Dr. Vegapunk's proposal was swiftly approved by the World Government.
That very night, Setsuna entered Vegapunk's laboratory.
Within the sealed, multi-layered, secure lab, Setsuna retrieved a Capsule from within his body and opened it in front of Vegapunk.
"Is this spatial folding technology? A truly astonishing achievement. I wonder which scientist developed it?" Vegapunk's eyes lit up with professional curiosity, clearly impressed by the Capsule.
Setsuna couldn't easily explain and just said casually, "This is technology I acquired from an ancient kingdom. Of course, that's not the main point. Please, Doctor, examine the cells of these two lifeforms."
Setsuna took out a glass vial containing Piccolo's blood and a small cloth pouch containing Goku's hair, presenting them to Vegapunk.
Vegapunk immediately shifted into work mode.
He put on specially made gloves and used precise instruments to transfer the blood and hair samples into separate petri dishes.
When the samples were placed under the electron microscope, his breathing noticeably quickened.
"This is astounding!" Vegapunk exclaimed in wonder. "The DNA structure of these cells completely shatters current biological understanding."
"What about the possibility of transplantation?" Setsuna asked.
"Please wait a moment. Let me run a few more tests." Vegapunk rapidly operated various cutting-edge instruments… laser scanners, quantum analyzers… all humming to life simultaneously.
A short while later, he pointed to data charts on a holographic projection. "With two days of preparation, I can transplant the cells from this drop of blood. As for this hair..."
He displayed an uncharacteristic hesitation. "It seems to contain a very peculiar type of cell. The feeling it gives me is... as if it can change based on emotional fluctuations."
Setsuna couldn't help but be amazed. Truly a genius scientist five hundred years ahead of the world, to have touched upon the secret of Saiyan S-Cells in such a short time.
Vegapunk pondered. "I have never seen such miraculous cells. Conservatively estimated, it would require two to three years of in-depth research to fully grasp their characteristics and ensure safe transplantation."
Setsuna felt reassured. Two or three years was completely within an acceptable timeframe for him.
"Then let's proceed with transplanting the other cells first. However, I have one small additional request." Setsuna added with slight hesitation. "The original being for these cells has green skin and antennae on its head. I hope the transplantation won't also transfer these physical traits."
While he wasn't overly concerned with appearance, he didn't want to turn green either.
Vegapunk smiled knowingly. "That's simple. I will adjust the expression of the Lineage Factors to convert these dominant traits into recessive characteristics."
Over the next two days, Vegapunk personally performed the cell transplantation surgery on Setsuna.
The procedure went exceptionally smoothly. When Setsuna emerged from the cultivation pod, he could clearly feel a new power surging within his body.
Namekians possessed strong mental power, granting abilities like telepathy and psychokinesis.
However, as he had only transplanted Piccolo's cells and wasn't a true Namekian, he hadn't activated these psychic abilities.
The power he truly gained was the 'ability to control and utilize the benign growth of cancer cells'. It was this power that gave Namekians their formidable regenerative abilities.
As long as the head wasn't destroyed, even lost limbs could regenerate easily.
Additionally, the Namekian lineage granted powerful survivability. Merely by drinking water, they could sustain their bodily functions through a photosynthesis-like ability.
However, since the green skin trait had been removed, whether this ability was retained remained to be verified.
…
Just as Setsuna was eagerly testing his newly acquired abilities, in the research institute's central laboratory...
Caesar Clown slammed his palm onto the metal worktable with a loud bang. His face flushed crimson, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Vegapunk!" Caesar snarled through gritted teeth. "You're clearly jealous of my achievements!"
His voice echoed in the sealed lab, causing other researchers to glance over.
Vegapunk replied in a calm tone. "Caesar, the [Slime] project has serious safety hazards. This is the unanimous decision of the Scientific Ethics Committee."
"Bullshit!" Caesar waved his arms angrily. "You're just afraid my research will surpass yours! I've completed the theoretical verification. Just give me three more months..."
An elderly researcher couldn't help but advise, "That project is far too dangerous. You should give it up."
"Give it up? Hmph, it doesn't matter anymore." Caesar suddenly calmed down, thinking smugly to himself: 'These days are almost over. Soon, I'll have my own lab.'
Pleased with the thought, he tilted his chin up with a light snort. "Anyway, I've already found someone who truly appreciates my talents… a boss who won't suppress my research. Shurorororo..."
Sentomaru's eyes widened sharply. "Caesar, what do you mean by that? Are you planning to betray the World Government?"
Caesar hurriedly covered his mouth. "Oh no, I said that out loud?!"
Seeing Sentomaru and Doll approach, Caesar pressed himself against the wall in panic, shrieking, "Stay back! Don't come any closer!"
Doll asked cautiously, "Who is your new boss? How does he plan to extract you?"
Hearing Doll mention his new boss, Caesar suddenly perked up. "You can't arrest me! I've already contacted my old colleague Queen! Kaido-sama has agreed to come pick me up personally! Shurorororo!"
"What?! Kaido?!"
"We're just researchers!"
Hearing that an Emperor of the Sea, Kaido, might descend, panic immediately broke out in the laboratory.
Doll's face instantly turned pale. She immediately pulled out a Den Den Mushi. "We must contact Headquarters and Admiral Kizaru immediately!"
Sentomaru shouted at Vegapunk, "Doc! Activate the Dome Defense System!"
Vegapunk operated the control console rapidly, but his expression remained grave. "Even the Dome Defense System likely won't hold Kaido for long."
Sentomaru nodded heavily. He naturally understood. The laser beams of the Border Dome might work against ordinary enemies, but trying to stop a monster of Kaido's caliber was simply impossible.
At that moment, the laboratory suddenly shook violently.
Lights on the ceiling swung wildly. Experimental equipment tumbled from shelves. Explosions and screams echoed from the distance.
"Is it already too late?" Doll's face darkened. She hadn't expected Kaido to arrive so quickly.
Through the laboratory's blast-proof glass, a massive, sky-obscuring shadow was approaching.
Kaido's signature Azure Dragon form loomed within the storm clouds. Each beat of his draconic wings stirred up violent whirlwinds.
"Wororororo!" Kaido's laughter boomed like thunder. "Time to come with me, brat Caesar!"
Caesar smugly adjusted his collar, raising an eyebrow challengingly at Sentomaru, whose face was livid. "It seems my new boss is very punctual."