Chapter 114: Scientific Research Department

Even Fleet Admiral Kong couldn't remain calm when faced with the legendary pure gold, a material capable of dramatically slowing the aging process.

"No! What Tsuru wanted to say is... when we encountered that lantern fish, Asa was there too!" Garp interjected casually, always quick to speak.

"And while we were inside the lantern fish, I fought him. He had a strange power that offset the impact of my punch, so I couldn't take him down. I don't know if he took the pure gold."

"What did you say? Him again?!"

Kong's face twitched uncontrollably. At this point, even hearing Asa's name made him want to explode. He wasn't sure why, but every time Asa came up, he wanted to destroy something—then go hunt down Baloric Redfield for stress relief.

The worst part? Red's troublemaking couldn't even compare to Asa's.

"Vegapunk!!"

Veins bulged on Kong's forehead as he redirected all his frustration. He was convinced Asa's escape was tied to Vegapunk.

After all, a Devil Fruit user couldn't activate their abilities under the effects of Seastone. No one in history had ever overcome that natural law.

It wasn't about the fruit's development—it was the sea's way of maintaining balance. Seastone suppressed Devil Fruit powers. Being able to move under its effects was already impressive. But to use abilities?

Impossible—unless someone cheated the laws of nature.

This was tied to the ocean's unique Pyrobloin particles, a natural nemesis of Devil Fruit users. These particles always worked. No exceptions.

Meanwhile...

"This bloodlust... I can feel it from here."

Asa, already sneaking into Marineford, shivered slightly as Fleet Admiral Kong's furious voice echoed in his mind via Observation Haki.

"Vegapunk definitely sold me out," he thought, lips twitching.

Still, he couldn't be bothered. His objective was clear: find Vegapunk.

After regaining focus, Asa silently tuned in for any information related to the Scientific Research Department—and then moved.

He weaved between buildings, avoiding crowds whenever possible. If avoidance wasn't an option, he stayed completely still, keeping his presence masked. People who were neither keen observers nor trained sensors wouldn't notice him.

The closer he got to the Scientific Research Department, the heavier the security became—soldiers posted every few steps, patrols around the clock. The defenses were even tighter than Impel Down.

From a distance, the Research Department looked like a futuristic fortress—gleaming with smooth metallic surfaces, high-tech electronic systems, and entranceways glowing with sensor lights.

This technology was centuries ahead of the outside world—perhaps even bordering on science fiction.

Asa scanned the surveillance Den Den Mushi around the area and couldn't help but chuckle. These wouldn't stop him. The real challenge... was people.

"Hiding won't work. Too many agents of the World Government patrol this area..." Asa muttered, staring toward the facility, thinking fast.

Invisibility would only last a few steps before someone caught on. It was simply too risky...

Then—out of the corner of his eye—he spotted a lone CP0 operative walking toward the Research Department.

Clad in a white robe and wearing a white clown mask, the man was approaching from the far end, walking at a measured pace.

"Bingo. You're perfect," Asa whispered, stretching and warming up.

He couldn't sneak in undetected—but he could disguise himself. If he took this CP0 down and took his place...

The risk? CP0 agents were no pushovers. One failed strike, and he'd have to flee for his life—possibly losing his chance to meet Vegapunk.

He steadied his breathing. Every cell in his body primed itself for a quick, clean kill.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

The CP0 agent walked with precise, rhythmic steps. His robe concealed his frame, but he appeared to be around Asa's height—over two meters tall and slim.

At 300 meters away, he was close. The Research Department was another 1,500 meters beyond him.

Asa mentally calculated everything—cover from surrounding buildings, maximum attack radius, potential attention draw...

"3..."

"2..."

"1!!"

With no further hesitation, Asa erupted into motion. His hidden aura exploded outward, lightning pushing his speed to the absolute limit.

"Zzzzzssssss!"

The hiss of electricity built in his palm. Forming his hand into a blade, Asa slashed for the CP0's neck with all his offensive power focused on a single strike.

"Who—?!"

The CP0 agent turned in shock—but too late.

"Chhk!!"

The lightning-imbued strike sliced clean through his neck. His head flew skyward, killed instantly—too fast for even blood to flow.

Asa wasted no time. Before the spray could start, he yanked the white robe off, donned the mask, and wiped his temple.

The strike hadn't drained his stamina—but maintaining such intense focus was exhausting. He couldn't keep it up multiple times without collapsing.

Dressed and masked, he incinerated the corpse using extreme heat and electricity until nothing remained.

With a valid identity, everything became easier.

Asa mimicked the CP0's calm stride. The few soldiers along the way didn't even think to question him—CP0 members were above scrutiny.

Even future CP0 commander Rob Lucci once gave orders to Fleet Admiral Akainu. Their authority was absolute.

Passing several checkpoints, Asa ordered the guards to disable the sensor lights. They obeyed immediately.

Moments later, Asa entered the Scientific Research Department without resistance.

Ground Floor Laboratory.

A special experiment was underway—led by none other than Vegapunk, flanked by two deputies.

Outside, his two bodyguards, Dorag and Syd Nass, stood idly at the lab entrance.

"Mr. Vegapunk, this is another incredible invention!" one of the deputies exclaimed in awe.

"After successfully transferring Zoan-type Devil Fruits to objects, you've now discovered how to do the same with Paramecia-type abilities... This is revolutionary!"

His tone was near fanatical—as if he were worshipping a god.

"Hmm..."

Vegapunk merely nodded, face calm, unbothered. It was just another step in his long research journey.

He had planned this outcome for a long time. With the World Government constantly supplying him with Devil Fruits, solving this puzzle was only a matter of time.

"With Zoan and Paramecia types now usable in inanimate objects... there's no point in wasting efforts on Logia-type fruit."

After all, Logia fruits represented natural phenomena. Embedding those powers into objects would cause uncontrollable destruction—it wasn't worth the risk or the fruit.

(End Of Chapter)

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