"This... I don't really know what's going on either." Michael shook his head. "Tell me, is this a good thing or a bad thing?"
"A good thing! Of course it's a tremendous good thing!" Vegapunk answered excitedly. "Originally, I thought that simply using the Lunarian bloodline's power didn't quite live up to the name of Seraphim... But your bloodline factor seems to have completely merged with your Devil Fruit ability."
Michael looked at Vegapunk's utterly confident expression, and a thought began to take shape in his mind.
So that meant… he could now truly be considered an angel himself.
If the Seraphim could truly inherit his bloodline factor, then one could imagine the enhancement to their base functions—it would surely surpass that of the Pacifista.
And perhaps… his bloodline factor might even allow the Seraphim to acquire a portion of his Devil Fruit powers.
If that were possible...
Then even without Kizaru's laser ability, it wouldn't matter at all.
"Alright, enough idle talk... Hurry and start the experiment. The best way to prove your assumptions is through actual testing!"
Michael's words were like a jolt of lightning, snapping the three Vegapunks out of their overwhelming shock.
Without another word to Michael, the trio carefully held the precious bloodline factor as if it were a sacred relic and hurried to the Seraphim research sector.
Michael, left with nothing to do, strolled idly out of the bloodline extraction room.
This sort of experiment would probably take a while to complete anyway.
"Crocodile," he heard a familiar voice beside him. The faint smoke of the lady's cigar seemed to hook his attention. "Vegapunk and the others just ran off so excitedly... What on earth happened? Weren't they supposed to need your help?"
"Looks like... my part's already done." Michael shrugged. "What they just extracted was my bloodline factor."
"Extracting your bloodline factor, huh... Tch. You went through everything with Germa, yet you still agreed to something like that?"
"Well, the nature of it is different from the start, after all."
Michael shrugged again.
...
Led by Crocodile and Stella, Michael and the others eventually arrived at the Seraphim research area after touring the facility.
At the moment, aside from York—the embodiment of Desire—and Atlas—the embodiment of Wrath—the other four bodies were busy working alongside Vegapunk's main body, operating all kinds of equipment with intense focus.
"The final step! Inject Michael's bloodline factor!"
With Vegapunk's excited shout, Shaka, Lilith, Edison, and Pythagoras all simultaneously pushed their switches.
After a series of mechanical clicks and whirs, Michael's shimmering, holy-light-infused bloodline factor was transmitted through the tubes connected to the Seraphim.
The instant Michael's bloodline factor came into contact with them, every Seraphim's body began to tremble violently.
And as they trembled, their appearances began to change drastically.
For instance, the pairs of purple-black wings behind them—large or small—started transforming from the base to the very tips of each feather, turning into pure white.
The flames of the Lunarian race behind their heads also gradually shifted, glowing with the color of Holy Light.
The Seraphim themselves changed as well.
Originally, their appearances were childlike versions of their bloodline donors.
But now, all of their hair turned platinum-gold, gleaming with the same luster as Michael's.
The next moment, all the Seraphim opened their eyes at once.
This sudden development made every Vegapunk jolt in shock.
After all, they hadn't officially activated the Seraphim yet!
How could they have awakened on their own?
But before the Vegapunks could even react, all the Seraphim reached up, tearing out the tubes connected to their bodies, their eyes locking firmly on Michael...
And then they began to wail loudly, rolling on the floor.
"Waaah! Mama! Food! Hungry!"
Feeling the Seraphim's powerful bodies rolling across the ground and shaking the lab, everyone present was left speechless.
Especially Michael.
He could clearly feel it—the "Mama" they were crying out for… was definitely him!
"Hiss... Strange! Too strange!" Vegapunk exclaimed, stepping forward to observe the crying little ones.
"That can't be right! I programmed their personalities to be calm, dependable adults, inheriting only a small portion of their donor's temperament. Why would a reset phenomenon occur like this?"
"I can only assume... Michael's bloodline factor is too strong?" Shaka said, rubbing his chin while checking the instruments.
"Because the factor's strength is overwhelming, it might've triggered a full reset to rewrite redundant preset sequences. It's the only plausible explanation—since every single parameter reads perfectly normal."
The Seraphim's personality reset left everyone reacting in their own unique way.
For instance, Stella and Crocodile—the bloodline factor donors—were both utterly dumbfounded, watching toddler versions of themselves throw tantrums and roll around on the floor.
"I told you this wasn't a good idea!" Crocodile growled through clenched teeth. "Just thinking that this Seraphim calling Michael 'Mama' was made using my bloodline factor... Ugh, I've got goosebumps already!"
"It doesn't feel... that bad, though." Stella's face turned slightly red, a faint smile forming. "In a sense, isn't this a life that Michael and I created together?"
"Wait—this is what you're thinking about right now?" Crocodile's mouth twitched. "You've got it bad! Sure, we agreed on fair competition, but this is straight-up cheating! And don't forget—you're not the only one! There are Seraphim made from me, Hawk Eyes, and Rosinante—three men!"
Nearby, Jack patted Yamato on the shoulder. The light in her eyes was long gone.
"ε=(′ο｀*))) Sigh... Don't overthink it. Just remember—they're only clones."
"But they call him Mama, and even act all spoiled wanting cuddles!" Yamato's expression darkened, her brows furrowing sharply. "If I were to roll on the floor too... would I win, Jack?"
"W-Would you?" Jack said awkwardly, half laughing, half crying. "You're a grown woman. If you start throwing tantrums and asking for hugs, wouldn't Michael-sama send you straight to the Revolutionary Army's psychiatric wing?"