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After dealing with Doflamingo, Chiba turned his focus to the creation of a perfect artificial Devil Fruit.
The concept of man-made Devil Fruits originated from Vegapunk, who discovered the secret of the bloodline factor and initiated its study. However, these artificial fruits fell short compared to real Devil Fruits. They could grant the consumer animal-like abilities through bloodline factor fusion, akin to genetically engineered warriors or cyborgs, but with significant drawbacks.
The most notable side effect was that the transformation often came with severe consequences. The addition of a foreign gene destabilized the original genetic structure, leading to unpredictable outcomes. Subjects might explode, develop animal traits in bizarre places, or undergo incomplete transformations. The degree of transformation varied greatly among individuals, and even the same artificial Devil Fruit could produce different results in different people, falling far short of the consistency offered by genuine Devil Fruits.
Furthermore, the current technology for Devil Fruits was immature, posing significant risks of death upon consumption.
After reviewing the so-called artificial Logia Snow-Snow Fruit data provided by Doflamingo, Chiba's opinion of him plummeted. This artificial fruit, advertised as Logia, was more akin to a Zoan due to its reliance on the bloodline factor from a Logia Snow-Snow Fruit user.
Chiba recalled that Guy had previously experimented with a user possessing Snow-Snow Fruit abilities, most likely Monet. This artificial Snow-Snow Fruit data likely stemmed from Monet's bloodline factor during her usage of the fruit's powers.
Chiba estimated that even if the artificial fruit replicated Monet's physical transformation, it would lack the ability to generate blizzards like the real thing. Thus, this artificial fruit was merely a semi-finished product.
Despite being semi-finished, Chiba saw potential in maximizing its value. However, he couldn't tolerate Doflamingo's deceit.
Confronting Doflamingo, Chiba said coldly, "Dover, I genuinely wish to collaborate, but you attempt to deceive me with such a half-baked product. According to the documentation, even if I succeed in my research, the resultant Snow-Snow Fruit wouldn't harness the full power of snow and wind."
"I see no reason to continue our partnership. Consider the 100 bottles of body-enhancing elixir and 10 Foundation Building Pills a gift. You may leave."
Doflamingo's face twitched. Being insulted was one thing, but considering the benefits of the elixirs and pills, he couldn't afford to walk away. "Fuffuffuffu... Mr. Chiba, don't be hasty. As you know, I'm merely a businessman, not a scientist."
"My research team assured me this fruit would grant snow-related powers. I apologize for the oversight. I was misled," Doflamingo said, bowing deeply.
Chiba smirked internally, recognizing this as a test of his boundaries. If he hadn't confronted Doflamingo, future data might have been similarly flawed.
Playing along, Chiba helped Doflamingo up, saying, "Well, it seems you've been deceived by your team. Those incompetent researchers will face consequences upon your return."
"Mr. Chiba, if you're dissatisfied, I'll provide you with another set of Devil Fruit research data. This time, I assure you, it will be complete."
Chiba dismissed the offer, stating, "Forget new data. I want to examine the ability user myself. If you wish to continue our partnership, ensure this individual stands before me within a month."
Without waiting for a response, Chiba left.
Watching Chiba depart, Doflamingo clenched his fists. Vergo commented, "Dover, it seems Chiba's appetite is insatiable. He dismisses even artificial Devil Fruit data."
"Fuffuffuffu... Vergo, bring Monet here," Doflamingo instructed, his gaze intensifying with ambition, envisioning a brighter future.
"Yes," Vergo complied, departing Daughter Island to retrieve Snow Maiden Monet from the Smile Factory.
Chiba, meanwhile, immersed himself in researching the artificial Devil Fruit materials, gaining new insights.
The artificial fruits were one-dimensional; they permanently transformed consumers into partial beasts without reverting to human form, unlike real Devil Fruits, which allowed for reversible transformations.
Chiba aimed to create a bloodline factor that could be toggled—activating it would trigger a full-body transformation, enhancing combat abilities, while deactivating it would restore the human form.
Fascinated by the concept, Chiba dove into research, but progress stalled without Monet's assistance.
After more than half a month, Vergo returned with Monet, delivering her to Doflamingo.
Doflamingo instructed Monet, "Did Vergo brief you?"
"Yes, Mr. Vergo explained everything," Monet replied respectfully.
"Cooperate fully with Chiba's experiments. Memorize as much of his research data as possible."
"Understood. I'll do my best."
"Good. I'll escort you there."
Doflamingo was eager to see if Chiba could create a genuine Snow-Snow Fruit.
A quarter-hour later, Doflamingo and Monet arrived at Chiba's lab, where they waited for Chiba to appear.
"Mr. Chiba, I've brought the subject you requested. Monet, meet the world's greatest scientist, Professor Monkey D. Chiba. His inventions include the body-enhancing elixir and Foundation Building Pill."
Doflamingo flattered Chiba, who found it gratifying. "Dover, you've become quite the flatterer. Is this the Snow-Snow Fruit user?"
"Indeed, this is Monet, a Logia Snow-Snow Fruit user capable of manipulating snow and wind. Say hello to Master Chiba."
"Honored to meet you, Master Chiba," Monet bowed.
Monet was a striking beauty, with flowing green hair and golden eyes that exuded a sense of power. Though not as voluptuous as Hina or Peacock, she was nonetheless alluring.
"Let's not waste time. Monet, come with me," Chiba instructed, heading to the lab.
Monet glanced at Doflamingo, who reassured her, "Monet, don't worry. Mr. Chiba's urgency reflects his scientific passion. Follow his lead."
"Yes," Monet complied, walking into the lab.
Inside, Chiba conducted a comprehensive study of Monet, analyzing her skin, blood, nails, and hair. He then observed her fruit ability and conducted further experiments.
Chiba meticulously examined the changes in Monet's bloodline factor before and after activating her fruit ability, focusing on the Snow-Snow Fruit's properties.
Half a month later, his research bore fruit.
[You have conducted detailed research on the changes in Monet's blood factors. You have researched the ability of the Snow-Snow Fruit. You have combined your past life's experience and had a flash of inspiration, creating an artificial Devil Fruit, Snow-Snow Fruit: Ice Queen Form.]
[Artificial Snow-Snow Fruit: Ice Queen Form. When true energy stimulates the fruit's ability, it triggers a transformation into a two-winged Snow Queen, enabling control over wind and snow. With further development, the fruit awakens into a four-winged Snow Queen, multiplying power tenfold. Ultimately, the six-winged Ice Queen form can unleash the Nine Heavens Stellar Wind, transforming the world into a frozen realm...]
Flooded with information, Chiba was elated.
His talent was remarkable, enabling him to create a Devil Fruit. However, this fruit's power still relied on true energy.
Thus, the strength of true energy determined the Ice Queen's form and power.
Currently, all true energy cultivation methods in the pirate world originated from Chiba or were adapted from his techniques. As such, practitioners' true energy could never surpass his own, and the deeper they delved, the greater Chiba's control over them.
Consequently, Chiba feared no attack powered by true energy.
Most importantly, his creation differed fundamentally from genuine Devil Fruits.
Consumers of his fruit wouldn't be forsaken by the sea, and those who had already consumed a Devil Fruit could ingest his artificial fruit again.
Nevertheless, Chiba felt calling his creation "artificial Devil Fruit" was an insult. It should be known as a Chiba-made Devil Fruit.
Unable to contain his excitement, Chiba extracted the bloodline factors before and after Monet's fruit activation, refining them with various reagents and infusing them with his true energy.
Supported by Chiba's immense true energy, generated by his God Elephant Suppressing Power, the Chiba-made Devil Fruit gradually formed, manifesting as a fist-sized, blood-red energy orb.
Perhaps influenced by the Devil Fruit, Chiba discovered that this energy could be stored within a fruit, rendering it blood-red.
Naturally preserved, the energy lasted three days before dissipating.
To extend this duration, Chiba developed a sealing technique. After half a day, milky white runes adorned the fruit's surface, restraining the true energy within and prolonging its potency for two years.
Chiba admired his creation, a smile on his lips.
This Chiba-made Devil Fruit could awaken to its ultimate form. If consumed by someone with sufficient true energy, they could achieve the six-winged Ice Queen form, unleashing the Nine Heavens Stellar Wind and freezing the world.
If only men could consume this fruit, he would consider trying it himself.
Meanwhile, Monet had left Chiba's lab, relaying her experience to Doflamingo.
"Did he succeed?" Doflamingo asked.
"I'm sorry, Young Master. I don't know," Monet admitted.
"Never mind. Chiba's cautious. I'll see for myself," Doflamingo decided.
He visited Chiba's lab, waiting in the hall.
Eventually, Chiba emerged, beaming, holding a blood-red Devil Fruit with milky white patterns.
Doflamingo approached, fixated on the Snow-Snow Fruit in Chiba's hand. "Mr. Chiba, congratulations on crafting a Devil Fruit! But its appearance differs from the previous one."
"Hehe, each Chiba-made Devil Fruit is unique," Chiba replied.
Doflamingo was taken aback. His inquiry was a ploy to gauge Chiba's progress, as creating a real Devil Fruit from semi-finished materials and Monet seemed implausible.
Guy had researched for years without success. Could Chiba really achieve it so swiftly?
"Mr. Chiba, after consuming this fruit, can one truly command snow and wind?" Doflamingo questioned, wary of deception.
Chiba laughed, "Would I lie? Take this Devil Fruit, and our first transaction is complete."
Doflamingo hesitated, "Mr. Chiba, forgive my insistence, but may I inspect the goods?"
"Inspection?" Chiba chuckled. "Dover, do you doubt my integrity? Fine, have your subordinate consume this Devil Fruit. If it works, our transaction is fulfilled."
"Agreed." Doflamingo addressed his followers, "Who will eat this Devil Fruit?"
His subordinates remained still. Most had already consumed Devil Fruits, and a second would be fatal.
Realizing this, Doflamingo said, "Mr. Chiba, all my subordinates here have eaten fruits."
Chiba reminded, "Even if they've already consumed a Devil Fruit, they can safely eat mine."
Doflamingo was skeptical. Was Chiba overconfident?
Consuming multiple Devil Fruits was almost always lethal. Yet, Chiba claimed his fruit was safe.
Doflamingo's subordinates averted their eyes, fearing selection, leaving Doflamingo to suggest, "How about your people try it?"
Chiba smiled, "This Snow-Snow Fruit took considerable effort. I can't replicate it easily. Are you sure you want to pass up this opportunity?"
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.