On Egghead Island,
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Vegapunk chatted for a while.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't know much about scientific research, his experiences in his previous life had given him a stronger scientific foundation than most people.
After all, Blue Star was a purely technological world, without any supernatural elements.
This surprised Vegapunk. The powerful man before him was remarkably knowledgeable and had some rather novel scientific ideas.
"That's right. What you call genes—"
Vegapunk nodded,
"—are what I discovered as the Lineage Factor."
"The Lineage Factor exists in living things in various forms,"
"and is also known as the blueprint of life."
"Genes..."
"The basic factors of life..."
Vegapunk nodded,
"That seems like a reasonable name for them, too."
Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, thinking that Vegapunk might be the greatest find in this world.
When it came to the study of genes—or the Lineage Factor—Vegapunk had gotten far ahead of many scientists.
Vegapunk could even replicate the genes of powerful figures on the level of the Shichibukai. He had also thoroughly researched how Devil Fruits affected the Lineage Factor.
He could even replicate Devil Fruits, and had managed to create a creature like a dragon—which didn't exist in nature—based on the Lineage Factor contained in a Devil Fruit.
"So Devil Fruits directly alter the Lineage Factor."
Sarutobi Hiruzen guessed.
Vegapunk confirmed it,
"That's right."
"Devil Fruits can temporarily take up residence in a person's body through some kind of power, altering their Lineage Factor."
"Zoan transformations are the most obvious and straightforward."
"Paramecia and Logia transformations are more complicated, involving mechanisms that are even more complex..."
Vegapunk shook his head, regret in his voice.
"Logias in particular. Even I have a hard time deciphering the mechanism behind elemental transformation."
"It doesn't seem to target the Lineage Factor, but rather