giggled, her small hands holding onto his hair.
Kuma held her steady, a rare, gentle smile on his face.
Roy walked over, holding a piece of candy. "Bonney, this is for you. A reward for being so brave."
Bonney's eyes lit up. "Wow—! Is it strawberry?!"
"Of course," Roy winked. "I swiped it from the Doctor's private stash."
"Thank you, Big Bro Roy!" she cheered, happily unwrapping it and popping it into her mouth.
Kuma looked on, his eyes filled with a deep, profound gratitude. "This time..." he said, his voice thick, "I really... I owe you everything."
"Don't mention it," Roy said, patting his massive arm. "We're comrades, aren't we?"
He paused, his tone shifting. "So... what's your next move?"
Kuma looked out the window at the rolling fog, his gaze steady as stone. "I'll proceed with the plan. I will operate as a Warlord of the Sea, follow the World Government's orders, and hunt pirates. It will provide the perfect cover for you, the Doctor, and Bonney."
Roy nodded. "Good. Bonney will stay here, under the Doctor's care. It's the safest place in the world for her. Once the surgery is complete, you two can return to the Sorbet Kingdom."
Kuma gently lifted his daughter from his shoulders, kneeling to look her in the eyes.
"Bonney, Daddy... has to go away for a little while. I have to do something very important."
Bonney, though young, seemed to understand the weight in his voice. She didn't cry. She just held up her little finger.
"Then... pinky promise," she said, her voice serious. "You have to come back and get me."
Kuma froze for a second, his eyes shining. He met her tiny finger with his own massive one.
"Pinky promise. I will come back for you."
He gently kissed her hand, and she smiled.
Vegapunk cleared his throat. "Well, Roy. Shouldn't you be going?"
"Right." Roy grinned, walking toward the storage room. He picked up the carefully wrapped package containing the pink Azure Dragon fruit.
He looked back. "I'm trusting you with her, Doctor. Don't get so lost in your research you forget to babysit."
Vegapunk just snorted. "I'm a genius who can invent anything. I think I can handle one little girl."
Kuma just nodded firmly. "Roy. Go. Do what you have to do."
Roy smiled. His body blurred, rippling like a vortex, and vanished from the lab.
He was returning to Marineford. And in his hands... he held a dragon.
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