One week later
In their hidden lab, Koby and Te worked intently on their respective inventions, the room filled with the soft hum of machinery and the occasional clatter of tools. The lab, a testament to their ingenuity, was a mix of sleek modern design and practical function, every corner serving a purpose.
Koby, with his sharp black hair—a clear trait inherited from Borsalino—stood by a workbench cluttered with various mechanical components. His eyes, a striking blend of focus and curiosity, were locked onto a small device he was assembling. The light from the overhead lamp glinted off his hair, which contrasted starkly with his fair skin, a reminder of his mother's lineage. His hands moved with practiced precision, piecing together what appeared to be an advanced tracking system, a project he had been working on for weeks.
On the other side of the lab, Te was similarly engrossed in his own work. His hair, identical in color and sheen to Koby's, fell slightly longer, occasionally brushing against his eyes as he leaned over his station. He was working on a project that involved a series of intricate blueprints, his fingers tracing the lines as he muttered calculations under his breath. Unlike Koby, who preferred mechanical gadgets, Te was more interested in bioengineering, a passion that often had him experimenting with the advanced medical equipment they had salvaged.
After their loss to Bisky, the boys had to lick their wounds. It was incredibly depressing to lose as badly as they did. They believe with their advantages they would have put a much better fight that what they did.
Nen allowed them to protect their bodies and improve their attack power at the same time but in the face of overwhelming strength it was nothing but a gimmick. Their special body traits allowed them to grow a ridiculous rates, and to top it off they are almost certain oda something extra in them to help them but were still utterly crushed.
"What's the point of all this if we're still so weak?" Te muttered under his breath, though Koby could hear the bitterness in his voice.
Koby glanced over, understanding his brother's frustration. "We're not weak, Te. We're just… not there yet."
"But we should be!" Te snapped, his fingers tightening around a piece of equipment. "With everything we've been given, everything we've worked for… we should have put up a better fight.
Their way of thinking of course was ridiculous. They are barely four years old put up a halfway decent fight against a former top CP0 agent whose strength is almost if not on par with admirals. But that didn't make the loss any easier to accept.
"Maybe," Koby said slowly, "but look at it this way—Bisky didn't go easy on us. She pushed us to our limits because she knows we could handle it. That's something, right?"
Te sighed, his anger cooling slightly. "Yeah, I guess. It's just… I hate losing."
"So do I," Koby agreed. "But that's why we're here, isn't it? We'll keep working, keep improving. Next time, we'll be stronger. And the time after that, stronger still."
"Yeah, I guess you're right by the time we're adults no one should be able to keep up with us if we train under bisky and continue creating these projects of ours."
"As long as we have time to grow. There won't be much stopping us."
Koby continued, his eyes narrowing with determination as he refocused on his project. The tracking system he was building was unlike anything they had worked on before. It was designed to locate Devil Fruits. He got the inspiration from the dragon radar and figured they Devil Fruits might also give off a special wave length unique to them and it might be possible to track them down.
The system was complex, requiring a deep understanding of both technology and the unique energy signatures emitted by Devil Fruits.The project involved a delicate balance of precision engineering and advanced sensor technology, with multiple components needing to work in perfect harmony to achieve the desired results.
Te, working on the super soldier serum, was almost done. The intricate process had taken weeks of careful experimentation, and now, only one final ingredient remained. He reached for a small vial containing a rare plant—one that he and Koby had engineered using the Philosopher's Stone. The plant wasn't just any ordinary specimen; it had been infused with the stone's powerful energy, making it the key to unlocking the serum's full potential.
Te couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. The project was still in its early stages, but every small success brought him closer to the goal. If this worked, if he could perfect the serum, it would give them an edge that no one could match. Not even Bisky.
He straightened up, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension that had built up from hours of meticulous work. His eyes flicked over to Koby, who was still absorbed in his own project.
With steady hands, Te carefully added the plant extract to the shimmering silver liquid. As the serum absorbed the essence of the plant, it began to glow with a faint, ethereal light. This was the final touch, the element that would elevate the serum beyond mere physical enhancements, pushing it into the realm of heightened cognitive functions, and enhanced sensory perception.
The final step was crucial: testing the serum on a live subject.
He took a deep breath and approached Koby, who was hunched over his tracking system, lost in calculations. Te cleared his throat, and Koby looked up, sensing the seriousness in his brother's demeanor.
"Hey, Koby," Te began, holding out a small vial of the shimmering serum.
Koby's eyes narrowed in curiosity. "What's this?"
"The super soldier serum," Te replied, his tone steady despite the nervousness in his eyes. "It's finished. The last ingredient we added should make it incredibly potent."
Koby took the vial and examined it closely. "And you want me to try it?"
Te nodded, his jaw tightening. "Yeah. I need to test it, and you're the best option. The serum has been designed to enhance cognitive functions, and sensory perception. You won't die if something goes wrong, not with your current adaptable body."
Koby's gaze shifted between Te and the vial. "And you're sure it's safe?"
"Not entirely," Te admitted, his voice betraying a hint of his anxiety. "We've done everything we can to ensure it's stable, but this is the first real test. There's always a risk, but we need to know if it works."
Koby took a deep breath, weighing the risk and the potential reward. Despite his own apprehensions, he understood the importance of the test. "Alright, let's do this."
Te nodded, visibly relieved. He stepped back, giving Koby space as he prepared for the injection. Koby found a spot on his arm and carefully inserted the needle, slowly pushing the serum into his bloodstream.
The moment the serum entered Koby's system, a subtle tremor seemed to pass through his body. Te watched intently, his eyes tracking every change in Koby's expression.
Koby's face contorted briefly with a mix of discomfort and focus. The serum was taking effect, and Te could see the changes beginning to manifest. Koby's breathing steadied, and his eyes seemed to sharpen, a clear indication of the cognitive and sensory enhancements taking place.
Te approached cautiously, his gaze filled with a mix of hope and concern. "How do you feel?"
Koby's eyes, now glowing with a faint intensity, met Te's. "I… I feel different. More aware, more focused. It's like everything's clearer."
Te let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "That's good. Really good. The enhancements are working."
Koby nodded, flexing his fingers and stretching his limbs as if testing the new sensations. "Yeah, I can feel it. It's like my senses are heightened, and my mind is processing information faster."
Te grinned, a mixture of relief and excitement flooding over him. "That's exactly what we wanted. The serum's working. Now it's my turn to try it"
Koby raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Are you sure about this? You've seen what it can do to me."
Te nodded firmly, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I need to know how it affects me as well. It's crucial for our research and for making sure the serum is fully operational. Besides, we've tested the safety extensively, and the serum is designed to handle extreme cases. I've been preparing for this."
Koby sighed but nodded in understanding. "Alright, if you're sure."
Te carefully prepared another vial of the serum, the liquid shimmering with its potent energy. He took a moment to steady his hands before injecting the serum into his own arm. As the serum entered his bloodstream, he felt a rush of warmth spread through his body.
The transformation began almost immediately. Te's eyes widened as he felt a surge of heightened awareness and clarity. His senses sharpened, and his mind seemed to work in overdrive, processing information with remarkable speed.
He closed his eyes briefly to acclimate to the new sensations. When he opened them again, everything seemed to have a sharper edge, colors more vibrant, and sounds more distinct. The changes were profound, and he could sense the enhanced cognitive and sensory abilities taking hold.
Koby watched Te with keen interest, his own enhancements allowing him to perceive even the subtle shifts in his brother's condition. "How are you feeling?"
Te took a deep breath, feeling the newfound strength and clarity flowing through him. "It's incredible. The serum is working even better than expected. I can feel every detail around me, and my mind is processing things at an entirely new level."
Koby smiled, impressed and relieved. "That's fantastic. It looks like we've succeeded. With both of us enhanced, we'll be able to push our training and projects even further."
Te's face lit up with a mix of triumph and determination. "Exactly. Now we just need to keep refining the serum and our techniques. We're one step closer to becoming unstoppable."