It was indeed highly suspicious. For someone who had not set foot outside Marineford for ten years to suddenly request permission to sail out — and specifically to the New World to retrieve items — naturally raised serious doubts.
"Come to think of it, this is actually thanks to you, Mr. Zephyr!"
The man with glasses pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose.
Seeing the confused looks on both Kong and Zephyr's faces, he explained, Before joining the World Government, Dr. Vegapunk conducted research alongside the Vinsmoke Family on technologies for creating artificial humans.
The experimental materials stored at that location contain the conclusions drawn from that project.
"However, the transformation that Mr. Zephyr's arm underwent — altered by Grimm through some unknown means — bears striking similarities to that very research…"
"So Vegapunk wants to use me as a test subject?" Zephyr sneered coldly. Suddenly his expression shifted drastically; the muscles in his right arm twitched violently, as if something inside was struggling to burst out.
Zephyr quickly pulled a palm‑sized rubber sphere from his pocket. Attached to it was a small compressed‑air injector.
He pressed the device to his mouth and inhaled the chemical agent inside. Only then did the crimson, writhing skin on his arm slowly return to normal.
Kong watched the scene with a complex expression. "Zephyr…"
Zephyr raised a hand to stop him, breathing somewhat heavily. "I'm… I'm fine."
At that moment, the bespectacled scientist spoke again.
"Mr. Zephyr, you are free to interpret it that way. However, the substance Grimm left inside your body is growing stronger by the day. Right now, Dr. Vegapunk is developing a more stable sedative, though we do not yet know how effective it will be. If not for the sake of research… then surely for your own well‑being…"
"I understand," Kong said. "I approve Vegapunk's special mission. But in addition to the Government's agents, I will also send an elite Marine division to accompany him."
"That will be perfectly acceptable."
The scientist nodded, turned, and left. "I shall inform Dr. Vegapunk of this decision immediately."
Once he was gone, Zephyr put away the sedative and said to Kong, "Conducting research on living human beings violates every principle of humanity."
"But we need Vegapunk's intellect and power," Kong replied gravely.
He opened the documents Vegapunk had submitted. As he read further, his expression grew more and more serious, until he reached a specific line near the end.
> "The Pacifista Project?"
Kong frowned. "Isn't this similar to the research into mechanical gladiators that Dr. Luke proposed recently? If they plan to modify living bodies… could they even replicate the use of Haki? That is truly a fantasy!"
Knock, knock, knock!
Zephyr was about to leave when there was another knock on the office door.
"Come in!" Kong called.
The door opened, and Tsuru entered. She exchanged a brief greeting with Zephyr as they passed each other, then walked straight to Kong's desk.
"There's a madman causing chaos in the North Blue," she reported.
For Tsuru to describe someone as a "madman" spoke volumes about the trouble they were causing.
She laid a wanted poster on the desk. Kong gripped his fist tightly, his face filled with resentment.
"The Vinsmoke Family!"
"They have already conquered one of the four great kingdoms of the North Blue," Tsuru explained.
"It seems their research into artificial humans has finally yielded initial results, and they are rushing to test it in the field."
She then asked, "We cannot allow them to continue this rampage. Which unit should we send? If I were to go personally…"
"Your talents are needed elsewhere — I have other plans for you," Kong said with a snort. "But as for the Vinsmokes… Hmph. I have a special way to deal with them."
Tsuru paused for a moment, then asked cautiously, "May I ask… what method do you have in mind?"
"Grimm was born in the North Blue, wasn't he?" A cunning smile appeared on Kong's face.
Tsuru was no ordinary officer. As Chief of Staff, she understood his thinking instantly. Her eyes lit up in realization. "Understood."
Half a month later — Bynbruce Island, New World
Government vessels and Marine warships navigated through clusters of whirlpools and arrived at this isolated island.
From the ships, Tsuru led a contingent of female Marines, alongside other officers including Peach Rabbit, White Fox, and Black Boar, as they disembarked.
"I heard that Grimm and Kaido fought a fierce battle here once," Peach Rabbit said, stepping to Tsuru's side and looking out over the primeval forest.
"Later, Vice Admiral Garp came with Vice Admiral Kuzan and the late Vice Admiral Sakazuki… and together they managed to capture Kaido right here."
"But Kaido escaped while being transported to Impel Down," Tsuru replied, shaking her head. Her expression hardened.
"One day… we will catch all of them."
Just mentioning the name of Sakazuki — who had died in the line of duty — filled her with rage.
"Um… next, we need to proceed to the secret research facility to retrieve the old files."
Dr. Vegapunk jumped down from one of the Government ships.
"I know," Tsuru replied. "That is precisely why the Marines are here."
She and the Government agents formed a tight protective ring around Vegapunk.
His importance to the World Government was equal to that of a Fleet Admiral — he could not be allowed to come to harm.
When they reached the exact center of the ancient forest, Vegapunk suddenly stopped.
"This is the place."
Everyone looked around in confusion. There were no visible structures, no cave entrances, nothing at all.
Vegapunk crouched down and felt around the ground.
Suddenly, a section of earth and turf lifted up, revealing a sloping passageway with stairs leading underground.
"May I go in alone?" Vegapunk asked.
"Absolutely not."
The Government agents rejected his request without hesitation. Under no circumstances was Vegapunk to be allowed out of their sight, for any reason. It was a strict order, no exceptions.
"Hmph… very well then."
Vegapunk chuckled softly and descended into the pit.
Approximately two hours later, Vegapunk finally emerged, accompanied by the agents and members of the Science Unit.
Compared to when they entered, everyone was now carrying stacks of documents and files.
"We cannot leave this place intact for the enemy to use. Even though the likelihood is low, we must eliminate all future risks."
Just before boarding the ship, Vegapunk suddenly spoke these words. He pulled out a remote control and pressed the red button on top.
BOOM!
The explosion was deafening, hurting everyone's eardrums. They looked toward the center of the island; in the exact spot where Vegapunk had entered, massive trees and soil were blasted into the air. The chain of explosions continued for nearly thirty seconds before finally falling silent.
That mad scientist really goes to great lengths to protect his own work, White Fox thought to herself.
But the truth was — Tsuru, the agents, and even the other scientists had all been completely fooled by Vegapunk.
The place itself had no remaining value. The research data brought out were nothing but discarded records of failed experiments.
Vegapunk had only gone through the motions to make it look authentic.
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