Setting Sail and Two and a Half Years

A sparkling gem had appeared in Kate's chest. Faint blue light flowed from the cross-shaped crystal. That was her new heart.

Though the crystal looked unremarkable, it had taken on the vital task of circulating blood throughout her body. Under the dual stimulation of Shimmer and the Hex Crystal, Kate's body recovered incredibly quickly, and the heart had already integrated perfectly into her body.

She moved her arms, feeling as though every cell was filled with newfound strength.

"Move around a little. Your body will need time to fully adapt to the boost from this new heart. The more you move, the better you'll adjust to it."

"Come this way. There's a dedicated testing ground on the ship."

Vegapunk was even more excited than the two people involved. He was more curious than Oran about exactly what changes this heart could bring to a person.

Led by Vegapunk, they soon arrived at the bottom of the ship. Numerous testing instruments were arranged there, while several targets were covered in bullet holes. Nearby, researchers who had just finished an experiment were packing up their equipment.

When they saw Vegapunk arrive, they silently nodded in greeting before clearing the area.

"Go ahead. Whether it's speed or strength, the equipment here can provide accurate data. Data doesn't lie. It's a shame we don't have a baseline for comparison, though. Otherwise, we could see the results more clearly."

"That's not important. Kate, it's a part of your body now. Feel it, then control that power. It's inside you now, just like your breathing and emotions. All it takes is a thought."

Oran taught Kate how to use this power while Vegapunk activated the equipment.

The Hextech Heart did not beat with the rhythm of a flesh-and-blood heart, yet Kate could hear the pulse of energy within it.

Zzt.

Sparks flickered through her fur. Unlike the static electricity from before, those sparks gradually gathered into dancing silver snakes. The current wrapped around her body while stimulating her cells.

Looking at the speed-testing device ahead, Kate pushed off with both legs. Her body became a streak of white lightning as she flashed past the detector. The surprise on her face showed that even she had not expected to run so fast.

The sudden increase in speed left her unable to adjust. She lost control of her body for a moment and crashed headfirst into the nearby wall.

"Director Vegapunk, it seems this place needs some improvements. Your equipment's resistance to electrical currents is rather poor."

"I think the issue is the strength of her current. The Mink Tribe I know couldn't achieve anything like this."

The speed tester was now emitting black smoke. The current leaking from Kate as she ran seemed to have destroyed one of its components, but neither Oran nor Vegapunk cared about such a trivial bit of damaged equipment.

Compared to the results, it was completely unimportant.

"All right, Mr. Siderial. This is your authorization card. I've granted you access to all the equipment on the ship. I showed you around yesterday, so feel free to make yourself at home from here on out.

"If you have any questions, ask the other researchers. I need to get back to my own research. There really isn't enough time. It would be nice if there were a few more of me."

Having seen what he wanted to see, Vegapunk did not waste any more time and handed Oran the authorization card he had prepared long ago.

Activating the card meant that Oran had become a core member of MADS. Like Vegapunk and the others, he could direct ordinary researchers to assist with his work.

"Time has always been limited. Pursuing infinite knowledge with limited time is where the fun lies. Sometimes, getting the answer directly only makes it feel dull."

"Infinite knowledge... that's true, Siderial. I'm starting to look forward to the days when we work together."

From the current situation, Vegapunk felt that Oran was more suited than Queen and the others to be a research partner. Still, he drew no conclusions. No one could say what the future would look like.

After Vegapunk left, Kate began testing her limits. Sweat seeped through her fur, but she liked the feeling. This was the first time she had ever run to her heart's content. Her heart was no longer a burden, but a more stable source of power.

"Do you feel any discomfort?"

"No. It's just a little unfamiliar after the enhancement. Once I adapt to it a bit more, I'll be fine."

Stretching her body, Kate felt unbelievably good.

"By the way, Oran, can you crouch down for a moment?"

"What is it?"

"There's been one step missing all this time. Now it's time to make up for it. Oran, you know the Mink Tribe well, don't you? Then you should know this. Karuchu~"

There was now a considerable height difference between them. After Oran crouched down, Kate grabbed his shoulders and pressed her cheek against his, rubbing it gently.

That was the traditional greeting of the Mink Tribe. Rubbing cheeks was the same as an ordinary person shaking hands and saying hello.

After leaving Zou and being captured, Kate had practically sealed away this way of greeting others. Even after escaping, she had never used it again. In her eyes, it was a greeting reserved for family.

But today was her rebirth, a new beginning. To her, the benefactor who had changed her fate was as important as family.

The MADS ship remained in the Kingdom of Sorbet for several more days. During that time, Oran arranged everything that needed to be done before setting out on a new journey.

Although Queen and the others had objections to the distribution of funding, they had been unable to complete Vegapunk's wager because they could not choose a leader.

At first, they had not thought it was a major problem. But later, the three of them increasingly regretted not stopping it sooner. Before they knew it, there was another person above them.

MADS continued its voyage. As time passed, they entered the Grand Line and began exploring new unknowns. Before they realized it, the year had become 1487.

Two years had passed since Oran joined MADS, and it had been two and a half years since he came to these seas. Today, he was testing a new device alongside Vegapunk.

"Punk, are you ready?"

"I'm ready. Let's hope it works this time."

Vegapunk stood inside an enormous glass chamber, wearing an oxygen mask over his face.

After he pressed the switch on his body and signaled that he was ready, Oran pulled the lever beside him. A massive amount of seawater instantly flooded in, submerging Vegapunk.

A moment later, the seawater drained away automatically, but Vegapunk looked disappointed.

"Oran, it still doesn't work. This can't eliminate seawater's effects on Ability Users. That feeling of weakness still appears. The composition of PYROBROIN particles is just too unusual."

"Dr. Vegapunk! Dr. Siderial! A woman suddenly appeared on the deck. She says she wants to join us!"