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Even Kong, usually unflappable, couldn't remain indifferent to the Pure Gold—the legendary treasure rumored to slow aging.
"No. What Tsuru-chan means is…Arthur was there, too, when we encountered the anglerfish," Garp clarified, his usual bluntness evident.
"And we fought inside the anglerfish. He has some kind of power that neutralizes my attacks. I couldn't capture him. And I don't know if he took the Pure Gold."
"That brat again?!" Kong's eye twitched. Arthur's name was becoming synonymous with trouble, his mere mention enough to ignite Kong's fury, a rage rivaling his hatred for Patrick Redfield. And Redfield, at least, wasn't nearly as troublesome as Arthur.
Kong's face flushed, veins bulging on his forehead, his anger redirected towards the scientist.
He was certain Vegapunk was involved in Arthur's escape. Devil Fruit users, suppressed by Seastone, couldn't use their powers.
No one had ever overcome that weakness. It wasn't a matter of Devil Fruit development—It was a fundamental law of the One Piece world, a balancing force. Just being able to move under the influence of Seastone was a feat.
The Pyrobloin in the sea—the bane of Devil Fruit users—it couldn't be bypassed. It was an absolute.
"I can feel his rage from here."
Arthur, cloaked in invisibility, having infiltrated Marine Headquarters, overheard Kong's outburst through his Observation Haki. He felt a twinge of sympathy for Vegapunk. The scientist had unwittingly painted a target on his back.
But Arthur's focus was singular—finding Vegapunk.
He listened intently for any mention of the Science Division's location, then began his infiltration, moving silently through the base, avoiding patrols, his presence masked by his electromagnetism, undetectable to those with less developed Haki.
The closer he got to the Science Division, the tighter the security became, guards posted every few yards—more heavily fortified than even Impel Down.
From a distance, the Science Division looked like a futuristic fortress, its smooth, metallic exterior gleaming under the lights, the entrance flanked by high-tech sensor arrays. This level of technology—centuries ahead of anything outside these walls—was jarring.
Arthur's Haki scanned the interior of the building, noting the numerous surveillance Den Den Mushi. They wouldn't stop him. The real challenge was…the people.
"Sneaking in is impossible. Too many CP0 agents." He observed the building from a distance, formulating a plan.
Invisibility wouldn't last. He'd be detected instantly.
A figure—a CP0 agent in a white robe and a small, white clown mask—emerged from behind a building, heading towards the Science Division.
Arthur stretched, preparing for a surprise attack. Invisibility wouldn't work, but a disguise might.
Every CP0 agent was a formidable opponent. A swift, decisive strike was essential. If he failed, he'd have to retreat, abandoning his mission for now.
He took a deep breath, his body tensing, his power coiled and ready to be unleashed.
The masked agent's footsteps were precise, measured, each stride identical.
He was roughly Arthur's height—around six foot six—his build lean, though the voluminous robe masked his frame.
Three hundred yards…two hundred…one hundred…
Arthur calculated the distance. The surrounding buildings would provide cover. As long as he contained the blast radius, he could eliminate the agent without attracting attention.
He launched his attack, his suppressed presence exploding outwards, his speed reaching its peak.
His hand, crackling with electricity, transformed into a blade, all his force concentrated into a single, devastating strike, aimed at the unsuspecting agent's neck.
"Who—?" The agent barely had time to react.
The lightning blade sliced through his neck, decapitating him instantly.
The head flew upwards, the sheer speed of the attack preventing any blood splatter.
Arthur quickly donned the robe and mask, concealing his prison garb.
He rubbed his temples. The attack, while not physically draining, had taken a toll on his mental energy. Too many more like that, and he'd collapse from exhaustion. Maintaining such intense focus was tiring.
Suitably disguised—Arthur quickly incinerated the CP0 agent's body with a burst of high-voltage electricity, ensuring no trace remained.
With a disguise—infiltration was easy.
Arthur mimicked the agent's gait, walking towards the Science Division. The guards, seeing the robe and mask, saluted and stepped aside, no questions asked.
The authority of CP0 was absolute.
He passed through several checkpoints, casually ordering the guards to deactivate the sensor lights, and entered the Science Division.
In a Lower-Level laboratory—
A group of scientists, led by Vegapunk, were conducting an experiment, their two assistants flanking him.
Dragon and Sado Nath stood guard outside the lab.
"Dr. Vegapunk! Another brilliant breakthrough!" One of the assistants gushed, his eyes wide with admiration.
"After mastering Zoan Devil Fruit transfer—you've cracked the code for Paramecia as well! Allowing inanimate objects to gain their powers! This is…monumental!"
His tone was reverent, like a student praising his teacher.
Vegapunk simply nodded, his expression calm, as if he'd accomplished a minor task.
He'd been working on this for a while. With the World Government's endless supply of Devil Fruits, it was only a matter of time.
"Zoan and now Paramecia. Logia fruits—they are too volatile, too dangerous. They aren't suitable for such experiments."
Imbuing an inanimate object with a Logia's power, turning it into a walking natural disaster—it was reckless and pointless. They weren't going to waste valuable Devil Fruits on such a foolish endeavor.
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