Chapter 109

### **Chapter 109**

Arriving at Vegapunk's exclusive laboratory, Carl glanced at Caesar, who was following him, and said,

"You don't have to come in."

Caesar stopped immediately, watching as Carl and Vegapunk entered the lab.

This laboratory was much larger than the one where Stussy had been placed, and the instruments and equipment were far more advanced.

As soon as Vegapunk entered, he began adjusting various devices while Carl looked around the room. He noticed a large number of red apples sitting on a table.

Walking closer, he picked up one and turned it in his hand. A small section of the fruit was purple, appearing rotten at first glance.

But when he examined it more carefully, Carl saw that the purple part was unusually smooth and slightly shiny. It didn't look rotten at all. Other apples on the table had even larger purple sections, some with dark green and light green circular patterns.

He quickly pieced together what was going on.

"Is this the artificial fruit you've been researching?" he asked.

Vegapunk, still adjusting a machine, nodded.

"Yes, extracted from Kaido's factor. But they're all failures so far. It'll take time to get it right."

"You'll succeed," Carl replied confidently. "I have no doubt about it."

Vegapunk looked at him in surprise.

"Thank you."

Carl smiled.

"You were born for science. As long as you focus on your work and avoid distractions, the World Government will provide all the funding you need."

Vegapunk nodded, though it was unclear if he was truly paying attention. He gestured for Carl to lie on a laboratory table and remove his shirt.

Attaching tubes with suction cups to Carl's exposed skin, Vegapunk activated a nearby monitor. As data began appearing on the screen, his eyes widened in amazement.

"Incredible... I didn't expect the bloodline factors to have integrated so well into your body. This is a scientific miracle!"

Carl let out a sigh of relief.

"So the Lunarian bloodline is fully integrated now? Then why can't I feel any of their powers?"

"According to the data, the integration is still in the early stages compared to your Mink Tribe traits. Remember, you awakened some of your Mink powers as a child."

Carl nodded, recalling how Lucia had stormed the lab to rescue him when he was just eight years old.

"So... will it take a long time?" he asked.

"Not necessarily," Vegapunk said.

"Your body is much stronger now than when you were a child. The Lunarian bloodline has been developing inside you all these years. It's likely the power will awaken quickly, especially if you encounter the right opportunity."

"An opportunity? Like a fight?"

"Exactly," Vegapunk confirmed. "Pushing your limits in battle can accelerate the fusion process."

Then, as if remembering something, Vegapunk added,

"Saint Carl, some of the Lunarian traits may have already appeared. You might just not have noticed them."

Carl was momentarily stunned. Subconsciously, he touched his back, checking for wings. But his skin felt smooth, with no sign of any physical changes.

"Let me test something," Vegapunk said as he hurried out of the room. He returned holding a large flamethrower.

He pointed the nozzle at Carl.

"Saint Carl, your Armament Haki is strong, and you're a Devil Fruit user, but don't resist this. I want you to try to feel the flames with your body. If it hurts, stop immediately."

Understanding Vegapunk's intent, Carl nodded and moved to an open space, spreading his arms wide.

"Go ahead."

Vegapunk pulled the trigger, and a torrent of flames engulfed Carl's body. His lower clothes quickly turned to ash, but his skin remained untouched. He stood completely still, looking as if he were bathing in the fire, unbothered.

He didn't feel any burning sensation at all.

Vegapunk continued using the flamethrower until it ran out of fuel. As the last flames flickered out, Carl calmly stepped forward from the still-burning floor, entirely naked but in good spirits. He pulled a fresh pair of pants from the Dark Bible and put them on.

"It seems you were right," Carl said with a grin.

Vegapunk, still not fully satisfied, retrieved a large basin of water.

"One last test," he said.

"This is clean water. Put your head in and see if you can breathe. This amount shouldn't affect you."

Carl didn't need to explain that his demon sword Muramasa made him immune to such limitations. Even the sea couldn't weaken him. But instead of saying anything, he simply dunked his head into the water and attempted to breathe.

At first, he choked slightly, but within seconds, his breathing became smooth—no different from breathing in the air.

Pulling his head out, Carl wiped the water from his face with a satisfied smile.

This was the first time he had tried breathing underwater. Despite his immunity to the sea, he had always held his breath while submerged out of habit. Today, he discovered a new ability.

The Lunarian adaptability to any environment had fully manifested within him.

But what excited Carl the most wasn't just the fire resistance or breathing underwater.

It was the Lunarian's terrifying speed and nearly indestructible defense.

That power would soon be his.

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