Marine Headquarters, Scientific Research Unit.
Dr. Vegapunk and his team of scientists were currently conducting research on Seastone.
"Vegapunk-san, we’ve discovered that this material, known as Seastone, is formed by drawing and condensing the power of the sea. Like the ocean itself, it has the effect of rendering Devil Fruit users powerless. Users who come into contact with it become completely debilitated in a short period," an assistant approached Dr. Vegapunk and reported.
"Hmm..." Dr. Vegapunk nodded gravely, then proposed an idea. "If... we were to fashion it into weapons, wouldn’t it become the bane of Devil Fruit users?"
"Vegapunk-san, that’s impossible. Aside from its hardness, which far surpasses diamond, the development cost alone would be an unimaginable sum. The Marines and the government would likely prefer to spend that money elsewhere than invest so much in Seastone weapons," the assistant replied without hesitation.
Just then, another researcher in a white lab coat hurried over and quietly reported to Dr. Vegapunk, "Vegapunk-san, the CP0 agent is here to see you."
"Oh? After their defeat by that pirate hunter, they still have the gall to come find me?" Dr. Vegapunk said with a displeased expression. He had already learned of CP0’s failure to capture Alucard, and he was quite unhappy about it.
"Let him in. Regardless, he represents the World Government," Dr. Vegapunk instructed.
Soon, the laboratory doors opened, and a man in a white suit, draped in a large cloak and wearing a mask, walked in. As soon as he entered the lab, he declared, "Everyone except Dr. Vegapunk, leave. What follows is not for your ears."
The identity of CP0 needed no further explanation. Over twenty top Marine researchers present immediately exited the research lab upon hearing this.
"What can a CP0 agent want with me? Or rather, what does the government want?" Dr. Vegapunk showed no fear. Although his current status wasn’t yet that high, his importance was no less than that of CP0. Furthermore, he was now fully in charge of the highly crucial "Seastone Research Project," further elevating his standing.
"It’s my first time meeting you, genius scientist Dr. Vegapunk," the CP0 Chief Officer said abruptly.
"What are you talking about? Haven’t we met several times before... Hmm!?" As he finished speaking, Dr. Vegapunk’s expression suddenly changed. "No, you feel different from before. You’re not CP0. Who are you?"
"Who I am isn’t important. But if I can infiltrate as a CP0 agent, then with your intellect, you should be able to imagine I can do much more, yes?" Although masked, Dr. Vegapunk could imagine the smile beneath the man’s mask. But he was not flustered. "You’ve come to me not to kill me. Instead, you must have something you want me to do."
"Communicating with intelligent people is convenient, but also quite annoying," the Chief Officer said coldly.
"I want you to manufacture Seastone bullets. In large quantities, as many as possible, ideally endlessly!" The Chief Officer stated his demand.
Dr. Vegapunk’s eyes narrowed. He had just started contemplating the idea of Seastone as a weapon, and now someone was already making such a request.
"If I refuse, will you take my life here?" Dr. Vegapunk asked.
"This is a negotiation. I permit you to state your conditions," the CP0 agent replied chillingly.
"Alucard," Dr. Vegapunk said without hesitation. "Dracula D. Alucard’s blood. Or rather, give me his life to research, let me dissect him."
Compared to Seastone, Dr. Vegapunk was undoubtedly more interested in Alucard’s blood, his cells, his genes. It was an unknown existence; if successfully researched, it might even break the structure of the food chain!
Dr. Vegapunk desperately wanted to research it.
A slight smirk played on the lips of the face behind the CP0 mask. ’This guy still doesn’t understand the key to the Blacklight Virus.’
Unlike the 100% infectivity of ghouls, the Blacklight Virus has extremely low infectivity. While it can create infected individuals, an infected biting another infected won’t transmit it. This meant it couldn’t become like a "Resident Evil" scenario where the entire world gets infected.
Like Moria’s zombies, infected individuals couldn’t go into the sea unless they were Blacklight Birds (Flyers). But those were too weak, solvable by a Rear Admiral-level officer.
Truly powerful infected individuals wouldn’t follow orders and wouldn’t go into the sea; at most, they’d become a regional overlord, not a world-ending weapon.
If it meant a trade, Alucard still felt it was a very worthwhile one.
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