"Golden Fission Reaction? You actually discovered it..." Vegapunk looked at Sig in surprise.
Sig glared at him, annoyed. Sig had only asked tentatively to see if Vegapunk had any ideas, but unexpectedly... Vegapunk already knew?
Indeed, Sig deduced from the two conditions that "the Moon person once hoped to mine more Seastone from the Blue Star to fill the void in the Moon's atmosphere" and Bilca's record that "with sufficient gold, one can return to the Vast Land," that there should be some connection between gold and Seastone.
Sig then used his understanding of the properties of "gold" to deduce a possibility...
Gold can act as a "power source" and undergo a certain energy-releasing reaction. It is not simply a "conductor" like Enel in the original work, nor is it a common oxidation or other energy-releasing chemical reaction. Rather, it is... a fission reaction!
The gold that has undergone fission will transform into Seastone of the same mass but with a higher density.
Therefore, the reason why Bilca's ancestors left a message to return to the Vast Land after obtaining enough gold was not only for the sake of the power source of the "Ark Maxim", but also for the sake of repairing the moon's atmosphere.
Only an atmosphere rich in Seastone Factor can block various rays from the universe and prevent the mutation of biological Lineage Factor on a planet from becoming too active.
The effects of Devil Fruit, such as the mutations in Lineage Factor, are essentially no different from the mutations caused by radiation. The only difference is that Devil Fruit result in targeted mutations, which is why they can be countered by Seastone Factor!
Although Vegapunk was unaware of the existence of Devil, his research had actually progressed to a similar level—analyzing the effects of Devil Fruit from the perspective of mutations in "Lineage Factor."
"Mystery" and "science" are two sides of the same coin...
"That's right, the Golden Fission Reaction can indeed produce enormous energy, and the product is Seastone Factor, but... you'd better give up on this path for now." Vegapunk's expression turned serious.
"Why?" Sig frowned.
"The Golden Fission Reaction produces extremely strong radiation... Do you understand radiation? It's like Devil Fruit, capable of mutating a person's Lineage Factor, but unlike Devil Fruit, it's not controllable. It can cause... um... okay, I haven't had lunch yet."
Vegapunk wanted to explain further, but Sig couldn't stand his sense of superiority, so he gave a live demonstration of what mutation was—red dots of varying sizes sprouted on his face, rapidly developing into granulation tissue, oozing colorful pus, and hair and wrinkles of unknown origin appeared in layers...
I don't understand mutations? Just kidding, I know them like the back of my hand...
Infinda put down the meat and silently walked out.
"Seastone Factor can suppress mutations, but the radiation during fission reactions can cause mutations?" Sig asked.
"No, the Seastone Factor only suppresses mutations caused by Devil Fruit and external rays. When you cultivate 'Life Return,' you won't be restricted by Seastone, right? Similarly, the mutations caused by radiation during fission reactions are not within the scope of suppression."
Vegapunk corrected him, and then, since they were now collaborators, as the research Sea King, Vegapunk added another explanation, "If you consider the Lineage Factor as a complex template chain, then the mutation brought about by the Devil Fruit is like putting a fixed-patterned cover on this template, and the external rays are like irregular coatings on it."
These will all be suppressed by the Seastone Factor. However, in cases of Life Return or natural mutation, the template itself changes, and the Seastone Factor will not react. The specific reasons are still under investigation.
Sig didn't go out of his way to tell Vegapunk that this involved mystical principles such as "Devil Fruits," Outer Deity interference, and the world's instinctive defenses, because Sig believed that there must be a scientific explanation, which was the answer Vegapunk wanted to know.
As for why cosmic rays have the same effect as Devil Fruit?
From Subordinate Deity perspective, Sig might argue that deep within the universe, there exists something even more powerful than the Devil Fruit, unconsciously whispering to the entire cosmos—what we would call cosmic radiation from a scientific standpoint. The atmosphere, containing Seastone Factor, could shield it from this influence.
Furthermore, Devil Fruit users should be able to ignore this radiation because their Lineage Factor are already coated. In contrast, Sig's method of combining with Devil involved him generating his own coating material, so he is less restricted by the Seastone Factor. The reason ordinary people cannot eat two fruits is that the two membranes would prevent the Lineage Factor from being transcribed and from guiding protein synthesis...
"Can't we find a way to insulate it with some material?" Sig asked matter-of-factly.
"Perhaps such a material exists, but it's impossible to manufacture it now." Vegapunk had clearly considered a solution, but hadn't succeeded.
Upon hearing this, Sig instinctively thought of what Tom had said earlier, "Even with the blueprints for Pluton, it's impossible to build a second Pluton now."
"Is the Seastone concentrate ready?" Sig asked, turning to him.
Upon hearing this, Vegapunk took out a row of six sealed test tubes from a nearby lab cabinet. The tubes contained a bluish, somewhat viscous liquid. He handed them to Sig and then dismissed him...
Even Kaido would be finished if injected with that kind of solution.
Of course, to administer an injection safely, the target must be under control first.
Sig was preparing to use the water-soluble Seastone concentrate to help him completely "expel" the Devil Fruit ability.
After Sig was injected with this substance, even the power of the "The Hanged Man Path" was suppressed—just like the mutual restraint between the "Sun Path" and it.
Perhaps the Hanged Man's "fallen" power in this world also manifests as "coating" Lineage Factor? It's just that with more advanced techniques, normal contact with Seastone wouldn't cause any violent reactions.
However, Sig estimated that once he completed the "Unshadowed" Promotion Ceremony, even before truly advancing to Sequence 5, he would definitely possess immense resistance to the Seastone Factor...
"Give me a copy of the data on the Golden Fission Reaction," Sig demanded directly.
"Of course it's been destroyed," Vegapunk replied matter-of-factly.
Sig believed this. Vegapunk would discard a research result if he found it dangerous or potentially uncontrollable, and might even lie to or deceive his collaborators—like with artificial Zoan Devil Fruit.
Seeing that Sig was still there, Vegapunk added, "But I can give you a hint... electricity."
After taking the concentrated Seastone solution and obtaining the key to the Golden Fission Reaction, Sig did not linger in the research institute. Although there was a contract in place, Sig was still not so careless as to do something in a place that required "not to be disturbed."
Sig could not guarantee that the process would go smoothly; the specific methods still needed to be explored, and he would inevitably be in a weak state by then.
Sig is preparing to head to the New World to reunite with the Red-Hair Pirates, where he will naturally find a safe environment.
After Sig left the research institute, the disappearance of "Siegfried" could no longer be concealed. Vegapunk had long been prepared to detonate this "bomb" - after all, it can't all be blamed on Vegapunk for not keeping a close eye on him; it was the restraint capabilities and restraint devices provided by the Navy that all failed!
The research institute will definitely have to move again, but with those "cyber believers" around, Sig isn't worried about not finding Vegapunk.