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Vegapunk bore a striking resemblance to a famous scientist from Arashi's previous life—Einstein.
He was now in his middle age, with a large, towering head that almost reached the ceiling.
Arashi quietly followed him until they entered a laboratory filled with papers and various instruments.
"It's stuffy in here," Vegapunk muttered as he began tinkering with a set of test tubes.
"I was brought here by force while working with Vinsmoke Judge on 'Lineage Factor' research."
"The World Government thought my work was too dangerous, so they brought me here and bought off my team."
"But eventually, I realized this wasn't so bad—at least I don't have to worry about the massive resources and money needed for my experiments any more!" He laughed, and there was a hint of self-mockery in his tone.
Arashi listened in silence, feeling a bit surprised. He didn't know Vegapunk well. Most of his information about him came from his previous world.
"If I had the choice, I wouldn't want to cooperate with the World Government. Everything I do here is pretty much under duress," Vegapunk continued.
"Is that something you can just say?" Arashi asked curiously.
"This room is soundproof, and they don't care what I say. The World Government is more focused on my research results."
"All they care about is the outcome!" Vegapunk replied with a smile.
"If you ever get the chance and can fund my experiments, feel free to kidnap me. I could work for you."
He turned to Arashi with a smile. Arashi was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and nodded. "If the opportunity arises, I'll do just that."
Vegapunk poured a liquid from one test tube into another, and the air suddenly filled with crackling sounds, as if electricity were sparking.
This worried Arashi that the experiment might end in a massive explosion.
"I know quite a bit about you, Rear Admiral Arashi," Vegapunk's voice returned.
"Those gloves you're wearing—I made them. How are they? Pretty handy, right?" Vegapunk smiled at him.
Arashi raised his hand and smiled back, nodding. "They're excellent."
"Sea-Stone is a tough material. Making it flexible was quite a challenge. It's the first set in the world and perhaps the last!" Vegapunk said.
"I'll take good care of them!" Arashi replied.
Vegapunk nodded and then turned, looking directly into Arashi's eyes. "We're friends now, aren't we?"
Arashi was momentarily stunned, not quite understanding the scientist's abrupt change in conversation.
But he didn't hesitate and nodded again. "Yes, we're friends now."
Vegapunk visibly relaxed and smiled. "That's good to hear! Your hometown is in the West Blue, Ohara, the famous archaeological site!"
"I'm very interested in some ancient knowledge recorded in Ohara."
If I ever get the chance, I'd love to visit. The wisdom of the ancients is truly remarkable."
But this statement left Arashi shocked. His hometown was in West Blue, Ohara. He didn't even know that.
"And two years ago, on the Sabaody Archipelago, you took down a Celestial Dragon, didn't you?" Vegapunk added.
This revelation startled Arashi even more. He looked at Vegapunk in disbelief. How did he know about that?
In just a few days, secrets Arashi thought were well hidden were suddenly being revealed one after another.
"Not many people in this world would dare to do something like that," Vegapunk remarked.
"Being able to do it and having the courage to do it are two different things. You're unique, different from most people in this world!"
"That's why I was willing to make those gloves for you," Vegapunk spoke quickly.
"Feel free to ask if there's anything else I can help you with. I enjoy doing things for friends."
Arashi was momentarily taken aback by Vegapunk's generosity but accepted it gladly as an idea quickly came to his mind.
"Have you been researching Devil Fruits recently?" He placed the wooden box he had been carrying on the table.
"Yes, I'm studying how to give objects the ability to possess Devil Fruit powers," Vegapunk nodded.
"The Elephant-Elephant Fruit you brought is one of my test subjects."
"Is there a device or method to locate nearby Devil Fruits?" Arashi asked curiously.
He was thinking about the Goro Goro no Mi, the Logia fruit still untouched on Skypiea.
"Finding Devil Fruits?" Vegapunk was surprised for a moment, then quickly responded.
"Of course, there is! But I abandoned that project early on. The research was pretty useless."
"The range for detecting a fruit was only about two to three kilometres. Compared to the entire world, or even a single island, that's practically useless!"
Vegapunk continued. "I'd much rather create things than search for them!"
Arashi's eyes lit up. "Can you share the method with me or give me the device?"
Vegapunk smiled and nodded. "I don't know what you're planning, but of course, I can do that."
"However, I should tell you, the chances of this device finding a Devil Fruit are still very slim, so don't get your hopes up too high."
Arashi nodded. After searching through the lab for a while, Vegapunk finally found a small, glowing object about the size of a palm.
It had strange patterns etched on it, resembling an orange.
"When it shows a green light, no fruit has been detected. When it turns red, it means a fruit is nearby," Vegapunk explained.
Arashi took the device, smiling. "Thank you very much."
"Also, if you'd let me study your body, I'd be even happier! I've heard you possess an immortal body. I've never encountered such a lineage!"
Vegapunk licked his lips, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Arashi. That gleam sent a shiver down Arashi's spine.
He was sure that if Vegapunk had the chance, he wouldn't hesitate to dissect him for research.
"It seems you're not too keen on being studied. That's a shame!" Vegapunk sighed with regret.
Arashi finally breathed a sigh of relief and forced a smile. "Time flies. You should be on your way, but I'm glad we became friends."
"Honestly, you're the first friend I've made in years!"
Vegapunk turned around and handed him some papers with drawings scattered on the table.
"If you ever get the chance, you must kidnap me. I know you'd dare to do it—probably only you would."
"As for the Celestial Dragon incident, don't worry. Not many people in this world know about it."
"I just made an educated guess based on what I know and confirmed it by your reaction," Vegapunk added with a wink.
Arashi blinked, then smiled and nodded. "Alright. I enjoy helping friends, too."
Their eyes met, and both smiled.
"I'll be waiting!" Vegapunk said as Arashi turned to leave. The guards at the door were already urging him to go.
But without a doubt, this meeting with Vegapunk had brought Arashi an unexpected delight.
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