Artificial Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika / This Secret Can Feed Us for a Lifetime

However, in the next moment, all these changes quickly faded away, and everything returned to normal.

Doflamingo's smile faded, and he said in a deep voice:

"But I don't want to fight you. There's no benefit in winning. So, tell me, what do you want?"

Winning would not only bring no benefit, but would also attract even stronger Seven Deadly Sins to cause trouble.

After careful consideration, Doflamingo ultimately chose to back down.

Lycaon let out a mocking laugh:

"Timid and hesitant... that's why you're so 'weak,' Donquixote Doflamingo!"

He had no interest in opponents who lacked the will to fight, but his master's mission still needed to be completed.

Chapter 126 Artificial Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika

Two days later.

The New World, Egghead.

Unlike the futuristic and technologically advanced Egherd, the Egghead of today has not yet undergone Vegapunk's technological transformation.

At that time, it was still a bitterly cold island, covered in ice and snow, with only the Navy Research Laboratory 8 in a semi-abandoned state.

Vegapunk arrived here under Kizaru's escort, accompanied by a large number of researchers and construction workers.

After completing the escort mission, Kizaru intended to take a break and spend some time vacationing with Vegapunk, but an order from Marine Headquarters required him to return immediately.

"Admiral, you're destined for a life of toil. Looks like I must head back, Vegapunk."

"What happened now?"

Inside the research institute's laboratory, Kizaru bid farewell to Vegapunk:

"This incident didn't make the news; it was suppressed by headquarters. The Seven Deadly Sins attacked Impel Down and released a Level 6 prisoner."

Upon hearing "The Seven Deadly Sins," Vegapunk stopped his busy work, turned around, and asked:

"Release prisoners? What are they planning to do next?"

"I don't know. This time, not only me, but Akainu and Aokiji have also been dispatched back to headquarters. It seems they're getting serious."

Kizaru finished his coffee and then got up to leave.

"Well then, see you next time, Dr. Vegapunk."

Goodbye.

The two were old acquaintances and had been friends for a long time.

After Kizaru left, Vegapunk looked up at the corner of the laboratory, where there was Surveillance Den Den Mushi that monitored the laboratory 24 hours a day.

Although he didn't like the situation, Vegapunk didn't have a good solution. The research the Five Elders wanted him to complete was too important, and after the Punk Hazard incident, their trust in him had decreased.

Click.

The laboratory door opened, and the latch clicked open.

"You're back again? Or is it Luoxia...?"

Vegapunk turned around, initially thinking it was Kizaru returning, but he was taken aback when he saw who the intruder was.

Women have a pair of wondrous eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Vegapunk. I am Bethany, a member of the Seven Deadly Sins."

Bethany wore a polite smile.

Vegapunk couldn't laugh, but he wasn't too nervous either.

"You're very bold, but you probably don't know that everything here is under surveillance. The World Government will know about your arrival soon, and Kizaru might be back any second from now."

"Don't be so nervous, Doctor, we mean you no harm. As for the surveillance..."

Bethany shook her head; mere Surveillance Den Den Mushi were blind to her abilities.

"... There's no need to worry, our meeting and conversation will go unnoticed by the higher-ups."

Since the Punk Hazard incident, Vegapunk has been paying close attention to the Seven Deadly Sins and has also learned about Bethany.

However, this understanding is limited to the scope of the wanted notice; their specific abilities remain unknown.

"Your abilities seem well-suited for some underhanded tactics. Could you give me a vial of your blood?"

Vegapunk, as a genius scientist, had a way of thinking that was different from ordinary people.

His first thought was, if he could clone the other person's abilities, wouldn't he be able to do whatever he wanted right under the Five Elders' noses?

Bethany shook her head and said, "My blood won't work, but I can give you another sample that you're more interested in."

After saying that, she took out the prepared Luffy blood from the pocket of her skirt.

Before the other party could ask, she continued to explain:

"This is blood from the 'Sun God'."

"The Sun God?"

Vegapunk looked stunned. Was this the Sun God he knew?

Bethany was pleased with his reaction. Recalling the information her master had given her, she smiled and said:

"As you guessed, it is that 'Warrior of Liberation'."

"Impossible... That person has been dead for eight hundred years, where did you get the blood? And judging from its activity, it's clearly fresh blood."

Vegapunk couldn't believe it; a "god" who had been dead for eight hundred years, whose bones had turned to ash.

"It's the current Sun God, a user who ate the Zoan Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nika. As for who exactly he is... I'm sorry, I can't tell you."

"..."

Vegapunk was utterly shocked. What was the origin of the Seven Deadly Sins organization? How could they even know about the Void Century?

Moreover, he seems to know quite a lot, even knowing that the Sun God is Devil Fruit User the Nika Fruit.

Seventeen years ago, scholars in Ohara, an archaeological mecca, attempted to uncover the truth of history, but were ultimately wiped out by the Navy's Buster Call, turning the entire island into a hellish inferno.

Those scholars risked their lives to protect a large number of research books, many of which ended up in his hands.

Over the years, Vegapunk has been secretly studying the materials, keeping them from the World Government, and has learned a lot about the Void Century.

Even someone with access to such information like him struggled so much to find out; how did the Seven Deadly Sins obtain knowledge about the "Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika"?

"Kizaru had a brief conversation with your master in Dressrosa, and he told me what they said."

"Your master... could he be from 800 years ago?"

Upon hearing this, Bethany raised her eyebrows slightly and smiled faintly:

"My Lord is a great being, a radiant light, the embodiment of eternal wisdom, and the creator of all living things... If you, Doctor, wish to have faith in my Lord, I believe He would gladly grant your request."

"I can't communicate with fanatical religious people..." Vegapunk sighed in exasperation.

I believe in science!

"Faith in my Lord does not contradict your science."

"... Let's get back to the original topic. You've come to me with the blood of the Sun God, what exactly do you want?"

In fact, Vegapunk already knew it in his heart.

Bethany didn't beat around the bush and spoke her mind directly:

"Artificial Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika."

Upon hearing this from the other party, Vegapunk's heart tightened, and he thought to himself, "Just as I thought."

Previously, when this group attacked Punk Hazard and stole the Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit, the mysterious Big Eye invited him to join the Seven Deadly Sins, stating at the time that he wanted more Artificial Devil Fruits.

I didn't expect these people to act so quickly; they managed to get Nika's blood in such a short time.

What makes you think I would agree?

"My Lord said you would answer."

"Does your Lord know me well?"

"The Lord has always been watching over you, Doctor. Don't you really consider believing in my Lord? The Lord will grant you eternal life."

With the enhanced version of the Longevity Wine, the regular version was no longer of much use to Dimon, and he had indeed considered using it to reward certain individuals.

Vegapunk had no interest in eternal life.

He can do similar things on his own. For example, he has recently been considering storing the knowledge in his brain in a device to achieve another level of immortality.

"There are surveillance cameras everywhere here. Creating an Artificial Devil Fruit requires a massive process; it can't be hidden..."

"I will assist you here, Doctor."

Vegapunk opened his mouth, but responded with silence.

His gaze fell on the glass tube in Bethany's hand. If the blood inside truly came from the Sun God Nika, he really couldn't resist the temptation.

To replicate the power of a god!

"I can agree to that, but it will take at least three months! And... what exactly is your true purpose?"

Chapter 127 This secret can sustain you for a lifetime

"Only three months?"

Bethany was utterly astonished by the deadline Vegapunk had set.

"The technology for Artificial Devil Fruits is mature; the three months include the initial preparation work."

The initial research into Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit took more than twenty years, but that's the power of science; once the technology matures, the required time can be greatly reduced.

If Punk Hazard's laboratory hadn't been destroyed, and with the blood available, it could have been completed in even less time, in just one month.

Vegapunk didn't explain the reasons in detail, as the other party wouldn't understand anyway.

"I see..." Bethany nodded knowingly, handing Luffy's blood to Vegapunk. "Then, I'll leave it to you, Doctor. By the way, is it possible to mass-produce it?"

"I can't do it."

Vegapunk shook his head, equally too lazy to explain. Artificial Devil Fruits prepared in a laboratory are not like those produced on a factory assembly line, where raw materials can be injected and continuously produced.

After taking the blood, he asked again:

"So, what is your ultimate goal?"

"Doctor, what do you think?"

Sabaody Archipelago, Zone No. 13.

"Phew... After the fifth time, the alcohol's potency indeed dropped to one-tenth of its initial level."

Dimon exhaled softly, clenched his right fist, and attempted to Conqueror's Haki Coating.

Accompanied by an Inazuma black and red lightning, the Conqueror's Haki finally dissipated.

Mastering the Conqueror's Coating technique is far more difficult than mastering Armament Haki; I always feel like I'm just a little short.

He could master Armament Haki in one night, but it took him three or four days to grasp Conqueror's Haki, and he still couldn't find inspiration.

These past few days haven't been without gains; at least in terms of Conqueror's Haki's Haki level, he's more than twice as strong as before.

This is a comparison with oneself. If we were to compare with others, it would be difficult to make a judgment at the moment because there is no reference point.

Dimon felt that his Conqueror's Haki was pretty strong now.

"A large portion of the prisoners in the Impel Down haven't had their blood drawn yet; we'll have to find another opportunity to go. However, it's probably under martial law there right now, so we'll have to wait."

Actually, he cared more about the "blood of the overlord" than about the prisoners.

Only those powerful individuals Awakening Conqueror's Haki can have the best effects from the Longevity Wine made with their blood.

Such powerful individuals are either Fleet Admirals, Marine Heroes, or the Four Emperors of the Sea.

The softest of them all...