Inside the laboratory on Moden Island—
Kizaru followed Vegapunk through layers of tightly secured doors.
When they entered one of the massive research halls—
Even someone as well-traveled as a Marine Admiral—
Was stunned.
He muttered instinctively:
"Vegapunk… you really are… a madman…"
Previously—
He had only seen Garp's clone.
And thought that was already impressive enough.
After all—
This wasn't Vegapunk's main base.
Just a temporary research facility—
Yet it could already clone Garp's body.
That alone was outrageous.
But now—
What Vegapunk showed him—
Was on an entirely different level.
Terrifying.
Before his eyes—
Rows upon rows of cultivation tanks—
Of varying sizes—
Filled the chamber.
Inside them—
Floated all kinds of "creatures."
Aside from Logia users—
Who seemed absent—
Almost every famous powerhouse on the seas—
Could be found here—
In some form.
Perfect clones.
Grotesque hybrids—
Fused from multiple species.
Kizaru's gaze swept across the labels.
His lips twitched uncontrollably.
[PX-0 Prototype · Bartholomew Kuma (Under Modification)]
[S-7 Clone · Gecko Moria (Failure)]
[K-Type Kaido Lineage Factor Clone (Unstable)]
[K-Type Big Mom Lineage Factor Clone (Failure)]
[Golden Lion Genetic Fragment Subject (Discarded)]
[Warlord Lineage Factor Fusion Subject (Failure)]
[...]
The Seven Warlords.
The Four Emperors.
Legendary pirates.
Anything you could think of—
Was here.
If you couldn't think of it—
Vegapunk probably already had.
Vegapunk paid no mind to Kizaru's shock.
"Scientific research always comes with failures."
"These are merely incomplete results."
He paused.
Then added:
"Of course, all of this is conducted under direct orders from the World Government."
"Or rather… it was their idea."
He gestured deeper into the facility.
"This is only a fraction."
"The more refined results are stored on Egghead Island."
"And once everything is complete…"
"They will likely all be handed over to the World Government."
Kizaru inhaled slowly.
He suddenly felt—
He shouldn't be hearing this.
But curiosity won.
"So… these are all failures?"
Vegapunk shook his head.
"Not entirely."
"Some are successful."
"For example—the Seraphim, developed from Warlord lineage factors…"
"Have already reached combat-ready standards."
"I see…"
Kizaru felt a chill.
The World Government—
Had been hiding far more than anyone imagined.
They possessed lineage factors from nearly every top-tier fighter.
And who knew—
What else they were hiding?
Before he could process it all—
Vegapunk sighed.
"A pity…"
"Logia Devil Fruits are too unique."
"I haven't fully cracked them yet."
"Otherwise…"
"This collection…"
"Would be even more… complete."
Kizaru's lips twitched again.
But inwardly—
He felt relieved.
Thank god he hasn't figured that out…
Otherwise—
Wouldn't his Glint-Glint Fruit become mass-produced?
That thought alone—
Was terrifying.
He quickly changed the subject.
"Vegapunk… Kuma…"
"How is he… now?"
At the mention of Kuma—
Vegapunk's expression finally changed.
Complicated.
Heavy.
After a few seconds, he replied quietly:
"The modification… is nearly complete."
"His consciousness…"
"Is almost entirely gone."
He paused.
"I did leave him… one final gift."
(The last sentence—he kept to himself.)
As a friend—
That was all he could do.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Then—
BANG!
The lab doors burst open.
A stout figure rushed in—
Surprisingly agile despite his size.
Sentomaru.
Sweating.
Panting.
"Bad news, Dr. Vegapunk! Uncle Kizaru!"
"Leno—'The Fallen' Leno—is here!!"
"WHAT?!"
"Leno?! How did he find this place?!"
Both men's expressions changed instantly.
Kizaru stood up sharply.
This facility was extremely secretive—
There was no way Leno should know!
Sentomaru hurriedly added:
"I—I saw Stussy on his ship!"
"She brought them here!!"
"Stussy?! Impossible!"
Vegapunk blurted out.
Shock filled his face.
On the surface—
Stussy was CP0.
But in truth—
She was his.
Even if she betrayed the World Government—
She shouldn't betray him.
So how—
Could she lead Leno here?!
"Now's not the time to debate that…"
Kizaru's tone turned serious.
He glanced outside.
"No matter the reason—Leno is already here."
"I'll go check the situation first."
Before he finished speaking—
His body dissolved into golden light.
Flash—
He vanished from the lab.
Moments later—
He appeared above the coastline of Moden Island.
One glance—
And his eyes locked onto Leno's ship.
Then—
At the figures on the deck.
His heart sank.
One Leno alone—
Was already troublesome.
And beside him—
The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.
A former Warlord.
Even Sentomaru wouldn't stand a chance.
Even deploying all Pacifistas—
Wouldn't make this easy.
This wasn't a partial force.
This was the full Leno Pirates.
And standing among them—
Was none other than—
Stussy.
Kizaru frowned.
That doesn't make sense…
As a CP0 agent—
Even if captured—
She shouldn't break.
"Now this…"
"…is a real problem…"
Floating in midair—
Kizaru sighed.
For once—
Even he felt a headache coming.
Why—
Out of all people—
Did he always end up facing Leno?
If he had known—
He would've stayed at Marine Headquarters—
Guarding Law.
And not gotten greedy—
For that little bonus.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/CanonBreaker