I Avoid His Edge? / The Seven Deadly Sins Act Together

Just then, Ain's voice rang out.

"Master's orders: the situation has changed, and the deal is on hold. Once you enter the waters of the New World, stand by for now."

"What's wrong?"

"Master said that in three days, you are to go to Punk Hazard first and seize the Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit!"

Chapter 49: I Avoid His Edge?

Three days later.

A research vessel set out from the inner bay of Marine Headquarters, bound for Punk Hazard in the New World.

Unlike pirates, who had to cross ten thousand meters beneath the sea, the Marines took the World Government's official route into the waters of the New World.

The research vessel would first arrive at Red Port beneath the Red Line. There, its passengers would take a bubble elevator up to the Holy Land Mary Geoise, then descend on the other side to the opposite Red Port.

They only needed to transfer to another research vessel along the way to reach the New World safely and without trouble.

As Zephyr's disciple, Mammon had no trouble boarding the ship.

Two other disciples accompanied them.

One was Ain, a Marine Headquarters major and a Paramecia Return-Return Fruit user, a beautiful woman with long, silky, sea-blue hair that fell in waves.

The other was also a Marine Headquarters major: Binz, a Paramecia Mosa Mosa no Mi user who dressed like a ninja.

These two were also the students who had narrowly survived the Devil Fruit user's attack four years ago.

At that moment, in the research vessel's lounge.

A scientist from the Marine Science Unit, dressed in a white lab coat, walked into the lounge and said to Zephyr and his companions:

"Mr. Zephyr, we expect to reach Red Port at eight in the morning. After that, we'll disembark and head to Red Port on the other side. Once we've transferred to another ship, we should reach the Punk Forbidden Zone between eight and nine in the evening."

After a pause, he smiled gently. "Until then, you can rest here. If you need anything, please let me know at any time."

"Understood. Thank you for your hard work."

After seeing the scientist off, Zephyr looked at the three students beside him and shook his head.

"I'm only going to assist with Vegapunk's experiment. There's no danger, so you don't need to come along. Especially you, Mammon. Why are you following me instead of focusing on your training?"

"Teacher, I'll start training right now."

Mammon immediately walked off to the side, sat cross-legged by himself, and began training his Haki.

His vitality far exceeded that of an ordinary person. All he needed to do was combine more of his spiritual energy with his life energy to further develop his Haki.

Ain poured a cup of tea and respectfully handed it to Zephyr.

"Teacher, once Dr. Vegapunk fits you with a mechanical arm, will your strength be completely restored?"

"It isn't that simple. The mechanical arm has to be built entirely around my physical condition, and all sorts of nerves have to be grafted..."

Zephyr shook his head. "This visit is only to assist with the experiment and collect data on my body. If everything goes smoothly, it might be completed next year."

Binz marveled, "Even so, it's incredible. Building a mechanical arm out of Seastone... Dr. Vegapunk is the only scientist in the world who could do something like that."

Time passed as teacher and students chatted.

Before they knew it, it was past eight in the evening.

The research vessel reached Punk Hazard without incident. After it docked at the port, the research institute sent people to welcome Zephyr and his companions.

The island was rich in vegetation and species, earning it the name "treasure trove of life." Lush greenery and clear streams covered the island, and native plants and animals could be found everywhere, brimming with life.

The scenery around them only changed once they entered the grounds of the research institute.

Neat rows of research facilities had been built against the mountainside. Brightly lit, they stood out in the night.

The researcher leading the group explained:

"There are three research institutes here: numbers one, two, and three. Dr. Vegapunk is at Institute No. 1. Follow me."

Mammon followed behind Zephyr, watching his surroundings at all times.

Soon, the group entered Institute No. 1. In a laboratory, they met the world-famous scientist Vegapunk, said to be "five hundred years ahead of the world."

He was a short old man, but his long brain was twice as tall as his body.

"Mr. Zephyr, it's been many years."

"Dr. Vegapunk, your head has gotten bigger again," Zephyr said with a smile.

Vegapunk scratched his head helplessly, but it was so huge that he couldn't reach the itch.

"I was surprised to hear you'd lost an arm. A man like you actually lost a battle against a pirate. Who was your opponent?"

"That man...!" Zephyr's gaze darkened. "I don't know his name, but he was strong!"

Vegapunk didn't press the matter. Instead, he turned to Zephyr's three students, finally stopping at Mammon. His eyes lit up at once.

"You're that rumored Mythical Zoan user, aren't you? The vampire-form user, Mr. Mammon."

"Yes, I'm Mammon."

Mammon didn't know why Vegapunk had singled him out. He merely nodded and greeted him with neither warmth nor coldness.

Vegapunk stuck out his tongue like a mischievous old child and came close to Mammon, looking him up and down.

"Actually, I have a research project concerning Artificial Devil Fruits."

"Artificial Devil Fruits?"

Mammon's interest was piqued. He slipped into his act and showed an appropriate amount of surprise.

A researcher nearby hurriedly reminded him in a low voice, "Doctor, that's a government secret!"

"Oh, is it? Sorry, I forgot I wasn't supposed to mention it to outsiders."

Vegapunk smiled, then changed tack. "But that project ended long ago. The research failed, so it doesn't matter if I talk about it now."

Failed?

Mammon was taken aback. Hadn't Master said it had succeeded?

Keeping his expression unchanged, he asked, "Even a great scientist like you can fail, Doctor? Why?"

"The color was wrong."

Vegapunk shook his head. "Seeing you suddenly sparked my interest, Mr. Mammon. Could you let me draw a vial of your blood? I'd like to try again and see whether I can create a perfect artificial Mythical Zoan Fruit."

Before Mammon could answer, Zephyr stepped forward as his teacher.

"Vegapunk, leave my student alone."

"Hahahaha, I was joking. The research is over, and I've already given up on it."

Vegapunk stuck out his tongue playfully, then said, "Mr. Zephyr, come with me. I'll give you a physical examination first. As for you students... Caesar, show them around the institute."

As soon as he finished speaking, a strange man who looked like gas floated lightly over to them.

"Stop ordering me around, Vegapunk!"

The gas man first voiced his displeasure, then gave Mammon and the other two a strange grin. "Shu... come with me, you three."

With that, he led the way, adding without looking back, "My name is Caesar, Caesar M. Clown. Remember, you are to call me Dr. Caesar!"

Ain and Binz said nothing, silently following him.

Mammon walked at the front and asked tentatively, "Was what Dr. Vegapunk said true? Can Devil Fruits be artificially created, Dr. Caesar?"

Being called Dr. Caesar struck a chord with him.

"Vegapunk is a good-for-nothing. He's already failed, but I'll succeed! I'll prove that I, Caesar M. Clown, am the world's greatest scientist!"

"Shu... shu..."

Caesar's wild, strange laughter echoed through the corridor.

Meanwhile.

On Punk Hazard's secluded southern shore.

The Wave-Breaking Warrior quietly came to a stop in the nearby waters, without alerting anyone on the island.

On deck, Samael narrowed his eyes as he surveyed the island.

"Now that we're here, let's hurry up and seize it! We just need to grab Vegapunk and make him tell us where it is!"

"Wait, Samael."

Big Eye never forgot his duties and reminded him, "Zephyr is on the island right now. To be safe, we should wait until he leaves before we act."

"What nonsense are you spouting, you damn bird? He's just a former Marine Admiral, an old man who's even lost an arm. I should avoid his edge?"

Samael was full of temper and looked down on Big Eye.

"You low-level demon, stay here and watch me perform. I'm going!"

With that, he vanished in a flash of fire.

Chapter 50: The Seven Deadly Sins Act Together

"You're the low-level demon!"

Big Eye was so angry he nearly wanted to fight Samael.

Before they had set out, Master had told him that Samael had a rather unusual personality. After spending a few days with him, he understood completely.

Unless Master gave him an order in person, the guy wouldn't listen to a word anyone said. He looked down on everyone who wasn't a Logia user equally.

Just then, Ship Zuizui appeared on the bow.

"He'd better get the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon without trouble, or I'll definitely tell Master on him! If the mission fails, he's dead! Our great Master will definitely punish him severely!"

"I think we should let Master know first."

Big Eye hadn't been led astray yet and kept his duties in mind.

Before he could speak, the air around them trembled, and Ain conveyed Dimon's words.

"Summon me, Big Eye."

"Yes, Master!"

Big Eye descended and stopped at the bow, then activated his ability.

Close-Up Storyboard!

The Close-Up Storyboard here was connected to the space at the inn. The next moment, a figure appeared in an instant.

Dimon wore a cloak and a mask, with two Famous Swords hanging at his waist.

As soon as he appeared, Ship Zuizui cried out excitedly:

"Great and wise Master, Ship Zuizui missed you so much! That idiot Samael ran off on his own to seize the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon. He doesn't understand strategy at all. You must give him a harsh lesson!"

"It doesn't matter. It won't affect the bigger picture."

Dimon paid it no mind.

The process didn't matter, so long as they got the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon.

He had come in person so he could use Animation on the Mythical Zoan as soon as possible and strengthen the Seven Deadly Sins' combat power.

At the thought, Dimon looked down and instructed Ship Zuizui, "Keep an eye on those two prisoners. Big Eye, come onto the island with me."

With that, he moved his feet and vanished from the ship in an instant. When he appeared again, he was standing on the shore.

Big Eye flapped his wings and followed. When he reached the shore, he turned back and used his ability on the Wave-Breaking Warrior.

"Storyboard Lockdown!"

A white light flashed, and a cube outlined in white sealed off the entire ship. Only after doing all that did he fly to Dimon's side.

"Master, I've sealed off the space. Those two prisoners definitely can't escape."

Dimon raised his left hand, letting Big Eye perch on his fingertip.

"Thank you for your hard work. Ain, what's the situation on the island?"