The Spark of Revolution

It was the second month after the God Valley Incident.

Ginny's intelligence network brought word of something.

"The World Government built a research institute on an island somewhere in the south." She placed a document in front of Lin Yuan. "Vegapunk is in charge. He's researching something called the 'Lineage Factor.'"

Lin Yuan's hand paused.

Lineage Factor. The principles behind Devil Fruits. Artificial Devil Fruits.

"Where exactly?"

"I don't know. It's highly classified. Even Morgans couldn't find out."

Lin Yuan fell silent for a moment.

"I'm going to see Vegapunk."

"Are you crazy?" Ginny's eyes widened. "You sneaked in last time. The World Government must have tightened security since then."

"All the more reason to go." Lin Yuan stood up. "If they're researching the Lineage Factor, they're not far from making Artificial Devil Fruits."

"What's that got to do with you?"

Lin Yuan looked at her.

"Whoever controls the Lineage Factor can mass-produce ability users. If the World Government gets its hands on it, the Navy's strength will double. How are we supposed to fight them?"

Ginny fell silent.

"I'm taking King. You stay and guard the place."

"Me again?"

"You're the most capable."

Ginny rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

Punk Hazard.

Lin Yuan and King stepped out of a door onto the rocks outside the laboratory.

There were three times as many guards on the island as last time. Two new gun batteries stood along the coast, the CP Agents on patrol had increased from a few dozen to over a hundred, and several more patrol boats were out on the water.

"Security's tight," King said.

"Vegapunk is too important to the World Government." Lin Yuan closed his eyes and spread out his Spatial Perception. "The entrance to the underground laboratory has been moved. There's a hidden elevator on the north side of the island."

"Can we go straight in?"

"Yes. But we have to get past three defensive lines."

Lin Yuan opened a door beside him. Beyond it was a corridor in the underground laboratory.

"Let's go."

They stepped through together.

Vegapunk's laboratory was on the third basement level.

When Lin Yuan and King emerged from the door, Vegapunk was sitting at a lab bench with a test tube in his hand. It contained a purple liquid that gleamed eerily under the lights.

"Dr. Vegapunk," Lin Yuan said.

Vegapunk looked up and saw him, unsurprised.

"You're here." He set down the test tube. "I knew you'd come."

"You knew?"

"News of what happened at God Valley has spread everywhere." Vegapunk stood, walked over to the wall, and pressed a button. The laboratory door locked automatically. "You took the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, killed the Celestial Dragons' guards, and your bounty rose to 1.5 billion. You're making quite a name for yourself."

"I'm not here to talk about my bounty."

"I know what you're here to talk about." Vegapunk returned to the lab bench and picked up the test tube. "The Lineage Factor. Right?"

Lin Yuan walked over to the bench and looked at the test tube.

"What's that?"

"The principles behind Devil Fruits," Vegapunk said. "It took me three years, but I've finally discovered their essence—the Lineage Factor. The ability of every Devil Fruit corresponds to a unique Lineage Factor. If it could be extracted, copied, and implanted..."

"You could mass-produce ability users."

"Yes." Vegapunk set down the test tube. "But it's still a long way from being ready. I tried copying the abilities of Zoan Devil Fruits and failed. The animals rejected them and all died."

Lin Yuan fell silent for a moment.

"How much does the World Government know?"

"They know I'm researching it. They know the direction I'm taking, but not exactly how far I've gotten." Vegapunk walked over to the window and looked out at the sea. "They're pressing me hard. The Five Elders send someone every month to ask about it."

"What happens if they find out you've succeeded?"

Vegapunk turned and looked at him.

"They'll lock me up and make me work exclusively for them. Then they'll arm the Navy with Artificial Devil Fruits and wipe out every pirate in the world."

"Including me."

"Including you."

They exchanged a look.

Lin Yuan walked over to the lab bench, picked up the test tube, and held it up to the light. The purple liquid flowed slowly through the glass tube, as if it were alive.

"Doctor, why are you telling me all this?"

Vegapunk was silent for a long time.

"Because I've been thinking about what you said last time."

"What did I say?"

"Space can be folded, time can be bent, and dimensions can be crossed." Vegapunk looked at him. "When you said that, you didn't sound like you were reciting someone else's theory. You sounded like you'd seen it with your own eyes."

Lin Yuan didn't answer.

"Who exactly are you?" Vegapunk asked.

Lin Yuan put the test tube back on the table.

"Someone who doesn't want to die."

Vegapunk stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled.

"All right. Someone who doesn't want to die." He walked back to the lab bench, took an envelope from a drawer, and handed it to Lin Yuan. "These are the routes for the World Government's Seastone transport ships for the second half of the year. I gave you the first half's routes last time. Have you used them up?"

"I have."

"These are the new ones," Vegapunk said. "Also, there's something else that might interest you."

"What is it?"

"The World Government is moving forward with a project called the 'Pacifista.' They're using my technology to make artificial humans equipped with laser weapons to fight pirates."

Lin Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

The Pacifista. The predecessor to the PX series in the original story.

"How far along is it?"

"It's still at the theoretical stage. The laser weapon prototype is finished, but the artificial human's body isn't up to it yet. It's too fragile to withstand the laser's recoil."

"What if they finish it?"

"If they finish it..." Vegapunk fell silent for a moment. "The Navy will have an army that doesn't need to eat or sleep and will never betray them. Each Pacifista will have the strength of a Vice Admiral."

Lin Yuan said nothing.

"Doctor," he said, "if the World Government ever tries to kill you, come find me."

Vegapunk looked at him.

"Can you protect me?"

"I can."

Vegapunk was silent for a long time, then nodded.

"I'll remember that."

Lin Yuan turned and opened a door.

"I'm leaving."

"Wait." Vegapunk stopped him, took a small box from the drawer, and tossed it to him. "Take it. Consider it a gift."

Lin Yuan caught the box and opened it.

Inside was a pill, black all over, with fine lines on its surface.

"What is it?"

"A stimulant," Vegapunk said. "Take it, and your physical strength will double for ten minutes. The side effect is that you'll be paralyzed for three days afterward. Don't use it unless you have no other choice."

Lin Yuan closed the box and slipped it into his pocket.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Vegapunk turned and returned to the lab bench. "Bring some alcohol next time. You can't get a drop to drink on this island."

"All right."

Lin Yuan and King stepped through the door. It closed behind them.

The laboratory fell quiet again.

Vegapunk sat at the lab bench, picked up the test tube of purple liquid, and looked at it for a long time.

"Space Folding... bending time..." he murmured. "Where exactly did this young man come from?"

No one answered.

The purple liquid flowed slowly through the test tube, like a beating heart.

Hachinosu.

Lin Yuan stepped out of the door. Ginny was sorting documents in the hall.

"You're back?"

"I'm back."

"What did Vegapunk say?"

Lin Yuan placed the small box on the table.

"He's researching Artificial Devil Fruits."

Ginny's hand paused.

"Artificial?"

"Yes. They're still not quite ready, but he's on the right track." Lin Yuan sat down in a chair. "The World Government is also working on a project called the 'Pacifista.' They're equipping artificial humans with laser weapons to fight pirates."

Ginny's expression changed.

"Then what do we do?"

Lin Yuan fell silent for a moment.

"Wait."

"Wait for what?"

"Wait until the Artificial Devil Fruits are ready and the Pacifista prototype is finished. Then..."

He didn't finish.

Ginny looked into his eyes but didn't press him.

"I'm going to cook."

"Go ahead."

Ginny turned and left.

Lin Yuan sat in the hall, turning the small box over in his hand.

Vegapunk's stimulant. The Pacifista. Artificial Devil Fruits.

The times were changing faster.

He had to be faster.