WTF?!!
At the sight of those two "elemental animals," Xie Wen instinctively gaped.
He had been milking Vegapunk for all he was worth, only for the man to give him a taste of his own medicine...
Wait, hadn't Vegapunk developed this technology in the first place, while the first person to create an "elemental animal" was Caesar Clown, the now-dead former member of the science unit?
Never mind, then.
Come to think of it, Xie Wen had been careless. The technology to give Devil Fruits to inanimate objects was hardly a secret. Even that dim-witted fat guy who used to work for Crocodile had owned a dachshund gun. Naturally, someone smart would figure out the true nature of the Black Organization squad and take a few pointers.
And honestly, once he recovered from his surprise, Xie Wen felt that the World Government had been far too slow to react. After all, Sherry had been with them for a long time, and Caesar had even specifically brought her up at Big Mom's Tea Party.
But judging by Xie Wen's encounters with the World Government, they had most likely only asked Vegapunk to cobble together these two Elemental Beasts after witnessing Jean's power aboard the Ark Maxim last time.
Otherwise, the sharp rise in the value of Zoan Devil Fruits would probably have happened much earlier.
As for the Devil Fruits used by the two Elemental Beasts on-screen, Xie Wen was naturally familiar with them. He had sold them the Chopper Fruit himself, then received an Orihara Lulu Fruit in exchange.
And the Devil Fruit used by that metal leopard was very likely the one eaten by Rob Lucci, the CP Agent who would one day be able to trade blows with Nika Luffy, but was currently still holed up in Water