The Bloodline Fruit, Time for Freedom

The Doctor wants to see this guy again!

And it's only been a week.

Hag waved away the Marine who delivered the order, his brow furrowed.

Something's wrong!

This situation is definitely not right.

With a grim expression, he opened the cell door.

Inside the cell, Bright was doing his usual training.

This body already possessed outstanding talent, but to realize that talent quickly required even more rigorous training.

However, upon seeing Hag push the door open, Bright knew the appointed time had arrived.

A week had passed, and the remaining fruits should have been cultivated by now, right?

Bright felt a sense of anticipation.

But Hag, who usually let him out, was still blocking the doorway.

Bright frowned.

What was this guy's deal?

"Why does the Doctor keep looking for you so often?" Hag asked coldly, suppressing his disgust.

Had Vegapunk's recklessness finally made this guy suspicious?

Bright mused inwardly, but replied calmly, "Of course, it's to cooperate with his research."

He added a hint of mockery, "Don't you know what kind of person Vegapunk is?"

Hag certainly knew Vegapunk was a fanatical scientist who cared about nothing but research.

But that's precisely why it was troublesome. He was deeply worried that this cunning and despicable Fishman might deceive Doctor Vegapunk.

He firmly believed that this disgusting Fishman would do anything to survive!

He wouldn't get anything out of questioning this guy. He might as well go ask the Doctor directly.

Hag moved aside. "Let's go, we're going to see the Doctor."

What does this guy want to do?

Bright pondered this as he walked out.

It had to be today.

This guy won't get in the way, will he?

With a mix of apprehension and excitement, Bright arrived outside Vegapunk's laboratory once more.

He pushed the door open.

"Doctor, I'm here."

Bright entered the laboratory and, as he reached to close the door, a hand stopped it.

Hag walked in.

This guy, he really couldn't hold back, could he?

Bright's thoughts raced.

Trouble.

What if this guy discovered something?

Should he escape immediately?

Or should he try to take this guy down, eat the fruit, and then escape?

Well, no need to rush. Let's see what Vegapunk has to say first.

"Doctor!"

Hag's gaze swept around the laboratory, finally landing on Vegapunk, who was holding a pen and scribbling on a large sheet of paper spread out on a table.

This was the first time he had seen the Doctor in quite a long time.

Hearing Hag's voice, Vegapunk looked up, his brow furrowed. "Hag? What is it?"

The Rear Admiral was somewhat speechless.

He couldn't exactly say, "I'm afraid you'll be tricked by the Fishman and accidentally collude with him!"

"Doctor, I'm just a little uneasy about this Fishman."

After some thought, Hag decided to be direct. "This guy has perfectly inherited the baseness and cruelty of his race. Frequent contact with him is dangerous."

Bright glanced at the Rear Admiral.

"That's an interesting way of putting it."

Vegapunk put down his pen and stretched, his spine cracking loudly. "But I think this kid is pretty good. He's been a great help to me."

Hag's face paled in shock. "Doctor, you must have been deceived by that guy!"

"Alright, I don't have time to waste with you," Vegapunk said dismissively, waving his hand. "You can leave now, I need to start the experiment. The World Government is rushing me."

"But Doctor—"

"Don't waste my time, Marine!"

This was Bright's first time seeing Vegapunk look so displeased.

He's probably waiting for the fruit-eating part too, huh?

Hag wore an extremely unwilling expression, but he knew he couldn't change Vegapunk's decision.

"I'll stand guard outside, Doctor. Please call me if anything happens."

He left, closing the door behind him.

"Doctor, he seems very worried about you," Bright said, locking the door casually and turning back.

"He's not worried about me, he's worried about Doctor Vegapunk," Vegapunk replied offhandedly.

Bright smiled knowingly.

"Alright, enough small talk. Do you have enough room in your stomach?"

Vegapunk walked to one side of the laboratory, opened a cabinet, and took out eight fruits one by one, lining them up on the table.

"Truly spectacular."

Bright exclaimed with genuine admiration.

Even though they weren't Devil Fruits, they looked the part, and having them displayed together was quite imposing.

Vegapunk began to introduce the abilities and bloodline origins contained within each fruit.

The bloodline for bubbles needs no further explanation.

The remaining ones were:

"First, for strength and endurance, from the super-ancient Big Eater, the Didom Giant Lanternfish."

"For defense, it's the Primitive Diamondfish from the ancient deep sea. Its compatriot, the cruel deep-sea hunter, the Reaper Giant Squid, provides incredible agility and reaction speed, even coming with a sensory ability for use in the pitch-black deep sea."

Vegapunk pushed the first three fruits towards Bright, then gestured over the next three. "Next are lightning, fire, and wind."

"Lightning and fire are simple. The Ancient Electric Eel, the strongest electricity provider in the sea, combined with the Demon Fire Ray, which struck fear into marine life in ancient times, these two will satisfy your needs."

He placed his hand on the third fruit. "Even the most troublesome wind is achieved through the Giant Fogfish, which can create clouds and mist, and Vesaria's technology."

"Oh, speaking of Vesaria," Vegapunk said with a smile, "what I taught you is only their wind-making technology. If you want to learn other things, you can take a trip to Vesaria."

Bright was a bit speechless. "Doctor, why did you have to make it so complicated?"

"Because isn't all you seek wind?" Vegapunk grinned.

"Alright, now for the last one."

He brought the three fruits representing fire, lightning, and wind to Bright, then picked up the last one and tossed it towards Bright. "You really are afraid of dying, aren't you?"

"Take it. It's a bloodline from the primordial era of life, the adaptability of the Giant Water Bear."

Hag stood guard outside the laboratory door, his fists clenched.

The Doctor actually trusts that disgusting Fishman over me.

He's just a disgusting Fishman.

Vegapunk, the smartest man in the world, can have such a foolish moment?

"Oh! Hag, why are you guarding here?"

A somewhat aged voice rang out.

Hag turned his head in surprise. "Vice Admiral Okam! What brings you here?"

The white-haired Base Commander walked over slowly. "A message came from Headquarters, and I need to discuss it with Doctor Vegapunk."

Perfect.

Hag said earnestly, "The Doctor and that Fishman are in the laboratory. The Doctor has been seeing that Fishman too often lately. Vice Admiral Okam, I'm afraid he's being deceived by the Fishman."

"Oh."

The old Vice Admiral nodded understandingly, then smiled. "Honestly, Hag, trust the Doctor. He's not someone who can be easily deceived. Since he's conducting an experiment, just wait a little."

"That Fishman is here too? Perfect, it's about him that I need to talk."

Rear Admiral Hag gritted his teeth inwardly.

This old geezer, is he too lazy to cause trouble because he's about to retire?

However, his anger didn't make him lose his reason. He heard the Vice Admiral's words. "About that Fishman? What about him?"

"This, you don't know yet? A new Shichibukai has been born, it's that Fishman Jinbe of the Sun Pirates. When he was invited to become a Shichibukai, he made a condition."

"What?"

A sharp sound, which even the heavy metal door couldn't completely block out, rang out from outside.

Bright, who was struggling to swallow the last bite of fruit, patted his chest.

He didn't have time to worry about what the guy outside was yelling. After eating eight disgusting, large fruits in a row, his stomach could handle it, but he himself was finding it hard to endure.

"Hahaha, kid, now you can digest it properly."

Vegapunk laughed heartily. "I'm really looking forward to seeing what you'll look like in the future."

"I'm looking forward to it too."

Bright grimaced, his mouth feeling nauseous, but the revolting taste finally began to fade after a long while.

"Alright, then let's not keep the person outside waiting any longer."

Vegapunk walked over and opened the laboratory door.

"Oh, is the experiment already over?"

The Vice Admiral Base Commander, whom Bright had met once before, walked in slowly with his hands behind his back. He had a kind, benevolent smile.

Bright noticed that the Vice Admiral glanced at him.

He noticed even more that Rear Admiral Hag, walking behind the Vice Admiral, had a very gloomy expression.

"Vice Admiral?"

Vegapunk asked with great interest, "Is there something you need?"

Even Bright knew that because this Vice Admiral was old, he was too lazy to move around much. His appearance here today must be for a serious matter.

"News from Headquarters,"

the Vice Admiral said with a chuckle. "The Sun Pirates' Fishman, Jinbe, has finally accepted the government's invitation and become a new Shichibukai, but he has one condition."

Bright's heart began to beat wildly upon hearing this.

Is it finally time?

"He wants the government to release all the Fishman pirates arrested from the Sun Pirates," the Vice Admiral added.

"Absolutely not!"

Rear Admiral Hag couldn't hold back any longer. He said angrily, "I don't care about the other Fishmen who aren't here, but this guy,"

He pointed at Bright. "He caused a lot of destruction before, how can we just let him go?"

"Moreover, this base is a top-secret government location, and he has already been exposed to government secrets!"

"That's the situation. I'm also feeling hesitant. After all, Jinbe's demand is for all his crewmates. When I first contacted him, the government had already assured him that all his companions were safe. Telling him one is missing now will likely not be accepted."

The Vice Admiral sighed. "This matter concerns the recruitment of a Shichibukai, but our base is indeed a secret. Therefore, Doctor,"

He looked at Vegapunk. "I'd like to hear your opinion."

Hag looked at Vegapunk.

Bright looked at Vegapunk.

Thanks to the 'System That Wants to Cheat' big shot for the 200-point reward, thank you big shot!