Rear Admiral Hag followed behind Bright, deeply suspicious.
What the hell was going on?
Why had the doctor been meeting with this fish-man bastard so frequently lately?
In just two weeks, this was already the third time the doctor had asked to see him.
Could it be that the doctor actually thought highly of this guy?
Was that why the doctor had protected him when this fish-man bastard escaped from prison before?
If he wanted to conduct experiments, he could just cut off his limbs, couldn't he?
Watching the fish-man's back ahead of him, Hag's hand settled on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Hag did not understand what was happening, but he knew one thing clearly: this was not a good sign.
If things kept developing like this, something Mr. Borsalino did not want to see might really happen.
Hag remained silent.
Then, once again, he delivered Bright to Vegapunk's laboratory.
After casually shutting the door, Bright turned around and saw Vegapunk striding toward him with an excited expression.
One of his hands was half-raised, all ten fingers twitching wildly as though he were having some kind of fit.
For an instant, Bright thought he was having an epileptic seizure.
But of course, he knew that was not the case. Vegapunk did not have epilepsy; he was simply hyperactive.
"So, kid, what was the result?" Vegapunk asked eagerly.
"It was a success."
Bright answered seriously, "Although the ability is still weak, I really have gained the power of self-healing."
"Wasn't that obvious?"
Vegapunk burst into laughter, looking as if it were only natural. "How could I possibly fail?"
"So, have you decided? What bloodlines do you want for the rest?"
"I have a rough idea of the kinds I want, but I'll probably need your recommendations for the specific types, Doctor."
Bright said, "I'm more inclined toward bloodlines that can strengthen my basic abilities and Devil Fruit ability."
"I thought you would choose something like extending your lifespan or preserving your youth forever." Vegapunk was somewhat surprised. "The Celestial Dragons often ask me to conduct experiments like that. Of course, I just pretend I never heard them."
"There are plenty of things and abilities on the seas that can accomplish that, aren't there?"
Bright shook his head. "There's no need to waste these precious slots."
What use were those abilities?
If someone was killed, they died.
If he wanted to live longer, he had to avoid being killed.
Bright's first priority was improving his ability to survive.
Stronger, tougher, harder to kill.
As for immortality and eternal youth, there was something called Pure Gold on the seas. Once someone possessed it, their time could almost come to a standstill; centuries would pass in the blink of an eye.
"Whatever you say." Vegapunk's smile did not fade in the slightest. "I only need to handle the experiment."
Bright's lips twitched.
This guy really had never cared about him. From beginning to end, he had only wanted to conduct this experiment, hadn't he?
"If possible, Doctor, could you give me a bloodline that would let me regain the ability to swim?"
Bright said seriously, "As a fish-man, being unable to swim is far too embarrassing. I can't even move freely on Fish-Man Island."
"This? There is a bloodline that meets your requirements."
Vegapunk walked over to the computer and tapped the keyboard a few times. An image appeared on the screen.
The image showed a fish with coral-like protrusions across its surface.
"The Coralline Ancient Coral Fish is generally believed to be a close relative of modern coral polyps. Like the coral native to your Fish-Man Island, this fish can secrete and create bubbles. It can even form a bubble coating over its body."
Vegapunk explained, "I cannot defy the laws of Devil Fruit abilities and make you able to swim, but this bloodline should allow you to avoid coming into contact with seawater even while in the ocean."
Wasn't that just coating?
Bright was somewhat disappointed. Coral fish-men capable of doing the same thing were everywhere on Fish-Man Island.
Although being able to create it himself would certainly be much more convenient than carrying coral around, once the bubble was punctured, he could only sink to the bottom of the sea as well.
In the end, Devil Fruit users were still too restricted on these seas.
"Don't be so quick to feel disappointed, kid." Vegapunk saw Bright's mood and grinned. "The bubbles created by this fish contain a special substance and are extremely tough. They use those bubbles to hunt large fish."
"Is that so?"
If that was the case, then perhaps it was not impossible to accept.
"Enough nonsense. Hurry up and continue choosing the bloodlines you want!"
Vegapunk said impatiently, "I still have research to deal with on the other side. The government is pressing me hard."
"Alright."
Bright nodded.
Next, under Doctor Vegapunk's guidance, Bright chose another seven bloodlines that could comprehensively strengthen his basic abilities and Devil Fruit ability.
Then Vegapunk sent him away again, telling him to return in a week.
Bright looked forward deeply to one week later.
By then, he would undergo his second transformation.
On the way back to his cell, Bright was brimming with ambition.
Something was wrong.
Hag, walking behind Bright, frowned tightly.
Even though the fish-man was trying his best to hide it, it was obvious that he was somewhat happy.
What was he happy about?
Something must have happened between this guy and Doctor Vegapunk.
After sending Bright back into his cell, Hag thought it over and finally decided to leave his post temporarily. He summoned several colonels to stand guard outside the prison entrance in his place.
Then he went to find Vegapunk.
But unfortunately, Vegapunk had already entered experiment mode, and the laboratory doors were tightly shut.
Not daring to disturb Vegapunk's experiment, Hag could only return helplessly to Bright's cell.
But he had already made up his mind. The next time Vegapunk summoned that fish-man, he would definitely test Vegapunk's attitude.
Being experimental material was already enough for this fish-man. Did he still expect some kind of good ending?
Almost at the same time, on the other side of the Red Line, in a corner of the sea known as Paradise, two ships gradually drew closer.
At the bow of one ship, a man in a black suit looked at the people aboard the opposing vessel and smiled. "So, can we finally sit down and have a proper talk, Knight of the Sea Jinbe?"
At the bow of the opposing ship, the stout blue fish-man shouted, "We can talk if you want, but my conditions will not change!"
"You can rest assured,"
the man in the black suit said seriously. "As long as you agree to become the new Shichibukai and heed the government's summons when necessary, all conditions are negotiable."
The blue-skinned fish-man, the current captain of the Sun Pirates, Knight of the Sea Jinbe, pursed his lips.
Was this decision really the right one?
Would Brother Fisher Tiger have wanted to see this outcome?
No matter what, at least it could protect Fish-Man Island to some extent, and it could rescue their captured companions.
That was already enough, wasn't it?
For the time being, Bright knew nothing of what was happening outside. All he knew was that one week had passed.
Thanks to readers 'Wang Zhongchen,' '20210726051316122,' and 'System Begging for Cheats' for their hundred-point tips, and thanks to 'Want to Return to the Past a' for the two-hundred-point tip. Thank you, thank you!
Before you continue