Passing through layer after layer of corridors, they finally reached the core area of the research facility.
There weren't many researchers here, but the number of guards had nearly doubled. In particular, the moment they noticed Karl beside Kizaru, their gazes locked onto him with sharp intensity.
When they entered the room, what caught their eye was a mechanical humanoid, fully absorbed in adjusting a pile of experimental instruments.
"Dr. Vegapunk, I've brought what you asked for," Kizaru said.
"Although I am a clone of Vegapunk, I would prefer it if you called me Pythagoras."
The robot turned around, allowing Karl to finally get a clear look. On its head was a spring-like ornament, the character 'Wisdom' engraved on its chest, and on the left side was the marking PUNK-04.
Karl couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
So this is technology that's five hundred years ahead of the world? This is downright surreal… The tech tree in this world really feels like it was clicked at random.
"This is the blood sample you wanted. It should be enough, right?" Kizaru said.
He placed the silver briefcase onto a spotless yet cluttered experiment table and opened it, revealing the vials of blood inside.
"Wow! That's a lot—more than enough!" Pythagoras exclaimed excitedly. "With this, the artificial Devil Fruit project will definitely make progress! …Hm? Who's this young man?"
Only now did Pythagoras notice Karl standing beside Kizaru. The almost human-like surprise in his expression made it hard to believe he was a machine.
"This is Marine Headquarters Major Karl, also my adjutant," Kizaru said smoothly. "He's extremely… ah… let's say he admires you quite a bit."
Pythagoras closed the briefcase and walked over, scanning Karl from head to toe.
"Hello. I'm Pythagoras, one of Vegapunk's clones."
"Nice to meet you," Karl replied.
"Well then, tell me—what business do you have with me?"
Karl straightened his expression. Talking to smart people really was efficient.
"Dr. Pythagoras, I've heard that you developed technology that allows objects to eat Devil Fruits. Is that true?"
"That's right. The project is already very mature. Are you looking to obtain a weapon with abilities?"
Karl nodded. "Yes. I was wondering if you'd have time to help me with that?"
Pythagoras glanced at Kizaru and showed a troubled expression, scratching his head with a mechanical arm.
"Hmmm… That is a bit difficult. I'd love to help, but unfortunately, I don't currently have any spare Devil Fruits to use for creating an ability weapon. I'm sorry."
Karl's heart leapt with joy.
There's a chance!
A Devil Fruit? That's all? I've got one!
"Ahem… Dr. Pythagoras, actually… I have one."
Since the Raven Fruit was stored in his system space, Karl couldn't just take it out on the spot. He had already been searched—it wasn't like he could magically pull it out of nowhere.
And if it suddenly appeared, Kizaru might start getting the wrong idea.
Kizaru gave Karl a strange look. If he remembered correctly, Karl's Holy Light Fruit had been bought at a fruit stall. Now there was another Devil Fruit? Since when were Devil Fruits this easy to come by?
"You have one?" Pythagoras looked pleasantly surprised. "What type? Zoan? Paramecia?"
Karl scratched his head, pretending to think. "Probably Zoan. I believe it's the Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Raven."
"Oh? I see." Pythagoras pondered for a moment. "Perfect timing, then. I happen to have a famous sword replica, forged using ancient sword-smithing techniques. Once you deliver the Devil Fruit, I can help you create an ability weapon."
Karl was stunned.
Is Vegapunk—no, Pythagoras—really this easygoing?
He had expected at least some kind of trade or condition. Instead, the deal was settled so casually—he only needed to provide the Devil Fruit, and even the weapon itself was prepared.
"Well, um… thank you very much, Dr. Pythagoras. Would this trouble you at all?"
"No trouble," Pythagoras replied, shaking his head. "I've recently had some new ideas about ability-transfer conditions. This is a perfect opportunity to verify them."
So that's how it is.
A true win-win situation.
"In that case, I'll deliver the Devil Fruit to you as soon as possible. By the way… which replica sword is it?"
Without a word, Pythagoras turned and entered another room. Sounds of rummaging echoed from inside.
About three minutes later, he returned, holding what looked like a long, corroded blade—or perhaps a sword-shaped rod.
"Here. Fifteen years ago, I was interested in cursed weapons like Kitetsu, so out of curiosity, I replicated one using techniques from ancient texts. But it seems no different from an ordinary sword."
"Take a look. What do you think?"
Karl accepted the Replica of the First Kitetsu with curiosity. Gripping the hilt, he slowly drew it from its sheath.
Because it had never been maintained, the sheath and hilt were badly corroded—but the blade itself still gleamed coldly, radiating a chilling aura.
Judging by the material alone, this replica was far superior to Umaru, the famous blade he had obtained earlier.
Kizaru, who had been observing silently, stroked his chin.
"Ooh~ This sword looks rather nice. It's old and worn, but the material is surprisingly solid."
Coming from a Marine Admiral, that appraisal carried weight.
And considering it was a replica crafted by the world's greatest scientist, it was only natural that its quality approached the genuine article.
"It really is a fine sword. Let's use this one."
Pythagoras smiled—a distinctly human smile.
"Good. Consider it recycling. If there's nothing else, you should leave now. I still have many projects waiting."
Kizaru shrugged and turned to leave. Karl reluctantly set the replica First Kitetsu down, bade farewell to Pythagoras, and exited the laboratory.
On the way back, Kizaru spoke casually, "You don't have anything you'd like to explain to me?"
"Haha, you mean that Devil Fruit? I got it during my training period."
Kizaru nodded thoughtfully and didn't press the matter further. After all, it was just an ordinary Zoan.
Back on the warship, Karl went straight to his quarters, retrieved the Raven Fruit, placed it in a box, and handed it to Kizaru.
"Admiral Kizaru, I'll have to trouble you to deliver this to Dr. Pythagoras."
"Tsk… Sometimes I really can't tell who's the adjutant here," Kizaru muttered.
Still, he unhurriedly took the box back to the island and handed it to the guards, casually mentioning that it was experimental material requested by Vegapunk. The guards immediately accepted it with utmost seriousness.
Watching this, Karl couldn't help but sigh.
Admiral Kizaru's reputation really is something else.
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