The New World, Future Island Egghead.
Inside the laboratory, Vegapunk was on a video call with Allen via a Transponder Snail.
Only after confirming the transaction did he explain the current limitations of the Lunarian Tribe Lineage Factor modification technology.
First, the serum could only be used on humans.
A major reason for researching the Lunarian bloodline was to apply it to the upcoming Seraphim project. Currently, only humans could integrate it without side effects.
Furthermore, for those with special bloodlines and certain Devil Fruit users—
Such as Logia, Zoan, or some Paramecia users whose physical traits had been altered, the serum preparation step would require much more time.
Hearing these restrictions, Allen bluntly stated through the video that he would come over and chop him up once he reached the New World.
Vegapunk threw his hands up dismissively, his long tongue hanging down to his chin, and finally said:
"Anyway, you need to be careful when choosing the subjects. Once the serum is formulated, it cannot be used on anyone else."
"You can send over a few extra samples for compatibility testing. I'll even throw that in for free."
"Alright, transaction count minus three. The technical services related to the Lineage Factor have reached their limit. Is there anything else you want to buy?" Vegapunk asked again.
The video Transponder Snail paused for a moment before Allen's voice came through.
"I want Artificial Devil Fruits."
"Ah, that. I haven't researched artificial fruits in years. After all, it's an extremely long-cycle project, and nearly half were handed over to the World Government. I have less than ten left on hand."
Saying this, Vegapunk pulled a list from a drawer under his workbench and showed it to Allen.
"This is all I have left. Some of them are even defective failures. Of course, the price won't be discounted because of that."
On the list, the information for eight Zoan Devil Fruits was clearly displayed, complete with forms and ability descriptions.
Among them.
The four standard Zoans were: Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Lynx; Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Fighting Fish (Failure); Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Vulture (Failure); Snake-Snake Fruit, Model: Cobra.
The three Ancient Zoans were: Ox-Ox Fruit, Model: Giant Horned Rhino (Failure); Bug-Bug Fruit, Model: Ancient Centipede; Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Terror Bird (Failure).
Finally, there was one Mythical Type: Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon (Failure).
"More than half are failures. Are you even competent?"
Allen's questioning voice came from the other side of the Transponder Snail.
Vegapunk fumed, his mustache bristling as he shouted:
"Nonsense! These are Devil Fruits, known as the secret treasures of the sea. Do you think they are easy to replicate?!"
"Alright, alright. I'll take the Ancient Type Ancient Centipede, and pack up those two failures, the Terror Bird and Azure Dragon models, as well."
In the video, Allen spoke with a completely deadpan expression.
Vegapunk calmed down and quoted his price:
"The two Ancient Types are 1.2 billion Berries each. As for that Azure Dragon Fruit..."
...
Meanwhile, on the Boin Archipelago, inside the captain's cabin of the *Freewill*, Allen stared at Vegapunk on the projection screen, waiting for him to name what would inevitably be an exorbitant price.
However.
After waiting for a long time, Vegapunk remained silent. If he hadn't still been blinking on the screen, Allen would have thought the signal had dropped.
A few more seconds passed.
Veins bulged on Allen's forehead as he couldn't hold back anymore. "Say something, you old bastard!"
"Ahem, I left that fruit at my old research facility. I can't trade it to you."
Vegapunk finally spoke.
Allen glanced at him and said, "Just have someone go get it. Is that so much trouble?"
"Ummm... It's not exactly hard. Let me rephrase that. I can't sell this fruit to you."
On the screen, Vegapunk confessed directly.
Allen stared calmly into his eyes, feeling a brief wave of disappointment before quickly letting it go.
*'Sure enough, picking up a bargain isn't that easy.'*
The artificial Azure Dragon Fruit was a replica of Kaido's ability. Although it was labeled a failure, Allen knew it was only because the color was wrong.
As a result, the perfectionist Vegapunk deemed it a failure and casually tossed it into some corner of Punk Hazard.
It was a complete waste of a heavenly treasure. This was blatant color discrimination.
A baby dragon was still a dragon! Why shouldn't a pink dragon be considered a real dragon?!
"If you won't sell it, forget it. I can't be bothered to make empty threats. Just pack up those three Ancient Types for me."
Allen had no intention of pestering him. Vegapunk wasn't an idiot; if he didn't want to hand over the pink dragon fruit, saying anything more would be a waste of breath.
On the screen, Vegapunk seemed a bit surprised by his straightforwardness.
"Oh? Giving up so quickly? I thought you would fight for it. After all, that fruit only has the wrong color; its abilities are practically identical to Kaido's."
"What do you mean?"
Hearing this, Allen frowned instead.
Why would Vegapunk voluntarily reveal the true nature of the fruit? If he didn't want to give it to him, there was absolutely no need to go out of his way to mention this.
*'Something is wrong. Very wrong.'*
Allen couldn't help but grow suspicious. *'This guy is definitely up to no good.'*
"You heard me right. Aside from the different color, this fruit's abilities are almost exactly the same as the Four Emperors' Kaido. As long as you pay a sufficient price, I can trade it to you."
Vegapunk's tone remained calm.
Allen narrowed his eyes slightly. "What price? It's definitely not as simple as money, is it?"
"Of course, you have to pay enough money, but I have another condition."
Vegapunk paused, then continued:
"Nico Robin is on your ship, right? As an additional condition for the fruit, I want you to hand her over to me."
Hearing this, Sanji and the others' faces instantly darkened, and they glared warily at Vegapunk.
"I see. Did Kuma tell you?"
Allen suddenly sneered, leaning back against the sofa.
*'What a boring test.'*
He already understood Vegapunk's intentions. He had been set up this time. No matter what he chose, it would play right into the other party's hands, which annoyed him a bit.
...
Inside the Egghead laboratory.
Vegapunk watched Allen, quietly waiting for his answer.
If Allen accepted the condition and handed over Robin, he would use Kuma's ability to bypass the Five Elders' surveillance and secretly send Robin to Elbaf for protection.
If Allen refused the condition, that was fine too. Being able to reject such a powerful Mythical Type fruit and refusing to hand over a comrade meant that staying on such a ship was also a form of protection for Robin.
It didn't matter to him how Allen chose.
Discovering Robin's whereabouts and making contact with Allen at the same time was purely a coincidence.
He wanted to do something to help while Kuma's consciousness hadn't been completely erased yet. In a little while, he wouldn't have the ability to interfere with outside affairs anymore.
On the video, Allen finally spoke.
"Sell the Azure Dragon Fruit or don't, I don't care. But don't even think about me handing Robin over to you."
"Eh? Are you sure? That's the ability of the Four Emperors' Kaido. I remember you aren't a Devil Fruit user, right? Do you know what this means?"
Vegapunk blinked, his voice coaxing:
"With your strength, as long as you eat this fruit, you could become one of the overlords of the sea in just a few years. And the price is merely handing over a World Government criminal."
"Merely? You say that so lightly. If I actually did that, my crewmates would probably beat me to death."
Allen sneered coldly on the screen and told him:
"Four Emperors or Fifth Emperor, Kaido never became the King. I don't need to rely on a counterfeit fruit to walk the path he walked."
"..."
Vegapunk looked stunned for a moment, then a relieved smile appeared on his face as he said:
"Well, that's truly a pity. The contact person will bring those three Ancient Type fruits to you in a few days. Let's get back to the main topic. You still have four transaction opportunities left."
"Give me a long-range laser weapon. We'll talk about the remaining three transactions later."
"Sure, a laser weapon is 500 million Berries. It will also be delivered in a few days. Since you have nothing else to buy, let's end our discussion here for today."
...
*Click.*
In the captain's cabin of the *Freewill*, Allen hung up the video Transponder Snail and leaned back.
"9 billion plus 3.6 billion plus 500 million... 13.1 billion Berries gone just like that. This is the first time I've felt like money is worthless."
Allen let out a long sigh. Right now, the nearly 10 billion Berries in cash on the ship weren't enough to cover the payment. He would have to cut off a chunk of gold to settle the debt when the time came.
Three doses of the Lunarian Tribe Lineage Factor. If it was just about spending money, he considered it a bargain, since others couldn't buy it even if they had the cash.
But this transaction opportunity was obtained on the condition of accepting the Warlord of the Sea title. If he didn't squeeze a little more out of Vegapunk, he would always feel like he hadn't made his money's worth.
And then there was that pink dragon fruit.
If that stinky old man wouldn't give it to him, so be it. Once he entered the New World, he would just go to Punk Hazard and take it himself.
...
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