The Lord's Teachings

Dimon then asked, "How did the elemental legions of the Four Seas fare?"

They haven't found the second Devil Fruit yet, but they've salvaged a lot of shipwrecks.

He created a considerable number of elemental creatures from the Animation ocean, and he arranged them to search for Devil Fruits day and night in the four seas of the east, west, south, and north.

Aside from the Smooth-Smooth Fruit at the beginning, there haven't been any particularly good harvests during this period.

"Let them keep searching."

[Yes.]

[By the way, Master, there's been a message from Bethany.]

"What's wrong?"

Bethany was sent to Egghead to assist Vegapunk in creating Artificial Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika, and it has been almost two months since then.

During this period, Bethany would frequently contact them to report on the progress.

"It was expected to be completed in March, but it's already done ahead of schedule?" Dimon raised his eyebrows in surprise.

The creation of the Artificial Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika went very smoothly; however, a small problem has arisen on the island.

"How?"

[Saint Saturn, one of the Five Elders, is heading to Egghead, her specific purpose unknown. Bethany asks her if they need to evacuate.]

Several days later.

The New World, Egghead.

The once winter island, under Vegapunk's technological transformation, has had its climate slowly changed, becoming warm and spring-like, and has become a veritable Spring Island.

At this moment, in the secret research room of the institute.

Inside a silver-white scientific instrument, a pure white Devil Fruit can be seen through a glass container.

Bethany observed quietly:

"Doctor, this is completely different from the Gum-Gum Fruit I know."

"It's just a different color."

Vegapunk looked anxious.

The creation of the Artificial Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika is progressing smoothly and is expected to be completed in another month, no, even half a month.

Saint Saturn's sudden visit to Egghead forced him to remove the unfinished fruit prematurely, halting the cultivation process.

"I mentioned it to you from the beginning, Miss Bethany."

"This island is riddled with Surveillance Den Den Mushi) that monitor everything that happens here. The Five Elders can see everything. Your abilities can fool the Den Den Mushi, but not the real Five Elders."

"The Saint Saturn will arrive on this island tonight. You must leave before then, taking this fruit with you!"

Bethany simply smiled in response.

"Doctor, are you afraid of being exposed?"

"If things here get exposed, you can of course just walk away, but I'll be arrested. After all, assisting the Seven Deadly Sins in creating a Mythical Zoan, and Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika, is a crime that could condemn me to eternal damnation."

Vegapunk sighed.

The World Government needs his scientific research capabilities. While he won't be killed before "that mission" is completed, there are countless ways to punish him.

He's too old for that; he doesn't want to experience torture.

Bethany pointed to the white fruit in the glass dish,

"The pattern on the surface of this fruit is circular, not the more common spiral pattern, and the color is also different from that of a real Gum-Gum Fruit is purple. Is this fruit a semi-finished product?"

"This is the result of my best efforts. Although stopping the cultivation prematurely will cause the fruit to develop poorly, this is all we can do now."

Vegapunk shook his head helplessly, "Take this and leave. Our cooperation ends here. Don't contact me again!"

Bethany smiled slightly, pressed a button to open the container, and took out the white Artificial Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika inside.

"If this fails, I'll need your help again, Doctor."

No, I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore.

"Doctor, have you heard of another god-level fruit? The Devil Fruit passed down through generations of giants, the Black Dragon Nidhogg!"

These words, like the whisper of a demon, immediately piqued Vegapunk's interest.

He had a strong interest in the so-called "god-level Devil Fruit," but when he thought about the current situation, he resisted the temptation and shook his head.

"Go away! I will no longer assist you!"

Hearing this, Bethany didn't take it seriously. She silently activated her teleportation ability while holding the Artificial Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika.

In a flash of golden light, she left behind her final words.

"It has been a pleasure working with you during this time. My Lord appreciates your scientific expertise, Doctor. If you wish to have an audience with My Lord, you may try reciting the following prayer..."

The prayer was short, just three sentences.

Essentially, it is the first verse of a modified musical score, which, through the power of the World of Song, allows the singer to establish a spiritual connection with the World of Song, and ultimately enter the spiritual world to meet the Lord.

The truth is that simple, but for Vegapunk, who was unaware of the full picture, this prayer had a profound impact on him.

"That Lord... really is a god?!"

Vegapunk murmured to himself, watching Bethany disappear in the golden light.

He came to his senses and did not try immediately; he instinctively remained cautious about contacting the unknown god.

Compared to meeting the Lord, what was more important to him at the moment was dealing with the upcoming arrival of Saint Saturn.

He immediately went to the equipment next to him, started two machines, and destroyed all the "evidence" as quickly as possible.

It's past 8 PM.

A warship arrived in Egghead, Saint Saturn, one of the Five Elders, finally arrived there under the escort of Admiral Kizaru.

Vegapunk met his direct superior at the research institute.

"Long time no see, Vegapunk. You've done a great job transforming this island."

Saint Saturn sat calmly on the sofa, leaning on his cane, his eyes fixed sharply on the old man in front of him.

"It's been quite a few years, Saint Saturn. What brings you here this time?"

Vegapunk stood calmly in front of his opponent, showing no sign of guilt.

Saturn spoke calmly:

"Regarding the 'Human Weapon Project,' due to the deteriorating situation, I need you to complete this research as soon as possible. Your research is nearing completion, lacking only a perfect test subject, and I have brought you one."

After saying that, he gestured to Kizaru with his eyes.

Kizaru handed a document to Vegapunk and explained:

"This man's name is Edward Weevil, and he's one of the candidates selected for this World Military Draft. The details are all there."

"Whitebeard's son?"

Vegapunk looked completely bewildered after reviewing the information.

I've never heard of Whitebeard having a son.

Where did they get these Five Elders from?

And why would someone like that agree to participate in an experiment?

It's important to understand that the test subjects of the Human Weapon Project will eventually have their consciousness erased, turning them into war machines that only know how to obey orders.

Kizaru pointed to his temple and said with a crooked mouth:

"This guy isn't in the best position 'here,' but his power is real; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he's a younger version of Whitebeard."

Saint Saturn snorted, "I've given you the person; I need you to complete the research as soon as possible!"

"It will take at least three years... no, two years. Modifying the human body is very troublesome." Vegapunk had no choice but to agree, even though he was reluctant.

"Too slow, three months! It must be completed within three months!"

That's asking too much of anyone...

Vegapunk in a real bind. It seemed the Five Elders were having a lot of trouble with the recent situation and had reached the point of escalating their efforts.

Saint Saturn ignored Vegapunk's expression and issued the order on his own:

"Besides that, the second task, regarding cloning the Shichibukai... I will personally supervise you in the near future!"

Vegapunk: "..."

Fortunately, he acted quickly, chased Bethany away, and cleaned up some of the traces; otherwise, things would have been much more complicated.

Thinking of this, Vegapunk couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

It's more pleasant to cooperate with the Seven Deadly Sins; at least those people won't be rushing him like crazy.

Elegia, Throne Room.

The magic circle beneath the throne shone with golden light, Bethany slowly emerged from it.

Welcome back, our compatriots.

Dimon smiled slightly and sat upright on the throne.

"It's been a long time, Master."

Bethany greeted them with a light laugh, her gaze sweeping to the left and right, spotting some familiar faces and others she wasn't so familiar with.

Apart from Samael and the two with Big Eyes, as well as the formless and intangible Ain, the rest of the Seven Deadly Sins seem to have gathered here.

A total of... eight people!

Eight demons stood on either side, and all eyes were focused on her hands.

To be precise, it was the Devil Fruit in her hand.

"Is this a replica of the Sun God Nika?" Sigma was also a replica, showed great curiosity.

"Yes, Lord Lust."

Bethany nodded, knelt respectfully on one knee, held the fruit in both hands, and explained to Dimon:

"Master, according to Vegapunk, this fruit is in a semi-finished state. Due to some events that occurred on the island, its cultivation had to be stopped prematurely."

It's alright.

Are Artificial Devil Fruit such inconvenient things?

90% success is still success!

He reached out and summoned the Artificial Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika instantly transferred from Bethany's hand to his body.

Judging from the size of the fruit, it is indeed underdeveloped, being smaller than a normal Devil Fruit.

Without hesitation, Dimon immediately activated his talent.

Animation!

A faint golden light was injected into the white fruit, and the fruit's shape began to change the next moment.

It is also transforming into a human form.

Not only that, thump-thump, thump-thump...

In everyone's ears, the sound of a Drums of Liberation began to play.

Chapter 236 The Lord's Teachings

Accompanied by the "thump-thump-thump" of the Drums of Liberation, the Artificial Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika gradually transformed into human form.

He was about 1.7 meters tall, no different from an ordinary person, except that he was entirely white.