Research and the Wager

After hearing Vegapunk's words, Orochimaru, who had been smiling and chatting pleasantly, stiffened slightly. Then he fell silent.

A storm raged in his heart. What did he mean? Could it be... No, impossible. Other than my teacher and that bastard Danzo, who might have obtained some information from the laboratory I left behind, no one could possibly know that I was researching the Immortality Technique!

"But..."

Looking into Vegapunk's eyes, Orochimaru began to waver again. The Ninja World had never lacked monsters who became Jonin or even Kage-level powerhouses at thirteen or fourteen. However, while strength could advance by leaps and bounds because of talent or Kekkei Genkai, wisdom and experience could not.

Vegapunk's gaze lacked the sharpness typical of young people, yet it brimmed with a researcher's distinctive intelligent curiosity, steady calm, and composure. It was a contradictory temperament that only fellow top-tier Scientists could sense.

Top Scientists were curious about everything in the world. At the same time, those who did not know how to restrain their curiosity often did not get very far. Even so-called mad Scientists knew when to stop before getting themselves killed. Otherwise, they would have truly died long ago.

"What's wrong? You don't seem to believe me?" Vegapunk said with a smile. "How about we have a competition?"

"Compete over what?" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and asked. Seeing Vegapunk's utterly confident expression, he was already beginning to lean toward believing him.

"We'll compete in research ability. You can choose the subject. If you win, not only will I become your assistant, but I'll also hand over all the Soul Reincarnation techniques to you. If you lose, I'll still teach you the Soul Reincarnation techniques, but you can only become my assistant!"

Hearing such generous terms, Orochimaru felt both surprised and subtly displeased.

He was surprised that the other party truly knew what he had been researching. As for his displeasure... he felt that he was being underestimated.

Being allowed to choose the research subject was already an enormous advantage. And regardless of whether he won or lost, he would obtain the Soul Reincarnation Technique. The terms could not possibly have been more favorable.

As for which of them would become the assistant... if the other party could overwhelmingly defeat him even in a subject of his own choosing, then even if Orochimaru wanted him as an assistant, the other party would seize the lead during the actual research.

This was not a wager at all. It was simply Vegapunk showing off his intelligence and research abilities, declaring that he held an overwhelming advantage over Orochimaru in scientific research!

It was precisely because he sensed that that Orochimaru felt underestimated. As a ninja and schemer, Orochimaru naturally had a personality that would use any means necessary. Yet as one of the world's foremost researchers, he also possessed a top Scientist's pride. Naturally, he had emotions when someone looked down on him like this.

"Hehehe, hahaha! I never expected this... I'm being completely underestimated!"

"Then let me see what you're really made of! I accept your wager!"

After sneering a few times, Orochimaru ultimately accepted Vegapunk's wager. After all, the Soul Reincarnation Technique was an ability Orochimaru had long dreamed of obtaining. He wanted to see just what level of researcher this old monster, who might be a reincarnated person, truly was.

Although Orochimaru was arrogant and unruly, with no intention of bowing his head even before those stronger than him, he possessed a particularly serious and earnest attitude when it came to scientific research.

In research ability, strength was strength and weakness was weakness. This world had no cheat like the Brain-Brain Fruit, and research ability could not be leveled up through endless development like combat power.

Orochimaru believed that through constant research and study, he could master more ninjutsu and surpass everyone in the world. Yet he would instinctively be convinced by someone with stronger research and learning abilities, because no one understood better than him how much power such a genius, capable of transcending an era, could unleash!

"Since you've given me the right to choose the research subject, then let's settle this directly in this research base!"

"We'll use the equipment and projects already available in this research base! Can you tell what kind of research is being conducted here?"

As Orochimaru led Vegapunk and Hancock into the research base, he spoke to Vegapunk. After glancing over the base's layout and the instruments inside, Vegapunk pondered for a moment before replying.

"This should be research into animalizing the human body? Or rather, transforming humans into creatures like half-Orks?"

"However, judging from the laboratory's layout and location, you should specifically be creating lifeforms like Fish-Men, right? Giving humans the ability to move underwater, breathe underwater, and swim at high speeds—this should be the research project of this base!"

Orochimaru was not surprised after hearing Vegapunk's words. "Correct. It seems you do have some skill. So, how long would you need to produce results?"

"You're asking how long? If the equipment here is sufficient, give me half a month, and you'll see perfect results!"

Orochimaru's steps paused slightly as he turned his head. "This is no joke, Mr. Vegapunk!"

"I still prefer it when you call me Dr. Vegapunk. Actually, even half a month would be rather slow! If I had some of my own specialized equipment and raw materials, this would probably take only a few hours!"

Vegapunk wore a somewhat disdainful expression. In truth, Orochimaru's research happened to be something Vegapunk had conducted before: the so-called Artificial Zoan Devil Fruit.

If there was no insistence on creating an actual Devil Fruit, then as long as he collected some animal genes, Vegapunk could directly create Gene Modification Fluid and grant humans the abilities of Zoan Devil Fruits.

He was not like the original Vegapunk, who insisted on pursuing perfection. Ordinary Zoan Ability users were merely high-grade cannon fodder anyway, so there was no need to invest too much effort.

If he removed the Devil Fruit's awakening ability and some of its potential, and did not insist on making it resemble a fruit, then half a day really was enough for him to produce Gene Modification Fluid. The reason he had used Artificial Devil Fruits during his original research was simply because he could sell them for a better price.

After all, Devil Fruits were famous throughout the Pirate World and were undeniably high-end products. Gene Modification Fluid had no such reputation bonus. Although their effects were actually the same, the former sold for several times the price of the latter. Naturally, making them look like fruits was the better choice.