Ortolan was quite interested in this Devil Fruit, but since the World Government hadn't been able to get it from Dr. Vegapunk, Ortolan ultimately felt that it wasn't worth making enemies with Dr. Vegapunk over a Devil Fruit.
Just as Ortolan and Borsalino were wandering around, observing many strange scientific research products, the door of a laboratory not far away opened, and then a guy with a long head came out.
If Ortolan hadn't known that there were no human subspecies like the 'Longhead Tribe' or 'Long-Headed Race' in this world, he would have really suspected that Dr. Vegapunk and Strawberry were from these races!
In terms of height, Dr. Vegapunk is average, but with his large head, he's even taller Ortolan!
Indeed, Ortolan recognized him at a glance; this was Dr. Vegapunk, who looked like Einstein... no, Epstein.
At this moment Dr. Vegapunk seemed to have just finished some research, and his expression looked somewhat tired. However, when he saw Ortolan, he was stunned for a moment, and then a surprised smile appeared on his face. He ran over in a flash.
"Vice Admiral Bane!? It's been a long time!" Dr. Vegapunk extended his hand warmly and shook hands with Ortolan.
It has indeed been a long time. Ortolan had only met him once before, during the surprise attack on MADS. Ortolan had originally wanted to have a good chat with him, but then something happened to the Fleet Admiral, so they never met again and never had a chat.
"Doctor, it's been a long time. I'm relieved to see you still in such good spirits," Ortolan said with a smile, shaking hands with Dr. Vegapunk.
To be honest, he was somewhat resistant to Dr. Vegapunk's excessive enthusiasm, because... the way the doctor looked at him was as if he were an experimental subject, as if he wanted to tie him up and dissect him!
"I'm doing quite well here," Dr. Vegapunk said with a smile. "Before, I was hampered by insufficient funding, and many experiments and research couldn't be carried out. Now it's different; I can do many experiments that interest me..."
Moreover, Dr. Vegapunk is different from the students of Ohara. Although they were all forcibly assigned to work by the World Government, Dr. Vegapunk has freedom. When he needs to, he can leave Punk Hazard on his own and go out to do some research or something.
The greater bond between the World Government and him is that currently only the World Government has the substantial funds to meet Vegapunk's research needs.
In this story, after the incident at Ohara, Dr. Vegapunk went to Ohara alone and had a pilgrimage with Dragon there.
After the incident at Punk Hazard, Dr. Vegapunk went directly to Egghead Island to work on technology. By then, Borsalino had basically returned to headquarters. Although some Science Unit also went, Dr. Vegapunk was actually the boss of Egghead Island, which shows that he had a very high degree of autonomy and was not completely controlled by the World Government.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Dr. Vegapunk asked abruptly, "I heard Borsalino mention before that Vice Admiral Bane, you are suffering from a mental illness? Is this illness inherited through your bloodline? Do you need my help to take a look?"
Ortolan's face twitched. "Your expression doesn't look like you want to help at all. You want to put me in your lab as a specimen!"
"Thank you for your concern, Doctor. Actually, my condition has improved significantly in the past two days, and I have found a suitable treatment method. For the time being, you don't need to worry about it anymore," Ortolan quickly said.
Dr. Vegapunk paused for a moment, a hint of regret in his eyes, but he couldn't help but persuade him, "Although I am a scientist, I have some insights into biotechnology, and I could easily call myself a half-medical expert. Why don't you let me take a look, Vice Admiral Bane?"
"No need, no need..." Ortolan quickly refused.
Seeing that Ortolan wasn't taking the bait, Dr. Vegapunk changed his tune, saying, "If you don't mind, I'd like to take some blood from you for research. As Vice Admiral in the Marine Headquarters, we're in the same department. Our Science Unit also has related research, and we hope you can contribute..."
Are you being so blunt?
Ortolan had a toothache and glanced at Borsalino beside him. Borsalino clearly looked like he was enjoying the show, his lips almost curling up in a smirk!
However, as mentioned before, Ortolan did not actually value Dr. Vegapunk, the most powerful mind, and therefore did not want to antagonize him. So after thinking for a moment, he asked, "Then what is this research for?"
"Weapons!" Dr. Vegapunk answered without hesitation.
After a slight pause, he continued, "This is a quota given to me by the Heavenly Realm's government. Actually, I'm not personally interested in these things. The main reason I'm so keen on your blood sample is to enrich the Lineage Factor database. Your physical attributes are truly extraordinary. If they could be utilized, they might benefit all of humanity, and even the entire intelligent race..."
"Is it really that exaggerated?" Ortolan was genuinely surprised.
"Of course!" Dr. Vegapunk replied immediately. "Although you suffer from some mental illnesses, I imagine that with your physical constitution, you have never been troubled by common physical ailments, have you?"
Ortolan thought back and realized that, indeed, apart from his mental illness, he had always been healthy and had never suffered from any physical ailment.
After seeing Ortolan nod, Dr. Vegapunk continued, "Therefore, if we can crack this secret, there might be tremendous progress in medical technology. To exaggerate a bit, it's even possible that you could develop a panacea!"
Before Ortolan could speak, Dr. Vegapunk continued, "Currently, many congenital diseases are incurable. For example, Admiral Zephyr's asthma is caused by congenital factors, and I've conducted some research on it here. It's a genetic deficiency. But if we can make a breakthrough with you, I think there might be a possibility of curing Admiral Zephyr's asthma..."
After listening to this, Ortolan remained silent for a moment before asking, "Is the probability high?"
"I can't guarantee it, but it has certainly helped," Dr. Vegapunk said quite frankly.
After a slight pause, Dr. Vegapunk winked slyly at Ortolan and said, "I know you're worried that your blood sample will be used to make weapons or something, but like I said before, it's just an indicator for the World Government, and I'm not very interested in it. So, I'll take a small amount of your blood sample, fool you with some research, and say it failed. The World Government shouldn't hold me accountable. In fact, I assure you, I will only use your blood sample for non-weapon research, how about that? Or even mainly for medical research, to try to heal Admiral Zephyr's body as soon as possible!"
At this moment, Ortolan recalled Borsalino's introduction to him, saying that Dr. Vegapunk was a man of his word, and if he promised not to do any other research, he would absolutely not do it.
In addition, Ortolan is indeed concerned about Teacher Zephyr's health, and it would be great if Teacher Zephyr could recover.
As for the weapons research, to be honest, Ortolan was somewhat disgusted by it, but not to the point of being wary. Borsalino, as the experimental doctor, was studied for more than ten years, and in the end, the weapons he created did not pose any threat to him.
Thinking of this, Ortolan glanced at the Devil Fruit in the distance and said, "I'm personally interested in this Artificial Devil Fruit. If you, Doctor..."
Before Ortolan could finish speaking, Dr. Vegapunk said, "Vice Admiral Borsalino, please retrieve that Devil Fruit. I want to give it to my good friend, Vice Admiral Bane, as a long-awaited gift!"
Hearing this, Ortolan was deeply moved. Who said that researchers are rigid people? Isn't this PhD student also quite empathetic?
"Doctor, we've been good friends for years. It's too much of a misunderstanding to ask me, Bane. From now on, ask me, Ortolan. Come on, let's go get our blood drawn!" Ortolan said enthusiastically, grabbing Vegapunk's hand.
At this point, Ortolan's good friend has increased by 1!