"Conspiracy..."
" Fleet Admiral, should I pursue them?" Sakazuki asked in a deep voice, looking at the silent Den Den Mushi.
"We can't let them leave with the equipment so easily."
"No."
Kong made a quick decision.
"You stay in Punk Hazard to handle the aftermath and prevent a second pirate attack. I'll arrange for someone else to handle the pursuit."
Kong, his voice becoming even more serious.
" Sakazuki, this attack is no small matter."
" Punk Hazard's research involves top-secret World Government information, including the stolen equipment and samples..."
"We must not let them fall into the hands of pirates, especially ambitious guys like Kaido and Roy."
"I see."
Sakazuki clenched his fist, and lava dripped down.
"But I alone cannot stop them all."
"I know."
Kong sighed.
" The New World is in complete chaos right now. Whitebeard and Golden Lion are constantly at odds, the Roger Pirates are acting mysteriously, and the Navy is stretched thin..."
"I will discuss this matter with the World Government. You should first prepare the damage assessment and report for the base."
"Yes."
After the call ended, Sakazuki looked at the devastated research institute, his eyes blazing with rage.
" Roy... Kaido... I'll get my revenge sooner or later!"
Three days later,
The Ark Maxim traverses the treacherous waterfalls of Wano Country, returning to the skies Onigashima.
Upon learning that everyone had returned successfully and had gained a great deal, both pirate crews had already brought their men to wait for them in the open space of the newly built research base.
As the sophisticated equipment cases and bizarre culture chambers were unloaded, Dr. Gracia excitedly examined the stolen equipment.
"Perfect... Absolutely perfect!"
"This is the latest gene sequencing instrument! And this, a high-precision cell culture instrument!"
The doctor was so excited that his hands were trembling.
"With these, my research can finally continue."
"And what else, Doctor?"
Roy waved his hand, and one incubation pod after another floated down from ' Ark Maxim '.
"This is?!"
Dr. Gracia carefully touched the surface of a culture chamber, inside which was immersed a humanoid creature with fine scales and resembling a lizard.
"These samples... the World Government is indeed conducting forbidden experiments involving the fusion of Lineage Factor."
It's insane... but it's precisely this madness that allows us to touch upon the essential secrets of life.
Roy placed a box in front of the doctor.
"Doctor, these are experimental data from the World Government's research base. See if there's anything you need."
"And..." Roy pointed to the researchers who had just been taken down from the ' Ark Maxim ',
"They're now in your hands."
" Domir, Xilaige, and..."
Gracia looked at the familiar researchers and exclaimed in surprise.
" Gracia!!"
What are you doing here!
" Gracia, you actually joined the pirates!"
"..."
Upon seeing Dr. Gracia appear among this group of notorious pirates,
The captured researchers were both shocked and terrified, and one of them, a bald middle-aged man, even screamed out loud.
Dr. Gracia adjusted his glasses.
He coughed somewhat awkwardly.
"Professor Xilaige, Dr. Domir... it's been a long time. As you can see, I'm now... well, working for Captain Roy."
"You're insane! Gracia!"
The elderly man Domir, wearing thick glasses, said in a trembling voice,
"Have you forgotten how the World Government treats defectors? You'll be hunted down to the ends of the earth by CP0!"
"Pursuit?"
A complex emotion flashed in Dr. Gracia's eyes, which then turned into determination.
"Under the World Government, my research will forever remain confined to the scope they have defined."
Exploring the taboos of life? Touching the roots of bloodlines? No, they only want to create more obedient soldiers, more efficient killing tools!
Gracia pointed to the culture chambers and the mountains of equipment boxes.
"Look at this! The World Government has invested countless resources in research on Lineage Factor, just to create the 'perfect weapon'!"
"And here I am, with Captain Roy's support, able to study the true mysteries of the rare bloodlines of the Oni and Lunarian Tribe."
It could even explore the origins of Devil Fruit! That's true science! That's what I'm after!
The researchers exchanged bewildered glances. They knew Gracia's talent and understood his passion for research, but joining the pirate crew... that was far too risky.
Roy stepped forward at the opportune moment and spoke calmly.
"Everyone, I know you were forced into this, and you may not even be considered loyal to the World Government. Now, you have two choices."
He held up two fingers. "First, cooperate with Dr. Gracia's research and become a member of our team."
"I assure you that you will have a freer research environment, more abundant resources, and... greater security than under the World Government."
"Second,"
Roy's eyes turned slightly cold.
"If you refuse to cooperate, then, in order to protect the secrets of our base, I have no choice but to ask you all... to remain here forever."
An invisible spiritual force spread out, and the researchers' faces turned pale.
They knew very well what "staying here forever" meant.
"Can... can we really conduct research freely?"
Professor Xilaige asked cautiously,
"They won't be forced to... do human experimentation or weapons development?"
Basic research is unrestricted, but applied research requires review.
Roy made a promise,
"As the overall person in charge, the PhD student can decide their own research direction as long as it doesn't harm the team or cross ethical boundaries. As for safety..."
Roy glanced at Kaido and King beside him.
"You two, can you guarantee that?"
Kaido grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth:
"Hehehe... This is my territory. Even if the CP0 of the World Government came, they'd have to kneel before me!"
Flames rose slightly behind Jin, who nodded calmly but with an air of oppressive power.
The researchers exchanged glances, and finally, Dr. Domir sighed.
"We... are willing to stay. But we hope you will keep your promise, Captain Roy."
"A wise choice."
Roy smiled.
"Doctor, they're in your hands now. Start with Bloodline Transplantation research; Kaido of the Oni, Moria, and King of the Lunarian Tribe will all cooperate."
Looking at Kaido looked constipated, Roy smiled faintly.
"However, you shouldn't go too far, after all, Kaido is the captain of the Beasts Pirates."
"Clear!"
Dr. Gracia rubbed his hands excitedly, furtively glancing at the several tall research subjects.
" Xilaige, you'll be in charge of calibrating the gene sequencer;"
Domir, the cell culture matrix is now yours;
Everyone else, follow me. Let's sort and store the samples in the database first...