Devil Fruits were the secret treasures of the sea. Eating one granted incredible abilities, but also earned the sea's hatred, turning the eater into a landlubber.
Even Fish-Men lost the ability to swim after eating a Devil Fruit. Though they could still breathe underwater, they would sink to the bottom like stones.
Vegapunk and Oran were experimenting with a special device designed to isolate Pyrobroinp particles.
They were a special type of keratin particle. Volcanic eruptions carried them into the upper atmosphere, where they came into contact with moisture and, due to differences in density, formed island clouds and sea clouds.
Moreover, Seastone contained an extremely high concentration of these particles. Rivers, lakes, and seas also contained them. They could be found everywhere, yet once they entered the human digestive system, they vanished without a trace.
The sea clouds of the Sky Islands, like seawater, could leave Ability Users powerless. Seastone was even more of a nemesis to them.
The weakness caused by seawater merely prevented Ability Users from actively using their powers, while passive bodily changes remained. For instance, in the original timeline at Arlong Park, when Luffy fell into the pool, his head could still be stretched out so he could breathe.
High-purity Seastone, however, could seal an Ability User's powers and return their body to normal. During the Summit War in the original timeline, Marco temporarily lost his powers after being fitted with Seastone handcuffs.
And all of this revolved around Pyrobroinp particles. The higher the concentration of Pyrobroinp, the stronger Seastone's sealing effect became.
That was why Oran had proposed this experimental approach: using a special generator to create a field that kept these particles out, so Ability Users would no longer need to fear ordinary water.
As the user of the Brain-Brain Fruit, Vegapunk personally served as the test subject. Unfortunately, they had yet to achieve any results.
"Oran, these particles are strange. Their penetrating power is extremely strong, and the way they adhere to water is equally bizarre. It seems conventional methods cannot accomplish this goal.
Perhaps it would be easier to imitate the bubbles of the Sabaody Archipelago and directly isolate the water."
"That would consume too much energy, and it would also restrict the user's combat ability. At least this time, you had enough strength to wave your hand. That is progress too."
After handing Vegapunk a new set of research clothes, Oran marked another X in the experiment log.
"Oran, do you remember the hypothesis I mentioned? The one about the origin of Devil Fruits? I think that if we want to understand the root cause of this rejection, we need to find the source of their birth."
Devil Fruits were the possibilities of human evolution that people sought, humans from multiple alternate dimensions shaped by humanity's fantasies.
Because they were unnatural, they were rejected by Mother Nature—the sea. Though burdened by punishment, they still existed in the world.
That was Vegapunk's hypothesis regarding the origin of Devil Fruits. Even he did not know whether it was actually correct.
"Assuming my idea is right, P particles are a special substance born from nature, meant to oppose what is unreasonable."
"Isn't our research inherently about opposing nature? Your goal of endless energy itself defies the laws of nature. Even if your hypothesis is true, I still will not abandon this research project. Surpassing it is what we should do."
Over the past two years, Oran and Vegapunk had argued many times, yet the more they argued, the better they got along. They were not competing to be first in the group, but debating the direction of technological research.
Those arguments instead advanced their research. Even when they disagreed, neither would use seniority to suppress the other. They would help each other refine their experiments, letting results speak for themselves.
In Vegapunk's eyes, Oran's way of thinking was wildly imaginative, and his research principles aligned well with his own. He was a good friend.
There was only one unusual thing: Oran could sometimes be more radical. He also had a certain pursuit of weapons.
"When others suspect you possess some devastating weapon, you'd better be able to pull out something even more powerful."
Those were Oran's exact words. Vegapunk believed endless energy could reduce conflict and secure peace, while Oran believed they first needed a weapon capable of protecting that energy from being exploited by those with ulterior motives before they could talk about peace.
During their time together, Vegapunk had also realized that although Oran always appeared refined and polite, he was prouder than anyone deep down. He simply had never displayed that pride by bullying the weak.
Unless one observed closely, one could only see his gentle side. Only those who offended him would learn the consequences.
As for how Vegapunk knew about those consequences...
It could only be said that someone aboard the ship had already experienced them. When Oran's malicious sense of humor surfaced, he was the most dangerous person on board.
At that moment, the ship's broadcast sounded at just the right time, calling both Oran and Vegapunk outside.
On the deck, a woman with long golden hair and a white top hat sat by the rail, quietly awaiting the outcome. A fight seemed to have broken out around her, and she had taken down several of the ship's security personnel.
"I already told you, I just have something to discuss with the people in charge here. Don't be so aggressive."
She raised her hands slightly to show that she meant no harm. After all, among the people who had arrived afterward, she had sensed several who posed a threat.
Just as she said, she had come here with a purpose. There was no need to make enemies.
"What happened? Who is this woman? Does she have a grudge against Siderial and Vegapunk?"
"Shurorororo, it would be even better if she does. It would be great if someone could teach those two smug bastards a lesson, wouldn't it, Queen?"
Since Oran's arrival, the three of them had become even more united. Their most common pastime was achieving spiritual victory through words.
Yet for some reason, Queen, who usually talked the most, remained silent this time.
"Looks like you still aren't convinced. What, want another fight?"
"That's right. Do you want to fight Blitz again?"
"!!"
Caesar and Judge now understood why Queen had not responded. Kate and Blitz had somehow appeared behind them.
Kate was one thing, but thanks to his learning module, Blitz's bulky iron shell had even learned to walk like a cat after spending so much time with Kate. He had approached without making a single sound.
Over the past two years, MADS had held several competitions between their creations.
Kate believed that since her heart had been made by Oran, she counted as one of the creations as well. So she had teamed up with Blitz for a two-against-three match.
Caesar's terrified expression made it clear that Kate's record was quite impressive. At the very least, the three of them had developed some psychological trauma.
A Hex-enhanced Mink Tribe member working with Blitz could easily handle rookies like them.
[Queen, you bastard, you're being a traitor again!]
Caesar's glare was filled with fury toward Queen. Queen must have noticed something, which was why he had not replied, yet he had not warned them.
Queen fearlessly glared right back at Caesar.
[What does that have to do with me? If I warned you then, wouldn't that make me an accomplice?]
While exchanging looks, all three of them began shaking their heads at once. They had not developed any new results lately, so there was no way they would go looking for death.
Kate said nothing more and remained behind them with Blitz until Oran and Vegapunk came outside.
"I've seen that woman on a bounty poster before. Bakin Gom Stussy. She's a pirate—why would she come here?"
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