"So, that's the situation. Blue Sapphire Scales isn't an ordinary illness, Lord Hitsuji." Vegapunk wiped the corners of his eyes and blew his nose before looking at Hitsuji. "The 'Water of Youth' you created can restore Bonney's vitality, but it can't rebuild the damaged Lineage Factors inside her body. The Blue Sapphire Scales are still there; they've only been temporarily suppressed."
What he said was exactly what he had told Kuma before.
In truth, Vegapunk didn't even need to explain it. Even without the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia's notification, Hitsuji had already sensed that Bonney's life force was still slowly being drained, and the sapphire scales covering her body hadn't disappeared.
"I checked some of the World Government's highest-classified records. There happened to be files describing several diseases related to Lineage Factors that resemble Bonney's condition. One document, labeled D5R-34X, states..."
Vegapunk launched into a long, highly technical explanation. "I've considered stem cell transplantation, but before that, we'd first have to determine Bonney's complete Lineage Factor sequence..."
The terminology was so specialized that Hitsuji couldn't understand half of it. Still, there was one thing he did know: it wasn't strange that Vegapunk had found clues in the Government's archives. After all, Bonney's illness had originated from Saint Saturn's Lineage Factor experiments on infants.
Of course, despite being the greatest scientist alive, Vegapunk wasn't omniscient. He clearly had no idea what Saturn had actually done to Ginny and Bonney.
Just as Hitsuji was wondering whether he should tell them the truth,
"So, we would like to ask for your organization's assistance!" Vegapunk finally reached the point after all the technical jargon.
Hitsuji blinked. "...Assistance? With what?"
Before he could even ask, Vegapunk continued, "I know your organization's research into Lineage Factors has surpassed even my own."
Now, Hitsuji was even more confused. 'Research into Lineage Factors? Better than Vegapunk?' His mind raced. 'Where did he get such a ridiculous idea?'
A moment later, he found out. Vegapunk's eyes were burning with the excitement and curiosity unique to a scientist.
"If my research is correct... your organization has already mastered 'Devil Fruit Fusion' through Lineage Factor technology, hasn't it?"
The moment those words were spoken, Roy froze behind his mask. Then his gaze became colder than ever before.
This was the first time, the very first time, someone had uttered the words '"Devil Fruit Fusion"' in front of him. The first time someone had identified even a fragment of the Twelve Zodiac's true abilities.
But at that very moment, Kuma, who had been quietly watching Bonney and the other children chase one another in the distance, finally spoke. His voice remained calm and gentle.
"Lord Hitsuji, we never intended to pry into your organization's secrets. Vegapunk and I have already discussed it. After today's meeting, I'll use my Paw-Paw Fruit to remove my memories of this conversation and destroy them. Vegapunk will erase every piece of information related to your organization. He'll even suppress the inspiration itself so he won't continue researching in this direction."
Kuma looked at him earnestly. "Once this is over, regardless of whether we reach an agreement... neither of us will remember what we discussed today. We'll only remember that we had a conversation. Please believe me. Vegapunk and I may be bound by our circumstances... but we are not on the World Government's side."
After everything that had happened, his attitude toward Hitsuji had become noticeably warmer and more sincere.
"Of course... if you're still worried, you can suggest another solution. As long as Vegapunk isn't harmed... I'll accept it."
As Kuma spoke, Bonney tripped while running. Before she could fall, Linlin scooped her up with one hand. Watching the scene, the corners of Kuma's mouth unconsciously lifted.
"And no matter what the outcome is... I'll always be grateful to you."
Hearing that, the sharpness in Hitsuji's eyes finally faded. He might not trust everyone, but he believed Kuma. And he believed Vegapunk.
"Dr. Vegapunk... can you tell me how you figured it out?" Hitsuji asked curiously.
"First, I've studied the 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia'," Vegapunk answered. "It records the basic abilities of most known Devil Fruits. But none of your organization's displayed powers match anything in it. Second... I discovered that the 'Water of Youth' contains more than one Lineage Factor."
Vegapunk briefly explained the conclusions he'd reached from studying the Water of Youth, then continued, "And there was one more thing that convinced me. It was that major incident your organization caused not long ago. I'm not hiding my reasoning. That 'Azure Dragon Fruit: Scarlet Dragon Form' was created by me. I know exactly what it's capable of. But the weather manipulation displayed by your organization's 'Shinryu' far exceeded its theoretical limits."
He nodded seriously, quite satisfied with his own deduction. "So I concluded... your organization must have collected other weather-related Devil Fruits, extracted their Lineage Factors, and fused them into that fruit to strengthen it. And as for the one conducting all this Lineage Factor research... I believe it's 'Star Lord'. His abilities are by far the most diverse. He must be the ultimate masterpiece of Lineage Factor modification."
Hearing that, Hitsuji quietly let out a sigh of relief inside. Fortunately, Vegapunk's deduction had gone completely in the wrong direction.
It was obvious that even a genius like Vegapunk couldn't completely break free of the limits of his world's knowledge and perspective. Just like in the original story, despite uncovering most of the world's hidden truths, he still seemed unaware of Imu's existence. Likewise, his understanding of the Twelve Zodiac was still confined to the idea of using 'Lineage Factors' to develop Devil Fruits.
But in reality, the Twelve Zodiac were simply cheating. The Devil Fruit Encyclopedia's 'Devil Fruit Fusion' didn't just extract parts of different fruits to strengthen one another; it perfectly stacked every fused Devil Fruit's abilities together while granting additional effects on top of that.
"So this is why you wanted our organization's help, Dr. Vegapunk?" Hitsuji neither admitted nor denied it, but in Vegapunk's eyes, that silence was as good as confirmation.
"Exactly. I may be able to cure Bonney, but rebuilding her Lineage Factors will take at least half a year, perhaps even longer. And that simply can't be hidden from Saturn."
Hitsuji smiled. "And what makes you so certain our organization can do it faster?"
"I'm not," Vegapunk shook his head. "If it's research, there's no such thing as certainty."
As a scientist, he possessed a scientist's rigor. Always questioning one's own conclusions was the foundation of scientific progress.
"But... I do know how to increase the odds until they come close to certainty." Taking a deep breath, Vegapunk continued. "To be honest... I possess a research specimen. It's an extremely precious discovery my colleagues and I found years ago. It concerns the very essence of Lineage Factors. Our research into Lineage Factors began because of it. But over the past few years... my research has reached a complete standstill."
His face first flushed with excitement, then dimmed as he mentioned the dead end.
"This is also my selfish reason for asking Kuma to bring you here. I hope your organization will study that specimen. Perhaps you'll succeed where I couldn't... and uncover the true nature of Lineage Factors."
By the end, he was practically trembling with excitement. He knew exactly what uncovering the essence of Lineage Factors would mean. Not only would Bonney's Blue Sapphire Scales cease to be a problem, but more importantly, the horrifying truth he had uncovered over years of research might finally have a way to be resolved. It was the hope he had spent years searching for, a hope he had never once seen. He didn't even care whether the breakthrough came from his own hands.
Thinking that, his expression became solemn. He stood with both feet together and bowed deeply to Hitsuji.
"So... I know this is an audacious request..." That was the true reason he had wanted to meet Hitsuji. "The place doesn't matter. The time doesn't matter. It doesn't matter where. No matter what... I want to meet 'Star Lord'."
The moment those words fell, Hitsuji fell silent. Behind the mask, Roy carefully weighed the pros and cons. He could feel Vegapunk's sincerity; if anything, it was almost 'too' sincere.
But Roy was genuinely interested. Because,
[Lineage Factor Development – Analysis Progress: 19.92%]
[Collecting Devil Fruits accelerates analysis.]
[When Analysis Progress reaches 100%, unlock Special Slot: "Devil Fruit Creation Slot."]
Roy could clearly see the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia's prompt before his eyes. Ever since unlocking the 'Devil Fruit Fusion Slot', he had barely paid attention to the next unlock. He only knew the progress bar had been slowly increasing every day, and it was now nearly one-fifth complete.
As for what this new Devil Fruit ability slot actually did, Roy still had no clear idea. Judging only from its name and unlock conditions, he guessed it was probably related to Lineage Factors. He had already intended to collect information about them someday, he just hadn't had the opportunity. The World Government's classified records were inaccessible, even with an Admiral's authorization.
But now, Vegapunk was telling him he possessed a research specimen connected directly to the 'very essence' of Lineage Factors.
'"This actually works out perfectly."' With that thought, Roy made his decision.
"There's no need to choose another time or place." Vegapunk and Kuma heard Hitsuji chuckle softly. "Our leader is willing to meet you. Right now."
As those words were spoken, Hitsuji's voice and even his bearing changed in an instant. The sheep-headed mask slowly dissolved before their eyes, and in its place, brilliant, majestic starlight began to shine.
'(End of Chapter)'
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