Vegapunk fell silent at Gern's words.
Only the faint hum of the laboratory equipment and the sizzling of vibration particles disturbing the air broke the deathly stillness.
After a long while, Vegapunk gave a dry laugh, breaking the stagnant atmosphere. "The Tremor-Tremor Fruit really is a powerful Devil Fruit!"
"Just putting a little more force into your voice caused a disturbance like this...
It seems you've fully mastered your Logia Awakening."
With that, Vegapunk slowly shook his head-or rather, his apple-shaped head cap-and changed the subject.
"Unfortunately, my research into Devil Fruits has revealed their true nature."
His voice was as calm as a scholar explaining a truth. "Devil Fruits are, in fact, possibilities for the 'human evolution' people long for.
However, this 'unnatural' state is rejected by the sea, the mother of nature, which is why Devil Fruit Users cannot swim."
"Interesting research," Gern replied flatly. "But I have no interest in that right now."
As he finished speaking, the vibration particles around him did not disperse. Instead, they grew even more active, and the pressure filling the air only increased.
"So, can you tell me now, Vegapunk?" Gern took a step closer, his gaze sharp as a blade and his voice low.
"Or... aren't you worried I'll kill you here?"
"Impossible," Vegapunk answered immediately. "When you said that just now,
my analysis put the probability of your intent to 'kill all the Ds' as high as ninety percent, while the probability of 'killing me' was only five percent."
"So you don't want to kill me."
"You're that certain? Don't forget, there's still that five percent!"
"But compared with the ninety percent, that still gives me plenty of reason to be optimistic."
After retorting, Vegapunk also understood that the man before him would not relent until he got what