Chapter 231: The Reveal at Punk Hazard
Sea breeze brushed their faces as the warship sailed smoothly across the azure sea.
Wearing a slightly oversized Marine cap, Chopper hopped around the deck, nimbly weaving between cargo crates and ropes, making the Marines smile.
"Little Chopper, don't run too fast! It's windy, careful you don't fall overboard!"
"Dr. Chopper, do you have time to check my shoulder today? I twisted it during training yesterday."
"WAAAH! Don't call me suddenly! I'll get shy!!!"
Chopper ran around holding his head bashfully, but couldn't help looking back. "I'll check your shoulder later!!"
In everyone's eyes, he was not only a lively and slightly dorky companion but also the meticulous and reliable "Little Angel Ship Doctor."
Besides caring for everyone's health, he would often find Law to discuss pharmacology and medical issues, nodding seriously while taking notes, occasionally scrunching up his whole face when he didn't understand technical terms, causing Law to chuckle.
Outside the private cabin on the warship, Roy spoke. "We'll rest near the warship and head over directly."
"Understood."
Roy stood outside the cabin door with Law beside him, while Chopper trotted up carrying his medical bag.
"Eh? Aren't we going to land on an island to rest?"
"This time is different," Law replied.
"Huh? Where are we going?"
Roy turned his head, smiled, and swiped his right hand gently—
"SWISH—!"
With a ripple of spatial oscillation, Roy, Law, Chopper, and the unconscious Wapol instantly appeared in a heavy laboratory corridor.
Chopper's hooves went weak, and he sat directly on the floor, stars in his eyes. "WOAAH!! W-We're here already?!!"
"Didn't you say it was still a day's journey?!!"
Law patted his head, saying calmly, "You'll get used to it."
Chopper looked up at Roy, eyes full of shock and admiration. "Mr. Roy... so amazing... it's like magic..."
"Don't praise me, I'll get carried away~" Roy raised an eyebrow.
At this moment, a tall automatic door ahead opened slowly. White light spilled out, carrying a heavy sense of high technology.
Silver-white lab benches were neatly arranged, with LCD screens, constant-temperature chambers, and scanning modules everywhere.
Kuma was kneeling on one knee, bowing his head in thanks. Beside him, Bonney—now fully recovered after her checkup—was swinging her legs while eating an apple and humming a song.
"Dr. Vegapunk..." Kuma's voice choked with emotion. "I really... thank you immensely..."
Vegapunk, tongue lolling out while looking at data without looking up, said, "Oh my, oh my, thank Roy if you want to thank someone. He's the one who truly helped you regardless of the cost."
Kuma nodded heavily, almost sobbing. "Vice Admiral Roy's kindness... I will remember it for life."
"Oi, oi, oi, don't make it sound like a eulogy~" A light laugh came from behind.
"...Vice Admiral Roy!"
Kuma turned abruptly, standing up to salute. Bonney's eyes lit up as she rushed over waving her small hand: "Big Brother Roy!"
Roy waved his hand, his gaze landing on Bonney's face. Seeing her rosy and healthy, his eyes softened warmly.
"Recovered well."
"Yep! All fine now! And I can eat lots of apples!"
Chopper trotted a few steps in, stepping into the laboratory as if falling into a dream.
Mouth wide open, eyes shining as he looked around: "Th-This is... the research institute of the legendary... smartest man in the world?!!"
A figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Oh oh oh? A blue-nosed reindeer?! AND IT CAN TALK?!!"
Vegapunk lunged forward a few steps, eyes almost pressed against Chopper's face, excited as if discovering a legendary rare treasure.
"Could it be... an animal that ate the Human-Human Fruit? It can actually maintain clear language and emotional cognition?!"
As he spoke, he squatted down with a thud like a child seeing a favorite toy, unreservedly poking Chopper's iconic blue nose with his finger, trembling with excitement:
"Simply a dream experimental sample! Can you stay and let me slice a piece to study?? Just a tiny piece!!"
"WOAAAHH NOOOO!!!"
Chopper's fur stood on end instantly. Eyes teary, he backed away several steps, scaring his hat off. The reindeer trembled as he hid behind Law, four hooves clutching Law's leg tightly, refusing to let go, his voice shaking.
"LAW!! H-He wants to slice me!!!"
Law sighed helplessly, patting Chopper's head to comfort him. "Doctor, don't scare him."
Vegapunk clicked his tongue. "Fine, fine, won't touch you. But leave a blood sample later, okay? Extremely high research value!"
"Wuu wuu wuu..."
Chopper was still teary-eyed, whimpering behind Law, turning into a ball of furry resentment.
Just then, Roy swiped one hand, throwing someone unceremoniously onto the metal floor with a THUD.
"This person, I leave to you."
Vegapunk looked down, curling his lips. "Tsk, another fat pig. I haven't finished researching the last black fatty yet..."
He bent down and shook Wapol's swollen face, clicking his tongue without sympathy. "Though, what you bring is always particularly interesting.
What breed is this guy? Mutant cyborg? Parasitic host? Or genetic weapon?"
As he spoke, he casually pulled out a notebook and started recording quickly, eyes shining.
But at this moment, Roy did not respond.
He stood motionless, his expression surprisingly calm and stern. The air in the laboratory seemed to stagnate instantly.
Kuma noticed this, the corner of his eye twitching slightly. Sensing something wrong, he whispered, "...Bonney and I will go out for some air."
Law's eyes flashed, nodding knowingly. He smoothly took Chopper, who was still hugging his leg, by the hand. "Chopper, let's go check out the Little Penguin experimental zone of Punk Hazard together?"
"Little Penguins?!" Chopper perked up instantly, looking at him with sparkling eyes, but then looked back timidly at Roy, whispering, "T-Then I'll come back later!"
The two cooperated tacitly, quietly exiting the laboratory. The heavy metal door closed slowly with a click, completely isolating the internal world from the outside.
Only two people remained in the laboratory—Roy and Vegapunk.
Even the sound of air circulation seemed annihilated by this oppressive atmosphere.
Vegapunk slowly straightened up, the playfulness on his face swept away, replaced by seriousness.
His gaze was clear as a mirror, sharp as a blade, looking directly at Roy.
"You didn't just come here today to deliver experimental subjects, did you?"
Roy lowered his head, slowly raising his right hand.
In his palm, a twisted vortex of darkness rotated quietly.
The vortex was only the size of a fist, yet it seemed to devour even light. Its edges blurred, like a miniature black hole in the deep sea, pitch-black and heart-palpitating.
Vegapunk's pupils shrank. He froze on the spot as if struck by lightning, the expression on his face solidifying abruptly.
"That is..."
He took a sharp step forward, gaze locked dead on the vortex, his voice rarely trembling:
"The Dark-Dark Fruit?!!"
"You... how do you possess this ability... Roy?!!"
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