Pythagoras

After passing through layer upon layer of corridors, they finally reached the core area of the research institute.

There were not many researchers here, but the number of guards had nearly doubled. Especially after seeing Carl beside Kizaru, their eyes locked straight onto her.

When they entered the room, the first thing they saw was a robot. He was engrossed in fiddling with a pile of experimental equipment.

"Dr. Vegapunk, I've brought you the things you asked for."

"Although I'm one of Vegapunk's clones, I'd prefer it if you called me Pythagoras."

The robot turned around, allowing Carl to see his full appearance. He had a spring-like ornament on his head, the character "Wisdom" written on his chest, and "punk04" inscribed on his left breast.

Carl could not help marveling inwardly. So this is technology that's five hundred years ahead of the world? It really is rather magical. I always feel like this world's technology tree was assigned completely at random.

"Here are the blood samples you wanted. They should be enough, right?"

Kizaru placed the silver briefcase on the spotless yet cluttered experimental table and opened it, allowing Pythagoras to see the blood samples inside.

"Wow! There's so much! It's more than enough! With these, the Artificial Devil Fruit project will soon produce results! Hmm? Who's this young man?"

Only then did Pythagoras notice Carl standing beside Kizaru. His eyes showed such humanlike surprise that it was difficult to imagine a robot capable of making such an expression.

"This is Carl, a HQ Lieutenant Commander of the Marines. She's also my adjutant, and she's extremely fond of... ahem, I mean, she really admires you!"

Pythagoras closed the briefcase and walked over to Carl, looking her up and down. "Hello, I'm Pythagoras, one of Vegapunk's clones."

"A pleasure to meet you."

"Tell me, what brings you here?"

Carl straightened her expression. Talking to smart people really was simple, so she got straight to the point. "Dr. Pythagoras, I heard you developed a technology that allows 'objects' to eat Devil Fruits. Is that true?"

"That's right. The project is already quite mature. Do you want a weapon with abilities?"

Carl nodded. "That's right, Dr. Pythagoras. I wonder if you have time to help me with this?"

Pythagoras glanced at Kizaru, an embarrassed look appearing on his face. He scratched his head with a mechanical arm and said, "Hmm! That really puts me in a difficult position! I'd very much like to help you, but I don't have any spare Devil Fruits left to make an ability weapon. So, I'm sorry."

Carl's heart leaped with joy. There's a chance! Isn't it just a Devil Fruit? I've got one!

"Ahem, Dr. Pythagoras, well... I have one."

Since the Bird-Bird Fruit: Raven Model was in the system space, Carl could not take it out directly. After all, she had been searched already. It would be absurd to suddenly pull it out of her backside!

And what if Kizaru misunderstood after seeing it appear out of nowhere?

Kizaru gave Carl a puzzled look. If he remembered correctly, Carl's Holy Light Fruit had been bought from a fruit stand back then. How had she suddenly gotten another one? When had Devil Fruits become so easy to obtain?

"You have one? What type is it? A Zoan? A Paramecia?" Pythagoras looked pleasantly surprised and expectant.

Carl scratched her head in feigned confusion. "It should be a Zoan, I think! It seems to be the Bird-Bird Fruit: Raven Model."

"Oh, I see! Hmm, let me think. As it happens, I have a Famous Blade replica forged according to the smelting techniques of ancient blades. Once you bring me the Devil Fruit, I can make an ability weapon for you."

Carl was stunned. Was Vegapunk—no, was Pythagoras really this easygoing and helpful?

She had thought she would have to exchange some sort of condition before he agreed to make an ability weapon for her. She had never expected the deal to be settled so easily. She only had to provide a Devil Fruit, and she did not even need to worry about the blade herself.

"Uh, that's wonderful. Thank you, Dr. Pythagoras. Won't this trouble you?"

Pythagoras shook his head. "It's no trouble. I've recently had some new ideas about the conditions for ability conversion, so this is the perfect chance to test them."

So that was it. This was what you called a mutually beneficial arrangement.

"In that case, I'll deliver the Devil Fruit to you as soon as possible. By the way, which Famous Blade replica was it?"

Pythagoras said nothing. He simply turned and entered a room. A moment later, the sound of rummaging came from inside.

About three minutes later, Pythagoras finally came back out, holding a long, staff-like object that looked like a rotten blade.

"Here, this is it. Fifteen years ago, I became interested in Kitetsu, a weapon said to carry a curse. Out of curiosity, I copied one according to the smelting techniques recorded in ancient texts. But it doesn't seem much different from an ordinary blade."

"Take a look. What do you think?"

Carl took the badly decayed replica of Shodai Kitetsu from Pythagoras with curiosity. She gripped the hilt and slowly drew it.

The replica had been made fifteen years ago. Since it had never been maintained, its scabbard and hilt had long since rotted away. Yet the blade still gleamed coldly, radiating a chilling aura.

Judging solely from the blade's material, this replica was far superior to the Karasu she had obtained earlier.

Kizaru, who had been watching for some time, stroked his chin and said, "Hmm~ This sword looks pretty good! It's rather worn, but the material is surprisingly sturdy!"

Kizaru was an Admiral, after all, and his eye for such things was naturally not bad. That meant this replica really did have something to it.

Besides, this was a replica made by the world's greatest scientist. Presumably, it could not be too far inferior to the genuine article.

"It really is a fine blade! Let's use it, then!"

Pythagoras revealed a humanlike smile. "Mm, it counts as making use of waste. All right, if you have nothing else, hurry up and leave! I still have many projects to study!"

Kizaru shrugged and turned to leave. Carl reluctantly set down the Shodai Kitetsu replica, said goodbye to Pythagoras, and left the laboratory.

On the way back, Kizaru said seemingly offhandedly, "Isn't there something you want to tell me?"

"Hahaha, you mean that Devil Fruit? I got it during my internship."

Kizaru nodded thoughtfully and did not ask anything else. After all, it was only an ordinary Zoan.

After returning to the Warship, Carl went straight to her room, took out the Raven Fruit, placed it in a box, and handed it to Kizaru.

"Admiral Kizaru, I'll have to trouble you to deliver it to Pythagoras for me."

"Honestly, which one of us is the adjutant here?"

Kizaru muttered under his breath, but he still leisurely carried the box onto the island and handed it to the guards. He casually said that it was experimental material Vegapunk had requested, and the guards solemnly accepted it.

Seeing this, Carl could not help sighing. "Kizaru's face really does make things easier!"

. Provided by Great God Yudingling's One Piece: Starting as a Marine Lieutenant, I Became Stronger by Slacking Off