Occasionally Give Him Some Booze

Pacifista. According to the information known to the Revolutionary Army, this was indeed a research project proposed by the World Government itself, with Vegapunk as the person in charge. Its purpose was to develop true war machines to further maintain the World Government's rule and position.

Clearly, Vegapunk had no desire to create such a war machine. However, he had already delayed the project for quite a long time, to the point where it was difficult to delay its progress any further.

Moreover, even Vegapunk himself understood that he couldn't keep delaying it indefinitely. His solution was to find a powerful individual who harbored resentment toward the World Government and use him as the prototype for the Pacifista.

Following this line of thought, it was obvious that Vegapunk, as the developer, intended to leave some important device or ability inside the prototype. This might allow the prototype's own consciousness to influence—or even directly control—the other Pacifista at certain critical moments in the future.

With that thought, Yaen unconsciously tapped his fingers against the tabletop, considering candidates who could serve as the prototype Vegapunk needed.

Under normal circumstances, the most suitable candidate was undoubtedly Bartholomew Kuma, whom Vegapunk had originally valued so highly.

If Kuma successfully became the prototype, it would be enough to ensure that the Pacifista's weapons would never be aimed at their comrades in the Revolutionary Army. They might even become weapons aimed at the World Government.

But as comrades walking the same path, Yaen would absolutely never allow one of his comrades to undergo such a completely mechanized transformation—one tantamount to losing his life.

"Then..."

Yaen fell into thought as one candidate after another surfaced in his mind.

A powerful physique, a body similar in size to Kuma's, and resentment toward the World Government...

At that moment,