Chapter 724 Vegapunk's Request!

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The government's classified edition of the 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia' does not claim to have recorded every single Devil Fruit. These mysterious fruits remain an enigma to this day, with new and unprecedented varieties surfacing each year.

What is certain, however, is that when a living being acquires abilities through a Devil Fruit, it undergoes a fundamental transformation at the genetic level.

During his relentless pursuit of knowledge, Dr. Vegapunk inadvertently stumbled upon this truth while studying the blood of Devil Fruit users. This discovery would later lead to his groundbreaking research on the 'Lineage Factor'— the very essence of life itself.

The emergence of the 'Pacifista' further confirmed that Devil Fruit abilities are intrinsically linked to an individual's genetic structure.

To put it in simple terms, it is akin to an inherited mutation— a power born from a radical change within the body.

However, a perplexing question arises…

If Devil Fruits grants abilities through genetic alteration, how does one explain the phenomenon of 'Devil Fruit Transfer Experiments'?

Fueled by his accidental discovery of Lineage Factor, Vegapunk's curiosity about Devil Fruits only deepened. Determined to unravel their secrets, he pressed forward with his experiments.

It was around this time that his collaboration with Vinsmoke Judge was exposed. Branded as a threat due to his research, the World Government intervened, forcing the closure of his laboratory. With no alternative, Vegapunk chose to align himself with the Government, ensuring his work could continue.

The Government, however, saw the Lineage Factor not as a means of understanding Devil Fruits but as a tool to manipulate and enhance biological life. They returned to the North Blue, using Vegapunk's research to engineering an army of genetically modified soldiers.

Thus, the two scientists parted ways— one delving into the mysteries of Devil Fruits, the other perfecting the art of genetic enhancement.

Through his studies on Zoan-type users, Vegapunk made a startling observation.

Under identical conditions, Zoan users exhibited cellular activity several times—sometimes even dozens of times—higher than other Devil Fruit users. Their vitality surged to inhuman levels, as though they had become something 'beyond' human.

This abnormal response led him to a bold theory: 'Are Zoan Devil Fruits alive?'

It was as if consuming a Zoan Fruit meant ingesting a living entity—an entity that continued to exist 'within' the user.

This realization sparked an experiment.

If Zoan Fruits granted such immense vitality to living beings, could they also be transferred to 'inanimate objects'? Could a sword, a table, or even a simple toy be brought to life?

Even if the effect wasn't as potent as in a living host, if the object could 'move' on its own, it would prove that Zoan Fruits possessed an inherent 'life force'.

The principle was simple.

Energy cannot be created from nothing. Devil Fruit users expend stamina when using their abilities—so where did Zoan users gain their excessive vitality? There had to be an external factor at play.

And as history records, Vegapunk's theory was proven correct. Objects that absorbed Zoan abilities became 'alive', transforming into a unique category of Devil Fruit users.

These 'Devil Fruit Objects' retained the form of inanimate items, yet functioned as vessels for the Devil Fruit's power.

The only drawback? They lacked intelligence and the ability to grow stronger.

Once imbued with a Zoan Fruit, their form and power remained fixed. Aside from scientific curiosity, they had limited combat potential—rendering them mostly impractical.

CP9's Spandam, for instance, wielded the 'Elephant Sword Funkfreed' for self-defense, a direct application of this discovery.

But for Vegapunk, this contradiction was thrilling! Living beings required genetic modification to acquire abilities—yet inanimate objects had no genes to modify. There had to be an explanation!

And soon, he found it.

A 'special life wavelength'.

This was the missing key! As he had suspected, Devil Fruits weren't just mystical objects; they were 'living entities'.

However, their existence was unlike that of ordinary life forms. Their essence manifested as a unique 'wavelength'—a frequency of life itself.

Every Devil Fruit, regardless of its type, emitted its own distinct wavelength. These frequencies determined the abilities granted by each fruit.

Vegapunk also realized that when a human consumed a Devil Fruit, their genetic structure wasn't 'changing' to acquire an ability. The existence of 'Devil Fruit Objects' proved that genetics had nothing to do with it.

Instead, the body 'adapted' to the fruit's wavelength—an instinctual survival mechanism that altered the host to accommodate the fruit's presence.

In other words, Devil Fruits functioned much like 'parasites'.

This explained why seawater and Seastone weakened Devil Fruit users. It wasn't 'them' being repelled—it was the 'wavelength' within them being disrupted.

This wasn't magic, nor was it science in the conventional sense. It was something entirely unique to the world of pirates.

Understanding this, Vegapunk's research took a new turn.

The 'Pacifista Project' was born around this time.

By extracting the 'Lineage Factor' from genetic samples, Vegapunk theorized that he could isolate the 'life wavelengths' hidden within Devil Fruit users and graft them onto new subjects.

The World Government, eager to maintain control in the chaotic Pirate Era, tasked him with creating the ultimate weapon— an unstoppable force to crush piracy.

But the project soon hit a roadblock.

Devil Fruits were rare. There simply weren't enough for large-scale experimentation.

However, Vegapunk wasn't one to be discouraged.

Taking inspiration from his successful 'Devil Fruit Transfer Experiment', he devised a daring solution.

When food runs scarce, what do you do? You 'grow' more.

What if Devil Fruits could be artificially created?

If their power stemmed from unique 'life wavelengths', then by replicating those wavelengths, could Devil Fruits be synthesized?

A genius yet utterly mad idea.

And it worked.

By reverse-engineering the twisted, spiral-patterned structure of natural Devil Fruits and utilizing Caesar Clown's expertise in biological sciences, Vegapunk successfully created 'SAD'— the raw material for artificial Devil Fruits.

Given that Zoan Fruits universally granted heightened vitality, they chose to replicate 'Zoan wavelengths', ensuring stable growth.

…

''—Marine Headquarters, Rowen's Office—''

The two sat across from each other, steam rising from their cups of hot tea.

Hearing Rowen's remark, Vegapunk paused before shaking his head.

"Of course not. My research into 'life wavelengths' is still incomplete. As of now, only Zoan-type Devil Fruits can be artificially cultivated."

"So you're saying Paramecia and Logia types 'can't' be transferred to objects?"

"With our current understanding, it's impossible," Vegapunk admitted. "I believe it has to do with their distinct wavelengths. Only Zoan-type fruits seem to meet the necessary conditions… But, Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon), if you require assistance, I'm willing to help."

Vegapunk was well aware of Rowen's standing within the Government and trod carefully.

Rowen exhaled, lighting a cigar.

"Forget it. You're already juggling too much. If I made a request now, the Gorosei (Five Elder Stars) would start breathing down my neck."

In other words— 'when I have time, I still have to help you, right?'

Vegapunk sighed internally. "…"

This was definitely a 'hint'!

Rowen smirked. "By the way, about that 'Seacrystal' you mentioned earlier?"

Vegapunk set his cup down and nodded.

"Exactly. The Gorosei (Five Elder Stars) are highly concerned about Orrick's Devil Fruit abilities. They hope that through my research into Seastone, I can find a way to counteract Devil Fruit users."

"And 'Seacrystal', a mineral found alongside Seastone, may hold the key."

(End of Chapter)