After the first successful verification, Vegapunk immediately proceeded to manufacture the second, third... up to the sixth artificial Tyrannosaurus Rex fruit.
York bestowed all five newly created artificial fruits upon the remaining nine pirates.
Among them, four successfully gained the ability and transformed into Tyrannosaurus Rexes, while one failed.
Vegapunk conducted a comprehensive and detailed examination of the failure's body, finally verifying his theory: the failure merely didn't gain the ability, and his body suffered no damage.
This meant that the artificial fruits manufactured by Vegapunk could be consumed infinitely until the ability was obtained.
This good news reinvigorated the pirate who had been disheartened by his failure.
However, just as York prepared to have Vegapunk continue manufacturing artificial fruits, he was suddenly told that the materials had run out.
Vegapunk spread his hands helplessly.
"The raw materials for manufacturing artificial Devil Fruits are extremely precious. The institute's reserves are completely exhausted. Now we can only wait for procurement."
York frowned slightly and asked Vegapunk: "How long will procurement take?"
"About half a year."
Vegapunk gave a timeframe York didn't like.
"And even if there is stock, the quantity probably won't be much. I estimate that one procurement can only produce two to three artificial Devil Fruits. Additionally, we must consider the failure rate of consuming them without gaining abilities."
York frowned again.
"Where is the origin of the materials?"
Vegapunk shook his head slightly.
"I don't know."
York fell silent.
He had intended to occupy the source directly, but even Vegapunk didn't know.
Helpless, he had to try recalling information from the manga and anime of his previous life, attempting to find the production site of raw materials related to artificial Devil Fruits.
Before long, he actually thought of the corresponding location.
Dressrosa!!
To be precise, the Tontatta Tribe of Dressrosa.
They possessed the ability to cultivate all plants. SAD, the raw material for the artificial Devil Fruits Caesar manufactured, was produced by Doflamingo enslaving them.
Theoretically, the raw materials used by Caesar and Vegapunk should be consistent.
This meant that as long as he occupied Dressrosa, he could obtain a steady stream of artificial Devil Fruits.
But...
Dressrosa's location was a big problem.
It was too close to the Red Line and too far from his own territory.
If clone-like ability users appeared on his side, and he immediately occupied Dressrosa next...
There was no direct shipping route connecting it to his territory. As long as the World Government wasn't stupid, they would definitely know something was wrong.
At that time, they would inevitably use all means to probe this secret.
As the saying goes, one can be a thief for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against a thief for a thousand days.
Even if the foundation of the research institute was in the Mirror World, York couldn't guarantee 100% that World Government spies couldn't infiltrate.
The operational capability of Cipher Pol still deserved some respect.
Therefore, to prevent this, he had to create a diversion and lay a smokescreen.
Taking a deep breath, York looked at Vegapunk and asked: "Is it possible that the World Government's research institutes store the materials we need?"
"There is a high probability."
A light flashed in Vegapunk's eyes.
"Do you know the location of the World Government's research institutes?"
York grinned, "You want me to bring back some local specialties for you?"
Vegapunk nodded frankly.
"Although the equipment here can be manufactured by ourselves, and with Dr. Acier present, we don't lack raw materials for manufacturing equipment, the problem is that this method is very inefficient."
"If you can snatch some equipment from the World Government, it can solve our urgent needs. Many researches paused due to insufficient equipment can also continue."
York nodded gently, understanding Vegapunk's needs.
"Got it. I will do my utmost."
With that, he turned and summoned the officers under his command.
Except for the scientific department, all other officers were present.
The three beautiful young married women, Gloriosa, Stussy, and Shakky, sat quietly beside York. Graceful and composed, they carried the aura of queens who had long helped York handle government affairs.
The fourth wife, Gunko, was not invited to attend the meeting due to her lingering connection with Imu.
At the head of the long conference table on the left, Kaido sat with arms crossed, his bronzed skin gleaming with a cold, hard luster under the lights.
Opposite him, Dragon sat upright, his brows hiding a sharpness and greenness not yet shed.
With these two as the lead, seats were arranged in order.
Ivankov sat with legs crossed, twirling his hair tips. Currently, he hadn't yet become the Okama King from the original story. Although his large head looked comical, he was the most leader-like of the younger generation besides Kaido and Dragon.
19-year-old Ginny and 15-year-old Kuma sat leaning against each other, showing a faint trend of a romance between an older woman and a younger man.
From the native land, Hanafuda sat opposite them, beside the 174-year-old Olga who still looked like a child.
Bullet was 13 this year. He sat opposite Olga, flanked by the eldest, the 30-year-old Maga, who was York's age.
Finally, 8-year-old Teach and 7-year-old Enel were also brought from Sky Island, sitting obediently at the very end.
Looking at this row of a team full of youthful vitality at the conference table, York felt gratified and also very proud.
This was his confidence to confront the World Government head-on in the future!!
After a simple opening, York first informed everyone about the successful research of artificial Devil Fruits.
While everyone was still somewhat confused, York immediately slapped the table.
Four pirates transformed into Tyrannosaurus Rex Human-Beast forms walked in from a side door, their heavy beast claws making muffled sounds on the floor.
Everyone, bewildered a second ago, widened their eyes simultaneously. Hanafuda even sprang up from his seat, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
Looking at the five people in front of him, dinosaur-men almost identical to himself except for color, Hanafuda instinctively activated his fruit ability too.
Ancient, simple, yet full of ferocious aura, the sixth Tyrannosaurus Rex appeared. After a roar that shook the chandelier, the Tyrannosaurus Rex shrank, turning into the sixth dinosaur-man.
Hanafuda walked up to the first five.
"E... Exactly the same?!"
"Th... This is the artificial Devil Fruit?!"
Others couldn't help muttering.
They hadn't expected that the successful research of artificial Devil Fruits York mentioned had directly reached the stage of mass production!
Looking at these six dinosaur-men almost identical except for color, everyone seemed to see a scene of an ability user legion sweeping across the battlefield under their command.
But amidst the excitement, a trace of worry quietly spread.
If fruit abilities were no longer unique, would their status be replaced?
Hanafuda exchanged a glance with Maga, also an Ancient Zoan user, and both saw anxiety in each other's eyes.
York sat at the head, taking everything in.
So he spoke slowly to comfort them: "According to Dr. Vegapunk's research, artificial Devil Fruits likely do not possess the power of Awakening."
This wasn't nonsense. Vegapunk had indeed reached such a conclusion, only it was still in the theoretical verification stage and hadn't been verified in reality.
Of course, even without actual verification, York believed artificial Devil Fruits couldn't awaken.
The reason was simple: artificial fruits were products of technology, genetic superpowers purely based on Lineage Factors.
Natural fruits fused directly with the soul. Even if the soul was extracted from the body, the ability could still be used. Moreover, the source of natural Devil Fruit abilities was people's beliefs and desires.
There was a fundamental difference between artificial and natural Devil Fruits.
York explained this theory to everyone, and the crowd, originally worried, instantly breathed a sigh of relief.
But at the same time, a sense of urgency surged in their hearts.
The biggest difference between artificial and natural Devil Fruits was the existence of Awakening.
If they couldn't achieve Awakening in their lifetime, what difference would there be between them and artificial ability users?!
"Must work desperately hard!"
Hanafuda and Maga admonished themselves inwardly at the same time.
The stable situation in recent years had made them, who hadn't experienced the despair of God Valley, unconsciously relax quite a bit.
But from this moment on, none of them dared to continue slacking off.
York looked at their expressions, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes—this was exactly one of his intentions in convening this meeting.
Incidentally, it also served as a warning to others.
Don't think about being a slacker!
As long as you work under me, York, if you want to keep your status and power, you must show corresponding ability!
Otherwise, the capable will rise, and the mediocre will fall.
After resolving everyone's psychological pressure and giving them a knock, York began to discuss the second matter.
"Manufacturing artificial Devil Fruits is extremely rare. Currently, our institute's reserves are completely used up, and procurement takes too much time, at least half a year to start. I don't want to wait that long."
"So, I decided to rob the World Government's research institute! Take ready-made ones directly from them!"
"I've already chosen the target. Punk Hazard!!"
This sentence was like a spark, instantly igniting the hot blood of the whole venue.
Kaido let out a low 'Wororororo' laugh, fighting spirit ignited in Dragon's eyes, and even Teach waved his little fist and screamed.
In this pirate empire, war had always been the fastest ladder to raise one's status.
Afterward, York quickly assigned combat missions.
"I will personally lead the team in this battle!"
As soon as this was said, a low cry erupted from the collective audience, but York immediately raised his hand to suppress what they wanted to say.
"Punk Hazard is too close to the Red Line. If the King of the World is shameless, you won't last a single round against her!"
"Only I can completely suppress her schemes and tricks!"
"Besides, we also need to move Punk Hazard's research equipment back. This isn't something that can be finished in a short time! It also requires me to be stationed there for a long time!"
With that, York looked at Kaido.
"Kaido, the responsibility of guarding our home is temporarily entrusted to you!"
Kaido opened his mouth but finally nodded heavily.
"Leave it to me without worry!!"
"Even if Sengoku leads the team to attack personally, I will definitely beat him back!!"
"Wororororo!"
After arranging Kaido, York continued to look at Dragon.
"Dragon, you stay too. You are mainly responsible for guarding the Galzburg Province. Our reform achievements cannot die prematurely at this time!"
Dragon actually wanted to go to sea with York, but since York had put it this way, he could only nod and accept the appointment.
"Ivan, Ginny, Kuma, Bullet, Olga, you are responsible for guarding the Clawdia Province. Remember! Ivan is the boss. You must listen to Ivan's orders more! Especially you! Olga!"
Olga stuck out her tongue resentfully. She was still too playful now, but with York speaking so heavily, she wasn't a brat who couldn't understand human speech at all.
"Got it, Captain York. I will obey Big Brother Ivan's arrangements."
receiving the assurance, York nodded with gratification.
Then he looked at the youngest, Teach and Enel.
"You are still too young. I won't take you on this operation."
The two little ones were sensible enough to know they weren't qualified to participate in actual operations yet, so they didn't make a fuss, nodding to accept the order.
Finally, York looked at Hanafuda and Maga, whose faces were full of expectation.
"You two will go with me on this operation!"
"Hanafuda, I appoint you as the Captain of the Dinosaur Special Forces! Maga, you as the Vice-Captain!"
"These five people who ate the clone Tyrannosaurus Rex fruits are all your subordinates!"
"There are five more backup candidates later. I plan to give them artificial Titanoboa fruits, and they will also be incorporated under your command!"
"In the further future, I plan to clone more types of Ancient Dinosaur series ability users to form a true Dinosaur Legion!"
"If you do well, you will be the Legion Commander and Vice-Commander of the Dinosaur Legion in the future!"
Hearing this, Hanafuda and Maga knelt on one knee simultaneously.
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!!"
...
No need to say more about the preparatory work. The Red Flag, which had been docked for a long time, finally set sail again.
The Red Flag Empire Legion led by Hanafuda and Maga gathered on the deck, gazing at the distant sea, their eyes full of fanaticism for war.
"Achieve merit and fame! Secure titles for wives and protection for children! It's all on the battlefield!!"
"Roar!!"
Amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the pirates, the Red Flag slowly disappeared into the distant sea.
A dozen days later.
The Red Flag successfully arrived in the coastal waters of Punk Hazard.
Loud alarms rang out immediately, and shrill screams spread rapidly across the entire island like a plague.
"It's the Red Flag Pirates!!"
"Quickly call for reinforcements from Marine Headquarters!!"
"Who is leading?!"
"It's... it's... it's... it's Flame Emperor York!!"
"What did you say?!"
"All troops retreat!! Quickly arrange for the scientists to retreat!!"
"Forget it! Forget all the research data!! Save the scientists first!!"
Just arriving in the coastal waters, without even formally launching an attack, the entire Punk Hazard was already in chaos.
A boy with pure white hair and dark skin was tied to an experimental bed. Watching the fleeing backs of the scientists who were just performing various experiments on him in panic, his eyes were filled with confusion.
"What happened? To scare this group of inhuman beasts like this?!"
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